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The biggest game releases in 2025: From GTA 6 to Assassin's Creed: Shadows

The biggest game releases in 2025: From GTA 6 to Assassin's Creed: Shadows

Independent09-03-2025

If 2024 felt like a year without a major gaming release, then fear not, 2025 has undoubtedly the biggest game on its calendar – Grand Theft Auto 6.
And sure, while everyone's excited about Rockstar 's long-awaited sequel, there are also other big games to look forward to, including a new Assassin's Creed game, Dune Awakening and a Fable reboot.
Here are some of 2025's gaming highlights to look forward to across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and PC, with some rumours thrown in for good measure.
'Avowed'
Release date: 18 February 2025
Available platforms: Xbox Series X/S, PC
An Xbox console exclusive, Avowed has been described as a 'thoroughly old-fashioned' RP and has been delayed from 2024 to 18 February 2025. Developed by Obsidian Entertainment – the studio behind Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II and The Outer Worlds – Avowed is set in the same universe as Pillars of Eternity and can be played in both first-person and third-person perspective. It will feature a combination of melee and magic combat against men and beasts, so yes, think Skyrim.
'Monster Hunter Wilds'
2018's Monster Hunter World was a major breakthrough for Capcom's RPG series and introduced the title to a whole host of new players. Wilds looks set to continue the trend as the forthcoming release collected a whole heap of trophies at the Gamescom awards including Best Trailer, Most Epic and Most Entertaining. Monster Hunter Wilds arrives on 28 February 2025 for Xbox, PS5 and Steam.
'Assassin's Creed: Shadows'
Release date: 20 March 2025
Available platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
It's been over four years since the last huge mainline Assassin's Creed game - Valhalla was released in November 2020 just as the PS5 and Xbox Series consoles launched. In late 2023 Assassin's Creed: Mirage arrived as its own standalone game after it was scrapped as a Valhalla DLC but the title was overlooked by many.
Assassin's Creed: Shadows was originally set to be released in November of 2024 but has since been pushed back to 20 March 2025. Set in 16th century feudal Japan, the game will have two protagonists – Naoe, a female shinobi and Yasuke, a samurai who will play more like a tank character.
'Doom: The Dark Ages'
Release date: 2025
Available platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal are two of the best shooters of the past 10 years, so there's no reason to doubt why Doom: The Dark Ages shouldn't be just as brilliant, and absurd, and gory and horrific. The most striking detail about The Dark Ages is that it will serve as a prequel in which you experience the Doom Slayer's (Doomguy) origin story as he becomes the last hope of a kingdom fighting against the forces of Hell in a techno-medieval alternate universe. The game will be released on PlayStation 5, Windows and Xbox on May 15, 2025.
Release date: 2025
Available platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
The Borderlands movie hit cinemas in the summer of 2024 to drum up excitement for the fourth mainline instalment in the FPS series, except the movie flopped and everybody hated it. Fortunately, it was so forgettable that you likely forgot the film ever happened. The definitive looter shooter is set to be released on September 23, 2025. The date was confirmed at Sony's Sate of Play event in February. it will arrive in 2025 on Xbox, PS5 and PC.
'Call Of Duty'
Black Ops 6 was seen by many as a return to form for the series which has had diminishing returns since the fantastic Modern Warfare reboot in pre-pendemic 2019. Although Warzone was a phenomenon during the pandemic, the extremely negative response to the MW3 campaign left Activision with some love to rekindle and Black Ops 6 did that. Even better, many Xbox owners got the game on day one for free via Game Pass. This year's entry is rumoured to be a Black Ops 2 sequel (very confusing) and will likely once again land on PS5 and for free on Game Pass in Q4 2025.
'Death Stranding 2: On the Beach'
Release date: 2025
Available platforms: PS5
If you thought Death Stranding was weird then Death Stranding 2: On The Beach is likely to be even weirder. The sci-fi baby-shipping simulator from Hideo Kojima was originally a PlayStation exclusive in 2019 but was released on Xbox Series X/S in November 2024, so those who missed out the first time can now experience the fever dream adventure starring Norman Reedus and Mads Mikkelsen. DS2:OTB is set to drop at some point in 2025 for the PS5, a good guess is that it will probably be Q4, mirroring when Death Stranding originally released.
'Dune: Awakening'
Release date: Early 2025
Available platforms: PC
With two critically acclaimed Denis Villeneuve-directed Dune films in the can and a third presumingly on the way, there is clearly an appetite for Frank Herbert's Arrakis epic. Hopefully Funcom's Dune: Awakening can deliver that spice to those who crave it. Running on Unreal Engine 5, Dune Awakening is an open world survival MMO set on the most dangerous planet in the universe. Do you want to simply survive or do you want to conquer the entirety of Arrakis? That is up to you. The game is coming to PC in early 2025, but as of yet, there are no further details on the Xbox or PlayStation release window.
'Fable'
Release date: 2026
Available platforms: Xbox Series X/S, PC
Return to Albion for the first time in nearly 15 years as Xbox's beloved RPG makes a comeback. First mentioned back in 2017 by Head of Xbox Phil Spencer, this reboot is being handled by Playground Games - the studio behind the Forza Horizon series. Fable will be released in 2026 for Xbox and Microsoft Windows after it was taken off the calendar for this year on February 25 .
'Ghost of Yotei'
Release date: 2025
Available platforms: PS5
The much-anticipated sequel to the much-loved PS4 exclusive Ghost of Tsushima from 2020. Set during the first Mongol invasion of Japan, you played as Jin as you fought to protect Tsushima Island. Ghost of Yotei will take place more than 300 years after the first game, and the main protagonist will be Atsu, a female warrior who takes on the role of the titular 'Ghost'. Sucker Punch Productions has said Ghost of Yotei will give players more choice over narrative and the direction the story will go in based on the decisions you make. The release date of Ghost of Yotei is yet to be announced, but it's set to land on PlayStation at some point in 2025.
'GTA 6'
The big one: yes it's been delayed, yes it's been well over 10 years since GTA V, yes, we've only had one trailer and yes, it may even get delayed again, but it's still Grand Theft Auto.
As it stands, Rockstar's next entry in this behemoth of a series is set for sometime in the second half of 2025 on Xbox and PlayStation. All we really know is that it's set in a fictional version of Florida (back to Vice City) and there will be dual protagonists - Lucia and Jason.

