2025 has been a banger year in terms of quality and variety of games that have been launched. There’s literally too many to mention so here’s a list of Favorite Games of 2025 from the GadgetMatch team!
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Rodneil: If the 9 trophies it bagged from The Game Awards 2025 wasn’t enough to convince you that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a must-play, I don’t know what will.
The game will lure you in with its stunning visuals, grab you with its inciting incident, keep you focused during combat, endear you to its characters, and deliver gut-wrenching and awe-inspiring moments that will make you yearn for more.
Thankfully, it’s a 30–50-hour campaign with late game content that could double if you’re the completionist type.
Also, this scene:
Ghost of Yotei
Rodneil: Ghost of Yotei builds on the gameplay and visuals established by Ghost of Tsushima. It’s an extension, refinement, and a bit of a remixed experience of Jin Sakkai’s tale. Except this time, you walk the path of vengeance with Atsu.
The game leaves you with something sharper than spectacle. Where Tsushima gave you the weight of history, Yotei carves its mark with intimacy. Revenge doesn’t need armies or nations to matter—it just needs a blade and a target.
That’s why Ghost of Yotei stands on its own. It may lack the grandeur of its predecessor, but it’s more cohesive, more personal, and more daring in how it tells its story. Atsu’s journey isn’t about how the world remembers her; it’s about how far vengeance will take her—and how much of herself she’ll lose along the way.
NBA 2K26
Rodneil: Consider this a sneak but NBA 2K is consistently my top played game year after year. You can say it’s my form of therapy – my way to relax and decongest.
Sure, the microtransactions still aren’t great and there’s always a missing historic player here and there. However, NBA 2K26 feels the most refined since the pandemic. The core gameplay feels fantastic and game modes like MyNBA, while largely unchanged, continue to deliver the kind of basketball video game simulation that I crave.
So, yeah. This one’s part of the list. It’s ‘favorite’ after all and not necessarily ‘best’.
SHINOBI: Art of vengeance
Rodneil: SHINOBI: Art of vengeance is one of the premiere side-scrolling action games in 2025. It scratched my “Zero in Megaman X4” itch and then some.
The art style is phenomenal. If you’re into that hand-drawn vibe, then this game is right up your alley. The gameplay also presents plenty of challenges and replayability. Even after clearing some stages, you’ll find yourself wanting to go back to make sure you get all the collectibles.
Overall, it’s just a downright good time. And it’s especially enjoyable on a gaming handheld.
Digimon Story: Time Stranger
Rodneil: Playing Digimon Story Time Stranger feels like reliving a summer memory — the excitement of discovery, the satisfaction of raising Digimon, and the pull of wanting to see what comes next.
It isn’t trying to reinvent anything, and that’s part of its charm. Instead, it offers a polished, nostalgia-driven JRPG that rewards the time you sink into it. The story pulls you in even without a standout cast. The monster-collecting systems are rich and addictive. And the combat strikes a balance between old-school comfort and modern convenience.
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Luigi: Silksong was the holy grail of Metroidvania fans like me for years. Imagine our collective surprise when the mythical title was finally announced (and launched only a few weeks after the announcement). Silksong is real, and it’s here.
Silksong continues the saga started by the original Hollow Knight. Initially conceptualized as a second playable character for the first game, Hornet grew into her own game, filled with new enemies, abilities, and a much larger map. It retains the same formula that made the first great: tough fights but rewarding difficulty. There’s nothing more satisfying than figuring out how a boss here works and finally beating them after a hard fight.
Despite how huge it is, it only costs around US$ 20. At its core, it’s a true indie darling, and it still has free DLC coming!
Hades II
Luigi: In 2020, I played the first Hades. During a tenuous time like the pandemic, it was a huge lifesaver that helped me keep my sanity. Five years later, Hades 2 is here, and it’s just as epic.
