Overview
- Ars Technica published its Top 20 games of 2025, capping a year-end assessment of releases.
- Before 2025, the outlet flagged Civilization 7, Avowed, Doom: The Dark Ages, and Grand Theft Auto VI as ones to watch, with three making the list and one delayed to 2026.
- The year’s most distinctive picks skewed toward unexpected indie and experimental titles, including roguelike puzzle concepts, a punishing mountain-trekking sim, a sharp Geometry Wars-style shooter, and a coming-of-age mini-game collection.
- The roundup also features several anticipated sequels across both big-budget productions and long-gestating independent projects.
- Looking to 2026, Ars points to a busy slate of larger releases in development, including the delayed Grand Theft Auto VI, and suggests more surprise breakouts are likely.