Handing out an ideal 5/5 rating isn’t one thing we do flippantly. It requires a sport to not solely excel in its style however to redefine it. Nevertheless, 2025 was so remarkably dense with new Xbox and Sport Cross expertise that many titles got here inside a whisker of that elusive prime spot.
The almost excellent Xbox video games of 2025
These are the video games that dominated our group chats and divided our worlds; those that have been ‘excellent’ in our hearts, even when just a few minor technical quirks or stability points held them again from the report books. See it as a celebration of the yr’s most spectacular ‘nearlys’ – the 4.5/5 masterpieces that each Xbox proprietor must play. These are the video games that stored us up till 3am, those that made us shout on the telly, and those that – regardless of simply lacking out on an ideal rating – reminded us precisely why we love gaming.
Welcome to the 2025 Honor Roll and our decide of one of the best 4.5/5 scoring Xbox and Sport Cross video games that very almost wowed the world.
Thank Goodness You’re Right here!
Thank Goodness You’re Right here
Barnsworth is in contrast to any city you’ve ever visited, dropped at life with vibrant hand-drawn animation and a script overflowing with double entendres. As a touring salesman with time to kill earlier than an enormous assembly, you’ll assist the locals with more and more odd jobs on this surreal “comedy slapformer.”
We famous that the most important pleasure of Thank Goodness You’re Right here! is its full unpredictability; there are not any tropes or clichés, solely “bizarre left-turns” that result in the sport’s greatest moments. It’s a sport that makes huge swings to say one thing new, and whereas the surrealism would possibly lead it wayward for some, we discovered it completely charming.
It’s greatest to easily “provide up your hand and belief it” – even when the sport decides to slap that hand again, the journey by way of this weird Northern English city is nicely well worth the sting.
Developer: Coal Supper | Writer: Panic
Xbox Retailer Web page: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/retailer/p/thank-goodness-youre-here/9p14ztsr0ls9
Keeper
Keeper
(Day One on Sport Cross)
From Lee Petty and the inventive minds at Double Effective, Keeper is a wordless, otherworldly odyssey that’s “about as stress-free as gaming will get.”
You discover a long-lost sea and a dormant lighthouse, joined by a spirited seabird on a heartening journey towards the island’s centre. It’s a narrative of metamorphosis and unlikely companionship informed by way of a lovely, surreal artwork fashion.
Our assessment praised Keeper as an “exquisitely crafted expertise” that manages to intrigue and delight at each flip.
Launching Day One on Sport Cross, there’s completely no cause to overlook this quick however candy journey. Should you want a break from the chaos of 2025’s greater releases, Keeper supplies a tranquil, “realm past understanding” that we completely cherished.
Developer: Double Effective | Writer: Xbox Sport Studios
Xbox Retailer Web page: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/retailer/p/keeper/9ncjwhhmvhr0
DAVE THE DIVER
Dave the Diver
A hybrid of deep-sea exploration and sushi restaurant administration, DAVE THE DIVER is an extremely addictive expertise.
By day, you dive into the ever-changing “Blue Gap” to harpoon unique fish; by evening, you serve them as much as a solid of quirky, lovable prospects. The loop is near-perfect, supplemented by lighthearted spoofs, in-jokes, and rogue-like parts that preserve each dive feeling contemporary.
Whereas there are minor criticisms to be discovered within the complexity of the methods, our assessment famous that the “lovely graphics and chill soundtrack” greater than make up for them. It’s a lighthearted narrative that showcases breathtaking underwater surroundings by way of a singular 2D/3D artwork fashion.
Should you’re in search of a “hooky” gameplay loop that may preserve you busy for dozens of hours, Dave is your man.
Developer/Writer: MINTROCKET
Xbox Retailer Web page: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/retailer/p/dave-the-diver/9pc1zmd65l0t
BALL x PIT
BALL x PIT
Think about a high-speed mash-up between Vampire Survivors and Breakout, and you’ve got the chaotic brilliance of BALL x PIT.
This fantasy roguelite duties you with plunging right into a monster-filled pit to rebuild the fallen metropolis of Ballbylon. The “Ball Fusion” system is the star right here, encouraging explosive experimentation with over 60 randomised projectiles and a whole lot of doable synergies.
We discovered the quick, explosive runs extremely addictive, noting that “you may really feel the enhancements” between each try in our assessment of BALL x PIT. Between dives, you’ll broaden your metropolis with over 70 buildings that unlock new characters and power-ups. It’s a easy thought executed to nearly perfection, offering that “one final strive” feeling that stored us up well beyond our bedtimes.
Developer: Kenny Solar | Writer: Devolver Digital
Xbox Retailer Web page: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/retailer/p/ball-x-pit/9mwxf3srd7qn
Hole Knight: Silksong
Hole Knight Silksong
(Day One on Sport Cross)
The long-awaited sequel to the excellent Hole Knight has lastly arrived, and whereas Hole Knight: Silksong may be “punishing in simply the best manner,” it’s a visible and mechanical triumph.
