As the year draws to a close, 2024 has ended with a series of thrilling announcements for 2025 that are generating immense excitement among gamers. A flurry of anticipated AAA titles is set to debut across PC, Xbox, and PlayStation—including prominent names like Elden Ring: Nightreign, Borderlands 4, Civilization 7, Death Stranding 2, and Fable. However, amidst this buzz, several worthy titles have fallen off the collective radar, and their upcoming releases are worth noting.
Among the less publicized gems set to launch in 2025 are the indie platformer Moons of Darsalon, due for release in February, the action-adventure title South of Midnight arriving for Xbox, and the much-anticipated Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, which was nominated for Most Anticipated Game before losing out at The Game Awards to the highly publicized GTA VI. With this in mind, let’s delve into ten games scheduled for release in 2025 that you may have overlooked.
10 Moons of Darsalon (February 6)
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PC
Currently accessible through early access on PC, Moons of Darsalon is set for its full release on PlayStation and Xbox on February 6, 2025. Developed by Dr. Kucho! Games, this indie platformer promises a captivating retro-futuristic adventure that centers on a group of Darsanauts lost during a mining expedition on the moons of Darsalon.
Players will undertake rescue missions, employing an array of tools such as laser guns and terrain-altering weapons while navigating with a jetpack. This game embraces classic arcade-style animations, complete with humorous comic bubbles, explosive enemies, and dynamic environments, all of which contribute to its engaging character.
9 Sulfur (TBD 2025)
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PC
Sulfur is a fresh take on classic action-adventure games, combining treasure hunting, weapon crafting, and survival experiences. Set in the imaginative world of Sulfur, players encounter a range of quirky yet formidable monsters.
This title features an easy-to-use inventory system that allows players to create distinctive builds tailored to their individual play styles—ranging from strategic approaches to high-octane shoot-em-up tactics. Presently in early access, players can dive in now or opt to wait for the full experience upon its release next year.
8 South of Midnight (TBD 2025)
Platforms: Xbox Series X/S & PC
Set in the mystical Deep South, South of Midnight, developed by Compulsion Games and Xbox Studios, is anticipated to bring a unique narrative that intertwines modern-day adventures with ancient lore. This action-adventure title focuses on exploring the enigmatic forces at play within a modern folktale framework.
7 Lost Records: Bloom & Rage (February 18 & March 18)
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
This upcoming narrative adventure is being crafted by developers known for the acclaimed Life Is Strange series, slated for release in two parts on February 18 and March 18, 2025. The game features a dual-timeline structure in which player choices influence outcomes, reminiscent of cinematic titles like The Quarry and Until Dawn.
Players will alternate between the years 1995 and 2022, uncovering the mystery surrounding a pivotal summer event experienced by a group of four high school girls. Originally planned for a late 2024 release, the launch was pushed back to early 2025 to avoid juxtaposition with the anticipated Life is Strange: Double Exposure.
6 Decadent (TBD 2025)
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Decadent invites players into a narrative-driven first-person shooter experience, infused with horror elements inspired by the works of Lovecraft. Casting players in the role of John Lorn—a royal explorer turned decadent occultist—the game leads players through a haunted world while grappling with the trauma of his past.
Set amidst the chaos of the Great War, players must scavenge haunting environments, maintain their sanity to stave off hallucinations, and acquire in-game artifacts to progress. The game features complex mechanics requiring backtracking to access areas previously blocked after gaining new abilities.
5 Dreamed Away (TBD 2025)
Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch & PC
Dreamed Away is a compelling action-adventure RPG that follows Théo, a boy in search of his sister throughout a haunting 1990s France. Featuring stunning pixel-art animation, this game explores deep emotional narratives as players navigate dungeons filled with ghosts and phantoms.
Slated for release on Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC in 2025, players can already access a demo on Steam to gain a sneak peek. Rather than relying on traditional menu dialogues, the game showcases a fast-paced combat system anchored in mini-games, promising a unique gaming experience.
4 Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time (April 2025)
Platform: Nintendo Switch
The eagerly awaited next installment in the Fantasy Life Saga, The Girl Who Steals Time, has faced several delays since its initial 2023 announcement. Currently planned for an April 2025 release on Nintendo Switch, this open-world RPG empowers players to create unique characters and explore the ruins of a once-prosperous island, all while engaging in time travel and puzzle-solving.
Players can select from a variety of roles, which can be changed at will, opening diverse gameplay opportunities. Combat, simulator-style farming, mining, fishing, and exploration all contribute, alongside customizable home designs and town layouts as players work to restore the island’s former glory.
3 Eternal Strands (January 28)
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Despite an influx of major AAA game announcements, Eternal Strands has the potential to slip under the radar. Employing Unreal Engine 5, this third-person action game draws inspiration from classics such as Shadow of the Colossus and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
Players take on the role of Brynn, a warrior set on unraveling the mysteries of the ancient civilization known as the Enclave. Equipped with a cloak that grants the ability to manipulate elemental forces like ice and fire—along with telekinetic powers to influence her surroundings—Brynn will face nine formidable bosses, each offering new abilities upon defeat. Eternal Strands is set for a January 28, 2025 release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
2 The Alters (Q1 2025)
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Scheduled for a Q1 2025 launch, The Alters is an intriguing survival sci-fi game that follows Jan, a miner managing a massive ship on a planet continuously bombarded by solar radiation. The game features both base-building and survival elements, letting players create structures and expand the ship’s capabilities.
With the innovative mechanic where one second in real-time equals one in-game minute, players must remain vigilant as the rising sun threatens the survival of their crew. By using Rapidium crystals, Jan can create Alters—alternate versions of himself from various realities—enabling strategic decisions based on the skills needed to face daily challenges.
1 Metroid Prime 4: Beyond (TBA 2025)
Platform: Nintendo Switch
While Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is widely anticipated and was even nominated for Most Anticipated Game at The Game Awards 2024, it may still fade into obscurity due to its stiff competition with blockbuster titles like Death Stranding 2 and Grand Theft Auto VI. After nearly a decade of development with multiple studio changes, gamers may be unaware that this installment in the beloved franchise is nearing release.
Originally teased in 2015 and formally announced in 2017, the game has seen its fair share of hurdles; however, if all goes well, the long wait for its arrival may soon be over.
In the midst of a packed 2025 gaming calendar, it is easy for titles like these to be overlooked. The list presented here includes just a fraction of the remarkable games scheduled for next year that deserve attention. From innovative sci-fi adventures like The Alters to charming indie projects like Moons of Darsalon, these upcoming releases are definitely worth keeping on your radar as the new year unfolds.
Source: Dreamed Away
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