Games to Watch 2025 - Action
It is that time of year when we look ahead to see what is coming. With that in mind, Matt has taken a look at the upcoming slate to see which games from each genre deserve to be watched closely. The reasons to watch these games may be varied and these lists are by no means comprehensive, but all games mentioned at least deserve to be kept in your mind as they head towards release.
Let’s now dive into the Action games that you should keep an eye on.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
Goro Majima is taking the lead role in the latest game from the Like a Dragon Franchise, and I, for one, couldn’t be happier. It has been too long since we last spent some time with the Mad Dog of Kamorucho, but now we are getting a whole game based on his (likely mental) exploits. Apparently, Majima has woken up on an island near Hawaii with amnesia, so he decides to take up a life of Piracy in order to protect the people who helped him.
The gameplay is certainly on the action side of the franchise, forgoing the turn-based RPG gameplay of Infinite Wealth for the more traditional action focus seen in the original Yakuza games. But along with the fisty cuffs will be naval combat that looks to be an absolute blast. It is sure to be crazy, it is sure to be weird, but I will bet it is sure to be a load of fun too. Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii sets sail on the 21st of Feb
Mafia: The Old Country
The Mafia franchise is back but this time players get to see how the organised crime family got started in the early 1900s. Based in Sicily, The Old Country is looking to do what all the Mafia games have done and that is tell a cool organised crime story while letting players live out their Don Corleone fantasies.
What makes me even more excited about the Old Country is the fact the devs have said the game is a linear experience, forgoing the troubled open-world style of Mafia 3. This is a smart move because the open world has always been the weakest part in any of the Mafia games. By focusing on story and gameplay as opposed to random, repetitive activities I have no doubt that this will be the best Mafia game yet. We have no release date, but I expect this one late in the year.
Dynasty Warriors: Origins
The Muso genre is one that has long been bubbling away in the background with a dedicated group of fans, yet it has never seemed to break into the mainstream out here in the West. That may well change with Dynasty Warriors: Origins because it seems to me that the devs are really lifting their game this time around.
Using the power of the newer consoles, Origins can have up to 10000 enemies on screen at any one time, taking the whole concept of “1 V an army” to the next level. There are also more strategic and RPG additions to the game that should add much-needed depth. Finally, there are expanded customisation options to allow players to set weapons, attacks and looks to suit their own personal playstyle. Will Origins be the game to bring Dynasty Warriors to the masses? We will find out when the game launches on the 17th of January.
Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodlines 2
Yes, I am putting this in a games-to-watch list once again, but this time something is different. Instead of the RPG list, it is going in the action list. Why? Well, all reports state that after the original developers were dropped, the focus of the game has changed from a deep RPG to something more akin to Dishonord, which given the IP, seems like a good fit.
I am not sure that this game will be good, but it has sure been interesting to watch the development cycle, Will Bloodlines 2 bomb? Chances are high, but at the same time, stranger things have happened. After all Dead Island 2 finally arrived and turned out to be a bloody good time. I am hoping that Bloodlines 2 can defy the odds and stick the landing when it arrives, probably mid-year sometime.
South of Midnight
I have to say, until the full reveal at last year’s Xbox showcase, I wasn’t really interested in South of Midnight. I hadn’t really enjoyed the developer’s previous games and I just wasn’t sure if it was going to be for me. All that changed when I got a good look at what was coming and now I am all in.
The style and the setting are so unique that South of Midnight immediately stands out from the pack. It feels like a videogame version of a Tim Burton stop-motion movie and I love that. The gameplay looks to back up the style as well, with a host of adventuring, puzzles and combat on offer. This has a real chance to be a sleeper hit for Xbox when it lands later this year, expect to find out more at the next Xbox event.
