Introduction
2025 is shaping up to be an incredible year for gamers, with highly anticipated releases across multiple genres. Eternal Strands kicks off the year with its breathtaking world and telekinetic combat, while Wuchang: Fallen Feathers brings a dark, soulslike experience set in the Ming Dynasty. Will: Follow the Light offers an open-world adventure through the frozen North, and South of Midnight delivers a beautifully crafted Southern gothic tale. Pokémon Legends Z-A earns a runner-up spot, teasing an exciting return to Lumiose City. Topping the list, Doom: The Dark Ages reinvents the FPS classic with medieval weaponry, mechs, and even a cybernetic dragon. With so many exciting titles on the horizon, 2025 promises to be a year to remember for gamers!
Eternal Strands
Available January 28, 2025 on Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC
In this third-person action-adventure game from Yellow Brick Games, you play as Brynn, a young warrior trying to recover her people’s cultural home. Harness her telekinetic force, fire, and ice powers to destroy your enemies and traverse the land of the Enclave.
The vivid colors are beautiful, and the weapon and magic combat options look very interesting. I’m excited to see how the environment will affect the combat.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers
Available sometime in 2025 on Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is a third-person soulslike game set in the final years of the Ming Dynasty. Wuchang, a female pirate, awakes to a mysterious illness called Feathering plaguing the land. Utilizing a variety of weapons, fighting styles, and even Feathering, help Wuchang discover the reason behind the disease.
The multitude of combat options makes this a great option for gamers that enjoy various types of fighting.
Will: Follow the Light
Available sometime in 2025 on Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC
In Will: Follow the Light, players control Will, a man stuck in the far North trying to return to his loved ones. Players can explore this vast landscape by boat, sled dogs, or just walking around.
I’m a big fan of games that go at their own pace, and not following a guide around is a plus. And who doesn’t enjoy the thought of dog sledding in the mountains without actually being in the cold?
South of Midnight
Available April 8, 2025 on Xbox Series X|S, and PC
South of Midnight is a third-person action-adventure game set in a fictionalized Deep South. Join Hazel as she tries to find her mother after a hurricane sweeps their house away and destroys her hometown. While on her journey, Hazel learns she is a Weaver- someone who can mend broken bonds and spirits.
I love the art, the music, the setting of this game. Some of the weapons include weaving hooks, a spindle, and a distaff, all of which I cannot wait to attempt to use.
Before we reach number one, I wanted to share a runner-up.
Runner Up- Pokémon Legends Z-A
Available sometime 2025 on Nintendo Switch 2
Besides number one on this list, the Pokémon series has been in my life since I can remember. For Christmas 1998, my mother gave me a maroon Gameboy Color and Pokémon Red version, sparking a love for handheld games going on 27 years.
At the time of this article, little is known about the latest installment, besides being set in Lumiose City. It’s currently going through redevelopment plans to shape the city into a place that both Pokémon and people can enjoy.
Doom: The Dark Ages
Available May 15, 2025 on Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC
The Doomslayer is back and better than ever in this first-person shooter. Set in the Middle Ages, the eighth game in the series is set to reveal the origins of the main character. Equip your Shield Saw and parry, deflect, and block your enemies attacks, while also using it as a weapon. Or take advantage of the new melee weapons, the flail, electrified gauntlet or the mace. Another new feature is the cybernetic dragon used to attack enemies from the sky, and the Atlan mech suit that the slayer can control to defeat larger enemies.
My mother and father played this game on the Super Nintendo when I was a kid, this is THE game for me. Am I blinded by nostalgia? Possibly. I’ll find out May 15 for sure.
Final Thoughts
2025 is set to be an unforgettable year for gamers, packed with groundbreaking titles across every genre. From the telekinetic combat of Eternal Strands to the dark, soulslike challenge of Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, there’s something for everyone. Open-world adventures like Will: Follow the Light and the Southern gothic charm of South of Midnight add even more variety, while Pokémon Legends Z-A teases a return to Lumiose City. But leading the charge is Doom: The Dark Ages, bringing medieval mayhem with mechs and a cybernetic dragon. Get ready—2025 is going to be epic!
