When we compiled the 20 best games of last year, we specifically looked at Civilization 7, Recognized, Doom: Dark AgesAnd Grand Craft Auto 6 like the big franchise games we're already looking forward to in 2025. While one of these games was delayed until 2026, three others predictably made it onto Ars' list of favorite games this year. They join a number of other highly anticipated sequels, from big-budget blockbusters to highly anticipated indie films, on the “anticipated” side of this year's list.
But what stood out to me in 2025 were the games that seemed to come out of nowhere. They range from hard-to-categorize roguelike puzzlers to gonzo-torturous mountain walking simulators.geometry of war a clone in years and a touching look at the difficulties of adolescence through the surprisingly effective lens of mini-games.
In the run-up to 2026, there are many other big-budget projects that the industry is busy preparing for (delayed Grand Craft Auto VI chief among them). However, if next year is anything like this year, we can expect many more games that no one saw coming to suddenly come into view as new classics.
Assassin's Creed Shadows
Ubisoft Quebec; Windows, MaxOS, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, iPad
When I was younger, I wanted—and expected—virtually every game I played to hit me with something I hadn't seen before. It was easier to achieve this bar in the 90s, when game design and technology were advancing at an incredible pace.
Now, as someone who is still playing into his 40s, I'm excited to see it when it happens, but I don't expect it. I now increasingly appreciate games that act as a kind of comfort food, and I appreciate some games for both their familiarity and their originality.
That's it Assassin's Creed Shadows it's all about this(as I wrote when it first came out). It follows a proven formula, but it's a beautifully polished version of that formula. Its world is grand and escapist, the audio and graphical presentation is immersive, and it leaves room for many different playstyles and skill levels.