Because the deadly hunter Hornet, you journey by way of a fallen kingdom of silk and music, dancing between foes in swift, lovely fight. It is a huge expertise that includes over 200 ferocious foes and an infinite arsenal of craftable instruments.
Our assessment referred to as it “lovely, infuriating, and visually gorgeous,” noting that veterans will adore the enhancements whereas newcomers will discover the problem addictive sufficient to maintain them taking part in till 2am.
Obtainable Day One on Sport Cross, it’s a masterclass within the Metroidvania style that just about snatched a 5/5 by way of its “deadly acrobatic motion” and haunting orchestral rating.
Developer/Writer: Group Cherry
Xbox Retailer Web page: https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/video games/retailer/hollow-knight-silksong/9n116v0599hb
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
Kingdom Come Deliverance II
Henry returns in an epic story of revenge and betrayal set in Fifteenth-century Bohemia.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II builds fantastically on the unique’s foundations, providing a bigger world and a a lot deeper narrative. Whereas some technical quirks stay, the expertise is way extra polished than its predecessor, that includes “visceral first-person fight” and an genuine medieval environment. Whether or not you’re partaking in blacksmithing, archery, or navigating the courtroom of Kings, the immersion is whole.
We loved this much more than the primary, praising the “gorgeous cinematics“ and the way in which your actions form Henry’s future.
It’s a true RPG expertise that rewards those that take the time to reside a “life medieval.“
Developer: Warhorse Studios | Writer: Deep Silver
Xbox Retailer Web page: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/retailer/p/kingdom-come-deliverance-ii/9n4w31hsmvvd
Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders
Lonely Mountains Snow Riders
(Day One on Sport Cross)
Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders takes the precision biking of Lonely Mountains: Downhill and efficiently interprets it to the world of snowboarding.
It’s “extra of the identical, however brilliantly totally different,” providing breathtaking mountain vistas and deep snow to slice by way of. The large addition right here is the web multiplayer, permitting 2-8 gamers to compete in versus races or work collectively in a co-op descent.
Our assessment of Snow Riders highlighted that “with nice threat comes nice reward,” as you carry out daredevil tips and hunt for shortcuts to climb the leaderboards.
Launching Day One on Sport Cross, it’s the right winter getaway for these looking for both a chilled-out trip or a high-speed problem with mates.
Developer/Writer: Megagon Industries
Xbox Retailer Web page: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/retailer/p/lonely-mountains-snow-riders/9pf3mc3v9q27
Avowed
Avowed
(Day One on Sport Cross)
Obsidian Leisure brings us again to the world of Pillars of Eternity with the first-person fantasy RPG Avowed.
As an envoy of Aedyr, you discover the Dwelling Lands – a mysterious island full of secrets and techniques and a spreading plague. The fight is free-flowing, permitting you to combine and match swords, spells, and weapons to seek out your personal fashion.
Our assessment referred to as Avowed a “gripping, completely absorbing journey” that strikes a lovely stability within the style. Whereas some would possibly discover the RPG methods streamlined, this selection permits the narrative and “selections and penalties” to actually shine.
With over thirty hours of gameplay and a solid of species-diverse companions, it’s a Day One Sport Cross journey that’s extremely arduous to place down as soon as picked up.
Developer: Obsidian Leisure| Writer: Xbox Sport Studios
Xbox Retailer Web page: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/retailer/p/avowed/9nhrdqvfpq34
Two Level Museum
Two Level Museum
The recent streak continues for the maestros of the sim style, following on from the brilliance of Two Level Hospital and Two Level Campus.
Two Level Museum evolves the established formulation by tasking you with designing and managing unbelievable reveals throughout Two Level County. From prehistoric dinosaur stays to supernatural oddities, the variability is staggering. You’ll ship consultants on far-flung expeditions to find uncommon artefacts whereas managing meddling children and thieves again residence.
Our assessment hailed Two Level Museum as “arguably one of the best within the collection but,” praising the way in which it cultivates the basic stability of administration and humour. With sandbox modes and 200+ distinctive reveals to uncover, it’s a deep, inventive, and “constantly sensible” sim that reveals this franchise nonetheless has loads of contemporary concepts.
Developer: Two Level Studios | Writer: SEGA
Xbox Retailer Web page: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/retailer/p/two-point-museum/9nfhrf1m4w3z
Blue Prince
Blue Prince
(Day One on Sport Cross)
Blue Prince is a genre-defying thriller set within the shifting halls of Mt. Holly. Each time you open a door, you draft the room that seems behind it, creating a singular path by way of the manor every day. Nevertheless, when the solar units, the ground plan resets.
Our assessment famous that whereas the roguelike parts might be difficult, Blue Prince “simply form of works” in a manner that blows your socks off. It’s a narrative of political intrigue and blackmail hidden beneath layers of technique and puzzles.
It’s a troublesome sport to elucidate, however one which continues to disclose a number extra secrets and techniques the deeper you enterprise. As a Day One Sport Cross title, it’s a thriller nicely price investigating.