A newly awakened Chronos has held Hades and his family captive. It’s up to Melinoë, Hades’s daughter, to rescue them from their prison. Much like the first one, the sequel has players go on runs to carve a little deeper into the Underworld.
Besides new weapons and tools to help go further, each run also unlocks new stories and relationships with other characters. It makes the game much more endearing, because you actually care for the characters and how they interact with Melinoë. Whether it’s a long marathon or just a run before bed, Hades II is the perfect game for a cozy time.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Luigi: The original Death Stranding is a polarizing title, earning persistent japes of being just a glorified Uber simulator. Regardless of what you think of the first game, the sequel is much grander but has a tighter story.
Sam Porter Bridges is back to connect the entirety of Mexico and Australia. Familiar faces and new ones help (and hinder) Sam’s quest. And… that’s basically it. Recapping the story of Death Stranding 2 takes more than an essay. It’s just that epic.
Besides looking like an art film on steroids, Death Stranding 2 also features cozy gameplay where you can just sit back and deliver goods across Australia in between the bombastic setpieces. It’s definitely an experience worth playing.
Two Point Museum
Luigi: I always find management games relaxing. It’s nice to unwind and help build a museum from the ground up. It also helps if the game has the quirky humor to break the monotony of just management.
Two Point Museum is simple, then. Build a series of museums with differing themes. Every single exhibit is wacky, which adds to the flavor: literally frozen cavemen, actual ghosts, fish shaped like sushi. It has the same irreverent themes of the whole Two Point franchise.
And yet, it still has its challenges. For example, sometimes certain fish hate being paired with others, so it’s like a jigsaw puzzle of finding the best way to lay out your entire museum.
Sid Meier’s Civilization VII
Luigi: To be clear, Civilization VII didn’t launch in the most complete way. Even now, the game is still getting updates that tweak entire mechanics. Still, I can’t deny that I had fun trying out the seventh strategy game in the series. I recently got back into it, and I’m still having a blast for a run or two.
Civilization VII redefines the mechanics of the franchise by introducing eras that can drastically change how you take your chosen leader through the test of time. And as always, there’s so many ways to win: scientific, economic, cultural, and military. It suits all playstyles.
If you didn’t like Civilization VII on launch, Firaxis is thankfully making it so much better and more enjoyable. It’s time to take one more turn.
Donkey Kong Bananza
Luigi: In Super Mario Odyssey, players are dropped into fresh maps where there’s a set path and a few creative ways to get there. In contrast, Donkey Kong Bananza drops players intoa sandbox filled with beautiful sandcastles and tells them “go crazy.”
Making use of the Switch 2’s new hardware, Donkey Kong’s first 3D platformer in the modern age is a beautiful game with so many picturesque maps. What sets it apart from other platformers is the ability to destroy everything. Featuring destructible terrain, Donkey Kong Bananza wants you to have fun destroying all the pretty maps it built.
At first, I thought I was going to tire of this mechanic quickly, but every map has its own quirks that every level still feels like the first time.
R.E.P.O.
JP: R.E.P.O. is widely loved for its chaotic, funny co-op moments brought by a perfect mix of scary and goofy design. The strongest element for me, though, is sound design. Every audio cue feels satisfying.
The game’s systems thrive on repetition, with escalating threats and clear rules for how monsters behave and how they can be dealt with. That loop feels engaging, especially as the difficulty ramps up. The physics-driven interactions add another layer of enjoyment, often creating chaotic, genuinely funny moments when played in a full six-player lobby.
That said, I also enjoy playing R.E.P.O. solo, especially when friends are in the mood for other games, even though it can be quite challenging. My only real wish is for a roguelike-style progression system, where failed runs still contribute to long-term progress instead of a complete reset.
R.E.P.O. is clever in maintaining its simplicity, leans into its strengths, and listens to community feedback. Despite my one wish, it’s a game I keep coming back to, whether with a full lobby or on my own.
