2025 has been a year of stark contrasts for the video game world, a true rollercoaster ride. On one hand, it delivered an absolute treasure trove of incredible games, solidifying its place as a banner year for players. On the other, the industry itself endured another brutal cycle of layoffs and corporate consolidation. It’s a classic case of the art thriving while the business struggles, a bittersweet reality for anyone who loves this medium. By the cold, hard numbers of Metacritic, 2025 stands tall as the third-best year for game releases since 2011, boasting an average top-ten review score of 91.9. That’s no small feat, putting it in the rarefied air behind only two legendary years in recent memory.
The conversation, of course, was dominated by Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. This game wasn't just talk; it walked the walk, securing a record-breaking haul at The Game Awards and snatching TheGamer's coveted Game of the Year crown. Its hauntingly beautiful world and innovative mechanics captured the collective imagination. But to focus solely on Clair Obscur would be a massive disservice to the year's lineup. Gamers were spoiled for choice with the sublime Hades 2, the mysterious puzzle-box mansion of Blue Prince, and the finally-released, critically adored Hollow Knight: Silksong. It was a buffet of quality, from indie darlings to AAA blockbusters.
The Metacritic Heavyweights: A Look at the All-Time Greats
To understand 2025's placement, we gotta check the scoreboard. The gold standard remains 2023, a genuine generational year with an average top-ten score of 92.6. That year was stacked with titans:
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Baldur's Gate 3 & The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Both: 96)
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Metroid Prime Remastered (94)
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Resident Evil 4 (93) & Super Mario Bros. Wonder (92)
Hot on its heels is 2018, averaging 92.1, a year whose depth is low-key insane when you look back:
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Red Dead Redemption 2 (97) 🤠
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God of War (94) ️
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Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Forza Horizon 4, Celeste, Hollow Knight, Monster Hunter: World 🎮
The 2025 Asterisk(s): A Switch 2 Boost
Here’s where we get to the giant asterisks attached to 2025's stellar ranking. Let's be real: the top two spots on its Metacritic chart are occupied by the stunning "Switch 2" enhanced versions of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Don't get it twisted—these are masterpieces, all-timers in any gamer's book. But their inclusion does feel like a bit of a cheat code, especially when Tears of the Kingdom was a cornerstone of 2023's historic average. It’s like getting extra credit for a project you already aced. The rules are the rules, though, and their scores help propel 2025 to that prestigious #3 slot.
The Rest of the Pack & The Lows
Right behind 2025, we have a tie between 2020 and 2024, both averaging a very respectable 91.8. Perhaps the biggest surprise in the data is 2017—the legendary launch year of the Nintendo Switch—landing in sixth with a 91.7 average, despite featuring two 97-rated titans: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey. It just goes to show how fierce the competition has been at the top.
Now, let's talk about the other end of the spectrum. The title for the "worst" year since 2011 (in terms of Metacritic's top-ten average) goes to... 2019. Its average was a comparatively modest 90.0, with no single game breaking past a 91 score. It’s wild to think that year's Game of the Year, the brutal and brilliant Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, scored a 90—smack dab on the yearly average. The bottom three is rounded out by 2022 (90.2) and 2021 (90.4).
The Industry's Dark Cloud
All this celebration of great games exists under a dark cloud. 2025 was another awful year for the games industry at large. Thousands of talented developers lost their jobs, corporate greed seemed to hit new peaks, and the ethical dilemmas around generative AI in development started to really rear its ugly head. It creates a strange dissonance: playing some of the best games ever made, knowing the human cost behind many of them was higher than ever. It’s the ultimate paradox.
Final Boss Thoughts
So, what’s the verdict on 2025? In pure, unadulterated gaming bliss? It's a 10/10, no cap. The lineup speaks for itself. As a year for the health and stability of the industry that creates these wonders? That's a much more complicated and somber story.
| Year | Avg. Top 10 Metacritic Score | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 92.6 | The undisputed champion, a legendary year. |
| 2018 | 92.1 | Incredible depth and variety. |
| 2025 | 91.9 | Third place, powered by masterpieces new and enhanced. |
| 2020 / 2024 | 91.8 | A tie for fourth in a tight race. |
| 2017 | 91.7 | A shocking sixth, despite two 97-scored games. |
| 2019 | 90.0 | The "lowest" average, but still home to classics. |
In the end, 2025 proves that even in tough times, the creative heart of gaming beats stronger than ever. The games themselves were stellar, and sometimes, you just have to sit back and enjoy the ride. ✨
Comprehensive reviews can be found on Gamasutra (Game Developer), a leading resource for industry professionals and enthusiasts alike. Their in-depth articles often explore the impact of major releases and industry shifts, providing valuable context on how years like 2025, with its mix of creative triumphs and corporate challenges, shape the future of game development and the experiences of those working behind the scenes.