Review roundup: the most exciting games for quarter one of 2025 and how we rated them

Domagoj Belancic

2/4/2025

Translation: Patrik Stainbrook

The 2025 gaming year got off to a blinding start. I’m taking a look back at the titles that most impressed or disappointed the gaming editorial team during the first three months of the year.

Since our last quarterly review, the Editorial Team has been busy playing and testing games. We’re taking a look back at the new releases we enjoyed most in January, February and March 2025. As well as those we really wouldn’t recommend.

The games we tested are sorted into five categories: Masterpiece (5 stars), Worth a try (4 stars), Partial recommendation (3 stars), Avoid (2 stars) and Disaster (1 star).

Titles are listed alphabetically per category. Play times were taken from howlongtobeat.com. You can find an overview of all our published game reviews on Opencritic.

Masterpiece: you have to play these games (★★★★★ review)

Five-star games are absolute masterpieces and Game of the Year candidates. Note, this doesn’t mean that they’re perfect or flawless. But the overall package blew us away and we’ll remember them for a long time to come.

Regardless of your genre preferences, you should definitely give these games a chance (sorted alphabetically):

Masterpiece: Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist

Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist is a Metroidvania polished to a high sheen. The game doesn’t try many new things, but what it does is incredible. Its beautiful dark fantasy world invites you to explore, and its dynamic battles make a great impression thanks to exciting opponents and versatile equipment options. Genre connoisseur Kevin is enthusiastic in his review.

• Where: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC
• Version tested: PC
• Genre: Metroidvania
• Multiplayer: no
• Play time: 18.5 hours

Masterpiece: Foundation

City-building expert Debora played Foundation in its early access phase and fell in love with the relaxingly rapid gameplay. The simulation will be even better with the full release. Compared to other titles, Foundation focuses heavily on organically growing cities, allowing you to let off steam in a creative way with modular buildings, among other things.

• Where: PC
• Genre: city building
• Multiplayer: no
• Play time: 24.5 hours

Masterpiece: Split Fiction

For Phil, it’s clear: Split Fiction’s one of the best – if not the best – co-op games he’s ever played. Developer studio Hazelight led by the legendary Josef Fares (of F* the Oscars fame) has outdone himself. The number of gameplay ideas used here easily would’ve been enough for ten games. Its story impresses as well with two likeable protagonists and a mix of fantasy and sci-fi worlds.

• Where: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
• Version tested: PC
• Genre: action-adventure
• Multiplayer: yes, exclusively
• Play time: 13 hours

Masterpiece: The Darkest Files

Kim is enthusiastic in his review of this gloomy tale. In The Darkest Files, you take on the role of a young female prosecutor in 1950s Germany. Her mission? To investigate Nazi crimes and bring the guilty to justice. The unique comic-noir look, a strong narrative structure with emotional climaxes and an oppressive theme make The Darkest Files one of the best narrative games of the year.

• Where: PC
• Genre: adventure
• Multiplayer: no
• Play time: n/a

Masterpiece: Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition

Xenoblade Chronicles X is an exhausting game. The sci-fi JRPG is almost overwhelmingly huge, and the combat system’s frighteningly complex. If you don’t let this put you off and invest the necessary time and energy, you’ll be rewarded with one of the best Japanese role-playing games ever. The game is full of magical moments – for example, when you finally unlock one of the powerful mechs after several hours of gameplay, turning the entire open-world gameplay concept on its head. Goosebumps guaranteed.

• Where: Switch
• Genre: role-playing game
• Multiplayer: yes
• Play time: 64 hours

Worth a try: we liked these games too (★★★★ review)

Games in this category do a lot of things right – even if they don’t quite make it as a timeless classic. In a review, games from this category would receive four out of five stars.

The few points of criticism we have shouldn’t stop you from at least trying the following games (sorted alphabetically):

Worth a try: Avowed

This fantasy role-playing game from developer studio Obsidian feels like a relic from Bethesda’s past. And I mean that in a good way. Its compact worlds offer little down time with all the exciting content crammed into a small space. The combat system impresses with plenty of flexibility and smooth controls, and the rather lame story didn’t bother me too much during this playable nostalgia trip.

• Available for: Xbox Series X/S, PC
• Genre: role-playing game
• Multiplayer: no
• Play time: 41.5 hours

Worth a try: Donkey Kong Country Returns HD

To platformer expert Cassie, Donkey Kong Country Returns is one of the best games of all time. And with its Switch remake, the Wii game shines in a new splendour. If you’ve never played the game before, make sure to pick it up – fans of the original will have to live with the fact there’s hardly any new content, I’m afraid.

• Where: Switch
• Genre: platformer
• Multiplayer: yes
• Play time: 17 hours

Worth a try: Dynasty Warriors: Origins

You simply must experience the huge battles in Dynasty Warriors: Origins. It’s breathtaking, seeing how many warriors are actually fighting at the same time across the vast battlefields. I’m in the middle of it all, a one-man army, easily sweeping aside hundreds of enemies with various melee weapons. Both the monotonous mission design and mediocre story are easily forgotten given this epic spectacle.

• Where: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
• Version(s) tested: PS5
• Genre: musou
• Multiplayer: no
• Play time: 42 hours

Worth a try: Karma: The Dark World

Scaredy cat Kevin doesn’t really like horror games. Nevertheless, Karma: The Dark World drew him in. The game’s inspirations are obvious. It makes heavy use of visual and narrative elements familiar from works by George Orwell, David Lynch and Hideo Kojima. Still, the sum of these individual parts results in a unique and disturbing overall picture. Don’t expect too much in terms of gameplay, but the horror title scores points regardless with its excellent production.

• Where: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
• Version(s) tested: PC
• Genre: horror
• Multiplayer: no
• Play time: 6 hours

Worth a try: Kingdom Come Deliverance 2

No other game manages to depict a medieval world as beautifully and in such detail. There are magnificent castles, huge army camps and tranquil villages where Phil would’ve loved to settle down during his test. Anyone looking for excessive action and high speeds should be warned. The game takes a very leisurely pace, both in the story and the gameplay, dispensing with unnecessary razzle-dazzle.

• Where: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
• Version(s) tested: PC
• Genre: role-playing game
• Multiplayer: no
• Play time: 85.5 hours

Worth a try: Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

An absolutely crazy pirate game that scores points with a varied gameplay mix. When you’re not sinking enemy ships in naval battles, you fight your way through hordes of drunken pirates using sabres and magic. If you’ve never played a Like a Dragon game before, you’re in luck, it’s easy to pick up without any prior knowledge. For long-time fans, the crazy story might be a little too far removed from the usual Yakuza setting.

• Where: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
• Version(s) tested: PS5
• Genre: action-adventure
• Multiplayer: no
• Play time: 32.5 hours

Worth a try: Microtopia

Automation games are a dime a dozen these days. Still, Microtopia stands out from the crowd because you don’t have to deal with conveyor belts – ants are your primary tool. Anyone who enjoys analysing and optimising automated processes can grab it without hesitation. Genre expert Debora only criticises a few annoying quality-of-life glitches in her review.

• Where: PC
• Genre: automation
• Multiplayer: no
• Play time: n/a

Worth a try: Monster Hunter Wilds

Monster Hunter Wilds offers a greater scope than any previous instalment, simultaneously being more accessible than ever before – well, at least in theory. If you’ve never played a game in the series before, you’ll be overwhelmed by the numerous menus and options. Cassie struggled with this in her review too. On the other hand, the beautifully staged battles against occasionally massive monsters feel incredibly satisfying. And the familiar gameplay loop (hunt monsters, craft stronger equipment, hunt scarier monsters) is as addictive as ever.

• Where: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
• Version(s) tested: PS5
• Genre: action-adventure
• Multiplayer: yes
• Play time: 36 hours

Worth a try: Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars

These JRPG classics have barely been revised, in contrast to comparable new editions such as the Dragon Quest remasters. The stories featured in the almost 30-year-old games are still impressive, though. The gameplay, on the other hand, might not feel quite as fresh. It may even get cumbersome at points for many role-playing game fans.

• Where: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC
• Version(s) tested: PC
• Genre: role-playing game
• Multiplayer: no
• Play time: 35.5 hours

Partial recommendation: these games have flaws, but are still fun (★★★ review)

These games are primarily for fans of their respective genre. They’d receive three out of five stars in a game review. While still solid, they have shortcomings that could annoy more critical players.

The following games are not bad – but you don’t have to play them (sorted alphabetically):

Partial recommendation: Atomfall

Atomfall is set in a post-apocalyptic nuclear exclusion zone in a northern English backwater. At first glance, the game is reminiscent of titles such as Bethesda’s Fallout. But first impressions are deceptive. Instead of a huge open world, you get smaller open game areas. Instead of traditional questlines, there’s a hint system that guides you through the world with ambiguous snippets of information. This is fun at first, but becomes very tiring the longer you play. The graphics aren’t anything special, the enemies are dumb as dirt and the melee combat system is hit or miss. And yet, somehow this peculiar game exudes a very special charm. Enough for Phil to fight his way through to the end credits in his review, at least.

• Where: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
• Version(s) tested: PC
• Genre: action-adventure
• Multiplayer: no
• Play time: n/a

Partial recommendation: Assassin’s Creed: Shadows

Assassin’s Creed: Shadows scores points with what might be the most beautiful open world ever. Just a shame it doesn’t offer more substance. Constant repetitive missions, boring side activities and a half-baked story turn historical Japan into a lifeless and repetitive backdrop as the game progresses. But if you just want more Assassin’s Creed, you’ll be well served with Shadows.

• Where: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
• Version(s) tested: PS5
• Genre: action-adventure
• Multiplayer: no
• Play time: 55 hours

Partial recommendation: Blood Bar Tycoon

A different kind of business simulator. In Blood Bar Tycoon, you run a vampire bar, sucking the blood straight out of human customers. The creative setting is held back by some immature gameplay ideas and bugs. Bloodsucker Kim still enjoyed the campaign in his review.

• Where: PC
• Genre: simulator
• Multiplayer: no
• Play time: n/a

Partial recommendation: Kaiserpunk

With Kaiserpunk, Croatian developer studio Overseer Games has set itself an ambitious goal. The genre mix is both a city-builder and a global strategy game where you look to conquer new territories and fight enemy nations. The mix isn’t entirely successful, as city-building and strategy expert Kim writes in his review of the game. At least the dark steampunk setting impresses across the board – the game is set in a version of Europe in which the First World War never ended.

• Where: PC
• Genre: strategy
• Multiplayer: no
• Play time: n/a

Partial recommendation: Sniper Elite: Resistance

If you love Sniper Elite and just want to keep blasting Nazis to kingdom come, you’ll definitely have fun with Resistance. Sharpshooter Flo just wishes for a little more innovation and variety regarding mission design in his review of the game.

• Where: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
• Version(s) tested: PS5
• Genre: shooter
• Multiplayer: yes
• Play time: 12.5 hours

Partial recommendation: The Stone of Madness

This new game from the developers behind Blasphemous is a mix of real-time strategy and stealth. You have to help five characters escape from a run-down monastery that functions as an insane asylum. The 18th-century Spain setting has been lovingly realised with a detailed art style. In his review at least, Kevin was driven mad by the botched controls and numerous bugs and glitches.

• Where: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC
• Version(s) tested: PC
• Genre: strategy
• Multiplayer: no
• Play time: 37.5 hours

Partial recommendation: Two Point Museum

Two Point Museum is a cute and less complex business simulator. You build a museum and watch as cute little comic characters marvel at your exhibits. The game is primarily aimed at newcomers to the genre or gamers who aren’t looking for overly complicated simulations. For genre expert Debora at least, the museum trip was too shallow.

• Where: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
• Version(s) tested: PC
• Genre: simulator
• Multiplayer: no
• Play time: 57 hours

Partial recommendation: WWE 2K25

And once again, the WWE train comes rolling around the bend. The 2025 version offers smoother gameplay, better animations and smarter AI opponents. The revised entrances are also impressive. But the game also suffers from well-known wrestling hangups. Microtransactions (especially in the new Island mode), glitches and annoying DLCs spoil the fun for our wrestler Kim.

• Where: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
• Version(s) tested: PS5
• Genre: sports
• Multiplayer: yes
• Play time: 41 hours

Avoid: these games have major flaws (★★ review)

Two stars isn’t a disaster, but it’s close. These games have fundamental flaws that can significantly limit how much you enjoy them. Behind all the criticism, some genre fans might find a passable game.

However, we advise that most players don’t buy these games (sorted alphabetically):

Avoid: Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

It’s a cool idea, really: racing through a Los Angeles-inspired city in an ambulance to give various injured people first aid. However, the lousy graphics, catastrophic AI and numerous bugs really upset Kevin in his review.

• Where: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
• Version(s) tested: PC
• Genre: strategy
• Multiplayer: no
• Play time: n/a

Avoid: The Executive

In The Executive, you play an aspiring movie producer building his own film studio from the ground up. Still, the exciting premise can’t convince our favourite producer Kim in his review. The gameplay quickly becomes monotonous, the graphics are too simple and there’s a lack of long-term motivation.

• Where: PC
• Genre: simulator
• Multiplayer: no
• Play time: n/a

Disaster: avoid these games like the plague (★ review)

Games with one star are disasters that you should give a wide berth. Even patches and upgrades won’t help here. These games can no longer be saved in terms of gameplay or technology.

Fortunately, we didn’t test any absolute disasters this quarter. Yay! 🎉

Some statistics to end on

We reviewed a total of 24 games in the past three months. The Editorial Team played most of them on PC (15), followed by PS5 (6), Nintendo Switch (2) and Xbox Series X (1).

Our average rating for quarter one is 3.7 out of 5 stars. This puts the first quarter slightly below the overall average (3.8) of all games tested across our magazine. You can find an overview of all our published game reviews on Opencritic.

And here’s what 2024 looked like

You can find quarterly overviews for the past year here:

Domagoj Belancic

Senior Editor

Domagoj.Belancic@digitecgalaxus.ch

My love of video games was unleashed at the tender age of five by the original Gameboy. Over the years, it's grown in leaps and bounds.

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