It feels like we've been waiting for it for a long time, but Little Nightmares dev Tarsier Studios has finally delivered its next game. Unsurprisingly, Reanimal feels very much like Little Nightmares in all but name. While it doesn't have the strongest narrative, stellar visuals, an eerie atmosphere and excellent environmental puzzles all more than make up for it.
One of the best FMV games to date, The Run is expertly filmed, set in the gorgeous Italian countryside. Not only does it look stunning, but it's a genuine joy to play, thanks to solid acting, faultless pacing and an intriguing storyline. FMV games may be an acquired taste, but when they're made as well as this, they deserve to be played.
Frustrating and relaxing in equal measure, there's something quite special about Cairn, a game all about climbing a mountain. It perfectly captures the tension and peril of every hand and foot movement while also weaving in some light-hearted story sequences along the way. While every misplaced foot might make you swear, the elation of reaching each incremental goal is quite unlike anything else.
Hilarious and unabashedly silly, Earth Must Die is undoubtedly the best game yet from Size Five Games. Brilliantly written, beautifully animated and with an enviable voice cast, there's so much to love here if you're a fan of point-and-click adventure games.
Massive Monster has nailed the concept of DLC with Woolhaven: it gives fans of Cult of the Lamb more of what they love, but with enough of a refresh that it feels notably different. This is a substantial expansion, adding dozens of hours worth of new content, and with not only new dungeons to overcome but new ways to interact and grow your cult, it's a must-play for anyone who enjoyed the base game.
Made by solo developer and ex-Housemarque programmer Kimmo Lahtinen, Sektori is the closest thing you're going to get to the sweet rush of the likes of Resogun without revisiting Housemarque's back catalogue. It's tough as nails, but with eye-melting visuals and fast-paced twin-stick shooter action, you simply won't be able to get enough of it.
A unique take on the Survivors-like genre that also throws in city building and tower defence mechanics, Monsters are Coming! Rock & Road is a moreish roguelike that will have you repeatedly coming back for more.
Its ridiculous advert starring David Hasselhoff isn't the only brilliant thing about SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide. This is an excellent platforming adventure, featuring a great mix of character skills, fantastic level design and plenty of side quests. Even if you're not a fan of SpongeBob, there's a lot here to love.
Cheap and cheerful, Hidden Cats in Rio de Janeiro is a real joy for any fan of hidden object games, particularly if they also love cats. Beautifully presented and packed with personality, it's yet another great entry in the lovable Hidden Cats series.
Beautiful visuals and an excellent soundtrack collide in Lumines Arise, the latest entry in the long-running Lumines series. This block puzzle game is as timeless as Tetris, and as long as you can get your head around the strategies required here, it's going to keep you entertained for dozens upon dozens of hours.
On the face of it, Goodnight Universe is a far-fetched, comedic tale about a baby with telekinetic powers. But really, this is a very touching tale about love and familial bonds. For fans of narrative-driven adventures, this is not to be missed.
Putting a very nice twist on the auto-attacking roguelike genre, Death by Scrolling tasks you with outrunning the apocalypse on a vertically-scrolling screen. It's an absolute delight, but with little variety from one run to the next, repetition can quickly set in.
A presentation reminiscent of Hades is the cherry on top of Devil Jam, a Survivors-like brought to life with metal music and a beat that will keep you headbanging from start to finish. Only the bosses are going to get in the way of your fun here, but you're absolutely going to want to keep trying to best them.
Without a doubt one of my favourite experiences of 2025, The Séance of Blake Manor is a rich and beautiful narrative puzzle game where you're fully in charge of your own detective work. Blending together stellar storytelling with Irish folklore and spooky mysteries, it's a game that's going to stay with me for a long time to come.
Simon the Sorcerer Origins looks fantastic, its writing is brilliant and its voice acting (particularly Chris Barrie) is absolutely stellar. It's a great example of a modern point-and-click game — but it's let down by some frustratingly difficult puzzles. It sorely needs a built-in hint system, but hey, at least you can just look up a guide.
Featuring 12 levels over three distinct themes, Escape Simulator 2 has plenty of content at launch, with every level being brilliantly designed and filled with clever, challenging puzzles. For those who want more, there's a level designer and the option to play community-created levels, so there's potentially endless content here. A bargain for £14.99/$19.99.
Improved over its predecessor in just about every way, PowerWash Simulator 2 is the ultimate in cleaning sims. New locations, new tools and a brand new home hub make washing away dirt and grime more enjoyable than ever, and while there's the occasional grumble, it's not enough to spoil the zen-like nature of virtual powerwashing.
The first brand new Katamari game in years, Once Upon a Katamari doesn't disappoint. While it suffers from the same issues the series always has, like wonky controls and camera, there's no denying that it's as fun as ever to play. There's nothing else like it, and we'll never grow tired of the utter weirdness of rolling up items with a special ball.
Plants vs Zombies Replanted is the same game you know and love, albeit with a shiny new veneer. Some games don't get old, and providing you're in the mood for something laid-back and casual, protecting your garden from zeds is as much fun as it's ever been.
A gorgeous adventure that is as surprising as it is beautiful, Keeper is far more than the game about a sentient lighthouse that it presents itself as. Filled with engaging puzzles, mesmerising scenery and a visual story to make you think, Keeper is well worth taking the time to complete.