Accessories
Logitech G debuts PRO X2 SUPERSTRIKE with faster click tech
Faster clicks, deeper control
Logitech G is pushing competitive gaming performance further with the launch of the PRO X2 SUPERSTRIKE. It’s a next-generation wireless mouse built around a new click system designed for speed and control.
At the center of the PRO X2 is its patent-pending SUPERSTRIKE technology. It reduces the travel distance needed to register a click, cutting latency by up to 30 milliseconds based on internal testing. The result is faster inputs that can make a difference in high-stakes, split-second moments.
The mouse also introduces the Haptic Inductive Trigger System (HITS), replacing traditional mechanical microswitches. Instead of relying on physical contact, it delivers tactile feedback the moment a click signal is sent, helping players feel each input in real time.
Customizable clicks for competitive play
Developed with esports teams like G2 Esports, NAVI, and BLG, the PRO X2 SUPERSTRIKE focuses on precision and consistency. It supports 10 selectable actuation levels, allowing users to fine-tune how deep a click needs to be before it registers.
These adjustments can be made through Logitech G HUB, giving players the flexibility to match their setup to different games, roles, or playstyles without interrupting gameplay.
The mouse also uses Logitech’s LIGHTSPEED wireless technology with up to an 8kHz polling rate. This ensures fast and stable performance without the limitations of a wired connection.
Precision tracking and lightweight build
Powering the PRO X2 is Logitech’s HERO 2 sensor. It supports up to 44,000 DPI, 888 IPS tracking speed, and over 88G acceleration. Logitech says tracking remains free of smoothing, acceleration, or filtering, allowing for more consistent and direct input.
Despite its performance-focused internals, the mouse keeps a lightweight build at 61 grams. Logitech says this supports faster movements and reduces fatigue during long sessions.
Battery life is rated at up to 90 hours on a single charge, letting players stay in the game longer without interruptions.
Price and availability
The Logitech G PRO X2 SUPERSTRIKE is priced at PhP 11,945. It is available in the Philippines via Shopee and authorized Logitech retailers.
Gaming
WWE 2K26 lets you live out all the fantasy matches you could want
But you have to play for hours and hours to unlock everyone.
The old SmackDown vs. RAW games were some of the most fun I’ve had as a teenager. Though I didn’t own a PlayStation 2 or 3 then, I had a PlayStation Portable and the series’ corresponding version. Sure, it didn’t have the then-advanced graphics, but the games kept me company for many a day and night. And it all revolved around a simple premise: letting wrestling fans live out their fantasy matches.
Now, with over 400 playable characters on launch, WWE 2K26 hopes to rekindle that magic. Previously, 2K’s take on the wrestling simulator never really captivated me as much as the SvR series did. Though players still had a similarly large roster throughout the years, the series felt too homogenized, too riddled with microtransactions. This year, the series got me thinking again: Can sheer numbers singlehandedly usher a new renaissance for WWE gamers?
The good: Four hundred superstars under one banner
WWE 2K26 touts over four hundred playable characters on launch. With unannounced DLCs still on the horizon, this number will surely balloon further. Even for a dedicated WWE fan, having over four hundred playable characters is insane. Where else can I pit Joe Hendy against Andre the Giant and create my own WrestleMania III moment?
The only catch, however, is that the game did some stat padding to get to this enormous number. Besides having multiple personas for a single wrestler (and CM Punk alone has ten of these), the roster includes a platoon of fictional MyRISE characters, which comes off as distracting if you don’t particularly engage with the MyRISE mode.
Ironically, the game didn’t even need to pad its stats this way. For the first time in the series, the launch roster includes Superstars from the current WWE roster, TNA, AAA, and the Hall of Fame. I could spend hours just feeding a litany of Superstars to TNA legend Abyss. That’s something I could never have done in the old SvR days.
The good: A more fluid fighting system
It also helps that WWE 2K26’s fighting system is the most fluid that the series has been. Wrestlers no longer feel like wooden animatronics skipping from one animation to the next. Each punch flows smoothly into a clothesline, a grapple, a carry, or a finisher.
