Every year, there are always a few excellent new games that get a little overshadowed. While the likes of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Donkey Kong Bananza and Death Stranding 2: On the Beach have enjoyed their (deserved) moment in the spotlight, plenty of great video games didn’t get the same level of attention.
To ensure you don’t miss out on a must-play experiences released in 2025, I asked the Tom’s Guide staff to pick out their favorite games this year that you (probably) missed over the last 12 months. I got plenty of worthwhile suggestions from a game best described as Journey meets Tony Hawk, to an RPG that mixes a farming sim with fast-paced combat. There are games that will fit pretty much all personal tastes below.
So, if you’ve already played all the Game of the Year 2025 contenders, then make sure to check out these games that flew under the radar.
Best new game you missed in 2025
Lego Voyagers
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Much like Dark Souls birthed a new whole genre (Soulslikes) in 2010, it’s clear to see that the success of 2021’s It Takes Two is inspiring numerous developers. Did you see how many co-op games were announced at this year’s The Game Awards? Of the several games inspired by Hazelight’s acclaimed multiplayer title, Lego Voyagers is most definitely my favorite so far.
In this charming adventure, you and a partner (it’s a mandatory co-op experience) play as 1×1 Lego bricks with an added googly eye for extra personality. Your mission is to roll, jump and build your way through a series of gentle puzzles and breezy platforming sections. The graphics are gorgeous, giving the appearance of stepping into a plastic diorama.
However, what I enjoyed most about Lego Voyager is its accessibility. While I had a blast with It Takes Two and spiritual follow-up Split Fiction, each requires at least some degree of gaming familiarity, whereas Lego Voyager is perfect for even novice players. This allowed me to experience the game with my gaming-newbie partner, which was a real treat. — Rory Mellon
System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
System Shock 2 remains one of my favorite games, and the long-awaited 25th Anniversary Remaster from Nightdive offers the best way for new and old fans to enjoy this incredible horror sci-fi experience.
Staying true to the original, System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster merely upscales visuals and polishes gameplay. The same 1999 feel is present throughout, but it’s built into the body of a 2025 experience. Nightdive went above and beyond in polishing off some of the more egregious problems still lingering within the shadows, fixing several bugs, adding controller support, and even enhancing co-op.
I know we bemoan the multitude of remakes and remasters flooding the gaming market, but if any title needed a hefty polishing, System Shock 2 would be it. If you’re a big Doom fan or love horror sci-fi like me (a la “Event Horizon” and “Pandorum”), this remaster needs to be on your radar. — Ryan Epps
Sword of the Sea
Platforms: PC, PS5
Elevator pitch: how’d you like to play a beautifully rendered narrative adventure that you could inelegantly sum up as what would happen if you crossed Journey with Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater?
That’s sort of what you’re getting with Sword of the Sea, the latest title from Giant Squid (the team behind Abzu and The Pathless). This adventure arrived over the summer and casts you as the Wraith, a mysterious figure tasked with restoring the world’s ocean. You do this by roving across a series of stunning landscapes astride your Hoversword, surfing at high speeds across shifting sands, snow drifts, and waterways.
Moving through the world and leaping into strings of tricks and maneuvers is satisfying enough in its own right, but the brilliance of Sword in the Sea comes with combining that satisfying movement system with the game’s gorgeous presentation and another all-time video game soundtrack from composer Austin Wintory. It also sprinkles in hidden secrets and challenges along the way.
Sword of the Sea only takes a handful of hours to see through, but those few hours are among the best of what I played this year. — Martin Shore
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance expertly melds the old and the new thanks to its classic gameplay and modern hand-drawn graphics. Levels brim with secrets to discover and hordes of enemies to slice apart. That mix of exploration and combat keeps things lively as you fight your way to one seriously tough final boss.
Though the game can be very challenging, the skills and combos you acquire as you progress make even the most daunting challenges manageable. If you like “Metroidvania” games, you’re in for a treat, as new abilities give you access to previously inaccessible areas. I always enjoyed going back to levels to see what I missed the first time around.
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is yet another stellar game from developer Lizardcube, and easily in my top three games of 2025. Though it hasn’t gotten the attention that other titles received, it’s an overall phenomenal experience for fans of pure action games. If you haven’t played Art of Vengeance, you need to check it out. — Tony Polanco
Islanders: New Shores
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
One of my favorite game genres is city building, but often they’re intimidatingly complex. That’s where the
8 best games in 2025 that you (probably) didn’t play on PS5, Switch 2, PC and Xbox
