’tis nearly the end of the year, so our crew looks back on the games that are really top tier.
So gather around, as we’re all feeling blessed, to have covered these games that we think are the best!
That’s right everyone, we’re taking this moment to look back at an amazing year for games (maybe not so much, for the games industry as a whole, but the individual releases we’ve seen this year are among the very best ever!)
We’ll start off this article with our best-rated games of 2025, then we’ll do a shoutout to the Belgian games we’ve covered, since that’s where the roots of our site are after all, and then we’ll close the article with a top 5 of some of our writers, that also include games they didn’t have the chance to write about.
Note: scoring is up to the reviewer’s individual taste, so ranking lower in the list below doesn’t mean the game isn’t as good as the games above it, just that the assigned reviewer at that time compared it to other games they played and gave it a score they felt deserving.
Easier browsing:
- Top 15 Best-Rated Games of 2025 on LifeIsXbox
- Top 5 Best-Rated Games of 2025 on LifeIsXbox
- Top 5 Best-Rated Belgian Games of 2025 on LifeIsXbox
- Crew top 5 lists
Best-Rated Games of 2025 on LifeIsXbox
15. Eternal Strands
LifeIsXbox Score: 90/100
“Eternal Strands was the game I never knew I wanted to play until it came along. All the weapons and magical abilities are fun to use, each with their own strengths and weaknesses depending on the enemy type. With Eternal Strands being the first game from Yellow Brick Games, it’s exciting to see what they do next.”
>> Read the full review <<
14. Yooka-Replaylee
LifeIsXbox Score: 90/100
“Yooka-Replaylee doesn’t just polish the original, it rolls it into a shiny new ball and dares you to chase it, tail-spin and all. Yooka-Replaylee doesn’t reinvent the genre, but it refines it with confidence. Its open structure, responsive movement, and varied challenges come together to create a platformer that’s easy to sink into and satisfying to complete. While a few difficulty spikes and mechanical quirks remain, they’re outshone by the game’s charm, polish, and sheer playability. It’s a thoughtful rework that respects the original while making smart, player-friendly improvements.”
>> Read the full review <<
13. Hell is Us
LifeIsXbox Score: 90/100
“Quite possibly the sleeper hit of the year. With excellent gameplay mechanics, and a bold design choice in how it delivers the narrative to the player. Hell is Us proves to be one of the better releases of 2025 so far, and I hope more games take note of the unapologetic style it bases its foundations upon. Despite my time with it, Hadea is calling me back, and I will be diving in more over the coming weeks, slashing my way through countless enemies to finish up all my good deeds to the people who reside there.”
>> Read the full review <<
12. The Alters
LifeIsXbox Score: 90/100
“I can’t remember ever playing a game quite like The Alters. The story hooked me straight away with its unique twist: you’re stranded on an alien planet, with a base built at the centre of a giant wheel. To survive, you must create alternate versions of yourself, called alters, using memories stored on a quantum computer. Simply speaking with each alter made me reflect deeply on the choices I’ve made in my own life, and where I might have ended up had I chosen differently. There’s a remarkable amount of depth here, and I have to applaud the development team for what they’ve accomplished. The visuals and sound design are impressive throughout. The story unfolds across three acts, each set on a different part of the planet, offering new environments to explore and fresh challenges to tackle. Whether you’re a fan of survival games or new to the genre, this is definitely one to try.”
>> Read the full review <<
11. Keeper
LifeIsXbox Score: 90/100
“I only expected Keeper to be a good and simple game, but it went well beyond my expectations, surprising me with its mechanics, visuals, and a Soundtrack that enhances the already prestigious reputation of Double Fine Productions. A very well-crafted journey through a mysterious world, with lots of wonderful surprises along the way.”
>> Read the full review <<
10. Cronos: The New Dawn
LifeIsXbox Score: 90/100
“Cronos: The New Dawn is the best new horror IP since Dead Space, and has earned itself a spot in my list of favourite survival horror games. Survival horror at its purest: oppressive, unrelenting, and unforgettable. Bloober Team has carved out a new nightmare that merges breathtaking atmosphere with punishing challenge. It’s not here to coddle you; it will test your will, and if you endure the challenge, the reward is one of the most impactful games of the year. Such is our calling.”
>> Read the full review <<
9. Ninja Gaiden 4
LifeIsXbox Score: 91/100
“A confident return for the franchise, Ninja Gaiden 4 blends precision combat with atmospheric storytelling, though its length and repetition hold it back slightly. Ninja Gaiden 4 is a brutal, stylish return that dares to evolve. From razor-sharp combat and cinematic visuals to heartfelt character moments and slick traversal, it kept me hooked throughout. While repetition crept in and the story lingered a little too long, the sheer polish, pace, and personality made it a standout entry, and one I won’t forget anytime soon.”
