Today, we've been talking about how great South of Midnight is and how Xbox Game Pass has allowed a title like that to pleasantly surprise so many people - and it's far from the only game that's managed to do that in 2025 so far.
Yes, we're only three months in, but we've already seen a ridiculous number of great games landing on Xbox and beyond this year. Split Fiction, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Avowed, Monster Hunter Wilds... the list goes on and on.
In fact, we highlighted the top 10 Xbox games of 2025 just last week here at Pure Xbox:
Xbox Game Pass has already been great to us this year as well. In addition to some awesome new (or new-ish) releases like Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, Atomfall, Balatro, Eternal Strands and so much more, we've also been surprised with some blasts from the past in Borderlands 3, Watch Dogs: Legion, Far Cry New Dawn and a various others.
Personally, Split Fiction is my number one as things stand. That experience was such a joy to play through (I still think the final level is the best of any game), but if South of Midnight's quality keeps up, it's going to be a close second!
So, come and give us your recommendations. What's the best game you've played in 2025 so far? Feel free to pick more than one - we just want to hear about all the greatest stuff down in the comments below!
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Avowed is the best so far. Assassin's Creed Shadows only held my interest for about 30 hours. Waiting for the second patch to fix the audio bug on Atomfall and haven't gotten to South of Midnight yet.
It's a tie between Avowed and Lonely Mountains Snow Riders. Both are on GP. I love GP.
So far Avowed, but I'm about halfway through Ch.3 in South of Midnight and that is an awesome game!
Wilds for me so far!
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, without question.
After starting Dragon's Dogma 2 at the end of last year and finishing it this year, I can say that was an amazing game and would be my favorite until now where I am finally playing Witcher 3 which is one of the best ever. After this comes Avowed and Indiana. Just so many good games to play on Gamepass and my backlog.
Assassin's Creed Shadows and Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii without a doubt.
By far south of midnight is my favourite game this year
Avowed is the only game released this year I have played so far. Had a great time with older releases like Redacted, Steamworld Heist 2 and Dave the Diver. Looking forward to starting South of Midnight soon
Best non-2025 game I played in 2025: Last of us part 2.
Best 2025 game I played: Ninja gaiden 2 black.
So far Avowed and Atomfall but haven’t really played them… try to finish Harold Halibut and then into blue Prince then Atomfall and Avowed … just too much
I have to say Avowed. They way they game has me hooked, I honestly haven't been hooked by a game like this since World of Warcraft. I would say that 90% of my game time is with Avowed right now. With 10% going to a few other games like Madden 25, WWE 2K24 and now Diablo 3.
But yeah without a doubt Avowed is my GotY.
So, I've spent most of my time since December finally playing through Fallout 4. I did spend time playing Balatro during this time period too. I finally finished Fallout last Friday and was going to wait patiently for South of Midnight.....but I instead I started Indiana Jones instead. I will say that Balatro is my favorite game that I downloaded this year but I also think that came out in 2024 so I'm not sure that counts. Lonely Mountains is really good for what it is.
So I'll say that because most of the games I've played are older, and because that limits my choice, I'll go with Indian Jones. The game looks amazing. The experience is cool. The story is cool. I just don't think it does anything groundbreaking.
Well, the hour or so I’ve played of Split Fiction definitely has that one cemented in my top spot and it’s not even close. But playing that one with the wife has been hard to coordinate as of late, so I’m pretty far from completing it. The pig level was exceptional. My favorite segment of a game since that very special moment in the middle of Alan Wake 2. If you know, you know.
Momodora Reverie Under Moonlight and Donkey Kong Country Returns HD are my runners up and the only two games I’ve beaten this year.
Honestly, I’ve not really had much that has clicked with me this year though. KCD2 certainly didn’t, Avowed didn’t, Atomfall didn’t (and the sound glitches were odd), and I got bored with AC Shadows after 20+ hours into it. I couldn’t even get more than an hour into Lost Records and I’m a Life is Strange stan. I’m going to give South of Midnight and Blue Prince a go this weekend most likely, so perhaps one of those may hit.
Cyberpunk 2077.
Deadside. I can't believe it is only $25.
Civ 7 by a country mile. Avowed was good too.
@Jonnybekeww Driving me nuts, I've committed myself to not buy a single new game this year.
This is sitting in my cart on PS constantly reminding me "I'm on sale ya know"
Black Ops 6 has such high quality fun multiplayer, I've been on that most. Then maybe EA WRC.
They're not from 2025 but probably Sayonara Wild Hearts. Keep thinking about it. Or Braid Anniversary Edition.
Hello there fellow gamers.
The best game I´ve played so far that has released in 2025 is Assassin´s Creed Shadows on my Series X. Have like 40 something hours and I´m enjoying it very much.
The second being Split Fiction on my PS5. Josef Fares and his team don´t miss. Me and my friend, were having a blast.
And the third is Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, that I also played on my Series X. Still one of the best action games of all time.
Cheers everyone and happy 2025 gaming
South of Midnight
An incredible experience
@BacklogBrad is it any good? I have 500 hours between 5 and 6. 7th looks bad for now
That's not easy to say. All I know is, that I have a blast of a time with my Series X and way to many games, which i enjoy and don't have enough time for all of them.
Khazan, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, Indiana Jones; starting Avowed and South of Midnight
@CallMeDuraSouka try the trial. It's my game of the year. Alot of content. Pve or pvp servers aswell.
AC Shadows so far!
Dragon Age Veilguard on XSX.
@Millionski civ 6 and all the content is probably still my favorite but this one should overtake it soon.
My favorite games released this year are as follows, in order:
Tales of Graces f Remastered
The First Berserker: Khazan
Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & The Envisioned Land
AI Limit
Haven't really bought or played many other games released this year yet.
