2025 Video Games: Upcoming Titles (So Far) & Why They Matter

January 6, 2025

2024 was a rough year for the industry. Not to say there weren’t some memorable gaming moments, like the PlayStation love-letter/joy-inducer that is ASTRO BOT and many of us at Off Base are still dealing with a crippling Balatro addiction.

Let’s take a moment to share the video games we’re most excited and curious about in 2025 (so far) and why they matter to the industry at large. We’re going to experience long-awaited sequels, handle new platforms, and witness big shifts in industry trends as the year moves on.

Split Fiction Matters

Josef Fares, the founder and director of Hazelight Studios (and TGA potty mouth — most notably for his “F the Oscars” speech), is an outspoken and passionate member of the games industry. His steadfast belief that games are an art form and should be recognized as such has received international praise among fans and colleagues alike.

With Hazelight’s upcoming Split Fiction, it looks like the trend will continue. In the game, players take on the roles of two unlikely characters named Zoe, a fantasy author, and Mio, a sci-fi author — strangers trapped inside their own creations who must work collaboratively in order to find their way out. The game weaves both of their stories and genres together in a third-person action/adventure game with plenty of unique co-op game mechanics and puzzle-solving elements. In an industry where new ideas and risk taking is often pushed aside for the formulaic safe bet or pursuit of the live-service unicorn, it’s great to see the support from both the publisher and gamers, as they embrace this fresh and unique take on games and storytelling.

Indiana Jones on PS5 – The Future of Console Exclusivity?

“But Off Base,” you say, “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle already came out on Xbox!” Well, duh, we beat it already and loved every moment of tomb exploring, puzzle-solving, and Nazi-punching. Troy Baker nailed his Harrison Ford impersonation. If you’re a card-carrying member of the PlayStation Nation, you need to check this game out when it arrives in the Spring. You see, the reason we’re excited about this particular release is what it represents: Microsoft’s first major step in the trend of 1st party publishers continuing to move away from the exclusivity of their own ecosystems.

This is a trend we’ve seen steadily increasing this generation, most notably PlayStation porting their exclusives to PC and multi-platform titles like MLB: The Show or LEGO Horizon Adventures. While PlayStation has mainly been diving into their back catalog for PC games, Microsoft is leveraging its cloud gaming and line-up of heavy hitter studios to go full-throttle and push the Xbox brand out to as many platforms as possible, from Smart TVs to handheld devices and even rival consoles, with their recent “This is an Xbox” marketing campaign. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will only be exclusive to Xbox for maybe six months, and the windows for some titles will disappear entirely in 2025. Doom: The Dark Ages is a day-and-date release across all major platforms, along with the partner titles Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Ninja Gaiden 4. There are even credible rumors Halo: The Master Chief Collection is coming to PS5 and Switch 2 in the coming months. Will we see the day where even Game Pass is available on PlayStation and Nintendo platforms?

Assassin’s Creed: Shadows – A New Chapter in a Storied Franchise

Ubisoft and Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, their upcoming stealth/action game set in feudal Japan, have faced their fair share of controversy in recent months. The publisher recently announced a round of layoffs affecting their Leamington-based studio in the United Kingdom, as well as additional staff reductions in Düsseldorf, Stockholm, and Newcastle, resulting in a total of 185 job losses. This news continues the industry-wide conversations about job security in gaming. Adding to the scrutiny, Ubisoft garnered criticism for publicly stating that players should “get comfortable not owning their games” in the digital age — a comment that has reignited debates over consumer rights and the preservation of digital ownership.

Set in 16th-century Japan during the late Sengoku period, Assassin’s Creed: Shadows follows the enduring battle between the Assassin Brotherhood, who fight for peace and liberty, and the Templar Order, who seek peace through control. The game features dual protagonists: Fujibayashi Naoe, a skilled female shinobi, and Yasuke, the African samurai. Gameplay previews suggest that while Shadows retains the series’ core mechanics, the setting in feudal Japan and the introduction of unique stealth and combat features may set it apart from its predecessors. Although fans have been dying for this game setting since AC2, Shadows has also become a flashpoint for controversy both in terms of issues of historical accuracy and Ubisoft putting its future path as a company squarely on the shoulders of its performance.

The question remains: will Assassin’s Creed: Shadows rise above the controversies and deliver an experience that lives up to fan expectations? We’ll find out for sure when the game hits on March 20th.

