2025 has really been a fantastic year for games hasn't it? From AAA blockbusters to indie darlings, there really has been something for everyone. While many games standout, we've decided to highlight the top 30 games that we've seen so far for the first 6 months of the year.

First, let's get the housekeeping out of the way. When reading through this please take note that we:

• Didn't include remasters (sorry Oblivion)
• Didn't put them in any specific order within their rankings (ie the 9 at 16 doesn't necessarily mean it's better than the 9 at 18)
• These are just one writers/sites opinions!

With that out of the way, what makes us here at GSC so unique is we try and cover as much as possible. While we try and cover all the major releases we also have a love of indies of all kinds. Chances are you may not have heard of a couple games on our list, and that's ok! Maybe them showing up here will get you curious and help you find your next game.

Now let's jump into the GSC top 30 of 2025 so far!

30. Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land

Score: 8.5

Reviewer: Sean Richards

Review Snippet: I have officially dipped my toe into the world of Atelier Yumia, and the larger Atelier series as a whole. Now, the question is - would I go deeper? 100% yes. Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Landwas a JRPG that I didn't realize that I needed in my life and was an absolute pleasure to play, despite some of the road bumps that I encountered along the way. And I have to say - I could never actually fully predict where the story was going to take me, which is a nice change of pace for some games that I have played in recent memory.

29. Atomfall

Score: 8.5

Reviewer: Adam Stewart

Review Snippet: Exploring the world of Atomfall's Wyndham, with its attention to detail, genuinely realised characters, and intriguing narrative, is truly endearing. Uncovering the mystery was a blast, even if the payload at the end fell a touch flat. The exploration, scavenging, and solving the mystery make it well worth your time. 

28. The Alters

Score: 8.5

Reviewer: Vikki McGowan

Review Snippet:

All in all, The Alters delivers a unique and memorable experience. It's the kind of game that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll. For those who enjoy deep storytelling and intriguing character dynamics, it's absolutely worth exploring. 

Should I have listened to the Scientist and crunched my other selves more for the mission? Did I do the right thing for the Miner and his injuries even though it made things more difficult in the long run? When I was lying in bed thinking about all these different versions of who I could have been, did I stop thinking about me?

27. South Of Midnight

Score: 8.5

Reviewer: Dan Jackson

Review Snippet: As a whole it's hard not to come away from South Of Midnight glowing. Its vibrant world, charismatic characters, incredible soundtrack and mythical creatures are true works of art. Going through that world as Hazel was a joy to do despite the repetitive combat. With a bit more variety in enemies and switching up the formula just a touch here and there, South Of Midnight could have been truly special.

26. Dead Of Darkness

Score: 9

Reviewer: Russell Segui

Review Snippet: Dead Of Darkness is a love letter to survival horror games of the past, all be it with 16-bit graphics and better voice acting. It takes some of the best parts of games like Resident Evil, twists it into an SNES style package, and just lets it be what it is. In a world full of video game's with giant open worlds that are big for the sake of being big it's refreshing to play a game that knows exactly what it is and doesn't try to be anything else.

25. Big Helmet Heroes

Score: 9

Reviewer: Marcus Lawson

Review Snippet: I love an entertaining and fun beat'em up, something where you can control the pace, has enjoyable combat with some fun enemy and weapon variety. Big Helmet Heroes touches on all those things. The funny moments in the gameplay and cutscenes, to replaying levels to try to unlock the knight I missed, it's all here. Not to mention the subtle yet amazing easter eggs.

24. Symphonia

Score: 9

Reviewer: Adam Stewart

Review Snippet: Symphonia 𝄞 is a gloriously fun precision platformer with beautiful worlds, fabulous scores, excellent gameplay, and fun replayability. Most importantly, for me, it carries an important message about the importance of music, and its role in the world. It's a must play if you're a fan of platforming, enjoy music, and a bit of a challenge; you'll have an amazing time.

23. Eternal Strands

Score: 9

Reviewer: Stephanie Richards

Review Snippet: This is without a doubt a game that people can find themselves coming back to be it to spend more time with characters, hone their hunting skills, or just to explore to beautiful scenery of the Enclave. Without a doubt, this game is highly recommended to anyone who enjoys Action RPGs and wants a little bit of magic in their lives.