>> Read the full review <<
8. Fly Punch Boom
LifeIsXbox Score: 92/100
“Fly Punch Boom is silly, exciting, chaotic fun, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a bit of PvP action in the style of Smash Bros with the added bonus of some pretty fun fatalities and, of course, some precision-based combat as well. Ok, honestly, this game should not work; everything is a contradiction, and that is what makes it so good. Everything about it screams that it shouldn’t work, but it all does, and it does it brilliantly. Highly recommended!”
>> Read the full review <<
7. Mullet Madjack
LifeIsXbox Score: 92/100
“I’ve had an absolute blast playing Mullet MadJack. I love when a game appears out of nowhere and delivers exactly what you’ve been looking for. Mullet MadJack is versatile: it’s perfect for hours of gameplay in a single session or even a quick ten-minute break to progress or just have some fun battling robots. Its 90s-inspired style is dripping with nostalgia, reminding me of movies like The Running Man and Terminator. The developers have truly nailed every aspect, and I hope more people get the chance to experience Mullet MadJack.”
>> Read the full review <<
6. Hotel Barcelona
LifeIsXbox Score: 92/100
“Hotel Barcelona is a blood-soaked fever dream where pop culture horror, time loops, and twisted minds check in, and sanity checks out. I enjoyed my stay at Hotel Barcelona so much that I might never leave again. It’s a wonderful mix of roguelike elements, amazing storytelling and, of course, nostalgic horror, which should keep you coming back time and time again. Hotel Barcelona shows you what can happen when two game designers with very eccentric tastes come together, and I can honestly say I want to see more from this duo in the future. For me, Hotel Barcelona is an awesome game, and I recommend it to fans and newcomers alike.”
>> Read the full review <<
and with that, we’ve come to our top 5 Best-Rated games of 2025 according to LifeIsXbox…. Drumroll, please!
Top 5 Best-Rated Games of 2025 on LifeIsXbox
5. Lost in Random: The Eternal Die
LifeIsXbox Score: 93/100
Lost In Random received a spin-off title that excelled beyond its inspiration and gave us one of the best roguelikes of the year. It’s and indie release to “die” for!
“Lost in Random: The Eternal Die is an amazing roguelike adventure game that new fans and old should definitely check out. It is full of amazing lore, awesome weapons and endearing characters that should keep you coming back for more.”
>> Read the full review <<
4. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
LifeIsXbox Score: 95/100
Imagine that! Finding a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive in a top-reviewed games of the year list on a site called LifeIsXbox. But just as Xbox themselves have embraced other platforms and dropped the focus on exclusive content, we too loosened the reigns and broadened our horizons. This Zelda-themed take on the “warriors” genre takes the series to new heights and we enjoyed spending dozens of hours in Hyrule.
“Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is a fun, engaging, addictive, cinematic, and gorgeous game in the Hyrule Warriors series. It offers a brand-new canon story that fans will love watching play out during the game’s progression. It offers a rewarding progression system, which drip-feeds you new weapons, abilities, and characters at the perfect pace.”
>> Read the full review <<
3. Aaero2: Black Razor Edition
LifeIsXbox Score: 95/10
While Aaero2 initially released last year (on Xbox first, which is a very rare occurence for an indie game with no Microsoft affiliation) we now have a new DLC + a PS5 release and a slew of QOL updates bringing the rhythm game to the next level.
“Aaero2 remains a dazzling fusion of rhythm and rail-shooter mechanics, and the Black Razor Edition amplifies that appeal for Xbox and PC players. The expanded soundtrack variety, refined co-op options, and broader accessibility make it easier than ever to recommend. Whether you’re revisiting the game or discovering it for the first time, this edition ensures Aaero2’s beat-driven brilliance continues to resonate long after its original launch.”
>> Read the full review <<
2. Once Upon a Katamari
LifeIsXbox Score: 100/100
Limp Bizkit said it best: “Keep on rolling, baby!” Katamari is back and rolled its way into Colombo’s heart and 2nd place in our ranking!
“Once Upon a Katamari is a beautifully crafted game with no flaws that I can think of. The King of Cosmos has once again exceeded my expectations with another very fun entry to the series, with a lot of content, challenges, customisation options, great presentation, and many katamaris.”
>> Read the full review <<
1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
LifeIsXbox Score: 100/100
This comes as no surprise to most readers, it won almost every award globally, for which it was nominated, and feels more like a game of the decade than a game of the year. A miracle of gathering the right developers at the right time and giving them the tools they need to create magic.