It is, of course, at the expense of a more complex control scheme where each input combination corresponds to its own move. A stray waggle of the right joystick, for example, can have your wrestler careening towards their opponent in ways you never intended.
It takes some time to get used to. Every time I get a WWE 2K game, I always need a refresher course for the controls. Plus, each entry introduces something different. This year introduces rushing opponents to the corner and carrying opponents in different ways.
Another new addition is the new third-person camera which follows your character, rather than being locked to the ring. To me, this was a welcome feature. The original camera can often betray you by having various elements (other wrestlers, the ring itself) block your view of the action, thus preventing you from reacting correctly to your opponent. The dynamic third-person camera solves this and makes the fight more immersive.
That said, the camera necessarily changes the controls a bit because you need the right joystick to look around. Because of that, I had to revert back to the original camera after a while. Regardless, this is a step in the right direction.
The improved fight scheme is also a step in the right direction. WWE 2K26 is the franchise’s most immersive entry to date because of how fluid the action plays out.
The meh: Iterative game modes
Every yearly sports simulator falls prey to the curse of iteration. Because it’s an annual release, every game needs to add something new for players. At the same time, the same game can’t iterate too much, or it might end up alienating fans of the previous title. Each WWE 2K title has to be the same but also a bit different.
WWE 2K26 goes through the same rigamarole. Most of the game’s different modes don’t offer a lot of improvements from last year. So, if you loved last year’s MyRISE, MyGM, and Universe Mode, you’ll likely find this year’s iteration inoffensive.
“Inoffensive,” however, isn’t the best way to sell a new game. At the very least, MyFACTION gets interesting improvements. For a mode I historically dislike every year, WWE 2K26’s MyFACTION ended up being the one I loved the most this year.
This year, the layout feels more intentional. Though it still lacks the exciting animations of NBA 2K, opening a pack no longer looks like a PowerPoint presentation. There’s also more ways to fight offline with the addition of a challenging World Tour mode. Plus, with intergender support and team chemistry, this feels like the update that MyFACTION needed.
In another twist of fate, Showcase Mode ended up being the loser this year. WWE 2K26 rehashes last year’s schtick of having the star rewrite their history. Last year, this worked with Paul Heyman, a notorious bad guy. It doesn’t really stick with this year’s star, CM Punk, the so-called voice of the voiceless.
Punk could have shined with the traditional style of laying their commentaries over their past matches, especially with his shoot style. Instead, we got a series of what-ifs with practically no commentary. It’s just not what I expected from a firebrand like CM Punk.
The bad: The Ringside Pass
For the first time in the series, WWE 2K26 has a battle pass called the Ringside Pass. Like battle passes in other games, the Ringside Pass unlocks more content as you play through the game. However, unlike today’s standard which revolves mostly on cosmetics, this version locks a treasure trove of playable wrestlers behind an experience gate.
Even if you already paid for the game, WWE 2K26 asks you to play an inordinate number of hours just to unlock the best wrestlers in the game.
To be fair, it’s not all bad. Right out the gate, the game already gives you access to heavy hitters like CM Punk, Shawn Michaels, and John Cena. However, a lot of favorites are still unplayable including Bret Hart and Kurt Angle. This even includes the strongest version of Bray Wyatt, who’s locked under the last tier of the current pass.
Gaining experience isn’t an easy feat, either. After playing for hours and hours, I still haven’t unlocked more than half of the tiers. At the very least, there is no time limit, so I can play the game at my own pace.
Props to WWE 2K26 for making its battle pass have fulfilling rewards, but it’s still unfortunate that significant elements of the game are locked behind hours and hours of playtime.
The gameplay loop is real and repetitive. And it all circles back to how iterative the game modes are. If only the game modes ended up being as exciting as they were last year, then it would have been exciting to play over and over again. Instead, WWE 2K26 prevents you from engaging in greatest strengths: an exciting roster and a fluid fighting system.
