I can’t believe it’s this time of year again. Christmas has arrived and summer has arrived Down Under. And so, a year of content on The AU Review has come to an end. But I can’t leave without giving props to my favorite game of the year.
It was a tough list, but here are the best games of 2025. It’s time to hear from the Games and Technology team about their choices and why they’re included on this list.
If applicable, click on each title to see the full review. Let’s take a look right away.
Honorable Mention – Jurassic World Evolution 3
The third time is the charm for this sim. Jurassic World Evolution 3 takes all the best parts of the previous two games and fuses them into the ultimate builder. – Arays Dare
Honorable Mention – Sonic Racing Cross World
A reinvented racing and driving system with a huge number of characters, next-gen graphics and performance will help this racer stand out in a year where competitors also announce big releases. With more content coming in 2026, it’s a great game for single player, online play, and couch co-op. – Arays Dare
10. Outer World 2
Judging from the first game, I was confident The Outer Worlds 2 would be somewhat enjoyable. What surprised me was how much fun it was. This sequel is much bigger and grander in almost every way, from the hilarious story to the satisfying gunplay and unique flawed systems. This is an intense RPG that asks you to dig your nails in, explore hidden corners, and enjoy the ride. This is a great example of taking a solid concept and making it even better. – mat
9. Ninja Gaiden 4
This might be the biggest surprise of the year for me. I’ve enjoyed most of the previous Ninjagaiden games to some extent, but this is on another level. I admire Ninjagaiden 4’s breakneck speed, flashy action, and detailed progression system, calling it not only the best action game of the year, but one of the best in recent years. – mat
8. Split Fiction
I think Split Fiction is one of the best co-op games on the market right now. With the success of It Takes Two (which I loved so much), I was nervous about how I could top it, but all my worries disappeared as soon as I clicked play. Being able to play in both fantasy and science fiction worlds expands the range of play for players and creates more fun gimmicks. The ultimate cooperative adventure game for everyone! – Chantelle
7. Ghost of Yotei
This has been a strong year for sequels, and Ghost of Yotei definitely deserves a spot on this list. You don’t need the first game to understand this sequel, but the game builds very well on all of the existing mechanics and tropes laid out by Ghost of Tsushima. This amazing and violent revenge story is not to be missed. – mat
6. Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
The original Kingdom Come: Deliverance may have been a big surprise to us back in 2018, but its sequel shows it’s no fluke. Once again expanding on familiar tropes and mechanics, there’s a very large and dense world to interact with and explore, coupled with a story that’s as exciting as it is emotional. Kingdom Come: Deliverance II deserves its place as one of the best RPG experiences of the year. – mat
5. Donkey Kong Bananza
The Switch 2 launches with a 3D Donkey Kong platformer. It essentially redefines the traditional platforming experience for a new generation with beautiful visuals and an open world to completely destroy and destroy. Donkey Kong Bananza provides hours of fun and reintroduces this classic character to a new generation. – Arays Dare
4. Hades II
Hades II was actually the last game on my backlog this year, and I’m glad I started working on it. The first Hades was one of my favorite games of 2020, but I have to admit that Hades II might actually be better. That’s not to say a sequel can’t surpass its predecessor. As you can see, that’s not really the case with this list. It’s been a great year for sequels, and Hades II once again deepens roguelike mechanics with more satisfying gameplay and a long list of upgrades, abilities, and supporting characters. – mat
3. Hollow Knight: Silk Song
I was a bit late to Australian indie game Hollow Knight, but when I heard that Hollow Knight: Silksong was being released, I knew I had to catch up. The game is beautiful both visually and story-wise, and is a great example of the great work being done by the Australian gaming industry in particular. – Chantelle
This game shocked my heart (and, if its recent win at The Game Awards is any indication, the hearts of many others as well) when it crashed at multiple online game retailers upon release. Journey through a fantastical bug kingdom in Silksong, a classic Metroidvania with an army of bosses and a series of platforming challenges, as well as tragic quests, gorgeous art, and rich music. While it’s brutal and not without its flaws, it’s also the most engaging game I’ve played this year. – Annie
2. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach – How do you follow up one of the best games of all time? Move the setting to Australia and make it an open world with lots of things to do. The story takes the series into mega-franchise territory and looks spectacular on PlayStation 5 PRO. – Alleys Dare
1. Claire Obscur: Expedition 33
Here are the best games of 2025. Yes, I understand. At this point, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 seems to be winning every gaming award on the planet, and there’s a good reason for that, and if you have a reason to check this game out, we recommend you take advantage of one of the awards. The landscape and landscape of indie games may change as we move forward, but this is an absolute statement and proof that creativity and originality always win in the end.
Either way, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is packed with head-spinning quality. An unforgettable story with deep and nuanced character development, and a unique, consistently rewarding turn-based combat system culminates in what can only be described as the best game of 2025. – mat
Kudos to all the developers and publishers who put together a list of all these great options.
And it’s rap! We would also like to thank all our readers for their support this year. We also hope you enjoy our content. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and have a wonderful holiday season! See you in 2026!
