Donkey Kong’s world has been threatened by a punktoto sinister bunch of apes, after a large meteor knocks a mining company deep into the planet’s core. The adventure involves diving down into those sublevels — it’s Donkey Kong Hollow Earth, or Journey to the Center of the Kongiverse. The big difference in this game is that you can destroy just about anything, burrowing and tunneling throughout the game’s large 3D maps. I’m happy to say that Donkey Kong Bananza is here to whisk you off to multilevel worlds of satisfyingly smashing madness, to cheer you up and give you an excuse to punch the heck out of things.
Critics think it’s a short but sweet tale that will stay with you longer than its playtime. Which video games impressed critics during the first half of the year? On this page we rank the highest-scoring games with release dates between January 1, 2025 and June 30, 2025. Titles are included based on their Metascores as of June 25, 2025 and must have a minimum of 7 reviews from professional critics to be eligible for inclusion. You’ll level up your character in everything from casting destructive magic to repairing your armor as you seek stronger loot, complete quests, and steal everything in sight in typical RPG fashion. A beautiful tour of feudal Japan, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is an exciting adventure full of moments that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat.
There’s so much more to Avowed than just its main story. I complete every side quest I can, of course, but between cryptic treasure maps and totem pieces strewn about Eora, I’m still adventuring across the Living Lands. This is a first-person fantasy RPG, but that’s only for starters – it’s an action-packed adventure with unforgettable twists and mysteries to solve galore. With so much gear to upgrade, so many memories to unlock, countless people to help, and various puzzles to ponder, Avowed is never dull.
HIGH Smart tweaks to singleplayer and more options than before. Working with Goldilocks on all the requests and tasks the Hobbits of Bywater set her is huge fun. Cooking and sharing meals are the key elements, and the gardening, fishing and foraging is great, as is decorating your little Hobbit hole. As Goldilocks breathes life back into your cottage and helps Bywater to get Village status, I gradually mastered the art of fishing, foraging, farming, cooking, and forming bonds with the villages. Goldilocks travelled to Bywater with Gandalf, set to make a new life for herself in that quaint village after staying in Bree for a while. She can inhabit old Ruby’s cottage, which will need work, but Goldilocks isn’t scared of that (so I guess I’ll have to put in the elbow grease!).
5 Lego Horizon Adventures
Avowed fills a first-person void within the fantasy RPG genre, but it also stands as an immersive spin on Pillars of Eternity without losing any of the stellar storytelling and worldbuilding that Obsidian Entertainment is known for. Overlooking its forgettable party combat system and some minor quality-of-life misses, Avowed deserves to be remembered as one of this year’s best games. Civilization VII doesn’t reinvent its 4X turn-based wheel, but it does make some significant changes to its design.
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And you can converse with the 15 Townsfolk that are in the core of the story, but the other NPC are silent. You do see the occasional comment floating by when Goldilocks passes by, but that’s it. Decorating your Hobbit-hole is fun to do, as there are a lot of possible decorations and furniture options. Choose your wood tones, line the walls with colourful panels or bricks, place leafy plants or glowing lamps in the doorways, and sprinkle in some tasteful furniture for flair. Before long, Old Ruby’s cluttered cottage is transformed into a cozy, heartwarming Hobbit haven that Goldilocks loves living in.
December 4, 2023 • 2023 broke video game industry records, both in the quantity and quality of acclaimed, financially successful games. December 5, 2024 • 2024 was a surprising year — games from small teams rocketed up the charts, while big releases from major companies slowed. Here are our favorites from a diverse year, sortable by platform and genre. While some open-world games prioritize action and adventure, others focus on a chill, low-key experience, placing atmosphere and vibes over action.
The rankings were based only on critic reviews, showing these sites’ big impact. In 2024, these sites are the best for finding great games. They’re essential for anyone looking to make smart choices in gaming. IGN, GameSpot, and Metacritic are top names in gaming. This includes how it plays, its story, and how it looks.
Battlefield 6 reportedly takes design and feature inspiration from some of the best and most popular Battlefield series games. GTA V remains a benchmark game, and its graphical improvements are hugely impressive, but it’s the addition of a first-person mode that transforms it into a very different beast. The next-gen version of Grand Theft Auto 5 is a new way to play one of the best games ever made, but the upgrades may not be worth it for everyone.
Game Informer has a lot of experience, giving gamers trusted advice. These sites have gained the respect of gamers everywhere. They offer detailed, fair, and deep analysis of new games. From top websites to respected magazines, these notable game evaluation sources are where gamers turn for the best insights. Upgrade your lifestyleDigital Trends helps readers keep tabs on the fast-paced world of tech with all the latest news, fun product reviews, insightful editorials, and one-of-a-kind sneak peeks.
For years, only one undisputed king was sitting on the throne, not scared of rumors of growing competition and abandoning or prolonging projects. South of Midnight delights with its looks and soundtrack, which is much better than anyone could expect. It’s a shame, though, that aesthetic experience isn’t followed by equally great gameplay.