These 2025 games ditch the grind and bring back real old school joy

Gaming in 2025 is a far cry from the gaming landscape many of us grew up with. The nostalgic days of rushing home with a new game, popping in the disc, and spending the entire weekend immersed in a different universe are long gone.

Today, the gaming industry is saturated with more releases than ever before, with thousands of titles competing for our attention. Add to that the plethora of live-service games like Call of Duty, Fortnite, and Destiny, which demand daily logins just to stay relevant, it’s no surprise that gamers are feeling a bit overwhelmed and fatigued.

If you’re stuck in a gaming rut, consider switching up the types of games you play. 2025 has brought us some truly remarkable games, many of which evoke the same sense of wonder and excitement we used to feel when gaming two or three decades ago.

Here are some of my top picks for the year so far. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic RPG experience or a quirky, captivating story that can be completed in under ten hours, I’ve got recommendations for Xbox, PlayStation, PC, and Nintendo Switch, reports the Manchester Evening News.

South of Midnight

First on the list is South of Midnight. This title may have flown under the radar for many gamers after its release on Xbox Game Pass earlier this year.

While it may not be a groundbreaking game, it’s one that has lingered in my mind months after playing it.

South of Midnight, a game deeply rooted in the folklore of the American Deep South, casts you as Hazel, a young girl who loses her mother to a flood and discovers her own mythical ‘weaving’ powers that aid in combat and navigation.

The game’s unique art style blends light cel-shading and stop-motion animation aesthetics with contemporary lighting effects, creating a visually stunning experience on any gaming platform. The best part?

You can wrap up this game in a weekend, with its story clocking in at under 10 hours, showing respect for the player’s time.

South of Midnight is available for purchase on Xbox Series X|S or PC for $36, or accessible through an Xbox Game Pass subscription.

Kingdom Come Deliverance II

In stark contrast to a game that can be completed in a weekend, Kingdom Come Deliverance II offers a gaming experience so expansive it could take a year to explore all its facets. While it’s a sequel to the 2018 RPG, it serves as an excellent entry point for newcomers, offering one of the most comprehensive RPG experiences since The Elder Scrolls VI: Oblivion.

Players step into the shoes of Henry, a spirited squire embarking on a noble journey to knighthood. The game invites exploration of two vast open-world regions set in 15th century Bohemia, featuring sprawling grasslands, forests, and bustling, gritty cities.

In the sequel to Kingdom Come Deliverance, every action you take has consequences. Characters will remember your deeds, influencing both the world and the narrative.

If you dare to approach a nobleman without bathing for days, they’ll snub you, hindering your progress until you clean up.

Gamers have reported that it can take a whopping 132 hours to fully explore all this game has to offer. If you’re seeking a stunning world to immerse yourself in until Christmas, this is the game for you.

I had the opportunity to review Kingdom Come Deliverance II when it launched earlier this year – you can read my full review here.

Kingdom Come Deliverance is available on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC.

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach

Hideo Kojima, the game director, is known for creating some of the most influential games of our time, including the iconic Metal Gear series and the long-lost horror game P. T.

Although he no longer holds the rights to work on Metal Gear Solid (those are now with Konami), his latest series, Death Stranding, echoes much of the same vibe. The recent release of Death Stranding 2: On The Beach includes some unapologetic callbacks.

While it’s still primarily a game about navigating vast landscapes to deliver cargo, Death Stranding 2 incorporates more stealth action segments than its predecessor, reminiscent of scenes straight out of Metal Gear Solid V. Add in some massive boss fight set pieces that echo earlier titles in the Metal Gear series (and a character who literally dons the same bandana as Solid Snake), and it’s evident that Kojima is paying homage to his beloved franchise.

This is another game that can easily consume over 100 hours if you want to experience everything it offers. It’s also refreshing to see yet another almost entirely single-player title, released without micro-transactions, DLC, or reasons to log in daily.

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach is exclusive to PlayStation 5.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4

The Tony Hawk Pro Skater games sparked a cultural revolution when they debuted around the turn of the millennium, allowing gamers to fulfill their wild dreams of becoming a pro skater from the comfort of their couches. Activision launched a full remake of 1+2 in 2020, completely reconstructing those original two games – and it has just given 3+4 the same treatment.

Each stage has been meticulously rebuilt from the ground up, allowing players to execute an infinite number of tricks in environments that feel familiar yet look significantly improved. The classic controls have also been preserved, enabling that nostalgic muscle memory to kick in as soon as you grab the controller.

Activision has licensed new music for this title, featuring bands that evoke the same sensation we all experienced when discovering new bands through the Tony Hawk games for the first time. There’s also a plethora of new cosmetic options to unlock, including one that allows you to skate as the Doom Slayer.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 is available on PlayStation, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. It’s also accessible via an Xbox Game Pass subscription.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Finally, we have the game that seems destined for Game of the Year by nearly everyone who’s played it so far. Whether you were a fan of the classic Final Fantasy games or not, this title from a small French team perfectly captures that feeling.

In Clair Obscur, a malevolent ‘Paintress’ looms over the only major city, painting a new number in the sky each year, counting down from 100. As each new number is painted, those of that age die, leaving only the younger generation left behind.

In Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, players take the reins of a gang determined to break the endless cycle of death by exploring uncharted territories and defeating the Paintress. The result is a 20-hour narrative that’s as stunning as it is emotionally charged, boasting some of the finest acting performances ever seen in video games.

The game features turn-based combat with an integrated parry and dodge system. It’s so incredibly gratifying to master that it won me over, a gamer who had previously vowed to steer clear of all turn-based combat games forever.

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The game’s world is breathtaking, offering visually stunning landscapes that are a feast for the eyes. While the main storyline can be wrapped up in about 20 hours, there’s ample side content to delve into if you’re not ready for the adventure to end.

Much like a captivating book, I found myself unable to put this game down once I’d reached the climax of Act 1. If there’s one game you play in 2025 to shake off a gaming rut, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is it.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. It’s also accessible through an Xbox Game Pass subscription.