Games to Watch 2025 - Open World
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 open worlds that will entertain us this year.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Crazy premise? Check. Bonkers trailer? Check. Celebrity actors who have no idea what’s going on? Check. Well, it must be a Kojima game then. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach should hit late this year and god knows what to expect this time around. The original game seemed to split opinions right down the middle. Some enjoyed playing the post-apocalyptic postie while others found it an absolute drag.
I expect that split to continue with the release of the sequel because there is one thing we are all sure of, a Kojima game is not going to be like anything else available. Fans should get ready to jump into this one in the back half of the year, but it is also a game that could easily slip into 2026.
Assassin's Creed: Shadows
The Assassin’s Creed franchise just keeps on rolling and now more than ever, Ubisoft needs their biggest hit to fire. After being delayed from 2024, it is clear that Ubi needs the Brotherhood to be a success, especially after a year where the French publisher copped an absolute pasting with two of their big titles.
The good news is that Shadows is looking great. A return to the open-world RPG stylings of Origins and Odyssey, Shadows is also giving fans something they have been asking for, a game set in Japan. Here’s hoping that Ubisoft gets the balance right and doesn’t head down the overstuffed road the Valhalla walked. If they can do that, I am sure it will place Ubisoft on the path to redemption. Assassin’s Creed: Shadows launches on the 14th of Feb.
Monster Hunter Wilds
After the breakout mainstream hit Capcom had with Monster Hunter Worlds, it is no wonder why so many are hyped for Monster Hunter Wilds. Taking the venerable franchise to the masses has to be considered one of Capcom’s biggest success stories (and they have had quite a few of those lately) and Wilds is looking to really capitalise on that.
There are some fantastic new systems like AI companions to assist new players, weapon suggestion systems and mounts, that all help newer hunters join the fold without putting off the veterans. The game is also looking stunning, with Wilds really taking advantage of the ever-versatile RE Engine. I have a feeling this is a game that is going to consume many a life when it lands on the 28th of Feb.
Ghost of Yotei
After the success of Ghost of Tsushima on PS4/5 and later PC it is no surprise that Sony is heading back to Japan for round 2. Ghost of Yotei is set in the 1600s, quite a time after the events of Tsushima, and focuses on a new protagonist Atsu, a female Samurai setting out to protect her land.
We don’t know much else than that at this stage which makes me think it is launching at the backend of the year, but we do know it looks stunning. The reveal trailer shows that the devs have clearly taken advantage of the extra power of the PS5 and it will obviously come with PS5 Pro enhancements at launch.
Grand Theft Auto 6
What needs to be said about Grand Theft Auto 6? Will it be the biggest game of the year? Without a doubt. Will it be an amazing open-world experience? Almost certainly. Will it upset parent groups across the globe? More than likely. Will it even come out in 2025? Not so sure on that one.
Look, GTA is going to be huge. There is no escaping that. If the game is launched this year watch as every single other game that is due to be released around the same time runs for cover by moving their release dates. There is simply nothing in entertainment, any medium, that compares to what a GTA launch does. I still think this is going to slip into 2026, but it had to be included on this list just in case.
