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It’s time for our annual countdown to award the very best games this year had to offer. Over the next ten days, we’ll count down our top ten games of 2025.
As always, the votes of each Press Start team member, weighted from #10 through to #1, were collated to compile our collective very best for the year that was. Games worthy of one’s top spot would be awarded a maximum of 10 points, and the values would descend to their tenth selection, which would receive a single point.
Following up a sublime Samurai odyssey like Ghost of Tsushima was always going to be a monumental task; however, Sucker Punch did just that this year, releasing Ghost of Yotei. The game was lauded for being a much more varied experience, while maintaining the touchstone beauty and romance of Feudal Japan.Like the original, Yotei feels like a classic Samurai movie, nailing the trademark tones of revenge within its unforgiving and punishing world.
Structurally, it does resemble Ubisoft’s first meaningful leap into the world of Japanese mythology with Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, as Atsu seeks revenge against the Yotei Six, who murdered her family, razed her village, and left her for dead; the obvious similarity didn’t hurt Ghost of Yotei ultimately, though, as the game would go on to sell millions and be nominated in seven categories at The Game Awards; although it wouldn’t go on to win any.
Ghost of Tsushima, in its own right, placed second in our Game of the Year back in 2020, falling short of a little game called The Last of Us Part II. While its sequel rounds out our top ten, it’s not because it’s any less of a game; Ghost of Yotei is another spectacular open-world that is a marked improvement over its predecessor in most areas, perhaps only struggling narratively courtesy of its more open, non-linear structure.
“Ghost of Yotei improves on its predecessor in every facet, with Atsu’s thirst for revenge unravelling rather than building this time around. The vistas are even more breathtaking, and the combat is streamlined yet increasingly varied; however, the strongest leap forward was how well-paced the journey ultimately was. I loved hunting through every corner of Yotei, eavesdropping in taverns, rescuing farmers, and overlapping your prey’s trail of blood with your own. Jumping between Atsu’s childhood and her current state gives weight to her actions during your time hunting the Yotei Six, making her motivation and rage clear.
Characters provide not just tools to complete the next objective but also showcase another aspect of why Atsu refuses to set aside her quest for revenge, even if she ends up dead alongside the man who took her family. The little wolf can run for only so long until she ends up in a pack without realising, or even accepting it.”
In our review, Harry scored Ghost of Yotei an 8.5 out of 10, stating:
“While I don’t think Ghost of Yotei quite reaches the heights of its predecessor, it is another worthwhile trip to a lawless Japan. It sports a tonally distinct and cinematic story, a visually diverse open world chock full of activities, and is another fantastic showcase for the power of the PlayStation 5.”
On the review aggregator Metacritic, Ghost of Yotei is resting at an average of 86.
Congratulations to Sucker Punch for earning a place in our top ten for 2025.
Game of the Year 2025
#10 – Ghost of Yotei