Mafia: The Old Country (Xbox Series X|S)

Hangar 13's Mafia 3 was an interesting game that was brave in its subject matter, but one that was also waylaid somewhat by both narrative and gameplay issues. It was a good idea, a dark and bleakly adult game in all the right ways, though, and despite its problems, many have come to see it as a bit of an under-appreciated gem in the years since its release.

Whatever your stance is on that game, it's good to see the studio get a second bite at the cherry in Mafia: The Old Country, an origin story that takes the action to Sicily - which is where all those mob type lads come from, innit. Set in the 1900s, we're expecting a delight for the eyes and the ears, so let's just hope this one nails the gameplay and the narrative aspects a little better this time around, as the idea of a period mobster piece is an enticing one.

  • Release Date: TBD 2025
  • Xbox Game Pass? No

Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra (Xbox Series X|S)

Set in occupied Paris during World War 2, Skydance New Media's Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra is an "ensemble piece" (meaning you get to control a bunch of characters, we are very clever), with the likes of Black Panther and Captain America in the mix.

It's an intriguing premise, with Wakanda forming an uneasy alliance in order to take down a terrorist plot, and it's all based on the Captain America / Black Panther: Flags of Our Fathers run of comics, so there's hopefully plenty for fans to get excited about. Amy Hennig (creator of the Uncharted franchise) has gone on record to say the game channels the vibes of classic WW2 movies like The Dirty Dozen, and we're huge fans of Telly Savalas, so slap a 10 on this bad boy already.

  • Release Date: TBD 2025
  • Xbox Game Pass? No

MGS Delta: Snake Eater (Xbox Series X|S)

It's Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, but this time there's a triangle in the title!

Yes, it's almost time for Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, one of our most-anticipated remakes ever in the form of this delicious-looking return to Mr Snake's best adventure, albeit one that doesn't involve the character's creator. Expect plenty of lengthened sequences, modern controls, better action, more exploration and plenty of surprises, we say. That's if Konami doesn't make an absolute mess of it, of course.

Snake, we have missed looking up your arse for hours on end as we crawled through mud and filth in your stoic company, it's gonna be so good to have you back again.

  • Release Date: TBD 2025
  • Xbox Game Pass? No

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound (Xbox Series X|S)

The idea of a new Ninja Gaiden should be enough to have you very excited, to be perfectly honest. But the fact this one comes from the creators of Blasphemous (and is published by none other than Dotemu) means it's mandatory to become physically unwell with excitement, we're afraid. We don't make the rules.

It's a side-scroller, with incredible visuals,and some absolutely boss-looking boss battles in the trailer we've managed to catch. Given the pedigree involved here, we are expecting nothing short of a very good time indeed. Let's just hope they manage to keep this ninja adventure as challenging as its forebearers.

  • Release Date: TBD 2025
  • Xbox Game Pass? No

South of Midnight (Xbox Series X|S)

Explorations of the deep south, and its incredibly rich and vibrant lore and mythos, have been surprisingly thin on the ground in video-game-land, given how well it all lends itself to this sort of thing. However, South of Midnight, an action-RPG from Compulsion Games looks set to deal with that.

Assuming the role of Hazel, players in this Gothic fantasy wield special "weaving" powers in order to fight enemies and traverse some incredible-looking environs. South of Midnight is also on our must-play list because Olivier Deriviere is doing the music, and he's on our good list still because of the banger that was the Streets Of Rage 4 soundtrack.

  • Release Date: TBD 2025
  • Xbox Game Pass? Yes

Splitgate 2 (Xbox Series X|S)

Splitgate is a really, really good game that sort of got lost in the mix a little bit, we think it's fair to say. And so it's nice to see a sequel is making its way this year that should tighten things to glorious levels.

It's all about portals in this team-based online shooter, and if the clever combination of strategy and blazingly fast action from the first game remains intact, this will at the very least be an eminently playable slice of free-to-play goodness.

  • Release Date: TBD 2025
  • Xbox Game Pass? No (it's free-to-play!)

Subnautica 2 (Xbox Series X|S)

The first game needs no introduction, but can Subnautica 2 recapture the unique magic and dark majesty of a spectacularly involving OG that also happened to be one of the most effective horror games of all time?

Well, of course it can! We reckon this may well be a surprise standout of the year, in fact, and, given how much we enjoyed the much smaller spin-off, Below Zero, we fully expect this one to drag us right down into the impenetrable depths in much the same way part one did. Should be good Kraken.

  • Release Date: TBD 2025
  • Xbox Game Pass? Yes

Terminator: Survivors (Xbox Series X|S)

An open-world survival game set in the post-apocalyptic universe of Terminators is such a great idea we kind of need to pee right now.

Terminator: Survivors sees Nacon, who most recently did Robocop a big favour with Rogue City, return to 80s action-movie mode, and we are convinced this is the sort of thing that could have a seriously long lifespan if they've nailed the survival aspects. Slowly unravel the truth surrounding the machine apocalypse whilst being stalked across an open world by Skynet's finest? Baby, you had us at "pee right now".

  • Release Date: TBD 2025
  • Xbox Game Pass? No

The Outer Worlds 2 (Xbox Series X|S)

All that The Outer Worlds 2 has to do to be amazing, in our humble opinion, is go bigger in terms of content. Seriously. That's how much we loved the first one.

Some folks balked atthe first game's rather short length, saw it as something of a diluted version of an RPG that should/could that should have had more depth, but we loved it, and it also featured the best companions in any game to date, (barring Baldur's Gate 3). Thanks. And so, with Obsidian promising that this will indeed be FAR BIGGER, we should be locked and loaded for one hell of a great time come release day. Yuss!

  • Release Date: TBD 2025
  • Xbox Game Pass? Yes

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 (Xbox Series X|S)

After being pushed back from a "Fall 2024" release date, Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 is finally set to arrive in the first half of of 2025.

Bringing sexy vampires and Seattle together is a very noble pursuit, and The Chinese Room has noted that the game's delay has enabled them to squeeze in a bunch of new endings - which is great news! It's all about deep conversation choices that shape your world, your skills and your interactions with the four base vampire clans that run the world here. And, with two more clans to be added post-launch, we're getting the feeling that this one will be lending itself to multiple intense playthroughs. Let's just hope it lives up to its iconic forbearer in terms of the writing and world-building!

  • Release Date: TBD 2025
  • Xbox Game Pass? No

And that's your lot, thus far! There'll be tons more announcements, of course, and we'll also no doubt have missed a few here and there, so make sure to sound off in the comments and let us know what you're most excited about as 2025 kicks into gear!