Major Game Releases of 2025: What to Expect

January 20, 2025

2025 is shaping up to be a blockbuster year for gaming, with highly anticipated titles that cater to fans of every genre. Here’s a closer look at some of the major releases and why they’re generating so much excitement:

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD (Nintendo Switch)

Release Date: 16 January 2025

Highlights:

• Enhanced Graphics: The game has been given a fresh HD makeover, making it look better than ever.

• Modern Mode: This mode, originally from the 3DS version, offers an easier experience with extra hearts and more items available for purchase.

• Classic Gameplay: The core gameplay remains the same, with tight controls, challenging platforming, and a variety of levels.

• Co-op Play: You can play with a friend, with Diddy Kong providing additional abilities and health.

• Secrets and Collectibles: The game features hidden areas, K-O-N-G letters, and puzzle pieces to find

Purchase Link - https://shorturl.at/6WTeh

Dynasty Warriors Origins (PS5)

• Enhanced Visuals: The game features improved graphics and faster loading times, taking full advantage of the PS5 hardware.

• Expanded Storyline: Set during the rise of the Yellow Turban Rebellion to the Battle of Chibi, the game offers a more focused and in-depth look at the origins of the Three Kingdoms.

• New Protagonist: Play as the Wanderer, a mysterious warrior with amnesia who rises through the ranks of the Shu, Wu, and Wei factions.

• Deepened Combat: The combat system has been refined, offering more depth and variety in battles.

• Character Relationships: Form deeper relationships with iconic historical figures, learning about their ideologies and motivations.

• Replayability: Plenty of post-game content and replayability to keep players engaged

Pre-Order Link - https://shorturl.at/bPo9G

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II (PS5)

Release Date: 12 February 2025

Highlight:

Story and Setting

• Continuation of Henry's Journey: The game continues the story of Henry of Skalitz, a blacksmith's son who embarks on a quest for revenge in 15th-century Bohemia during a civil war.

• Rich Open World: The game features a richly detailed, historically grounded open world, with bustling cities, serene forests, and a mix of action and intrigue.

Gameplay Mechanics

• Realistic Combat: The game focuses on realistic medieval combat, with a variety of weapons and combat styles to choose from.

• Survival Elements: Players must manage resources, navigate the harsh environment, and make difficult choices to survive.

• Customization: Players can freely customize Henry's appearance, skills, and equipment, shaping his destiny and how the world reacts to him.

Visuals and Graphics

• Enhanced Visuals: Built using Unreal Engine 5, the game promises stunning visuals, cinematic cutscenes, and near-lifelike graphics.

• Expanded World: The game offers an expansive journey through Medieval Europe, featuring lively cities, lush forests, and a vast countryside

Pre-Order Link - https://shorturl.at/0lhAy

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii (PS5 / PS4)

Release Date: 21 February 2025

Highlight:

Monster Hunter Wilds (PS5)

Release Date: 28 February 2025

Highlight:

Enhanced Immersion

• Dynamic Environments: The Forbidden Lands come to life with weather changes, day-night cycles, and ecosystem interactions, making each hunt unpredictable and exciting.

• DualSense Features: Feel every roar and clash with adaptive triggers and haptic feedback. The Tempest 3D Audio adds to the immersive experience, allowing you to hear monsters approaching from different directions.

New Region: The Forbidden Lands

• Diverse Biomes: Explore lush forests, arid deserts, icy mountains, and volcanic craters. Each biome hosts unique monsters and environmental hazards.

• Hidden Secrets: Discover ancient ruins, hidden caves, and lore-filled artifacts that provide insight into the world's history and the monsters' origins.

New Protagonist: The Wanderer

• Character Customization: Create and customize your hunter with a variety of armor sets, weapons, and cosmetic options.

• Unique Backstory: The Wanderer has a mysterious past, and as you progress, you'll uncover their memories and motivations, adding depth to your journey.

Seikret Mount

• Enhanced Mobility: The Seikret allows for faster travel across the expansive world and can help you reach otherwise inaccessible areas.

• Dual Combat Role: Your mount can engage in combat, providing support and allowing you to switch between mounted and ground attacks seamlessly.

