From GTA VI to Civilization VII. The most anticipated games of 2025 are GTA VI, Doom: Dark Ages, Civilization VII and the 5 most anticipated games of 2025 01/03/2025, 08:00

GTA VI

Let’s start with GTA VI, the most anticipated game of 2025. There is quite a bit of official information about him. There’s only a trailer, an approximate release date, and general statements from people close to the Rockstar development studio. All of their statements can be summed up in a common denominator: GTA VI is everything we love about GTA V, but multiplied by at least two. Players will find a huge map (not just a few cities, but the entire Leonid province – socialbites.ca), a world with incredibly beautiful graphics, as well as a deeper simulation of life. Thus, Strauss Zelnick, president of the Take-Two publishing house, which owns Rockstar, said in a recent interview that gamers could not even imagine how cool GTA VI would be. The statement is as loud and vague as possible but… I don’t want to doubt it because the GTA series has always raised the bar for the quality of video games and there is no doubt that it will happen again.

Publication date: autumn 2025;
Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5.

Apocalypse: Dark Ages

If we rank the projects in the selection according to the popularity level of the franchises they represent, Doom: Dark Ages is right next to GTA. Doom: Dark Ages is the third game in the series, following its re-release in 2016. But in terms of the world’s internal chronology, Dark Ages will be a prequel. The new game will tell about the events in the Doom universe that preceded the creation of portals on the Martian moons and the penetration of demons into the human world (the plot of all Doom games originates from this event. – socialbites.ca). From the past of the Dark Ages, players will finally learn how the main character of all shooter games, the so-called Doom Slayer, came to be this way. The events of the Dark Age will unfold in an alternative Middle Ages setting, which will be the main highlight of the new project (before that, Doom was a typical representative of science fiction themes. – socialbites.ca). The combat system will focus on battles where firearms are not used, so the Doom Slayer will receive the appropriate weapons: a chainsaw shield, something like the morning star, a hammer gun and other advanced weapons to deal with demons.

Publication date: 2025;
Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, PC.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach is a direct sequel to cult Japanese game designer Hideo Kojima’s 2019 game Death Stranding. Although the original was not a masterpiece, it still gained a large fan base. Due to the original world, unique game mechanics and, of course, characters that take the appearance of popular actors such as Norman Reedus, Mads Mikkelsen, Lea Seydoux and others. In the meantime, the sequel will continue to delight actors with famous faces – it is known that Death Stranding 2 will likely feature actress Elle Fanning in addition to the stars listed. The plot of the new product will continue the story started in the first part: in Death Stranding the main character – courier Sam Bridges – the chiral network (similar to the Internet in the game world – socialbites.ca) only the USA was destroyed by disasters, then in Death Stranding 2 this success was achieved on a larger scale It will have to repeat itself and unite the whole world. Details about both the gameplay and the plot of Death Stranding 2 are kept secret. In one of the interviews, Kojima admitted that he was greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and therefore rewrote the script of the project.

Publication date: 2025;
Platforms: PlayStation 5

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Metroid is one of Nintendo’s most famous franchises, second only to Super Mario and Zelda in terms of popularity. One of the founders and trendsetters of the Metroidvania genre, whose main features are leveling up the hero, gradual exploration of a huge world and creative boss fights. Most Metroid games feature a 2D perspective, but the fourth will have first-person shooter elements. Developers last flirted with the genre in 2002 with Metroid Prime. Moreover, the experiment was successful – Metroid Prime is still considered one of the best parts of the series. Little is known about the plot of Metroid Prime 4 – we can only understand from the game’s only trailer that Sylux, one of the main villains of the Metroid universe, will appear here. The trailer also makes it clear that Metroid Prime 4 will retain the dark atmosphere of the space horror movie inspired by the Alien movie. The game’s visual style is also quite rich, leading some players and journalists to speculate that Metroid Prime 4 will be one of the first games of Nintendo’s new console, Switch 2, which is scheduled to be released in 2025.

Release: 2025;
Platforms: Nintendo Switch.

Shadows of Assassin’s Creed

It’s been a bad year without a new Assassin’s Creed game. Next year will be good because Assassin’s Creed Shadows is scheduled to be released. Shadows is the 14th film in the series. In this game, players will be sent to a new setting, the feudal Japan of the 16th century. The main characters will be the assassin girl Naoe and the dark-skinned samurai Yasuke. Gameplay involves a non-linear campaign focused on tracking and eliminating targets in any order. Players will explore feudal Japan, complete quests, improve their skills and find new equipment. In general, do everything that players loved in the previous parts, but adjusted to the new landscape. Among the innovations, an improved physical model is expected, due to which the environment in the game has become destructible. It is unlikely that Shadows will become a revelation in the world of video games, but since the Assassin’s Creed series has long proven itself in this regard, it is definitely worth expecting good and, most importantly, spectacular shooting from the new product.

Publication date: February 14, 2025;
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Mac, iPad.

Mafia: Old Country

Mafia: The Old Country is a long-awaited new entry in the Mafia game series from the developers of Hangar 13. As you can easily guess from the name, the projects in this series are dedicated to Italian organized crime. However, since the series was inspired by The Godfather films, the previous three Mafia films were set in the United States. The Old Country will be the first game in the series where the gangster theme will continue, but the location of the action will finally be Italy. Historical period – the beginning of the 20th century. The anti-hero is Enzo Favara, a poor young miner and orphan who, ironically, gets the chance to join the powerful mafia family Don Torrisi. Under the control of the player, he will have to go through a difficult path, bloody and full of complex moral dilemmas, from the top six to a respected lieutenant. The developers promise that the battles in the game will become more tactical and the plot much more branched. Judging by the trailer, the project will look great too. Not least because of the detailed landscapes of Sicily.

Release: 2025;
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC.

Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra

Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra is a highly anticipated video game based on the Marvel Comics superhero universe. The project was announced in September 2022, but almost no new information about the project has emerged since then. Despite this, it is known that the game will take place in occupied Paris in 1943 during World War II. American super soldier Steve Rogers, together with Azzuri (the king of Wakanda and the current Black Panther. – socialbites.ca) will go to France to destroy the plans of the Nazi organization Hydra. Alongside the two previously mentioned superheroes, players in Rise of Hydra will be given the opportunity to play as American special forces soldier Gabriel Jones and Wakandan spy Nanaly. There are no details about gameplay features. The trailer suggests that players will be immersed in a dynamic action game with a third-person perspective.

Release: 2025
Platforms: It has not been announced yet, but it is assumed that the game will be released on at least PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X.

Civilization VII

Civilization VII will also deliver one of the most exciting adventures of 2025. It is said that the new strategy game will continue the traditions of the series. In particular, the goal will remain the same – the player will have to build his own civilization, starting from ancient times and ending with modernity with the rapid development of technology. In Civilization VII, developers promise to improve graphics, add new mechanics and expand opportunities for players. The game is expected to include more detailed maps, new units and buildings, and an improved diplomacy system. This will allow players to dive deeper into the world of strategy and politics, create complex alliances and conduct diplomatic negotiations. One of the most important features of Civilization VII will be the ability to play in co-op mode, which will add a new dimension to the gameplay. Players will be able to form alliances to face enemies together or compete in the race for technological superiority.

Publication date: February 11, 2025;
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac.