Every year, dozens of games are released that go virtually unnoticed. You've probably heard of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 or No, I'm Not a Human, but you might have missed other interesting titles in their genres. We're covering them in this article.
Tormented Souls 2
- Release date: October 23, 2025;
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series;
- Co-op: no.
A survival horror game styled after the first installments of Resident Evil and Silent Hill. Fans of the genre will love it, especially those who enjoy classic 90s horror. Tormented Souls 2 features a static camera, powerful monsters, and challenging puzzles. Even the awkward controls feel like a tribute to the classics.
What kind of horror games do you like the most?
Absolum
- Release date: October 9, 2025;
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PS5, Nintendo Switch;
- Co-op: yes.
A hybrid of old-school beat'em up and modern roguelite in a classic fantasy setting with a pleasant cartoonish look. There are several fighters to choose from, each with their own weapons and unique combat tactics. Absolum can be played in co-op mode with friends.
The Drifter
- Release date: July 17, 2025;
- Platforms: PC;
- Co-op: no.
While Tormented Souls 2 will appeal to fans of classic horror games, The Drifter is designed for fans of '90s adventure games in the vein of those released by LucasArts. And I'm not just talking about the gameplay, but also the visuals, with their pleasing pixel art. The Drifter offers a dark neo-noir atmosphere and a high-quality storyline that blends mysticism and science fiction.
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Skate Story
- Release date: December 8, 2025;
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2;
- Co-op: no.
Skate Story isn't a classic skateboarding simulator, but a surreal adventure in which you'll visit other worlds. For example, in one level, your hero will find himself in hell, trying to save tormented souls, defeat demons, and challenge the devil himself. Your main weapon here remains the skateboard, which you need to ride quickly and perform spectacular tricks.
Skin Deep
- Release date: April 30, 2025;
- Platforms: PC;
- Co-op: no.
A non-linear shooter set on a large starship. There are many enemies, and defeating them in open combat will be difficult. But you can flank them, sabotage them, and much more. Skin Deep will surely appeal to fans of immersive sims in the spirit of System Shock, Deus Ex, and Prey.
Shotgun Cop Man
- Release date: May 1, 2025;
- Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch;
- Co-op: no.
A curious hybrid of Super Meat Boy and Hotline Miami, where it's important not only to overcome obstacles but also to shoot accurately. Battles against demons and truly challenging challenges with ingenious traps await you. After completing the main campaign, you can try to complete it with special conditions, such as killing all enemies in a location or completing all objectives within the allotted time. Shotgun Cop Man also features an excellent editor that allows you to create your own levels.
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The Midnight Walk
- Release date: May 8, 2025;
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5;
- Co-op: no.
An atmospheric adventure set in a creepy fantasy world, vaguely reminiscent of Tim Burton's cartoons like The Nightmare Before Christmas or Frankenweenie. The entire environment was hand-sculpted from clay and then digitally rendered. This gives The Midnight Walk a unique style. The local monsters, meanwhile, evoke terror with their strange, unnatural appearance. Fighting them in open combat isn't an option—you're left to run, hide, or try to outsmart them.
Ball x Pit
- Release date: October 15, 2025;
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2;
- Co-op: no.
A roguelike with shoot-em-up and strategy elements. In Ball x Pit, you'll combine various weapons to create the most effective build that will allow you to defeat all enemies in your path, including challenging bosses. Between battles, you'll need to build a base — it can be used to obtain valuable resources and pleasant bonuses for your hero. The result is a great hybrid of genres, in which individual mechanics complement each other.
Lessaria: Fantasy Kingdom Sim
- Release date: October 20, 2025;
- Platforms: PC;
- Co-op: no.
A real-time strategy game with indirect control that positions itself as the spiritual successor to the Majesty: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim (2000). In Lessaria: Fantasy Kingdom Sim, you don't give orders to your heroes, but rather set conditions that motivate them to act in your interests. It's important to properly level them up, warn them of dangers, and heal them when necessary. Also worth noting is the presence of a tactical pause, which will help avoid stupid mistakes during battles, and the ability to speed up time to skip routine processes and quickly get to the most interesting parts.
Chip 'n Clawz vs. The Brainioids
- Release date: August 26, 2025;
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series;
- Co-op: yes.
An interesting hybrid of third-person action and real-time strategy with pleasing graphics reminiscent of modern cartoons. To survive in the crazy world of Chip 'n Clawz vs. The Brainioids, you need not only accurate shooting but also base building and skillfully manage a squad of allies. You'll battle evil brains in jars in single-player or co-op modes. Or you can challenge your friends and defeat them on the virtual battlefield.
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Amidst the big releases of 2025, it's easy to miss interesting projects. Some deserve attention thanks to their unusual ideas, unconventional approaches, and simply high-quality gameplay. Don't miss these hidden gems—they might just become your biggest discoveries of the year!
Which games from our selection did you enjoy? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Which games from our selection have you already played?
Ermolaev Alexey