22. Wanderstop

Score: 9

Reviewer: Harry Glynn Jones

Review Snippet: Wanderstop is a game about understanding that who you were does not have to define who you are now. It's about rest"”not as a reward, but as something necessary, something inevitable. It is a beautiful, heartfelt story of one person's struggles to rediscover who they are, but handled in a caring and sincere way.

21. Your House

Score: 9

Reviewer: Sean Richards

Review Snippet: Your House is a game that I can happily say will be another one of those gems in this little corner of the gaming world. The style, the story, the puzzles - everything blends seamlessly together in a way that makes for a nice, satisfying game. And what makes this game even more wild to me? In the process of writing up my review, I found out that it's based on a real-life Manhattan apartment. Bravo, Patrones & Escondites, bravo!

20. Splitgate 2

Score: 9

Reviewer: Nathan Lockhart

Review Snippet: I had no intention of getting in to this game, but I was immediately sucked in. Its execution of Battle Royal feels more like a fast paced shooter than a typical BR mode from other games. Its vast array of game modes kept me locked in and excited to try out the next one. From map design, loadouts, game modes, abilities, and gun play, everything about this arena shooter feels expert crafted.

19. Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo

Score: 9

Reviewer: Krystle Lim

Review Snippet: With Pipistrello Industries in disarray due to the stolen Mega Batteries, we are tasked to take them back from 4 main districts. The city is in chaos: complete with hazards such as poor plumbing which created water spots all over the city, deep craters due to over construction, officials blocking the way in order to maintain peace and control the public, and really really impatient and dangerous drivers. This doesn't even include all the baddies trying to stop you from accomplishing your task! 

18. Lushfoil Photography Sim

Score: 9

Reviewer: Mark Pell

Review Snippet: Lushfoil Photography Sim exceeded every expectation I had and it is now my favourite walking simulator ever made, and to-date my 2025 GOTY. In a year full of AAA games and some incredibly exciting indies, Lushfoil is proud to stand as its own entity and it does something new in an incredible way.

Matt Newell has transformed his personal love for photography into the video games medium and I truly hope this is something he has the opportunity to create DLC or a sequel for. This is as much a game for people who love photography, as those who love video game or real world exploration.

17. Date Everything!

Score: 9

Reviewer: Stephanie Richards

Review Snippet: Fans of quirky dating sims are in for many times of romance. The game also has quite a bit of replay ability as you can go looking for many different endings with all 100+ characters. You'll also find yourself spending lots of time trying to find everyone and go through their story lines. While some story lines are quickly resolved, there are also some scenes that are quite long. Thank goodness for a globe who knows the world must go on.

16. Ruffy and the Riverside

Score: 9

Reviewer: Harry Glynn Jones

Review Snippet: Ruffy and the Riverside is an incredible culmination of inspiration and innovation, offering hours of fun in a wacky world with a wonderful new duo. Zockrates Labs have gone beyond my expectations with their first game, and I hope we get to have more adventures with Ruffy and Pip in the future.

15. Karma: The Dark World

Score: 9

Reviewer: Russell Segui

Review Snippet: Karma The Dark World is not an action-packed thrill ride, and it never tried to be. Karma is extremely good at a couple of things and doesn't stray from that, which I enjoy a lot and feel more games need to do. Keep it simple and don't overstay your welcome.

14. Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves

Score: 9

Reviewer: DeMandre Preslley

Review Snippet: Overall, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves has perhaps one of the most enjoyable combat systems I've played in a modern FG and with the blend of strong offensive and defensive options it seems like SNK is really working to create a system that tries to force constant two way interactions. With strong mechanics and a cast that's fun to use all around I do hope the game can really take off and find it's place in the ever growing line up of Strong fighting games in a high point for the genre overall.

13. Doom: The Dark Ages

Score: 9

Reviewer: Dan Jackson

Review Snippet: Doom: The Dark Ages takes a very positive step forward for me in the sense that it really added a narrative experience I could get invested in. The gameplay is still as tight as expected with crisp movement and the added weapons alongside the staples of Doom were a nice touch and fit well with the medieval theme, especially the shield saw.

12. Monster Hunter Wilds

Score: 9

Reviewer: Marcus Lawson

Review Snippet: Monster hunter wilds is not a perfect game but its pretty close. I had few instances where in a fight my weapon would become sheathed. Which would cause me to either take damage or miss opportunities to land a big hit on the monster. It was not an important thing for me, but the story is linear, good but linear. I know for others that can cause them to lose interest.

