The Best Video Games of the Year You Need to Play
Gaming continues to evolve each year, with developers pushing the boundaries of storytelling, graphics, and gameplay innovation. Whether you’re into action-packed adventures, immersive RPGs, or casual indie gems, this year has delivered some truly incredible experiences. Here’s a list of the best video games of the year that you absolutely need to play!
1. Black Myth: Wukong
Black Myth: Wukong has been one of the most anticipated action RPGs, drawing inspiration from the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. The game combines stunning visuals with intense combat mechanics, making it a must-play for fans of challenging and engaging gameplay. With a vast open world filled with mythical creatures, the game delivers a rich story and breathtaking battles.
Why You Should Play It:
✔️ Unique mythological setting
✔️ Gorgeous visuals and fluid combat
✔️ A deep and engaging story
2. Astro Bot
Bringing innovation to platforming, Astro Bot delivers a fresh and immersive experience. It builds upon the success of previous Astro games, introducing creative level designs, new mechanics, and interactive environments that make full use of the latest gaming hardware.
Why You Should Play It:
✔️ A joyful and creative platforming experience
✔️ Innovative use of gaming technology
✔️ Fun for both casual and hardcore players
3. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
The long-awaited continuation of Final Fantasy VII Remake, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth expands the beloved story with breathtaking visuals, refined combat, and deep character development. The game reimagines the classic RPG experience, offering both nostalgia and new surprises for fans.
Why You Should Play It:
✔️ Stunning reimagining of a beloved classic
✔️ Engaging real-time combat system
✔️ Expansive world filled with secrets and side quests
4. Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
Building upon the success of Elden Ring, Shadow of the Erdtree expands the world with new lore, bosses, and gameplay mechanics. Players are introduced to challenging new regions filled with mysterious dungeons, epic encounters, and deeper RPG elements that further refine the Elden Ring experience.
Why You Should Play It:
✔️ More of Elden Ring’s legendary open-world exploration
✔️ Intense and rewarding combat challenges
✔️ Expanded lore and world-building
5. Helldivers 2
For those who love chaotic, cooperative action, Helldivers 2 delivers intense battles against alien forces in a dystopian sci-fi setting. With dynamic multiplayer gameplay and a strong focus on teamwork, the game offers endless fun for squads looking for a challenge.
Why You Should Play It:
✔️ Fast-paced, cooperative multiplayer combat
✔️ Strategic gameplay with deep progression systems
✔️ Tons of customization options for loadouts and tactics
6. Metaphor: ReFantazio
From the creators of Persona, Metaphor: ReFantazio blends fantasy RPG elements with deep storytelling. It introduces a unique combat system that combines traditional turn-based mechanics with real-time strategy, making battles more dynamic and engaging.
Why You Should Play It:
✔️ A fresh and unique RPG experience
✔️ Rich world-building and deep character interactions
✔️ Stylish visuals and engaging turn-based combat
7. Animal Well
Animal Well is an atmospheric puzzle-platformer that captivates players with its surreal and mysterious world. Developed by a solo indie developer, the game challenges players to explore and solve intricate puzzles while uncovering its cryptic secrets.
Why You Should Play It:
✔️ Beautiful pixel art style
✔️ Challenging and rewarding puzzle design
✔️ A mysterious world filled with hidden surprises
8. Balatro
Balatro has quickly become one of the most addictive roguelike deck-building games of the year. With its clever mix of poker mechanics and strategy-based gameplay, it offers endless replayability and rewarding progression.
Why You Should Play It:
✔️ Unique and engaging deck-building mechanics
✔️ High replay value with randomized elements
✔️ A fresh take on the roguelike genre
9. Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Set in feudal Japan, Assassin’s Creed Shadows brings players into a world of samurai and shinobi. Featuring breathtaking landscapes, intense stealth mechanics, and dual protagonists with unique abilities, the game delivers an unforgettable Assassin’s Creed experience.
Why You Should Play It:
✔️ Stunning open-world design inspired by Japan
✔️ Fluid and tactical stealth combat
✔️ Two playable protagonists with different playstyles
10. Satisfactory
For players who love creativity and problem-solving, Satisfactory offers the ultimate factory-building experience. With an open-ended sandbox world and deep automation mechanics, this game challenges players to construct, optimize, and manage massive production facilities.
Why You Should Play It:
✔️ Deep and rewarding factory-building gameplay
✔️ Beautifully designed alien landscapes
✔️ Endless opportunities for automation and creativity
Conclusion
This year has been an incredible one for gaming, offering a mix of groundbreaking AAA titles and innovative indie gems. Whether you love action-packed adventures, immersive RPGs, or strategic multiplayer games, there’s something on this list for you.
No matter what genre you enjoy, these titles prove that the gaming industry continues to evolve, delivering unforgettable experiences for players worldwide. So, grab your controller, fire up your console or PC, and dive into the best video games of the year!