Focus Mode

• Strategic Combat: Focus Mode highlights monster wounds and weak points, enabling more strategic attacks. Successfully targeting these areas can lead to faster and more efficient hunts.

• Powerful Focus Strikes: Build up a Focus Meter to unleash devastating Focus Strikes that can stagger or incapacitate monsters temporarily.

Hook Slinger

• Versatile Tool: The Hook Slinger is a wrist-mounted projectile launcher that allows you to gather items from a distance, create makeshift bridges, and trigger environmental traps.

• Combat Applications: Use the Hook Slinger to latch onto monsters, enabling quick repositioning and evasive maneuvers during intense battles.

Flagship Monster: Arkveld

• Formidable Foe: Arkveld is a powerful and cunning monster with a range of unique attacks and behaviors. It serves as the central antagonist of the storyline, providing a challenging and memorable final encounter.

• Lore and Myth: Arkveld's presence is tied to ancient legends and mysteries, adding depth to the narrative and making it a compelling target for hunters.

Pre-Order Link - https://shorturl.at/McDjP

Assassin's Creed Shadows (PS5)

Release Date: 20 March 2025

Highlight:

• A Feudal Japan Setting

  • Explore a richly detailed open-world recreation of Feudal Japan during the Sengoku period, a time of samurai warfare, political upheaval, and cultural zenith.
  • Iconic locations such as Kyoto, Edo (modern-day Tokyo), and sacred temples are meticulously crafted with historical accuracy and artistic flourish.

• Play as a Shadow Assassin

  • Step into the shoes of Katsuro Takeda, a rogue samurai turned Assassin, as he uncovers the dark truths of the Brotherhood’s origins in Japan.
  • Balance your dual identity as a loyal defender of the people and a stealthy bringer of justice in the shadows.

• Dynamic Stealth Mechanics

  • Utilize the new Shadow Arts System, which combines ninjutsu techniques, parkour, and assassin tools for unparalleled stealth gameplay.
  • Use smoke bombs, shurikens, grappling hooks, and customizable gear to outwit enemies and infiltrate heavily guarded locations.

• Dueling Combat System

  • Engage in tense, cinematic one-on-one duels against rival samurai and Templar enforcers, where timing and strategy are key.
  • A revamped katana-based combat system introduces stances, counters, and finishers inspired by authentic martial arts.

• Expansive Open World

  • Dynamic weather, seasonal changes, and a day-night cycle impact gameplay, from enemy patrol patterns to visibility in stealth scenarios.
  • Encounter NPCs with evolving storylines, side missions, and opportunities for alliances that affect the game world.

• Story-Driven Campaign

  • A gripping tale of betrayal, loyalty, and redemption, as Katsuro navigates his role in a power struggle between the Assassins and Templars.
  • Discover ancient artifacts and unravel secrets that tie the Japanese Brotherhood to the larger Assassin's Creed lore.

• Innovative Multiplayer Modes

  • Team up with friends in cooperative missions or compete in PvP assassinations that test your stealth and combat skills.

• Cutting-Edge Graphics and Features

  • Optimized for PS5 with 4K resolution, ray tracing, and near-instantaneous load times.
  • DualSense integration allows you to feel the tension of drawing a bow, the clash of blades, and the quiet precision of a stealth kill

Pre-Order Link - https://shorturl.at/2YmDf

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition (Nintendo Switch)

Release Date: 20 March 2025

Highlight:

Story and Setting

• Continuation of the Original: The game continues the story from the original Xenoblade Chronicles X, set in the year 2054, where Earth has been destroyed by an intergalactic war.

• New Story Segments: The Definitive Edition promises new story segments, potentially continuing the unresolved ending of the original game.

Gameplay Innovations

• Enhanced Visuals: The game features improved graphics and animations, taking full advantage of the Switch's capabilities.

• Improved UI: The user interface has been redesigned for better clarity and ease of use, making it more accessible for new players.

• New Content: The game includes new characters, mechs to pilot, zones to explore, and a section of Chrono Trigger-esque floating islands.

Additional Features

• Pre-Order Bonuses: Players who pre-order the game or purchase it by April 6, 2025, will receive a Nintendo eShop download code for an Exploration Support Package with various in-game items.

