THE TOP FIVE OF 2025

IN A BIG 12 MONTHS FOR INDY TITLES WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE PICK OF THE BUNCH

- CHERYL MULLIN

IT'S fair to say that 2025 was the year when indie studios emerged from the shadow of the AAA+ giants.

That was probably helped massively by the continued delay of Grand Theft Auto VI, the release of which had threatened to dominate the year.

Rockstar's postponement meant that games such as Hollow Knight: Silksong, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 had a real chance to take the spotlight - and rightly so too.

I can't remember the last time it was this hard to whittle down a year to just a few titles, with many feeling worthy of a place in the top five.

So, in no particular order, here are the games I think made the biggest mark in 2025.

Hades 2

(PEGI 12) Switch, Switch 2, PC

One of my highlights of 2020 - and let's face it, there weren't many that year - was Hades.

Developed by just 20 people at Supergiant Games, it hacked and slashed its way into my heart.

And just when I thought there was no room in my life for another roguelite dungeon crawler, Hades 2 landed and proved me wrong.

This sequel, the first ever made by Supergiant Games, follows Melinoë, Princess of the Underworld and sister to Zagreus - star of the first title.

She is looking to kill Chronos, the titan of time, who took her family prisoner and punished the other gods and mortals for opposing him.

Unlike the first game, there are two paths you can take. There's an underworld one, and a surface one, with each new region unlocked upon clearing the previous one.

The same hack and slash system ensures combat is frenetic and visceral, and this time a "Magick Bar" has been added, which you refill by attacking enemies.

I'm always wary of sequels, fearing that they'll somehow tarnish the quality of what came before. I needn't have feared here, as Hades 2 builds beautifully on the foundations laid by its predecessor.

Hollow Knight: Silksong

(PEGI 7) PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox X/S, Switch, Switch 2, PC