11. The Electrifying Incident

Score: 9.5

Reviewer: Harry Glynn Jones

Review Snippet: Honestly, there is very little criticism I could levy against The Electrifying Incident; it is a concise, polished experience that delivers on its promise of a satisfying hour or so of puzzling fun. All I can really say is that I wish there were more! But that would defeat the point of creating this shorter game, and surely it is better to be left wanting more rather than drowning in too much?

10. Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping

Score: 9.5

Reviewer: Krystle Lim

Review Snippet: Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping is a mystery game that executes everything they want to do to near perfection. It's a fun, simple, and short palate cleanser game. Only downfall, if any, is that it's executed so well, that I wish there were more. This is the second game to the Duck Detective series, and I am very much looking forward to the next one!

9. Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector

Score: 9.5

Reviewer: Vikki McGowan

Review Snippet: The Starward Belt is a shifting hubbub of anxiety, exploration and stories. From your own, the ones of your friends and crew, to the ones of people that carved out their own lives and meaning before you. Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector is a game that asks you to walk through the vastness of the universe and sit in the anguish, heartbreak, strength and softness of the human condition. 

8. Avowed

Score: 9.5

Reviewer: Marcus Lawson

Review Snippet: The story is good, and it kept me entertained throughout my playthrough but what kept me wanting more was the world. I wanted to explore, talk to more people, and just stay in the Living Lands. The exploration is top tier for me, along with the combat, I can see myself playing through Avowed repeatedly. Like I said this game made a me magic user and I want to unlock more of the combat tree and see how powerful I can be.

7. Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist

Score: 9.5

Reviewer: DeMandre Pressley

Review Snippet: I had very few complaints about Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist by the time I saw both endings. Adglobe and Live Wire should pat themselves on the back for being a game that helps kick 2025 off in a strong way. To any fans of the metroidvania genre, i'd definitely recommend checking it, as well as its predecessor out if you have not.

6. Monster Train 2

Score: 9.5

Reviewer: Stephanie Richards

Review Snippet: Monster Train 2 meets if not exceeds the bar that they had previously set with the initial Monster Train. For newcomers, perhaps it will feel like option overload even if you choose the easier play style. So for those who need a bit more of an entry point, be patient. For those who want an excellent roguelike experience and hundreds if not thousands of hours, Monster Train 2 is for you.

5. Kingdom Come Deliverance 2

Score: 9.5

Reviewer: Russell Segui

Review Snippet: There is so much content in Kingdom Come Deliverance 2. Romance, violence, betrayal, despair, and comedy. You name it, and it's here. I honestly think there is a ten out of ten experience in this game that's hamstrung by a single issue, which oddly isn't the performance. The save system, particularly at the beginning, did piss me off.

I love just wandering around and exploring in these sorts of games and early on, without many Saviour Schnapps I felt like I couldn't do that. That's a good way to lose progress and it held back the initial parts of the game. So I'll have to knock the ten out of ten down half a point. Normal saving for the third one?

4. Blue Prince

Score: 9.5

Reviewer: Harry Glynn Jones

Review Snippet: Blue Prince is a puzzle game for all time, and it deserves a place among the greats of the genre. Its design is masterful, its vision clear, and every moment spent within Mt. Holly Estate feels purposeful, crafted with care and a quiet confidence. I can easily see it becoming a touchstone for puzzle design in the years ahead.

3. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Score: 10

Reviewer: Harry Glynn Jones

Review Snippet: I firmly believe Expedition 33 is the new gold standard for the JRPG. Across every facet, from its mechanical design and narrative confidence to its striking art direction and masterful score, Sandfall Interactive has crafted something truly special. This isn't just a promising debut; it's a genre-defining work that I believe will shape game design for years to come.

2. Split Fiction

Score: 10

Reviewer: Dan Jackson

Review Snippet: A couple times per generation a game comes along and flies close to the proverbial sun that is perfection. While no game can be truly perfect Split Fiction is about as close as they come. The backdrop of the games narrative is unique and the story told between Mio and Zoe will bring many to tears. The voice actors themselves deliver an award winning performance as well.

1. Death Stranding 2: On The Beach

Score: 10

Reviewer: Andrew Cooper

Review Snippet: Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is a game that knows exactly what it wants to be and it delivers that vision with confidence. Its story is heartfelt, its world is stunning, and its gameplay loop is more engaging and refined than ever. While it still may not appeal to everyone, those who connect with it will find an experience unlike anything else out there.