I’m a huge fan—not just of Hades, but of the entire catalog of titles released by Supergiant Games to date. So it came as no surprise that Hades II turned out to be one of the best games I played in 2025. While writing this review, I found myself restless—not because I struggled to talk about the game, but because every minute at the keyboard was a minute spent away from Tartarus or Olympus. Its only shortcoming lies in the somewhat limited strategic variety offered by Melinoë’s weapon aspects. Beyond that, Hades II elevates every element that made Hades the breakout hit of 2020, delivering once again one of the finest roguelikes ever made—packed with content and crafted with a quality worthy of a true Greek epic.

One of the most debated topics in the gaming industry in the past few years is whether video games can be considered art. While I don’t have the academic background necessary to provide a definitive answer to such a question, Clair Obscur Expedition 33, with its story, art, and music, evoked feelings in me that only the most memorable works of art can: pain, joy, sadness, and grief. All of this, combined with one of the finest turn-based RPG experiences of the last decade, makes this game not only one of the best of 2025, but one of the greatest offerings of this generation.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is like a dream come true. The immensity of the universe of this work deserved a game that was technically up to the task of portraying its settings, characters and stories with the technology of current consoles. Fortunately, the result delivered by Square Enix exceeds expectations.

Reigning supreme on the Xbox Series X, Forza Horizon 5 maintains its crown on the PlayStation 5 with hundreds of hours of content and impressive technical features, especially on the PS5 Pro. Surprisingly, PlayStation now houses the best console version of a major Xbox game. In a win-win deal for both companies, Sony is grateful – and Microsoft, with its deep pockets, is smiling from ear to ear.

FromSoftware revives the concept of “expansion” and maintains its tradition of quality with Shadow of the Erdtree. The DLC adds dozens of hours of gameplay to the already rich Elden Ring and serves as an example in such a complex moment in the gaming industry.

Magnum Opus. The Latin expression is used to express a work of excellence in all aspects, usually being the pinnacle of an author or artist. If the composition of a team of renowned names from Studio P was already a clue that Metaphor was destined for great things, now with its release it is impossible not to have the feeling that this is the greatest work produced by Atlus yet. Absorbing everything that is best in the already historic Persona and Shin Megami Tensei franchises, Metaphor: ReFantazio is not only the best RPG of the year, but is also one of the big favorites for game of the year 2024.

If you've played and enjoyed A Way Out or It Takes Two, there's no doubt that Hazelight's new game will become one of your favorites from the studio. The other thing I'm certain of is that Split Fiction isn't just an excellent game, it's a true celebration of what games should be and represent: creativity, fun, and the rare element of continuing to surprise you and put a smile on your face after hours of gameplay, when you thought you'd seen it all.

With only a few technical flaws, Donkey Kong Bananza is a game that gets almost everything right in what it set out to do and deliver to fans of the gorilla. It's refreshing to see the character getting a brand-new game—especially in a different formula from what we’ve been used to seeing since the 1990s.

Silksong is a game made with great care and quality, and it can appeal to almost any fan of genres like Metroidvania and Soulslike. Outside of that bubble, however, it might be a harder title to recommend than its predecessor, even though it improves on practically every element. I believe it’s less accessible, as it demands better reflexes, more skill in platforming sections, and a stronger sense of how to deal with regular enemies and bosses.

Castlevania Dominus Collection is a great release from Konami, even with the lack of subtitles in Brazilian Portuguese. There is a clear care with the preservation of the legacy, combined with a good set of extra content without the need for DLCs.

If you have the Playstation 4 version and want to play the new modes, it's worth purchasing during a future promotion, not now. The remaster does bring some advantages, but it lacked a bit of common sense from Naughty Dog, which feels the need to squeeze every last drop from the Cordyceps franchise.

Although its offline content is less than expected, Tekken 8 delivers an engaging combat system and its characters have never been as fun as they are now.