• Online Play: The game supports online play, allowing players to team up with others for Squad Tasks, Online Missions, and Global Nemesis Battles

Pre-Order Link - Coming Soon

The First Berserker: Khazan (PS5)

Release Date: 28 March 2025

Highlight:

Storyline

• The game is set 800 years before the events of Dungeon Fighter Online. Khazan, once a celebrated war hero who saved the Pell Los Empire from the fearsome Berserk Dragon, is betrayed by his empire and falsely accused of treason. Exiled and left for dead in the snowy mountains, Khazan rises from ruin, driven by rage and a thirst for revenge. Players will follow his journey as he uncovers the conspiracy that led to his downfall and transforms into the legendary Berserker.

Gameplay

• The gameplay is inspired by the fast-paced, hack-and-slash combat of Dungeon Fighter Online. Players will wield a variety of weapons, including dual blades, spears, and greatswords, and unlock powerful skills to create unique combat styles. Each weapon can be upgraded, and armor sets can be customized, allowing players to adapt their strategy for every brutal encounter. The game promises intense boss battles that push players to their limits.

Visuals

• Built with Unreal Engine, the game showcases stunning 3D cel-shaded visuals that blend bold, animated art with gritty realism. The dark and war-torn world of Arad is brought to life with rich, detailed environments

Pre-Order Link - https://shorturl.at/CBJ5Y

Pokémon Legends: Z-A (Nintendo Switch)

 

Release Date: TBA 2025

Highlight:

Enhanced Immersion

• Dynamic Environments: Explore Lumiose City, the central hub of the Kalos region from Pokémon X & Y, with an urban redevelopment plan that transforms the city into a place for both people and Pokémon.

New Protagonists: Naoe and Yasuke

• Naoe: Play as Naoe, an adept shinobi assassin from Iga Province. Use noise, light, and shadows to evade detection, distract guards with kunai and smoke bombs, and assassinate targets with the hidden blade.

• Yasuke: Take on the role of Yasuke, the powerful African samurai of historical legend. Engage in brutal combat using a vast arsenal of weapons, including katana, kanabo, bows, and naginata.

Complementary Playstyles

• Stealth and Combat: Master the complementary playstyles of Naoe and Yasuke. Approach quests with whichever character you prefer, each possessing their own progression, stats, skills, and gear.

• Switching Characters: Seamlessly switch between Naoe and Yasuke to experience different perspectives and strategies.

Expanded Storyline

• Epic Tale: The game follows the intertwined stories of Naoe and Yasuke as they discover their common destiny and usher in a new era for Japan.

• Historical Context: Set during the turbulent late Sengoku period, the game blends historical events with fictional elements, creating a rich narrative backdrop.

Quality-of-Life Features

• Dialogue Log: Keep track of important story details with a new dialogue log feature.

• Auto-Battle and Double-Speed Battles: Speed up gameplay with auto-battle and double-speed battle options, making the experience more accessible and convenient.

Pre-Order Link - Coming Soon

Grand Theft Auto VI (PS5)

Release Date: TBA 2025

Highlight:

Setting and Map

• Vice City: The game returns to the iconic Vice City, a fictional stand-in for Miami. The city will feature neon-lit streets, sun-soaked beaches, and vibrant nightlife.

• Leonida: A new expansive location inspired by Florida’s Everglades and Keys. It includes diverse environments like swampy backwaters, small towns, and urban area.

Story and Characters

• Dual Protagonists: The game introduces a female lead named Lucia and her partner, whose identity is yet to be revealed. Their dynamic is inspired by the legendary duo Bonnie and Clyde.

• Engaging Storyline: The first trailer hints at an intriguing narrative with potential clues hidden in the lyrics of the featured song, "Love Is a Long Road" by Tom Petty.

Gameplay Innovations

• Advanced Stealth Mechanics: Players can expect more sophisticated stealth options, allowing for a variety of gameplay styles.

• Smarter Police AI: The game will feature smarter police AI, making chases and interactions more challenging and realistic.

• Five-Star Wanted System: The iconic five-star "Wanted" system returns, ensuring thrilling action sequences and intense pursuits.

