ARC Raiders: Embark Studios

If you enjoy third-person shooter games, ARC raiders may be worth checking out. This stellar multiplayer title builds on what has worked well in other shooters and blends those elements into a cohesive experience, creating a game that feels fresh while pushing the genre forward. 

ARC Raiders keeps players engaged through its wide selection of weapons and gadgets, encouraging experimentation and discovery. Players choose a map and spawn in a random location, creating a different experience each match. While goals can vary from player to player, matches often revolve around looting valuable items, engaging in combat with other players and surviving as long as possible. Success in each game requires strong strategy, quick decision-making and precise execution.  

With its polished gunplay, addictive progression and tense, rewarding matches, ARC Raiders has earned widespread praise. IGN awarded the game a 9/10 rating and named it an Editors’ Choice, highlighting its stong foundation, excellent audio design and satisfying gameplay loop, which set a new standard for future tites. 

Donkey Kong Bananza: Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development

If you like 3D Mario-style games with excellent innovative design, Donkey Kong Bananza may be a perfect fit for you! The game introduces a colorful new world and a creative storyline featuring Donkey Kong and his new sidekick, Pauline, as they embark on adventures to stop the villainous Void company and its leader, Void, from harnessing a powerful artifact hidden at the planet’s core for evil purposes. 

Bananza comes with several unique Donkey Kong variations, each designed for specific gameplay movements. The zebra form gives Donkey Kong perfect traction on ice and allows him to walk on water. The ostrich form lets him glide through the air and drop explosive egg bombs. The elephant form grants the ability to inhale enemies for both combat and platforming, while the snake form allows Donkey Kong to transform into a massive serpent with abilities such as charge jump, which increases jump height, and glare, which slows the world into slow motion.

With its inventive mechanics and creative level design, Donkey Kong Bananza earned a 10/10 rating from Imagine Games Network (IGN), making it one of the highest-rated games of the year. 

Ghost of Yotei: Sucker Punch Productions

Ghost of Yotei builds on the strengths of Ghost of Tsushima, its predecessor, while introducing new mechanics, improved visuals and a more emotionally driven story. According to IGN, the game’s breathtaking scenery alone places it among the top titles of the year, with expanded environments that feel richer and more immersive than its former.

Unlike Ghost of Tsushima, Ghost of Yotei removes the stance system and instead emphasizes adapting to combat through a wide variety of weapons, each suited for different enemy types and situations. This shift encourages players to think strategically and experiment with their loadouts rather than relying on fixed fighting styles. A major new addition is a wolf companion that assists the player in combat, helping distract enemies and create new tactical opportunities during battles. 

The story follows Atsu, a skiller warrior who, as a child, witnessed her family’s murder at the hands of a group known as the Yotei Six and was left for dead. Sixteen years later, Atsu returns to confront those responsible, setting out on a revenge-driven journey filled with personal conflict, moral choices and emotional depth. 

With its refined combat, striking visuals and compelling narrative, Ghost of Yotei received an 8/10 rating from IGN, which praised the game for successfully evolving the formula established in Ghost of Tsushima while offering a fresh and engaging experience.

Hollow Knight: Silksong: Team Cherry

Hollow Knight: Silksong is an excellent sequel that builds upon the foundation of the original game while expanding its world, mechanics, and narrative. Known for its high level of difficulty, the game challenges players with precise combat and platforming while offering a beautifully crafted 2D world filled with action, exploration and deep lore. 

Silksong stays true to the style and structure that made the first game so successful, but introduces cresh ideas and u expected twists that keep the experience feeling new. Developed by Team Cherry, the game captures the same haunting atmosphere as its predecessor while enhancing it with more dynamic environments and refined gameplay systems. 

The story follows Hornet, a powerful warrior with both insect and godlike qualities, who is taken to a mysterious kingdom shaped by industry and control. As Hornet navigates this unfamiliar world, players uncover a narrative layered with symbolism, danger and moral complexity. 

With its striking art style, challenging gameplay and rich storytelling. Hollow Knight: Silksong earned a 9/10 rating from IGN, solidifying it as one fo the standout games of the year.