EDGE’s Top 10 Games of 2025 Revealed
The new issue of EDGE magazine is now available, presenting its celebrated annual awards and the publication’s official selection of the finest games from the past year. This year’s honorees represent a wide spectrum of exceptional titles available on every major gaming system, with a few particularly remarkable games earning accolades in several distinct areas. The magazine’s annual list is widely regarded as an influential industry benchmark, shaping conversations among both dedicated players and professional critics.
Nintendo’s Strong Showing
Nintendo platforms featured prominently in this year’s results. The coveted Nintendo Game of the Year award was claimed by the highly anticipated sequel Hades 2. Furthermore, Donkey Kong Bananza secured a distinguished position within the overall top ten ranking. The full slate of EDGE award winners celebrates outstanding achievement across numerous creative and technical fields, from visual artistry to narrative design.
The 2025 Award Winners
EDGE recognizes the best games of the year through a series of platform-specific and genre-focused awards. The complete list of primary award recipients for 2025 is detailed below.
PlayStation Game of the Year: Lumines Arise
Xbox Game of the Year: Routine
Nintendo Game of the Year: Hades 2
PC Game of the Year: Spooky Express
VR Game of the Year: Lumines Arise
Sound Design: Hollow Knight Silksong
Visual Design: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Soundtrack: Lumines Arise
Narrative Design: Despelote
Performance: Jennifer English (for her role in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33)
It is worth noting that Lumines Arise achieved a rare triple victory, earning top honors for PlayStation, VR, and its musical score. The performance award for Jennifer English highlights the growing importance of captivating acting in games.
The Definitive Top Ten List
In addition to the categorical awards, the magazine’s editors compile a ranked list of what they consider the ten absolute best games released in the calendar year. This curated selection goes beyond platform boundaries to present the most outstanding interactive experiences from the past twelve months. The list for 2025 includes the award-winning Hades 2 and Donkey Kong Bananza, alongside other praised titles such as Two Point Museum and Absolum.
The complete ranking of EDGE’s top ten games for 2025 is as follows:
1. Hades 2
2. Lumines Arise
3. Donkey Kong Bananza
4. Hollow Knight Silksong
5. Routine
6. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
7. Spooky Express
8. Two Point Museum
9. Despelote
10. Absolum
This list provides a fascinating snapshot of the year in gaming, highlighting both major blockbuster releases and critically adored independent projects. The presence of titles like Despelote and Absolum demonstrates the publication’s commitment to recognizing innovative and artistically bold games, regardless of their scale or budget.
A Lasting Historical Record
For enthusiasts and analysts interested in tracking trends, EDGE maintains comprehensive archives of its annual awards from previous years. These historical lists offer valuable insight into the evolving landscape of game development and how critical perspectives on excellence have shifted over recent years. Comparing lists from different eras can reveal changing tastes, technological advancements, and the rising prominence of new genres and styles.
The EDGE awards continue to serve as a respected and anticipated annual tradition, offering a curated and thoughtful perspective on the achievements that define a year in gaming. The 2025 selections underscore a year of diverse and high-quality releases across the entire industry.
(Source: Nintendo Everything)
