2025 PRE-RELEASE VIDEO GAMES

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD

Release date: Jan. 16 Where to play: Nintendo Switch

When Donkey Kong Country Returns first came out in 2010, it was the first DK Country game not to involve developer Rare, and it came as some relief to fans that Retro Studios’ installment of the classic platformer series felt fresh and fun. It may not be the Wii game you were expecting to get an HD Nintendo Switch version, but it’s still worth checking out, especially if you never had the chance to play it back in 2010.

Synduality Echo of Ada

Release date: Jan. 23 Where to play: PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox Series X

Do you like sci-fi? What about mechs?

If so, this extraction shooter is one to watch.

You’ll explore the world of Amasia alongside your AI partner in search of rare resources, taking on strange creatures and other players in the process.

Sniper Elite: Resistance

Release date: Jan. 30 Where to play: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X

Meaning no disrespect to the older Sniper Elite games, it’s pretty impressive the way this series has just kept getting better with every new entry.

The latest, Sniper Elite: Resistance, will bring the series’ trademark stealth and sniping gameplay to Nazi-occupied France, where players will join the resistance.

Civilization 7

Release date: Feb. 11 Where to play: Mac, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X

The latest instalment in the popular strategy franchise, Civilization 7 makes some bold changes to the familiar gameplay — including the introduction of three Ages to represent different eras of civilization.

Changes aside, it’ll likely still have you up until all hours taking “just one more turn.”

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

Release date: Feb. 4 Where to play: PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox Series X

With Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, developer Warhorse Studios plans to deliver on the fantasy of role-playing a 15th-century Bohemian warrior with the reality of a life simulation.

Players don’t just engage in first-person medieval warfare; they need to sleep, eat, and train for visceral sword-based combat.

The original Kingdom Come: Deliverance is a fan-favourite smash hit, and the sequel looks to go even bigger.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Release date: Feb. 14 Where to play: Mac, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox Series X

Pretty much for the entire run of the series, Assassin’s Creed fans have had one request: a game set in feudal Japan.

That game, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, is finally out in 2025, bringing literal years of clamoring to a close.

You’ll play as two protagonists, swapping between the fictional assassin Naoe and the nonfictional samurai Yasuke, with stealth- or combat-focused gameplay respectively.

Though Shadows was initially planned for a late 2024 release, developers cited "the need for additional polish". All told, Shadows could be the biggest Assassin’s Creed in years.

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage

Release date: Feb. 18 Where to play: PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox Series X

Don’t Nod’s Lost Records: Bloom & Rage seems to have a lot of what made Life Is Strange and Life Is Strange 2 special: a heartfelt, complex story about teenagers.

This time, the studio is taking on a mid-’90s group of friends — in a band — and adding a supernatural mystery to the mix.

It looks like it’ll blend both the past and the present to create a woven narrative.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

Release date: Feb. 21 Where to play: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth was a real favourite game of 2024, a colossal open-world RPG that doubled as a conclusion of sorts and starting point for the long-running franchise.

Its story felt like meeting eclectic weirdos on a flight to Hawaii and then deciding to spend your entire vacation hanging out with your new best friends.

One thing to note: the game features turn-based combat, which isn’t everyone’s bag.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii offers an alternative for folks who want the Hawaiian adventure, but prefer to spend time mashing buttons as they pulverize baddies.

Same beautiful setting. Same charming storytelling. - But now you get a sword and naval combat!