The Top-Rated PC Games of 2025
▼ Summary
– PC Gamer’s 2025 highest review scores list excludes many popular games like Elden Ring Nightreign and Battlefield 6, which scored below the 89% threshold.
– The scoring system reflects individual reviewers’ strong personal advocacy for games rather than measuring popularity or average opinion.
– The author characterizes 2025’s gaming landscape as one of “quiet competence,” with many games excelling at fundamentals but few achieving top scores.
– Only Hollow Knight: Silksong from the mentioned high-profile games made the list, despite other competent releases like Avowed and Hades 2.
– The article includes sponsored content about the ROG Xbox Ally handheld gaming device before listing the actual high-scoring games with their ratings and descriptions.
Looking back at the PC gaming landscape of 2025, one observation stands out: many of the year’s most talked-about releases didn’t make the cut for our highest-rated list. Titles like Elden Ring Nightreign, Battlefield 6, Europa Universalis 5, Arc Raiders, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, all contenders for various Game of the Year honors, fell just short of the 89% threshold required here. While these games earned solid marks, they didn’t quite reach the exceptional level our reviewers reserve for the absolute best.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, for instance, sparked debate with its 70% score, still a recommendation for this French RPG, but noticeably lower than the acclaim it received elsewhere, including from other writers at our publication. It’s important to remember that reviews reflect individual critical perspectives, not popularity contests or averaged opinions. Battlefield 6 (82%) and Arc Raiders (86%) certainly have their strengths and enjoy massive player bases, but a truly elite score demands that a reviewer feels compelled to champion the game, sometimes even defending it against editorial scrutiny.
The dominant theme for 2025 seems to be one of refined expertise. This year delivered plenty of polished, well-executed games from developers who clearly know their craft. Projects like Battlefield 6, Silksong, Avowed, Europa Universalis 5, and Hades 2 showcase teams operating at the peak of their abilities, focusing on perfecting core mechanics. Mastering the fundamentals can yield impressive results, though among those mentioned, only Silksong earned a spot on this exclusive list.
Below you’ll find PC Gamer’s highest-scoring PC games of 2025. For a complete look at all our recent critiques, visit our review section. To see what’s coming next, take a peek at our 2026 video game release calendar.
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89%
Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island: “Flexible, fun, and ferocious too, this roguelike has more than enough dungeon diving for everyone.”
Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders: “Both blissful and demanding, Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders stands out as one of the most beautiful skiing games available on PC.”
90%
Halls of Torment *: “Halls of Torment masterfully blends elements from Diablo and Vampire Survivors, creating an experience that feels entirely original.”
Thank Goodness You’re Here! *: “A gleefully anarchic treasure trove of jokes and skits, TGYH ranks as the funniest game I’ve ever played.”
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2: “Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is a big, bold, and wonderfully peculiar achievement, securing its status as a new RPG classic.”
Keep Driving: “Featuring great characters, challenging resource management, and impeccable road trip atmosphere.”
The Alters: “Wildly unpredictable but consistently enjoyable, The Alters delivers a masterclass in high-tension gaming.”
Hollow Knight: Silksong: “Silksong can be brutally difficult, yet its haunting, seemingly endless world makes it incredibly hard to put down.”
Silent Hill f: “Silent Hill f represents an excellent evolution for the acclaimed horror series, demonstrating that its terrors aren’t confined to the iconic American town.”
Keeper: “Keeper is a beautifully crafted collection of tightly designed puzzles and cerebral platforming that highlights Double Fine’s unique creative spark.”
91%
Monster Train 2: “A legendary deckbuilder receives a sequel so compelling it feels worth risking divine punishment for.”
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles: “This is a phenomenal remaster of a foundational RPG, every bit as essential now as it was originally.”
92%
Nine Sols *: “A masterful metroidvania that refines Sekiro-inspired combat while telling a gripping sci-fi tale. Absolutely unmissable.”
Blue Prince: “This intricate and elegant strategy adventure ranks among the finest puzzle games released in recent memory.”
Abiotic Factor: “Abiotic Factor offers an unforgettable interdimensional journey, best experienced with your closest friends.”
94%
Promise Mascot Agency: “Think of the most contentious city council meeting you can imagine, this is that, and likely the best game you’ll play all year.”
*Released in 2024, but reviewed in 2025.
(Source: PCGAMER)
