2025 is Gonna Pop Off, Right?
My buddy brought this up the other day on the latest episode of The Max Frequency Podcast—next year is stacked for games. While editing the episode, I looked up a list of what is supposed to be out next year and, ummmmmm, yeah, 2025 is shaping up to be a big one.
Games Max Is Hype For With 2025 Dates
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
The latest news from Tokyo Game Show showed us some peak Kojima design. Polaroid photoshoots with famous Hollywood actors? Weirdly long cutscenes with weird puppet men? Those same puppets doing a dance number? Sign. Me. Up. Cannot wait to dive into the world of Death Stranding again. You can read what I thought about the first game here if you'd like.
Release Date: June 26, 2025
Ghost of Yōtei
The most recent announcement on the list, but it is looking like a strong year for PlayStation alone.
Release Date: October 2, 2025
Pokémon Legends: Z-A
Pokémon Legends: Arceus was a captivating game. It's the kind of Pokémon game you always played with your imagination outside as a kid. It's the kind of game Pokémon GO felt like at its infectious launch. Pokémon roam and you have the thrill, rush, and fear of encountering them. I am eager to see what Game Freak does to refine and expand the formula on, hopefully, more powerful hardware.
Unbeatable
Sign me up to commit music crimes day one.
Grand Theft Auto VI
Speaking of committing crimes, this game is going to be insane.
Release Date: May 26, 2026
Games Max Assumes Will Be Hype for Others
Civilization VII
These games are big, right? A game has to be big if it has a guy's name preceding the title.
Release Date: February 11, 2025
DOOM: The Dark Ages
The most recent DOOM games may be too long and are tainted in legal music issues, but the people will be hype nonetheless.
Release Date: May 15, 2025
Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra
Marvel is in a major slump right now. Really, I'm not even hype for the game itself. What I am excited about is that it will be Amy Hennig's first released game in almost 15 years.
Release Date: Early 2026
Games That Don't Have a Date, But Come On, They Should be Out Next Year
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
With the Switch successor rumored to be on track for next year, I still feel like Prime 4 is a cross-gen game in some capacity.
Judas
Judas is a game that pops in my head from time to time. One that doesn't feel like it was unveiled two years ago, but rather simultaneously right after BioShock: Infinite and yesterday. I am infatuated with the idea of Lego narrative pieces that Ken Levine keeps talking about. Given that press has played Judas, I am hopeful that it releases next year.
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater
It looks soooooooo good. Take me back to the jungle! I hope it plays well, both in its classic mode and its new mode. Snnnnnnnnakkkkkee!
Release Date: August 28, 2025
Mina the Hollower
Like I said on the aforementioned podcast episode, I am dying for something new from Yacht Club Games and Mina looks oh so good.
Release Date: Delayed
They had one job.2026 is gonna pop off, right?
Earthblade
Default hype engaged for a new game from the team behind Celeste.
Release Date: Never
🪦RIP Earthblade
Fable
This could have been slotted under the "Games Max Assumes Will Be Hype for Others" heading too, but I don't believe a date is announced. Maybe it was even rumored to be 2026? I'm not sure. Playground Games are unparalleled in their open world design for cars. I am eager to see how it translates to an IP like Fable.
Release Date: 2026
So, that's what 2025 is shaping up to look like. And those are just the games I picked from the list. On paper, the year seems like an overwhelming slam dunk of primo video games. I can't even fathom touching all of these in the year itself. Gut check, I'll play Death Stranding 2, GTA VI, and Unbeatable at launch. The rest, I can't speak for: only time and the budget will tell.
Godspeed gamers. We're all going to need it in 2025.