2025’s 10 Best Games Dropped Early And Already Setting The Bar

Some things never change, and the best games still save their debut for year’s end. And in 2025, we’ve been lucky

enough to try many of them early through demos, betas and early access.

Here’s what should be on your radar as 2025 wraps up.

1. MARVEL’S DEADPOOL VR

With frantic combat, twisted humour, and a healthy dose of parkour, Deadpool VR packs in everything fans love about the movies—now made for your face.

Platforms: Meta Quest 3, Meta Quest 3S

Release Date: November 18, 2025

2. FINAL FANTASY TACTICS: THE IVALICE CHRONICLES

A remaster of one of the greatest games ever, Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles features improved graphics, full voice acting, modernised UI, improved gameplay, and the option to switch between enhanced and classic modes.

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S

Release Date: September 30, 2025

3. ANNO 117 PAX ROMANA

How often do you think about the Roman Empire? The devs behind Anno 117 clearly do. Their latest city-building saga takes you straight to ancient Rome this November.

Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S

Release Date: November 13, 2025

4. DEMONSCHOOL

Blending Persona-style depth with vintage Italian horror flair, this indie tactical role-playing game carves out a style all its own. After that promising demo, we’re eager to see what’s next.

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S

Release Date: November 19, 2025

5. THE OUTER WORLDS 2

The follow-up to 2019’s art decoinspired anti-corporatocracy simulator packs in punchier combat and expanded traversal

options. Add a seemingly deeper story, and you’ve got a supersized adventure.

Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S

Release Date: October 29, 2025

6. MINA THE HOLLOWER

Launched with Game Boy Color vibes and razor-sharp controls, this action-adventure gem is easily one of the indie highlights of the season.

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S

Release Date: October 31, 2025

7. GHOST OF YOTEI

Whether you’re running foes through with a spear or beheading them with a katana, violence in Ghost of Yotei isn’t just a means to an end. It’s an art form that tells a tale of vengeance few games can match.

Platforms: PS5

Release Date: October 2, 2025

8. EA SPORTS FC 26

While the franchise formerly known as FIFA keeps chugging along, it’s lost some of its shine along with its old name, thanks to less-than-impressive updates. Still, improved dribbling, smarter AI positioning, and “more explosive” movement, along with the usual wealth of modes, show there’s some life in the series yet.

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S

Release Date: September 26, 2025

9. POKEMON LEGENDS: Z-A

With its open world, real-time battles and single-city focus, Pokémon Legends: Z-A proves to be the evolution the long-running series needed, and we’re here for it.

Platforms: Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2

Release Date: October 16, 2025

10 BATTLEFIELD 6

With its tight gameplay, stunning visuals, and the sheer spectacle of leveling entire buildings on your foes, Battlefield 6 delivers exactly what the beta promised, plus a slick single-player campaign.

Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S

Release Date: October 10, 2025

To read more stories from Esquire India's November 2025 issue, pick up a copy of the magazine from your nearest newspaper stand or bookstore. Or click here to subscribe to the magazine.