So far, it's Avowed—I have yet to finish KCD 2 and AC Shadows, so that may change soon. Atomfall was also enjoyable, but it was more of an 8/10 than a 9 or 10/10.
Definitely Split Fiction so far. 10/10 game.
Probably Avowed and then The First Beserker. It's still early though.
Indiana Jones is a dream come true for this 80's kid. Split Fiction has been brilliant fun for my wife and I. Batman Arkham Shadow is a close third - another gaming milestone for any Batman fan.
Having only just bought an Xbox X my fav are Ori, Indiana Jones and South Of Midnight.
Best 2025 game so far is Avowed despite its disappointing ending.
I'm also really enjoying Assassin's Creed Shadows so far, but I'm only 20 hours in.
There's a few I'm loving from last year, in particular Price of Persia Lost crown, which is lovingly crafted and polished to perfection. Polarised views aside, I also loved Veilguard, which had an end game as good as any of the classic bioware games of the past leaving a deep memory.
It's been a good year so far. I'm glad there's been some Xbox games I've enjoyed, I haven't always found that and I hate to be negative, but MS games are on a roll and GP returns to being well worth it for me again - at least till I finish South of midnight ( I've already bought expedition 33 elsewhere).
It's been a good year so far. That Xbox is arguably dying is very sad, but if that's the case it's going out with a bang rather than a wimper, and MS games are going from strength to strength, so those who pin their loyalty to a corp still have a green team to back if that's their thing 😄
So far, Avowed for me.
So far, Pirate Yakuza.
I've enjoyed robocop this year Indiana Jones and south of midnight is so so good!
But best game I've played this year is the same as the last two years before elden ring I just love that game so much it's the best!
@Ricky-Spanish Yup, Elden Ring is Def one of my best of all time.
Have you played the dlc? I still haven't played it yet and I'd be interested to know your thoughts on it. It's cheap on Instant Gaming at the moment and I was debating with myself if I should step into it now....
@Titntin Yeah just started it not too long ago I'm loving it so far it's great you should definitely get it if you can it's nearly a full games worth of content in the dlc!
@Ricky-Spanish Cheers dude, even though I've just started AC shadows, I think I'll add it to the backlog! Enjoy 😀
@Titntin It's great you won't be disappointed ✌️👍
Without a shadow of a doubt Avowed. One of the best games I’ve ever played. I don’t want it to end!
Monster Train. I know it's not new, but I finally gave it s try when it hit Game Pass last month, and I can't stop. I'm loving it so much. And that it plays perfectly on my Backbone over cloud makes it all the better.
I have just finished stalker 2 and must say this game has gotten really really good. There is real interns feel to the game and so much to explore. But a little warning, do not start this game i you do not have the time to put into this game.
Broken Records: Bloom & Rage. Nothing else even comes close. At least for me.
I am playing Avowed and i am having a great time with it. The game has a captivating world with wonderful graphics, interesting characters, amazing world design and one of the best combat systems i have seen in a game. I don't understand what a hell is wrong with some reviewers that did this game injustice. Gamespot scored this game a 6 if i am not mistaken, which is extremely unfair for this game, in my opinion it deserves at least a 9 out of 10. I am playing it with gamepass ultimate and still i am seriously considering buying it. Thus far its the best game i have played this year.
Haven't tried Split Fiction yet, but so far the only 2025 release I've enjoyed is Avowed. As for best game I've played this year, still Morrowind and Powerwash Simulator.
@NishimuraX for sure. Not even close. Even at its current level it's wildly underrated.
Oooh, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 for me - 125 hours in and I’m not yet half way through! I really need to do some reading on that period of history, Wenceslas and Sigismund, Zizka and the Hussites.
Also a shout out for Lost Records - Bloom & Rage, which more than made up for last year’s slightly disappointing LiS game. Looking forward to Tape 2 next week and hope it does well enough that they can make this a series of games.
Monster Hunter Wilds to me.
I'd say Split fiction and Xenoblade Chronicles X. While second one is platform locked, SF is an amazing game people should try out.
@Jonnybekeww Sweet, thanks I missed it had a trial.
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, Assassin's Creed Shadows, Khazan the first berserker, Atomfall, Avowed and just started South of Midnight
If it keeps up the way it is, I'm going to say South Of Midnight(on ch 9 thus far). Next in line would be Ninja Gaiden II Black and then Avowed in third.
Hate to say it, but nothing on the Nintendo kinda stings for me lol. I've never had this slow of a nintendo year since maybe 2018?
Avowed. Hands down.
I think it’s probably Ghost Trick?? I’m this was my first time playing it and it ruled!
I also replayed Darksiders 2, but that’s GOTY every year
A lotta yall saying avowed, but I gotta say South of Midnight. Its reminds me of those early game cube / ps2 games like Beyond Good and Evil and Prince of Persia but with a completely fresh art style and setting.
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 by a long shot. Truly exceptional game.
I do still need to play Monster Hunter Wilds and AC Shadows at some point but can’t see my choice changing
Been blasting my way through Doom 2016 and Doom Eternal. Was not expecting to love Doom as much as I did, great game.
Nothing comes close to Balatro, really.
Xenoblade Chronicles X is great, definitely recommend it.
This year I've only finished Redfall, Eternal Strands, Celeste and South of Midnight, and they all were extremely dull, so no best game so far.
Celeste was a good game, though, but not my cup of tea.
I dont have a lot of free time. In all of 2025 I think I have played Fortnite, Fall Guys, Stumble Guys, Marvel Rivals, a few hours of Kirby ATFL, and a few hours of Indiana Jones. I think I have enjoyed Fortnite and Kirby the most
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