Developer: Dogubomb | Writer: Uncooked Fury
Xbox Retailer Web page: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/retailer/p/blue-prince/9pfrtprq569q
South of Midnight
South of Midnight
(Day One on Sport Cross)
Set in a macabre model of the American Deep South, South of Midnight is a spellbinding action-adventure that follows Hazel on a journey to develop into a Weaver. You’ll discover a Southern Gothic world of reminiscence made actual, confronting legendary creatures from folklore utilizing historic weaving magic.
Our assessment praised the “lovely environment” and the enjoyment of the fluid traversal methods, calling the narrative a “rollercoaster” that you just have to expertise.
With its launch on Sport Cross, the “excuses are zero” for lacking out on this hauntingly lovely story. It’s a contemporary folktale about household and legacy that captures the plush, decayed attraction of the South completely.
Developer: Compulsion Video games | Writer: Xbox Sport Studios
Xbox Retailer Web page: https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/video games/retailer/south-of-midnight/9njcvgs6t30k
PGA TOUR 2K25
PGA TOUR 2K25
For golf followers, PGA TOUR 2K25 is at present the cream of the crop.
This iteration introduces three prestigious Majors – The PGA Championship, The U.S. Open, and The Open Championship – for a franchise first. The brand new mechanics provide an actual really feel to ball flights and roll physics that make each putt and drive really feel exact.
Throughout assessment of PGA TOUR 2K25 we famous that it’s “amongst the perfect golf video games at present in the marketplace,” praising its attraction and visible enhancements.
Whereas microtransactions are current (that is 2K, bear in mind), they by no means really feel necessary for enjoyment and so whether or not you’re designing your personal course or competing in cross-platform societies, that is the bag you’ll need to decide for each spherical of digital golf.
Developer: HB Studios | Writer: 2K
Xbox Retailer Web page: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/retailer/p/pga-tour-2k25/9mwj5dwvfvgw
Gloomy Eyes
Gloomy Eyes
Impressed by the artwork fashion of Tim Burton, Gloomy Eyes is a “creepy cozy horror” a few zombie boy and a human woman making an attempt to carry the solar again to a darkish world.
This “self-coop” journey permits you to management each characters in a single-player expertise, switching between them to unravel environmental puzzles. Every degree is a “gorgeous, handcrafted rotatable diorama” overflowing with visible attraction.
Our assessment referred to as it a “must-play” that introduces a world “darkish, foreboding, however stuffed with attraction,” aided by a narrator who brings the fairy story collectively completely. It’s a heartwarmingly bleak journey that avoids leap scares in favour of a whimsical, haunting environment.
Developer: Fishing Cactus | Writer: Untold Tales S.A.
Xbox Retailer Web page: https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/video games/retailer/gloomy-eyes/9nd15j624dfh
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Clair Obscur Expedition 33
(Day One on Sport Cross)
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a ground-breaking RPG impressed by Belle Époque France; a sport that swept to victory at The Sport Awards.
It options an evolution of turn-based fight the place real-time actions – like dodging and parrying – are essential to success. Because the Paintress prepares to erase everybody aged 33, you lead a determined mission to destroy her and break the cycle of demise.
Our Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 assessment described the sport as “gorgeous, emotional, and completely fascinating,” noting that the Unreal Engine 5 visuals and heartbreaking soundtrack make it an “absolute no-brainer.”
It’s a hauntingly lovely world full of surreal adversaries, making it a standout addition to the Sport Cross library and an almost excellent RPG expertise.
Developer: Sandfall Interactive | Writer: Kepler Interactive
Xbox Retailer Web page: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/retailer/p/clair-obscur-expedition-33/9ppt8k6gqhrz
DOOM: The Darkish Ages
DOOM The Darkish Ages
(Day One on Sport Cross)
The Slayer returns in a medieval prequel that manages to really feel “acquainted however contemporary on the similar time.”
DOOM: The Darkish Ages tells the cinematic story of the Slayer’s legend throughout a darkish fantasy battle in opposition to Hell. You’ll shred demons with favorites just like the Tremendous Shotgun whereas mastering new instruments just like the Defend Noticed and chickening out atop a Mecha Dragon.
Our assessment famous that the gamble of adapting the gameplay right into a extra grounded, medieval setting “actually paid off” within the fingers of id Software program.
Powered by the most recent idTech engine, it delivers “searing fight and over-the-top visuals” that show the DOOM franchise continues to be the king of superb gore.
Developer: id Software program | Writer: Bethesda Softworks
Xbox Retailer Web page: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/retailer/p/doom-the-dark-ages/9ph9x0760b0t
The great thing about a yr like 2025 is that even while you look past absolutely the prime tier, you’re nonetheless met with world-class experiences.
We have now already lined our ‘Elite Eleven’, our Xbox Video games of the Yr for 2025, however the video games on this checklist characterize the range and ambition of contemporary gaming, proving that perfection is commonly within the eye of the beholder.
Whether or not you’re a Souls-like veteran or a cozy-sim fanatic, there’s something on this checklist that may possible develop into your private sport of the yr. It’s been a staggering twelve months for Xbox gamers, and if that is what ‘nearly excellent’ appears like, we will’t wait to see what 2026 has in retailer.
As all the time, get your self into the feedback and tell us which video games you’d have on this checklist.