Development and Release

• Release Date: Scheduled for Fall 2025 for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. PC gamers might have to wait until 2026.

• Development Teams: Rockstar Games is leading the development, with multiple studios collaborating on the project. The game is codenamed Project Americas.

Additional Features

• Modern-Day Setting: The game will include modern elements like TikToks and livestreams, reflecting today's digital culture.

• Interior Locations: GTA VI will feature more interior locations than any previous game in the series.

Pre-Order Link - Coming Soon

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach (PS5)

Release Date: TBA 2025

Highlight:

Story and Setting

• Continuation of Sam Porter Bridges' Journey: The game continues the story of protagonist Sam Porter Bridges, who is now venturing beyond the borders of the United Cities of America (UCA).

• New Environments: Players will explore new and more challenging environments, including otherworldly areas and unpredictable conditions.

Gameplay Innovations

• Enhanced Graphics: The sequel showcases stunningly realistic visuals, surpassing its predecessor in terms of graphical fidelity. Character models are incredibly detailed, with realistic animations and exceptional lighting.

• Expanded World: The game expands the world of Death Stranding, introducing new locations and more enemies to encounter.

Development and Release

• Exclusive to PS5: Death Stranding 2: On The Beach is a PS5 exclusive, developed by Kojima Productions.

• Release Date: Scheduled for 2025, with a lengthy gameplay preview already showcased during the PlayStation State of Play stream.

Additional Features

• Photo Mode Campaign: Kojima Productions is running a year-long Photo Mode campaign for the original game to keep fan engagement high.

• Testing Phase: Hideo Kojima has been testing a build of the game, ensuring it meets high standards

Pre-Order Link - Coming Soon

Ghost of Yōtei (PS5)

Release Date: TBA 2025

Highlight:

Story and Setting

• New Protagonist: The game introduces Atsu, a female rōnin, who becomes a ghost to protect her land. Her journey takes place in 1603, over 300 years after the events of Ghost of Tsushima.

• New Setting: The game is set in the lands surrounding Mount Yōtei in Ezo (modern-day Hokkaido), featuring sprawling grasslands, snowy tundras, and unexpected dangers. This area was outside the rule of Japan in 1603, making it a wild and untamed frontier.

Visuals and Graphics

• Built for PS5: Ghost of Yōtei is Sucker Punch's first game built from the ground up for PlayStation 5. Expect massive sightlines, new skies with twinkling stars and auroras, and more realistic movement from wind on grass and vegetation.

• Enhanced Realism: The game aims to make the world feel even more real, with improvements in visual realism and graphics quality.

Gameplay Mechanics

• New Mechanics: The game introduces new gameplay mechanics, improvements, and even new weapons. Players can expect a fresh experience while still maintaining the core pillars of the Ghost series.

• Player Agency: The game emphasizes player agency, offering a more dynamic open world and allowing players to have more control over Atsu's narrative and choices.

Cultural and Mythological Elements

• Female Mountain: Mount Yōtei is considered a "Female Mountain" in many Japanese folktales, symbolizing a protector and nurturer of the land and its people. This lore influences Atsu's connection with nature and her role as a "hunter" of sorts.
• Magical Realism: Expect elements of magical realism, such as Atsu's communication with wolves and her connection to nature, similar to Jin Sakai's bond with yellow birds in Ghost of Tsushima

Pre-Order Link - Coming Soon

Capcom Fighting Collection 2 (PS4 / Nintendo Switch)

Release Date: TBA 2025

Highlight:

Game Lineup

• Classic Titles: The collection includes eight iconic fighting games from Capcom's history, such as Capcom vs. SNK: Millennium Fight 2000 Pro, Capcom vs. SNK 2: Mark of the Millennium 2001, Street Fighter Alpha 3 UPPER, Project Justice, and the Power Stone series.

• Enhanced Features: Each game will feature enhanced graphics, quality-of-life improvements, and online play with rollback netcode for smooth online matches.

New Features

• Online Play: Players can enjoy both ranked and casual online play, with leaderboards, training modes, and spectating options.

• Multiplayer Options: The collection supports both local co-op and competitive play, allowing up to 9 players online.

