The Best Games of the 2020s So Far
Even though the 2020s still have a ways to go, the decade has already produced several fantastic games. As the years fly by and studios become more familiar with the limits of the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, the industry will test what Sony and Microsoft’s systems can do. In the meantime, the Nintendo Switch entered the last stretch of its existence, and its successor arrived in the form of the Nintendo Switch 2. It has been a great decade for gaming, at least when it comes to the actual games themselves.
There is still plenty of gaming to be done this decade, and it could very well be that the best games of the 2020s are still many years away. That being said, things have gotten off to an exciting start. What are the greatest titles to come out in the decade so far?
Only games that debuted in the 2020s will be considered, so re-releases or expanded editions will be omitted. Games are also listed in reverse chronological order. Furthermore, no early access titles (Palworld or Path of Exile 2) since those are still works in progress.
For the most part, we are going to try and limit games to one per franchise.
Updated on November 22, 2025 by Mark Sammut: The last few months have been great for gaming, with some of the biggest releases of the decade happening. Therefore, we have updated the selection of the 2020s’ best games to include a few newcomers.
Dispatch
One Of The Best Superhero Games Of The 2020s, If Not Just Straight-Up The Best
Although they do not happen as often as they used to, superhero games tend to be pretty decent nowadays, but they also have a habit of being fairly similar. Consequently, Dispatch was a breath of fresh air that combined Telltale’s storytelling approach with a hard-hitting story that reflects the more thoughtful narratives the superhero genre has been producing in the last decade or so.
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With strong characterization, a gripping narrative filled with likable characters, and plenty of tough and important choices, Dispatch is not only one of the greatest superhero games of all time, but a standout representative of this type of release. If you are tired of Caped Crusaders but miss Telltale’s games, do not skip this release. Hopefully, season 2 happens.
Hades 2
Maybe The Best Roguelite Game Of The 2020s
Hades 2
- Released
-
September 25, 2025
Technically, Hades 2 debuted in 2024 as an early access title, but its full release didn’t happen until September 2025. Frankly, the incomplete version was already good enough to warrant a spot among the best games of the decade, so the much-improved iteration is an absolute no-brainer. This is pretty much the best roguelike action game since, well, the first Hades, and it builds upon its predecessor’s flawless foundation to craft a similar but still singular experience that works as an evolution and a standalone project.
Hades 2‘s gameplay loop is incredibly addictive, offering intense and stylish combat that is inherently deep and replayable. The varied weapons and build options ensure that things do not grow stale for a very long time, and the introduction of two paths to follow means you can shake things up rather than running through the same stages.
Hollow Knight: Silksong
The Long-Awaited Sequel To One Of The Greatest Indie Metroidvanias Is Also One Of The Greatest Indie Metroidvanias
Considering the lengthy wait for its release, the fact that Silksong is not only available but has also been out for months feels a bit weird. Team Cherry finally delivered on its sequel promises, and I mean that in pretty much every way it can be taken. Yes, the game is at long last playable, but Silksong also managed to live up to ridiculous expectations that could have spelled its doom if it were anything short of brilliant.
Although cut from the same cloth as Hollow Knight, Silksong escapes its shadow by being pretty darn difficult and revolving around a fairly different core moveset. If you are an HK veteran or a complete beginner, Silksong will be an equally fresh experience.
Donkey Kong Bananza
The Best Nintendo Switch 2 Game (So Far)
The Nintendo Switch 2 is still a babe by this point, and there is a huge chance that its greatest game is years away. That said, the console has already produced a couple of gems. Mario Kart World is arguably the Switch 2’s biggest system-seller, and it is another brilliant racer in a franchise that rarely ever misses the mark. However, at this point, MKW is not the console’s best game; no, that would be Donkey Kong Bananza.
From the same team responsible for Super Mario Odyssey, Bananza is a very different adventure from past Donkey Kong adventures, so please do not go in expecting something in the same ballpark as Tropical Freeze. Rather than emphasizing platforming, the game is all about sandbox exploration and smashing everything to collect bananas, and the latter is ridiculously addictive. Seriously, the simple act of moving in this universe is so satisfying!
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
Kojima’s Weird Open-World Game Gets An Even Better Sequel
Although fairly well-received in the grand scheme of things, Death Stranding was nevertheless a divisive open-world game that seemed to either inspire rapturous applause or frustration from most people. Still, it was successful enough to warrant a sequel, and it is safe to say that Hideo Kojima and his team more than managed to build on the first game’s mostly solid foundations.
