TIME’s picks for the best games of 2025: first place went to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

TIME magazine has unveiled its top 10 games of 2025 and ranked Sandfall Interactive’s Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 first, citing its artistic intent and meaningful impact on the industry.

TIME included ten projects in the selection, ranking them in advance of their importance to the 2025 gaming industry. Leading the way was Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. The publication pointed out that the game “emphasizes the importance and impact of art on us.” The journalist added that Sandfall Interactive and creative director Guillaume Broch “left a big mark on the gaming industry with their debut project,” which is why the project was awarded the top spot.

Sandfall Interactive and creative director Guillaume Broch “left a big mark on the gaming industry with their debut project.

The second spot on the list went to Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. TIME attributed the choice to the fact that the game is based on “concepts so large in scope that it’s impossible to fit them all into one video game.”

Third place was given to Ghost of Yōtei. Sucker Punch Productions’ action game, according to the editors, provides an unusual experience of open-world exploration, which influenced the final distribution of positions.

1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
2. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
3. Ghost of Yōtei
4. Split Fiction
5. Silent Hill f
6. Hollow Knight: Silksong
7. Lost Records: Bloom and Rage
8. DOOM: The Dark Ages
9. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds
10. Marvel Rivals