Introduction: A year in games through the eyes of Eurogamer readers
2025 was a whirlwind for gamers, packed with bold releases, surprising indies, and the kind of moments that stick with you long after the credits roll. Each year, Eurogamer asks its readers to share their Top 50 games of the year, and the results offer a unique snapshot: what fans valued, what surprised them, and which titles sparked the most conversations. This year’s list is as diverse as it is revealing, and it includes a few games that made readers cry, triumph, or pause in awe. Here’s the culmination of those votes, along with some analysis of what the rankings say about 2025’s gaming landscape.
“It made me cry three times”: the emotional spine of 2025
The phrase “It made me cry three times” cropped up in reader comments more than once, underscoring how 2025’s most acclaimed titles balanced spectacle with intimate storytelling. Several narrative-driven games leaned into friendship, loss, and resilience, delivering moments that linger long after the screen dims. Whether through character arcs, musical cues, or quiet, contemplative sequences, these titles reminded us that games remain a powerful medium for empathy and reflection.
Story-driven adventures that resonated
Readers highlighted several narrative experiences that earned place upon the list not just for their mechanics, but for their emotional resonance. In these games, choices mattered; endings felt earned; and the journeys rewarded players with a sense of closure, even when the world around them kept changing. Expect to see debates about branching paths, ethics, and the long tail of player impact in post-list discussions.
Gameplay that mattered: innovation meets accessibility
Beyond story, 2025 delivered for players who crave tight systems and clever design. Many titles on the list combined accessible onboarding with deep mechanics, allowing newcomers to join the hobby while offering seasoned players layers to master. The emphasis on quality of life improvements—streamlined menus, clearer pacing, thoughtful tutorialization—made the year feel welcoming to a broader audience while still rewarding high-skill play.
Indies and surprise hits
No year is complete without underscoring the impact of smaller projects. Several indie titles in the Top 50 proved that innovation doesn’t require a massive budget. Readers celebrated games that used limited resources to tell bold stories or create memorable gameplay loops, proving that creativity can flourish outside the AAA spotlight.
Multiplayer, co-op, and the social side of 2025
Social gaming continued to evolve in 2025, with multiplayer experiences that felt more inclusive and dynamic. From cooperative campaigns to competitive arenas, communities formed around shared goals and friendly rivalries. For many readers, the best games of the year weren’t solitary endeavors but social experiences that brought friends, families, and complete strangers together for moments of collective joy—and sometimes heartbreak.
What the list reveals about 2025’s gaming ecosystem
The Top 50 list serves as a microcosm of the industry: big-budget investments balancing bold risk with accessibility, and a vibrant indie scene pushing the boundaries of narrative and design. It reflects players’ growing appetite for meaningful storytelling, polished mechanics, and genres that blend genres in fresh ways. While debates will surely continue about which titles deserved to rank higher, the consensus embodies a year defined by emotional engagement, accessibility, and inventive play.
Conclusion: Looking ahead to 2026
As 2025 closes, the Eurogamer reader community has offered a definitive, diverse, and deeply personal snapshot of the year in gaming. The conversations started by this Top 50 will shape expectations for 2026: stronger storytelling, more inclusive design, and games that invite everyone to the table. Whether you’re reliving your favorites or discovering new highs, these selections remind us why we play: to feel, to learn, and to connect with others through interactive storytelling.