If you're wondering whether Pokémon Pokopia is worth it, I'll give you the answer right away: yes, it's one of the games that has surprised me the most in recent months. But this is exactly the type of game I love; after all, I've already spent hundreds of hours on Minecraft, Animal Crossing, Dragon Quest Builders, and various other farming, building, management, and simulation games.

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach delivers on its promises, featuring a star-studded cast worthy of Hollywood. Its story surprises with the boldness of its themes, accompanied by fun and refined gameplay. It’s an essential recommendation not just for Kojima fans, but for anyone who loves video games.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is a true love letter not only to fans of the series, but also to Kiryu Kazuma. It is also a reminder that the two protagonists were not created to replace each other: they both have their value and learn from their qualities and defects when they are together.

Resident Evil Requiem stands on its historical weight and on gameplay that embraces well-defined dualities for the overall experience. However, beyond a narrative that raises more questions than answers, there is a lack of clarity regarding the future direction of the franchise.

Persona 3 Reload is a very faithful remake of the original, and also brings completely new elements that came to modernize the experience and make the gameplay and plot even more engaging. With a few stumbles, Persona 3 Reload might not be the most complete, but it is the definitive version of the game that marked the franchise's path to success.

Dragon's Dogma 2 is worth your attention, whether you're an old fan or someone who's never touched Dark Arisen. You just need to be aware that this is a more difficult game, in which it is not possible to reverse your actions and that focuses heavily on exploration and intense battles.

Monster Hunter Wilds offers an enjoyable experience, even if it has its fair share of rough patches. While it may not excel in every aspect its predecessors did, it's an adventure that deserves your attention. The only question is whether its current offerings would be enough for your preferences and play style, or if it's worth waiting for new monsters and more challenging content in the future.

Mullet Madjack is a true love letter to '90s pop culture enthusiasts. The visuals are very appealing, the theme is well-developed, and the references are a treasure trove of surprises. Not to mention the soundtrack, which evokes nostalgic feelings of the good old arcade days.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door brings visual and quality of life improvements, but its true purpose is simply to rescue a game that was trapped in the GameCube library.

If you grew up in the 90s or 2000s, Mixtape will likely bring laughter, nostalgia, and maybe even a few genuine tears. For those born in the TikTok era, it's almost like a time capsule of a less connected, but perhaps more present, youth.

With a stronger plot, better character development and a captivating dynamic between Henry and Hans, the game becomes essential for veteran fans and newcomers alike. Improved in every way possible, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 definitely delivers the experience that Warhorse Studios always had in mind for the franchise.

Pragmata is the kind of game that can appeal to most people, even if it has a few stumbles along the way. If you're unsure, I can say that there are many elements that reminded me of games like Resident Evil and Dead Space, with very small hints of Monster Hunter and even Death Stranding.

If you like Japanese RPGs and have never played them, I would say that Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is a must-buy.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance joins this year’s pantheon of ninja games, proving itself as a true metroidvania with deep exploration, stunning hand-drawn art, and fast-paced combat. Musashi shows he hasn’t aged a bit in nearly 40 years, seamlessly reinventing himself as a modern-day shinobi while never losing the essence that once made him a SEGA icon.

The Super Mario Galaxy 1 + 2 collection carries on its shoulders the two best 3D platformers ever starring Mario. Both games feel frozen in time, showing absolutely no signs of aging — quite the opposite, in fact: they highlight Nintendo’s sorcery in crafting magical, timeless experiences. Some minor tweaks were added to make them more accessible for new players, but honestly, they didn’t even need it. Mario Galaxy 1 and 2 deserve to be listed in the dictionary as synonyms for perfection in gaming. Only those who embark on this journey truly understand how far the mustachioed hero went (to space, literally) to outdo himself in creativity.

Even with some small problems, it is easy to say that Indiana Jones and the Big Circle is one of the best games of 2024, even though it has been released too late to participate in big awards.