Retro Games to Remakes
2025 is an exciting year for gamers, with plenty of new and exciting titles to keep an eye on. Lots of old-school games from the past are getting remakes, while others are getting sequels. Of course, there are also plenty of new titles everyone is desperate to get their hands on.
Activision, Troika Games on Wikimedia
1. Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2
Vampire: The Masquerade has a long and insightful history. Originally, the game was a tabletop roleplaying game set in the World of Darkness universe. It also got a PC release in 2004 with the first Bloodlines game, which allowed players to focus on the politics and effects of becoming a newly turned vampire. Many people are excited for this modern launch and are eager to explore the narratively rich world once more.
Bastian Stein (farbfilm) on Wikimedia
2. Doom: The Dark Ages
Doom is a classic first-person shooter game that has been around since 1993. Jokingly, people call it a quintessential Christian game, as the premise involves slaying demons. With a rocking soundtrack and critical acclaim for gameplay, Doom: The Dark Ages has many people excited to try out the mechanics in a medieval or dark fantasy setting.
3. Fable
The Fable games have been around since the early 2000s, with many people remembering them fondly for their choice-based adventure narratives and open-world mechanics. The new release promises to deliver this and more as you explore the humorous but rich world of Albion.
4. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
Metroid is another classic title that will get another installment this year. You will play as bounty hunter Samus Aran on her never-ending quest to slay aliens, solve puzzles, and explore the action-adventure world around her.
5. Ghost of Yotei
Ghost of Tsushima is a very recent game that was met with great success due to its clever combat, stunning graphics, and in-depth story. Ghost of Yotei plans to take players back to Feudal Japan as they fight supernatural elements and uncover narrative folklore once more.
6. Little Nightmares III
Little Nightmares is also a recent brand that grew in popularity for its horror puzzle-platformer gameplay. The graphics may appear cute at first, but the storytelling and mechanics will leave you feeling on edge as you solve the world’s mystery by analyzing environments and atmosphere.
7. Hell is Us
While plenty of games are sequels or remakes, Hell is Us is an entirely new project with no prior installments. It sets players in a semi-open world and encourages environmental storytelling and interactions. With a focus on philosophy and player-driven discovery, this game has piqued the interest of many.
8. Assassin’s Creed Shadows
The Assassin’s Creed brand is a staple that has taken players through many different time periods and places. Shadows plans to do this once more, having players return to 16th-century Japan with a focus on samurai warfare and stealth-centric ninjas.
9. Grand Theft Auto VI
Grand Theft Auto remains the favorite game of many, and it has been around for a while. This newest installment will focus on Florida and will follow the story of a Bonnie and Clyde-style couple as they take on American culture.
10. Borderlands 4
Borderlands is a looter-shooter franchise that has received praise for its distinctive art style and replayable gameplay loops. Plus, the innovative lore and humorous characters make it a fun way to spend any afternoon.
11. Civilization VII
For fans of the simulation and management genre, Civilization has been the pinnacle of gameplay. This new installment will include refined strategic mechanics and will allow players to once more manage mighty civilizations from ancient times.
Constantinos Kollias on Unsplash
12. Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
The first installment of Kingdom Come: Deliverance was known for its realism and was a standout role-playing game set in the Holy Roman Empire. This new installment will continue to focus on believable combat and branching narratives, fostering discovery in its open world.
13. Death Stranding 2
The original Death Stranding game left many players confused but intrigued. Regardless, everyone was talking about it when it came out. This sequel will offer an even deeper dive into the post-apocalyptic world.
KniBaron from Bangkok, Thailand on Wikimedia
14. Atomfall
Atomfall is another brand-new title with no prior installments. With a focus on a futuristic world suffering the aftermath of cataclysm, this game will center on puzzle-solving and exploration and has many people excited to try it out.
15. Slay the Spire II
Slay the Spire is a retro game that has garnered many fans over the years. It’s the only deck-building roguelike game on this list and is set to delight players with new characters and mechanics in its upcoming iteration.
Jorge Láscar from Melbourne, Australia on Wikimedia
16. Subnautica 2
Subnautica is an indie sensation that has already had two installments, including the original 2018 Subnautica and the 2021 Subnautica: Below Zero. This iteration is simply known as Subnautica 2 and will introduce players to new uncharted oceanic worlds teeming with alien life.
17. Monster Hunter Wilds
Monster Hunter is a Capcom game that received notable praise for its stunning graphics, dynamic weather system, and fun hunting mechanics. Players will embark once more on various hunting quests as they track fantastical beasts through this new title.
18. Gears of War: E-Day
Gears of War is another long-standing franchise best known for its intense combat and gripping storytelling. This newest iteration serves as a prequel that plans on having players delve into narrative-driven campaigns as they face a complex foe.
19. Avowed
Avowed is another new title, but it has distinct correlations with the Pillars of Eternity game. Either way, this title will include an open world filled with lore, factions, and plenty of quests to keep players busy.
20. Expedition 33
Finally, another new title that players are buzzing about is Expedition 33. With the simple goal of establishing a colony on an alien planet, players must cooperate with one another to manage research projects and overcome survival challenges as they emerge.
