When compiling our top 20 games from last year, we highlighted Civilization 7, Avowed, Doom: The Dark Ages, and Grand Theft Auto 6 as part of the big franchise titles we were eager to see in 2025. While Grand Theft Auto 6 has seen a delay into 2026, the others secured their spots on this year's list of Arsâ favorite games, as anticipated. They join a selection of eagerly awaited sequels, from blockbuster hits to long-matured indie projects, on the anticipated side of this year's roundup.
However, the games that truly caught my attention in 2025 were those that seemed to emerge from the shadows. These included innovative roguelike puzzle games, a wildly challenging mountainous walking simulation, the finest Geometry Wars clone in years, and a moving exploration of the trials of adolescence, uniquely conveyed through engaging mini-games.
As we turn our gaze to 2026, the industry is abuzz with the development of major projects, with the delayed Grand Theft Auto VI standing out among them. If next year unfolds as this one did, we can expect a plethora of unforeseen games to leap into the spotlight as new classics.
Assassinâs Creed Shadows
Ubisoft Quebec; Windows, MaxOS, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, iPad
Reflecting on my youth, I desiredâand expectedâeach game I played to astonish me with something entirely new. This was more attainable in the '90s, an era when game design and technology rapidly evolved.
Now, as a gamer in my 40s, I relish those moments of surprise when they occur, but I no longer expect them. Instead, I increasingly value games that serve as a comfortable retreat and appreciate titles as much for their familiar aspects as for their innovative ones.
Assassinâs Creed Shadows exemplifies this sentiment (as I noted upon its release). It adheres to a tried-and-true formula but elevates it with impeccable polish. Its world is expansive and immersive, the audio-visual experience is captivating, and it accommodates a variety of playstyles and skill levels.