“Quite possibly the best RPG of its kind. Epic story with heartfelt moments, best-in class combat, gorgeous graphics and music that will linger for the rest of my life. I’ll be humming some of these tunes in the retirement home. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the real thing. This game will go down in history as a must-play RPG.”
>> Read the full review <<
LifeIsXbox has its roots in Belgium, so we want to use that local pride to highlight some games from our own soil. Here are the top 5 best-rated Belgian games of 2025:
Top 5 Best-Rated Belgian Games of 2025 on LifeIsXbox
5. Order 13
LifeIsXbox Score: 80/100
“Order 13 is a great wee horror game that lets you use your own imagination—mostly to give yourself scares—but also has the added factors of an actual monster, a cat, and some good old-fashioned random body parts and blood thrown in for good measure. Order 13 isn’t going to keep you occupied for weeks, but it is a fun wee game that will let you scratch that horror itch in a unique way. I wonder what other jobs are going to get the horror treatment.”
>> Read the full review <<
4. Best Served Cold
LifeIsXbox Score: 80/100
“Best Served Cold is a decent game for fans of mystery and intrigue. The setting is perfect for the style, and the stories are so well done that it felt like reading an old-school choose-your-own-adventure if it had been written by Susanna Calkins or Nancy Bilyeau. If you enjoy a good mystery game with plenty of booze and murder, then this just might be the game for you. The only reason it’s not getting a higher score is because of the minigame issue and the rare couple of bugs, which I am sure will be patched soon. So as the developers themselves put it: “It’s time to flip that sign to open, turn up the jazz, and welcome your first customers of the night.”
>> Read the full review <<
3. Gloomy Eyes
LifeIsXbox Score: 80/100
“Gloomy Eyes is a poetic plunge into eternal night, where love glows brightest in the shadows and light becomes a symbol of hope. While its haunting visuals and immersive sound enchant from start to finish, the overly difficult puzzles can sometimes dim the magic, turning wonder into weariness.”
>> Read the full review <<
2. OFF
LifeIsXbox Score: 90/100
OFF originally released in 2008 but has now received a remake on PC & Switch (and hopefully one for Xbox in the works too!) but it’s a cult-classic that went on to inspire some of the most well-known indie RPGs in the world, so it’s only right it got a second chance in the spotlight.
“Everything is off about the world of OFF, but it encourages you to want to know more about it, and it never feels like it’s just another game. The world and characters are memorable. If you have any interest in Undertale, Everhood, or other RPGs of the sort, I’d recommend not passing this up, as it is as interesting and worthwhile as they are.”
>> Read the full review <<
1. Koira
LifeIsXbox Score: 90/100
Koira also won “Best Belgian Game of the Year” at the Belgian Game Awards, so it’s no surprise that this enchanting journey about keeping your puppy safe also scored high on LifeIsXbox.
“Koira is an incredibly wholesome game, short but sweet, about companionship, trust, and working together. I cannot recommend this game much more if I tried; with its beautiful aesthetic (both visually and audibly), combined with an emotionally entrancing story that had me playing from beginning to end in one sitting. It’s certainly a hidden gem and a game I won’t be forgetting anytime soon.”
>> Read the full review <<
And since the tastes of everyone on the crew do not always overlap, we also have a personal top 5 games played of the year list to share, with very personal reasonings behind them and not always score-based logic.
Top 5 Games of the Year from the LifeIsXbox Crew
Victoria
- Split Fiction
- KOIRA
- Labyrinthine
- Winter Burrow
- Crime Opera II: The Floodgate Effect
Robby
- Clair Obscur Expedition 33
- Aaero2 Black Razor Edition
- Cronos: The New Dawn
- Ruffy and the Riverside
- OFF
Benny
- Aaero2: Black Razor Edition
- Battlefield 6
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Mario Kart World
- Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor
Derek
- Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
- Hotel Barcelona
- Cronos : The New Dawn
- Silent Hill F
- Hades 2
Colombo
- Once Upon a Katamari
- Split Fiction
- Ruffy and the Riverside
- OFF
- Crime Scene Cleaner (Xbox release)
Aaron
- Cronos The New Dawn
- Battlefield 6
- Silent Hill F
- Donkey Kong Bananaza
- Metroid Prime 4 Beyond
Missi
- Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo
- Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream
- Ruffy and the Riverside
- Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault
- CloverPit
Robby lives and breathes video games. When he’s not playing them, he’s talking about them on social media or convincing other people to pick up a controller themselves. He’s online so often, he could practically list the internet as his legal domicile. Belgian games-industry know-it-all.
