2025 Hits: The Leading Games You Can Play Right Now

The first half of 2025 has already spoiled gamers with incredible titles across every platform. From monster-hunting epics to fast-paced shooters and surprise indie sensations, these releases have set a high bar for the rest of the year. If you’re wondering which games deserve your time right now, here’s a closer look at the most popular releases already making waves in 2025.

Monster Hunter Wilds – Capcom

Capcom’s Monster Hunter Wilds, released on February 28, 2025, is the biggest installment in the series yet. It introduces fully seamless open-world exploration, a dynamic weather system, and new gameplay elements like bird-mounted weapon swapping. The wound-target mechanic rewards tactical strikes on large monsters, making every hunt feel more strategic.

Within just three days of launch, the game sold over 8 million copies, becoming Capcom’s fastest-selling title ever. Whether you’re a veteran hunter or a newcomer, Wilds offers a polished, thrilling experience. Read more about the game’s upcoming expansion content that promises even more creatures, biomes, and cooperative hunts.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows – Ubisoft Québec

Released March 20, 2025, Assassin’s Creed Shadows takes the franchise to the long-requested setting of feudal Japan. Players switch between two protagonists: Naoe, a stealthy shinobi skilled in infiltration, and Yasuke, a powerful samurai who excels in direct combat.

The game introduces dynamic seasons that affect gameplay, snow muffles your movements, while summer heat shortens stamina. It’s built exclusively for ninth-generation consoles, delivering impressive visuals and fluid mechanics. Shadows topped US sales in March and scored the biggest physical launch of the year in the UK.

DOOM: The Dark Ages – id Software

On May 15, 2025, id Software unleashed DOOM: The Dark Ages, a bold medieval twist on the classic shooter. It combines brutal melee weapons like the Shield Saw with the franchise’s iconic demon-blasting arsenal.

Players fight through sprawling gothic landscapes, siege castles, and engage in large-scale battles against monstrous foes. The game’s relentless pace, atmospheric setting, and inventive combat earned rave reviews from critics and long-time fans.

Schedule 1 – Tyler’s Video Game Studio

One of 2025’s most unexpected hits, Schedule 1 launched in early access on March 24 and quickly became a Steam sensation. Part crime simulator, part strategy game, it lets players run an underground operation, complete with resource management, rival gangs, and co-op play.

Its mix of dark humor and addictive progression systems struck a chord with players. At its peak, it had over 414,000 concurrent users, briefly surpassing Grand Theft Auto V on the platform.

FragPunk – Bad Guitar Studio / NetEase

For multiplayer fans, FragPunk is a breath of fresh air in the hero shooter genre. Released March 6 on PC and April 29 on consoles, it features a unique shard-card system that alters match rules on the fly.

Modes like Shard Clash and Team Deathmatch keep things varied, while its vibrant art style sets it apart from grittier shooters. It drew over 100,000 concurrent players shortly after launch, proving there’s still room for innovation in competitive gaming.

Mario Kart World – Nintendo

Launching alongside the Nintendo Switch 2 in April 2025, Mario Kart World expanded the beloved kart racer into new territory. It introduced open-world hub areas, 24-player Grand Prix races, and enhanced trick mechanics.

Fans praised its colorful courses, chaotic item play, and the fun factor Nintendo is famous for. It’s an easy pick-up-and-play title that’s equally suited for casual sessions and competitive showdowns with friends.

Play the Best of 2025 Today

This year’s releases prove that the gaming industry still knows how to surprise us, whether it’s through the epic hunts of Monster Hunter Wilds, the stealth-and-swordplay mix of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, or the unexpected charm of Schedule 1. Big-budget blockbusters and creative indie titles are thriving side by side.

If you haven’t tried them yet, there’s no better time to jump in. From hunting colossal beasts to tearing up neon-lit tracks, these games offer hundreds of hours of fun and challenge. Read more about each title’s future updates and events, and you might just find your next gaming obsession.