Nintendo Switch 2 – Nintendo’s Evolution of Portable Gaming

The Switch 2 has been the game industry’s worst kept secret, with so much speculation and leaks that Nintendo itself had to hastily announce the hybrid handheld console with a quick and minimal video back in early January. The video focused on 3D renders of the new hardware and just one new game — a new Mario Kart — but otherwise was short on any concrete information, such as release date, price point, or hardware specs. What we did get was a video announcing another video, with a Switch 2-focused Nintendo Direct on April 2nd.

While information is sparse, there is a good amount we can glean from the reveal trailer, as well as other reporting from credible sources. As the name suggests, the Switch 2 is an iterative product — really a first for Nintendo. Not straying far from the success of the first (with over 145 million units sold to date, there’s no reason to go back to the drawing board), the console sports a very similar design to the original Switch, complete with large screen, detachable Joy-Con controllers, and dock that allows the handheld to be connected to a TV. We also know that most of the original Switch’s library will work on the Switch 2 via backward compatibility, although not all games/peripherals will work (RIP Nintendo Labo). Information we don’t know, but rumors, leaks, and speculation point to, include a likely release date of Summer, a price point somewhere between $349 and $399, a strong launch games lineup (Mario Kart 9, new 3D Super Mario Game, and some solid third party titles like Metal Gear Solid Delta, Red Dead Redemption 2, Final Fantasy: Rebirth, and Assassin’s Creed: Shadows to name a few), and specs that rival PlayStation 4/Xbox One from a graphics and performance perspective.

Nintendo will likely have a dearth of information and announcements/reveals with their April Nintendo Direct, and have also announced a hands-on tour throughout April, where gamers and fans will be able to play the new hardware. The tour will take place in April and hit cities around North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

By focusing on innovative hardware, beloved franchises, and fun, accessible experiences, Nintendo continues to stand out in a crowded market. The Switch 2 is geared up for a repeat success for Nintendo, but the question is by how much? The hardcore will adopt the hardware quickly, but the majority of players have been happy with their devices for nearly eight years. It’ll be interesting to see how Nintendo brings the heat to convince the more casual crowd to upgrade.

Grand Theft Auto VI – The Most Anticipated Game of the Decade

When it comes to video games, not a single franchise commands the same level of hype as Grand Theft Auto. With over 200 million copies sold worldwide, released way back in 2013 and persisting through three (?!) console generations, GTA V is one of the best-selling games of all time — and its successor, Grand Theft Auto VI, is shaping up to be even bigger.

While Rockstar Games has been characteristically secretive, they did officially announce the game with a trailer back in December of ‘23. In it, we got our first look at the next-gen world of a modern day Vice City. The trailer showcased everything you would come to expect from a GTA game, including a sprawling open world complete with dynamic NPCs, branching storylines, and bleeding-edge graphics. A first for the series, the game features at least one female protagonist, Lucia, who is featured in the reveal trailer committing an armed robbery with her partner in crime, rumored to be part of a Bonnie and Clyde-inspired crime duo.

While Rockstar has remained characteristically tight-lipped about additional details, there are several expectations and rumors circulating:

• Release Date: Likely shipping in 2025, though no official date has been confirmed.
• Massive Budget: GTA VI is rumored to have a development and marketing budget exceeding $1 billion, making it one of the most expensive games ever created.
• Next-Gen Technology: Utilizing cutting-edge tools, Rockstar aims to deliver unparalleled realism in graphics, physics, and AI behavior.
• Scope and Ambition: Early reports suggest the game will feature multiple cities, an evolving open world, and deep social systems.

It’s clear Grand Theft Auto VI isn’t just another game — it’s poised to be a defining cultural event. The series has consistently set industry benchmarks, and GTA VI looks to elevate expectations for storytelling, world-building, and technical innovation. With its massive budget, groundbreaking features, and the weight of a global fanbase behind it, this game will likely dominate the conversation in 2025 and beyond, and has the potential to influence the future of gaming on a monumental scale. Stay tuned as Rockstar Games reveals more about GTA VI in the lead-up to its launch.

Why This All Matters

From Split Fiction’s innovative co-op gameplay to Grand Theft Auto VI’s blockbuster ambitions, 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark year for the gaming industry. These titles aren’t just games — they reflect the creativity, technology, and passion driving the medium forward.

As we look ahead, one thing is clear: the future of gaming continues to burn bright. Whether it’s through new hardware like the Nintendo Switch 2 or groundbreaking titles like GTA VI, 2025 promises to deliver unforgettable experiences for players around the world.

What games are you most excited about?