• Accessibility: New difficulty settings and one-button specials make the games more accessible to new players

Pre-Order Link - Coming Soon

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond (Nintendo Switch)

Release Date: TBA 2025

Highlight:

Story and Setting

• Samus Aran's Return: The game continues the story of the galaxy's greatest bounty hunter, Samus Aran, as she embarks on a new mission.

• New Environments: Players will explore diverse and visually stunning environments, including lush forests, picturesque waterfalls, and hostile alien worlds.

Gameplay Innovations

• First-Person Perspective: The game returns to the first-person perspective, with classic Metroid Prime gameplay elements like scanning, lock-on targeting, and the Morph Ball ability.

• Enhanced Graphics: The sequel showcases improved graphics and animations, taking full advantage of the Switch's capabilities.

• 60 FPS: The game runs at a smooth 60 frames per second, providing a fluid and immersive experience.

Additional Features

• Sylux Returns: The antagonist Sylux, first introduced in Metroid Prime: Hunters, makes a return, adding to the game's intrigue.

• Cinematic Experience: The game features a cinematic presentation, with a focus on storytelling and atmosphere

Pre-Order Link - Coming Soon

Little Nightmares III (PS5 / PS4 / Nintendo Switch)

Release Date: TBA 2025

Highlight:

Story and Setting

• New Protagonists: The game introduces two new child protagonists, Low and Alone, who navigate through a world filled with insidious evils.

• New Setting: The game takes place in a new environment called The Spiral, which promises to be a world teeming with wonder and horror.

Gameplay Mechanics

• Couch Co-op: For the first time in the series, Little Nightmares III will feature couch co-op functionality, allowing players to team up and experience the horror together.

• Solo Experience: Solo players will also have a unique experience, with small flavor animations from the AI-controlled character adding personality to the game.

• New Enemies and Environments: Players will encounter new enemies and navigate through new environments, maintaining the series' iconic creepy-cute aesthetic.

Additional Features

• Multiplatform Release: The game will be available on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch, ensuring a wide range of players can enjoy it.

• Charming Horror: The game aims to balance charming and horrifying elements, creating a unique and powerful atmosphere

Pre-Order Link - Coming Soon

Elden Ring Nightreign (PS5 / PS4)

Release Date: TBA 2025

Highlight:

Story and Setting

• New Adventure: Nightreign is set in a parallel universe within the Elden Ring world, offering a fresh storyline and new challenges.

• Ever-Changing Map: The game takes place in Limveld, an ever-changing map that evolves with each game session. Players must adapt to the changing environment and make split-second decisions.

Gameplay Mechanics

• Three-Player Co-op: Players can team up in squads of three to take on the night and its dangers. Each player can choose from eight unique characters, each with their own abilities and powerful Ultimates.

• Night Cycle: The game features a three-day-and-night cycle, with the map shrinking as the Night’s Tide approaches. Players must survive the night and defeat powerful bosses at the end of each day.

• Solo Play: While the game is designed for co-op play, players can also choose to go solo, facing the challenges alone.

Additional Features

• Multiplatform Release: Nightreign will be available on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam.

• Unique Bosses: Each night culminates in a battle against a powerful boss, with the ultimate challenge being the Nightlord on the third night

Pre-Order Link - Coming Soon

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater (PS5)

Release Date: TBA 2025

Highlight:

Story and Setting

• Classic Storyline: The game follows the iconic military operative Naked Snake as he embarks on a mission in the Soviet Union, with the same gripping storyline as the original.

• Unchanged Voice Lines: Konami and co-developer Virtuos have remained intensely loyal to the source text, reusing the original voice lines from the 2004 game.

Visuals and Graphics

• PS5-Level Visuals: The game is built using Unreal Engine 5, offering unprecedented new graphics and visual fidelity. Expect stunning 4K visuals, remade character models, and a refreshed jungle environment.

• Enhanced Realism: The remake breathes new life into characters like Big Boss, Major Zero, Para-Medic, Colonel Volgin, and others, making them look and feel more realistic.

Gameplay Mechanics

• Stealth Action: The game retains its core stealth action gameplay, allowing players to sneak, strategize, and engage in intense combat.

• Faithful Remake: The game is a one-to-one re-release of the original, with no new creative input, ensuring that fans get the exact experience they remember.

Additional Features

• Multiplatform Release: The game will be available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, ensuring a wide range of players can enjoy it.

• High-Quality Production: Konami's top priority is to deliver a polished and high-quality game, with a focus on maintaining the essence of the original

Pre-Order Link - Coming Soon

Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra (PS5)

Release Date: TBA 2025

Highlight:

Story and Setting

• World War II Setting: The game is set in Occupied Paris during World War II, where players will take on the roles of iconic Marvel heroes like Captain America and Black Panther.

• Main Characters: Players will control an ensemble of four characters: Steve Rogers (Captain America), Azzuri (Black Panther), Gabriel Jones of the Howling Commandos, and Nanali, a Wakandan spy.

• Plot: The story revolves around stopping a sinister plot that threatens to turn the chaos of WWII into the ultimate rise of Hydra.

Gameplay Mechanics

• Action-Adventure: The game will be an action-adventure experience, featuring a mix of combat, stealth, and exploration.

• Unreal Engine 5: Developed using Unreal Engine 5, the game promises stunning visuals, cinematic cutscenes, and near-lifelike graphics.

• Single-Player: The game will be a single-player experience, focusing on delivering a rich narrative and engaging gameplay.

Additional Features

• Multiplatform Release: While initially focused on PS5, the game is expected to be available on multiple platforms, including Xbox Series X|S and PC.

• Creative Team: The game is led by Amy Hennig, known for her work on the Uncharted series, and features a talented team of writers and composers

Pre-Order Link - Coming Soon

Dune: Awakening (PS5)

Release Date: TBA 2025

Highlight:

Story and Setting

• Arrakis Exploration: Players will explore the desert planet of Arrakis, also known as Dune, facing dangers and challenges in a massive online world.

• Rich Lore: The game is based on the sci-fi novel Dune by Frank Herbert, offering a deep and immersive experience in the Dune universe.

Gameplay Mechanics

• Survival Elements: The game focuses on survival mechanics, requiring players to manage resources, navigate the harsh desert environment, and avoid threats like sandworms.

• Open World: Dune: Awakening features a vast open world, allowing players to freely explore and uncover the mysteries of Arrakis.

Visuals and Graphics

• Stunning Visuals: Built using Unreal Engine 5, the game promises stunning visuals, cinematic cutscenes, and near-lifelike graphics.

• DLSS 4 Technology: The game will utilize NVIDIA's DLSS 4 technology with Multi Frame Generation, offering incredible performance and image quality.

Additional Features

• Multiplatform Release: The game will be available on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch, ensuring a wide range of players can enjoy it.

• Immersive Experience: With Razer's next-gen Chroma and Haptics integration, players will experience enhanced immersion, feeling everything from the ground rumbling to the kick of a rocket launcher

Pre-Order Link - Coming Soon

Borderlands 4 (PS5)

Release Date: TBA 2025

Highlight:

Story and Setting

• New Planet: The game takes place on Kairos, a new and dangerous planet ruled by a ruthless dictator known as The Timekeeper. The world is under siege from a catastrophic event, unleashing chaos and mayhem.

• New Vault Hunters: Players will control four new Vault Hunters, each with unique abilities and skill trees, offering unprecedented levels of customization and gameplay variety.

Gameplay Mechanics

• Intense Action: The game promises intense action, with a focus on fast-paced shooting, badass Vault Hunters, and billions of wild and deadly weapons.

• Deep Skill Trees: The Vault Hunters will have the deepest and most diverse skill trees in the series' history, allowing players to create highly personalized builds.

• Dynamic World: The game features a more dynamic world with events and discoverable side missions that encourage exploration and reward players for their efforts.

• Traversal Mechanics: New traversal mechanics add to the exploration, allowing players to move around the world more freely and engage in combat from different angles.

• Vehicle Summoning: Players can summon vehicles almost anywhere, adding a new dimension to exploration and combat.

Additional Features

• Multiplayer: Players can team up with up to three other players in co-op mode, enjoying the game's immense sci-fi adventure together.

• Seamless Travel: The game promises seamless travel between zones, enhancing the overall experience and immersion

Pre-Order Link - Coming Soon

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