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Games Inbox: Will Nintendo games ever come to PC?
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Games Inbox: Will Nintendo games ever come to PC?

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Beloved PlayStation and Xbox game played by 11 million closes forever in DAYS – Ubisoft is offering some a ‘full refund'
Beloved PlayStation and Xbox game played by 11 million closes forever in DAYS – Ubisoft is offering some a ‘full refund'

Scottish Sun

timea day ago

  • Scottish Sun

Beloved PlayStation and Xbox game played by 11 million closes forever in DAYS – Ubisoft is offering some a ‘full refund'

Team behind the title have already been let go END OF PLAY Beloved PlayStation and Xbox game played by 11 million closes forever in DAYS – Ubisoft is offering some a 'full refund' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MUCH-LOVED game is shutting down next week on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S after only a year. The free-to-play first person shooter had 11million players across the world at its height. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Ubisoft has already dished out refunds to some players Credit: Alamy 2 The team behind XDefiant were let go by Ubisoft after the game's closure was revealed Credit: Ubisoft Publisher Ubisoft - known for making Assassin's Creed - have given some users who made purchases a refund. The game in question is XDefiant, which was set in the Ubisoft universe with map locations based on several of the firm's biggest titles. It appears the decision to axe the title was because it failed to become profitable. "Many free-to-play games take a long time to find their footing and become profitable," Mark Rubin, the game's executive producer said. "It's a long journey that Ubisoft and the teams working on the game were prepared to make until very recently. "But unfortunately, the journey became too much to sensibly continue." He also tweeted in April that the whole team behind it were laid off. New downloads and purchases were already blocked in December when news of XDefiant's closure was first announced. Existing users have been able to continue playing on PlayStation, Xbox and PC but now the final nail in the coffin is here. Ubisoft is switching off the servers on Tuesday ending the game forever. PS5 owners can slash gaming bills with a two-tap trick that takes seconds – but two other hacks also save you money Fans have shared their sadness on social media. "Man this game was so fun, its sad to see it go so early, already have nostalgic feelings," one person wrote on Reddit. Another commented: "Thank you xDefiant for bringing me back to fps-arcade shooters and actually having a fun game." Ubisoft is offering a full refund to anyone who bought a Ultimate Founders Pack. OTHER GAME CLOSURES COMING UP Here's what to watch out for... The First Descendant - June 19 Black Desert - June 26 Resident Evil ReVerse - June 29 Madden NFL 21 - June 30 Arizona Sunshine - July 1 Skyworld - July 1 Danmachi Battle Chronicle - September 29 WWE 2K24 - September 30 Madden NFL 22 - October 20 PGA Tour 2K21 - October 30 NBA 2K24 - December 31 Image credit: Alamy Those who bought a VC or DLC since November 3, 2024, will also be fully refunded. These refunds should have already been automatically processed. See the full list of purchases eligible for refund below: XDefiant Gold Pack XDefiant Starter Pack DLC XDefiant Combat Pack DLC XDefiant VC Pack - 500 XCoins XDefiant VC Pack - 1000 XCoins XDefiant VC Pack - 2100 XCoins XDefiant VC Pack - 5750 XCoins XDefiant VC Pack - 12000 XCoins

