The article highlights the top PC games of 2025, including diverse titles like Megabonk, Ooo, Blue Prince, Old Skies, Peak, Dead Take, The Roottrees are Dead, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Skin Deep, and The Seance of Blake Manor, showcasing a range of genres from roguelikes and puzzle-platformers to immersive sims and narrative adventures, emphasizing innovation, storytelling, and gameplay depth.
Deus Ex, considered one of the greatest games of all time, celebrated its 25th anniversary, highlighting its innovative gameplay, narrative depth, and lasting influence on the gaming industry, remaining highly playable and relevant today.
Variable State, known for narrative-adventure games like Virginia, has announced Deepest Fear, a first-person horror-action game inspired by 1980s horror films and games like Metroid Prime and System Shock 2. Set in an underwater facility, players must survive against unpredictable monsters emerging from water sources, utilizing a "real-time fluid simulation" for dynamic encounters. The game will initially release on PC, with potential future platform announcements.
Arkane Austin's final update for Redfall pays homage to its immersive sim roots and the legacy of Looking Glass Studios with a reference to the iconic '451' code. The update, which includes an offline mode and other enhancements, marks a poignant end for the studio following its closure by Xbox.
Nightdive Studios' acclaimed remake of System Shock, the cult-classic sci-fi horror game, is set to release on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One on May 21st, following its successful PC launch last year. The remake faithfully recreates the original game with updated visuals, an overhauled interface, and all-new sounds and music, alongside additional enhancements for consoles, including redesigned controls for gamepads and a revised ending. Console players can expect HD visuals running at up to 60fps in 4K on next-gen consoles, as well as the option to play as a female hacker protagonist.
Despite receiving positive reviews and being hailed as one of the best games of 2023, Robocop Rogue City is not receiving the attention it deserves on Steam. The tie-in game, developed by Teyon, offers a unique blend of immersive sim gameplay inspired by titles like Deus Ex and Dishonored. While it has garnered over 90% favorable reviews from players, the game's player count on Steam remains relatively low. However, those who have played it praise its engaging narrative, intelligent writing, and satisfying combat, making it one of the most exciting games of the year.
Space Wreck is an indie RPG that pays homage to old-school isometric RPGs like Fallout. The game features immersive sim elements, where every choice has consequences. Players must navigate through challenges and make strategic decisions based on their character's skills and stats. Combat is optional, but failure to invest in certain abilities can lead to locked progression and missed opportunities. Space Wreck offers a refreshing and challenging experience for fans of classic RPGs.
Baldur's Gate 3 is being hailed as the closest simulation of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) in a video game. The game offers an incredibly dense and immersive world, with a multitude of branching paths and choices that can significantly impact the narrative. The game's structure allows for various solutions and actions that can spiral in unexpected ways, creating a true D&D experience. With over 174 hours of cutscenes and more dialogue than the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Baldur's Gate 3 offers players a vast and rich simulation of the D&D universe.
The System Shock remake by Nightdive Studios is a successful tribute to the original game, expertly merging the lo-fi aesthetic with modern rendering features. The game offers fast performance with high frame-rates possible even on mid-spec PCs, but shader compilation stutter is an issue. The audio and interface have been polished up, making the game easier to use without sacrificing depth. This is one of the finest remakes ever made and a must-play for fans of immersive sims.
Nightdive Studios' remake of the 1994 classic video game, System Shock, emphasizes the passage of time and highlights the game's influence on the immersive sim genre. The game's aesthetics and art style remain true to the original, while the gameplay rewards curiosity and caution. The character archetype of SHODAN, a female AI that's lost its morals, is now a cliche in video games. The System Shock remake will be released on May 30 for Windows PC.
The new story trailer for Redfall, the upcoming co-op, vampire-slaying immersive sim from Arkane Austin and Bethesda, reveals an immortality-obsessed corporation called Aevum as the main antagonist. The game is set in an open world plagued by vampires and is designed to be explored with up to four other players. The trailer also showcases some impressive skill shots and how players can combine their skills to pull off slick maneuvers.