Is WWE 2K26 your PlayMatch?
Last year’s WWE 2K25 was an exciting period for the series. Though this year’s version keeps most of what made the previous game so exciting, WWE 2K26 also adds features, especially the Ringside Pass, that ultimately detract from the entire experience. It’s a small step back, which can hopefully be rectified next year, if not in future updates.
WWE 2K26 is a Swipe Left if you didn’t love last year’s game anyway. The game doesn’t add anything that might change your mind.
However, it’s a Swipe Right if you missed the pure joy of creating dream matches. The game’s massive roster allows for so many impossible matchups to happen, even if only in the digital realm. Just get ready to grind for a long time.
Gaming
God of War: Sons of Sparta takes a more contained approach to Kratos
Filipino devs were part of it.
There’s a version of God of War that lives in most people’s heads. It’s loud. Cinematic. Heavy with consequence. The kind of game that feels bigger than you.
God of War: Sons of Sparta isn’t that. At least, not in the way you expect.
It’s more contained. 2D. Pixel art. But spend a little time with it, and you start to see what it’s trying to do. Not replace the modern games. Not outdo them.
Just… revisit something familiar from a different angle.
A different take on Kratos
Instead of gods and world-ending stakes, Sons of Sparta focuses on Kratos earlier in his life, training as a Spartan alongside Deimos. It’s more contained. More personal.
You’re still fighting through brutal encounters. But the framing feels different. Less about destiny, more about who Kratos was before everything spiraled. And somehow, even in pixel form, it still feels like God of War.
Where Filipino developers come in
One of the more interesting parts of this project is how it came together.
Mega Cat Studios worked closely with Santa Monica Studio to build the game. That includes a strong presence from their Philippine team.
But it’s not framed as a separate unit.
“There is no separation between Mega Cat Pittsburgh and Mega Cat Philippines,” says Art Director Janley Clavio.
“We operate as one phalanx, and were part of the game from the beginning.”
That last part shifts the narrative from “support work” to actual collaboration.
The kind of work you feel more than you see
The team contributed to environment art, asset production, and overall polish across different areas of the game. Not the flashy headline stuff. But the kind that shapes how the game feels moment to moment.
“Our work supports the player experience without pulling attention away from the story,” Clavio explains.
Think temple interiors and ruined battlefields. Small details that hint at what happened in a place before you got there. It’s subtle. But it adds up.
Staying true to God of War—even in 2D
Working on God of War comes with a certain weight. Fans know how this world is supposed to look and feel. So, even if Sons of Sparta shifts genres, the expectation doesn’t really change.
“We had to make sure it wasn’t just any retro pixel art game—it had to be a God of War pixel art game,” Clavio says.
That meant studying the details. How materials look. How lighting behaves. How environments guide you. And then translating all of that into something simpler—but still recognizable.
A team that knows when to hold back
One thing that stands out from the conversation is restraint. There’s an understanding that when you’re working on something like God of War, you don’t need to reinvent everything. You just need to get it right.
“When you’re working on something fans already love, your job is to enhance it—not reinvent it.”
That mindset shows up across the game. It respects what came before, but still finds space to do its own thing.
Small details, personal touches
There are also a few quiet nods tucked into the game. Nothing too obvious. Nothing that breaks immersion. But enough for the team to leave their mark.
“For our Filipino artists, it’s a point of pride knowing that a little piece of our culture helped shape a world millions of players will explore.”
It’s not something the game calls attention to. But it’s there.
Not just another spin-off
Sons of Sparta is easy to label as a side project. And sure, it kind of is.
But it’s also a good example of what happens when different teams come together with a clear understanding of what they’re building.
A more contained God of War game that still feels like it belongs. A different perspective on a familiar story. And a project where Filipino developers weren’t just involved. They were part of the process from the start.
It doesn’t try to be the biggest entry in the series. And honestly, it doesn’t need to be.
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