The BEST Surprisingly FUN Games of 2025
2025 might not be over yet, but it's already been a year of surprises in the gaming world. From hidden gems that weren’t on anyone’s radar to under-the-radar experiences that became fan favorites, this year has delivered more than its fair share of gaming delights. Let’s dive into some of the unexpected standouts that had gamers buzzing, and why they deserve your attention.
Is Battlefield the New King of FPS?
According to new industry sales data, Battlefield 6 is now extremely likely to end the year as the best-selling game in the U.S., edging out Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. That alone is historic. In modern gaming history, only absolute juggernauts like GTA V, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Hogwarts Legacy have managed to knock Call of Duty off its throne.
Metroid Prime 4: Did Nintendo Drop the Ball?
After eight long years of waiting, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond has officially landed, and so have the reviews. Sitting at an 81 on Metacritic, the game is earning “generally favorable” praise, but that number comes with a bit of a reality check: it’s the lowest score in the core Metroid Prime series and the lowest for any Metroid title since Federation Force nearly a decade ago.
Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Set to Return in 2026?
If there’s one Assassin’s Creed game that fans have been begging Ubisoft to revisit, it’s Black Flag. The sea shanties. The open waters. The pure, unfiltered pirate chaos. It’s a standout entry in the franchise, and now, a new report claims its long-rumored remake might be closer than expected.
Destiny 2’s Struggles Signal a Make-or-Break Moment for Bungie and Sony
When Destiny 2 launched, it felt like the kind of forever-game that would print money indefinitely. A gorgeous sci-fi universe, punchy gunplay, a loyal player base stretching back a decade, it seemed unstoppable. But now? Sony just reported a $24 million impairment tied to Bungie’s assets after Destiny 2 fell short of expectations, and the situation is starting to look a lot more complicated.
Valve’s 2026 Hardware Play
Valve just dropped a hardware trifecta that could reshape the living-room landscape—the Steam Machine, the new Steam Controller, and the standalone Steam Frame VR headset, all set for a 2026 release. If you’ve ever wished your Steam library belonged on your couch instead of your desk, Valve appears ready to grant that wish.
Borderlands 4 Already on Sale?
Borderlands 4 has only been out for a month, but it’s already 20% off on Steam — and fans aren’t exactly celebrating. Just this past summer, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford confidently claimed it would take at least five years before the game saw a major discount. Fast-forward a few weeks, and that promise didn’t even last through the first DLC teaser.
Red Dead Redemption 2 Remaster: Do We Really Need It?
Rumors are once again swirling across the gaming frontier: Red Dead Redemption 2 might finally be galloping onto PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and even the rumored Switch 2. According to recent reports, the ports are real and in active development — a long-awaited upgrade for one of Rockstar’s most acclaimed titles.
PlayStation 5’s “Record-Breaking” Success: Smart Spin or Next-Gen Letdown?
Sony’s out here celebrating what it calls the most financially successful PlayStation generation ever — but gamers aren’t exactly popping champagne.
Has Xbox Lost the “Best Value in Gaming”?
For years, Xbox Game Pass was hailed as the best deal in gaming — an all-you-can-play buffet of first-party titles, indie gems, and third-party blockbusters. But those glory days may be behind us.
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Remake: A Pirate’s Dream or an Identity Crisis?
If there’s one Assassin’s Creed entry that nearly every fan agrees deserves a comeback, it’s Black Flag. The golden age of piracy, a charismatic lead in Edward Kenway, and some of the best ship combat the series has ever seen—it’s no surprise people have been clamoring for Ubisoft to revisit it.
PlayStation Stumbles in Latest State of Play, But Can Xbox’s Greed Save It?
The latest PlayStation State of Play, which aired this Wednesday in an hour-long YouTube stream, was a shocking reminder of the PS5’s current struggles.
Why TLOU Fans Need to Accept Abby as a Hero, Not a Villain
I was disheartened to read that Kaitlyn Dever, who plays Abby in the upcoming second season of HBO's The Last of Us, needed additional protection during filming due to the toxicity surrounding her character...
Why Are IGN & Kotaku Trying to Help Raise Video Game Prices?
I’m fed up with lazy game journalists promoting and normalizing higher video game prices
Why Dead By Daylight's New 2v8 Mode is (Hopefully) The Future
Dead by Daylight just wrapped up a three-week trial of its new 2v8 mode and it is a game changer. Literally.
If you’ve ever felt like the original mode was getting a bit too sweaty, competitive, or just plain confusing, you aren't alone. At first, adding perks and killers that change the gameplay was refreshing…