Top 5 RPGs of 2025
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
I managed to play this RPG masterpiece in the middle of December 2025, and became enthralled. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is more than deserving of all the hype!
The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II
Returning to Zemuria is a cause for celebration, and I have a particular fondness for the found family crew of Arkride Solutions. Trails through Daybreak II is arguably more padded than necessary, but still full of standout story and character moments!
Wander Stars
An homage to classic action anime/manga and JRPGs sporting a truly creative fighting system that entertainingly delves into “word play,” Wander Stars is a heartfelt sci-fi journey featuring lovable characters.
Dark Deity 2
An indie SRPG reminiscent of classic Fire Emblem gameplay, Dark Deity 2 is a fantastic sequel with some surprisingly powerful story moments.
Digimon Story: Time Stranger
A monster-taming JRPG that throws emotional punches while taking on time-traveling and dimension-hopping shenanigans. Digimon Story: Time Stranger was a surprise delight!
Top 5 Visual Novels/Graphic Adventures of 2025
Battlefield Waltz
An entertaining otome visual novel about a young woman bonded to a talking, magical sword and the fantastical events in her life. The characters and routes are all enjoyable, making Battlefield Waltz a good otome for fantasy fans!
Mistonia’s Hope -The Lost Delight-
Mistonia’s Hope -The Lost Delight- is an alternate fantasy history in a kingdom ruled by fae featuring one of the otome genre’s most memorable and standout protagonists, with her alone making this enough of a recommendation for VN enthusiasts.
Illusion of Itehari
Illusion of Itehari is an otome set against the backdrop of a supposed floating utopia in the sky. The plot reveals and its stellar characters make for a great fantasy tale!
Detective Instinct: Farewell, My Beloved
An indie mystery VN/graphic adventure, Detective Instinct: Farewell, My Beloved features a compelling narrative, memorable characters, and a whole lot of love for the titles that inspired it.
Bustafellows Season 2
Bustafellows Season 2 has players once again step into the role of Teuta Bridges as she and her compatriots face personal drama while also solving another high-stakes mystery. Season 2 is definitely an entertaining follow-up!
Best 2025 Heartfelts
Hanako’s Flower Shop
In this visual novel/life simulation, players take on the role of Hanako, a young woman who assists her elderly grandfather at his flower shop. All the characters in Hanako’s Flower Shop have interesting stories that play out differently depending on their interactions with Hanako, alongside an emotionally resonant plot.
Upwards, Rain! The Post Office of Farewells
Upwards, Rain! The Post Office of Farewells is a short but heartfelt graphic adventure about a mail carrier named Rain who befriends a timid girl waiting for a letter she might never see, culminating in a moving journey.
Best 2025 Crossover
Ys vs. Trails in the Sky: Alternative Saga
An action RPG that crosses over two of Falcom’s biggest series, Ys and The Legend of Heroes: Trails! Ys vs. Trails in the Sky: Alternative Saga features fun gameplay with nostalgic Falcom goodness woven throughout its presentation and soundscape.
Best Backlog/”Retro” Games
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth truly shines when further exploring the original game’s characters and story beats. Throw in addictive minigames, entertaining gameplay, and a stellar soundscape, and you’ve an incredible second outing for the FFVII remake trilogy!
Final Fantasy XVI
Final Fantasy XVI has a mature, thought-provoking plot centered around politics and prejudice with a cast I honestly liked so much that I wish we could’ve spent more time with them. Combine great action-oriented gameplay with amazing music, and you’ve got a truly excellent Final Fantasy.
Star Ocean: The Second Story R
Look, I finally managed to finish a Rena playthrough for SO2! Let’s just pretend it didn’t take a brand new version of the game in order to happen. Star Ocean: The Second Story R is a delight!
Sword and Fairy: Together Forever
Despite a wonky English localization, the characters and narrative for Sword and Fairy: Together Forever still memorably stand out with its more combo-based, well-balanced party mechanics!
Fallout: New Vegas
I love how choice-heavy the narrative is in Fallout: New Vegas and how the plot constantly evolves as you play based on what you’ve done in-game. My first journey into the wasteland was a truly unforgettable one that I’m glad I took.
Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones
Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones is a classic SRPG with fun battle mechanics and a likable cast of colorful characters. I’m glad I finally had the chance to dive deeper into the series’ history from before Fire Emblem: Awakening!
Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes
Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes is an alternate universe retelling of Fire Emblem: Three Houses with some interesting story and character beats, and it is warming me up to more Musou-style games, too!