Beloved PlayStation and Xbox game played by 11 million closes forever in DAYS – Ubisoft is offering some a ‘full refund'
Beloved PlayStation and Xbox game played by 11 million closes forever in DAYS – Ubisoft is offering some a ‘full refund'

The Sun

timea day ago

  • The Sun

Beloved PlayStation and Xbox game played by 11 million closes forever in DAYS – Ubisoft is offering some a ‘full refund'

A MUCH-LOVED game is shutting down next week on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S after only a year. The free-to-play first person shooter had 11million players across the world at its height. 2 2 Publisher Ubisoft - known for making Assassin's Creed - have given some users who made purchases a refund. The game in question is XDefiant, which was set in the Ubisoft universe with map locations based on several of the firm's biggest titles. It appears the decision to axe the title was because it failed to become profitable. "Many free-to-play games take a long time to find their footing and become profitable," Mark Rubin, the game's executive producer said. "It's a long journey that Ubisoft and the teams working on the game were prepared to make until very recently. "But unfortunately, the journey became too much to sensibly continue." He also tweeted in April that the whole team behind it were laid off. New downloads and purchases were already blocked in December when news of XDefiant's closure was first announced. Existing users have been able to continue playing on PlayStation, Xbox and PC but now the final nail in the coffin is here. Ubisoft is switching off the servers on Tuesday ending the game forever. PS5 owners can slash gaming bills with a two-tap trick that takes seconds – but two other hacks also save you money Fans have shared their sadness on social media. "Man this game was so fun, its sad to see it go so early, already have nostalgic feelings," one person wrote on Reddit. Another commented: "Thank you xDefiant for bringing me back to fps-arcade shooters and actually having a fun game." Ubisoft is offering a full refund to anyone who bought a Ultimate Founders Pack. OTHER GAME CLOSURES COMING UP Here's what to watch out for... The First Descendant - June 19 Black Desert - June 26 Resident Evil ReVerse - June 29 Madden NFL 21 - June 30 Arizona Sunshine - July 1 Skyworld - July 1 Danmachi Battle Chronicle - September 29 WWE 2K24 - September 30 Madden NFL 22 - October 20 PGA Tour 2K21 - October 30 NBA 2K24 - December 31 Image credit: Alamy Those who bought a VC or DLC since November 3, 2024, will also be fully refunded. These refunds should have already been automatically processed. See the full list of purchases eligible for refund below: XDefiant Gold Pack XDefiant Starter Pack DLC XDefiant Combat Pack DLC XDefiant VC Pack - 500 XCoins XDefiant VC Pack - 1000 XCoins XDefiant VC Pack - 2100 XCoins XDefiant VC Pack - 5750 XCoins XDefiant VC Pack - 12000 XCoins WHY ARE GAMES CLOSING DOWN? By Jamie Harris, Assistant Technology and Science Editor at The Sun With most games online these days, tech companies need to maintain quite hefty servers to manage everything. It's no cheap business to operate with millions of gamers across the world. Naturally, people move on, leaving older games behind in the process. There comes a point where it's no longer viable to continue offering server access so studios shut them down. For some games that are entirely online this can render it completely useless. But others may have a way for you to continue playing solo still. You should usually see a prominent notification in the game warning you with instructions on what to do - provided you're still playing the game of course.

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