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As before, Death Standing 2 is all about connecting groups of survivors in a post-apocalyptic setting, all framed around delivering packages. The journey can be somewhat slow, but that is part of its charm, as this is not a game that should be played at a million miles an hour. That said, the sequel gets into the meat of things a lot quicker than its predecessor, and you will find yourself engaging with the much-improved combat far more frequently. The story is about as bizarre as any other Kojima production, and that is a positive.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
2025’s Biggest RPG
While the best game of 2025 will come down to personal preference, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is undoubtedly the year’s biggest success story (and, for a lot of people, also the best game of the year). Inspired by turn-based JRPGs of old, Clair Obscur presents the genre at the height of its powers, combining a varied combat system with a FANTASTIC premise, top-notch writing, lovable (or, at least, fascinating) characters, and an unbelievably good soundtrack.
The story starts with one of the greatest prologues of all time, before transitioning into a three-act structure that incorporates a surprising number of (well-executed) twists and emotion. The ride is wild and unforgettable, and the main campaign does not overstay its welcome by any stretch of the imagination. Clair Obscur‘s gameplay blends turn-based decisions with real-time reactions, requiring players to time their attacks, dodges, and parries. While there is room for improvement, the gameplay is rock-solid and should satisfy both JRPG veterans and newcomers to the genre who tend to gravitate towards action combat. Each playable character even has mechanics unique to them, ensuring battles remain interesting throughout the entire playthrough.
Blue Prince
One of 2025’s Best Puzzle Games
Debuting directly on Game Pass and PS Plus, Blue Prince is as accessible as it could be, and it is comfortably among the best games of the 2020s so far. Now, puzzle roguelikes are a relatively niche genre, so this release might not instantly appeal to everyone since it offers such a specific type of experience. Conversely, Blue Prince is also a one-of-a-kind package that successfully combines familiar pieces to create what is overall a fantastic experience.
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As the heir to a mansion, players have to plan the floor layout, all in the hopes of reaching room 46 within a set number of steps. The layout resets every day, and there are plenty of different rooms and combinations to consider. Blue Prince executes a simple concept perfectly.
Split Fiction
A 2025 Co-Op Game Masterpiece
Hazelight is undoubtedly the standard-setter when it comes to co-op games, and Split Fiction might just be the developer’s crowning achievement. Building on quite a few of the ideas explored in It Takes Two, the 2025 title once again revolves around two protagonists who go on a world-hopping adventure. This time around, the leads are two writers who specialize in sci-fi and fantasy, respectively, and they end up visiting realms inspired by their stories.
The story is quite good and benefits from having likable main characters, but Split Fiction shines the brightest in its gameplay. The campaign constantly shakes up the status quo, introducing mechanics tailor-made for the current world. It goes beyond just the main levels, as the game also has plenty of shorter side missions that try something new.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
One Of The Most Immersive Open-World Games Ever
Warhorse created something special with 2018’s Kingdom Come: Deliverance, but the open-world medieval game is very much an acquired taste. For the sequel, the developer had the tough task of trying to create a more accessible experience without watering down the core sim-like appeal of the original project; somehow, against all odds, Warhorse struck the perfect balance. While still catering to a niche, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is far easier to recommend to people on the fence due to its improved (and, frankly, easier) combat, superior storytelling, crafting mechanics, and gorgeous visuals.
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The 2025 release continues directly from its predecessor, extending and completing Henry’s story in the process. Set in the Kingdom of Bohemia, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 goes out of its way to fully immerse players in the day-to-day grind of medieval life, demanding that they experience the highs and lows of this era. Consequently, the campaign can be quite slow at times, but its pacing is a virtue rather than a curse.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
An Ambitious Adventure That Captures The Magic Of The Original Movie Trilogy
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle led a weird pre-release life. Despite having a pretty great track record for crafting memorable first-person games set in a similar era, MachineGames’ teasers and trailers for its Indy project garnered a surprisingly muted response. Fortunately, that reaction did not foreshadow the game’s launch reception, which ended up being all-around positive. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is simply outstanding, delivering a globe-trotting epic that captures the original movies’ wit, style of action, and brain-teasers.
While not devoid of action, the game emphasizes puzzles and stealth, which makes sense since Indy is a professor with a taste for adventure and not Wolfenstein‘s Blazkowicz. The story moves at a good pace and features a top-notch presentation for both the gameplay and cutscenes, with the latter doing an impressive job of replicating Harrison Ford’s look and voice. Even more so than the modern movies, The Great Circle comes the closest to delivering a new Indy masterpiece that can stand alongside Raiders of the Lost Ark.