The Best Steam Games Released in 2025

Continuing our analysis, we've already discussed the Best Free-to-Play Games and now we'll talk about the new Steam games that most hyped players. Games, both free and paid, that players have tried and approved. If you're looking for something new, something different, but without risking spending your money on something that isn't good, this list will help you find your next game. And if you have any questions, leave a comment.

A 2D shoot-'em-up game made with clay art and animated through stop-motion, developed and published by the indie studio Claymatic Games, led by original creator Anthony Flack.

User reception has been overwhelmingly positive, with predominantly favorable reviews on platforms like Steam and Metacritic, where many praise the visual update, balanced gameplay, and the nostalgia of this classic's return, highlighting the continued fun, adjusted difficulty, and appeal to both longtime fans and newcomers.

It was released on September 18, 2025, for various platforms, including PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox, as a complete overhaul of the 2002 classic Platypus. The game features recreated 4K models and environments, new weapons, enemies, and game modes, while maintaining the fast-paced, arcade-style action that characterized the original.

A frenetic first-person action game created by solo developer and YouTuber Blargis, officially released on September 22, 2025 for PC via Steam. In it, you take on the role of a vampire who uses the blood of enemies to boost speed, abilities, and parkour through dark dungeons and castles. The gameplay combines fast-paced melee combat with fluid movement, encouraging the exploration of shortcuts and branching paths.

The focus on momentum keeps the experience fast-paced, ideal for those who enjoy challenges and speedruns. User reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the fluidity of the controls and the intensity of the combat. Bloodthief stood out among the indie games of 2025 for its blend of brutal action and fast pace, winning over a dedicated community.

This is a stop-motion mining adventure game developed by Talha and Jack Co. in partnership with J. King-Spooner and Talha Kaya, and released on July 31, 2025 for PC via Steam. In the game you control Mashina, a friendly mining robot who explores a mysterious underground world in search of minerals, which it then uses to help its small robot community rebuild and thrive.

The gameplay is divided between exploring caves in 2D, collecting resources and building useful machines, and exploring the surface in a more open 3D world, completing quests, meeting other characters, and customizing the environment. Aesthetics are a central focus of the project, with everything handcrafted using real materials and animated frame by frame before being converted into the game.

Users praise the art style and the chill pace of the experience, describing the game as relaxing and full of charm. While not everyone considers the gameplay innovative, the blend of exploration, building, and narrative has captivated many fans of indie games and handcrafted aesthetics.

A point-and-click adventure and puzzle game made by the Irish indie studio Beyond the Bark, released on October 2, 2025 for PC via Steam. In it, you guide a small mechanical mouse made of wood through a maze full of locked doors, ambient puzzles, and hidden dangers, always searching for a way out to a happier place. The game's unique feature lies in its presentation, as all the animations were created using real stop-motion animation, filmed in physical sets with over 500 different clips.

The handcrafted aesthetic creates an immersive and sometimes tense atmosphere, blending calmness with darker moments as you progress. Users generally praise the unique visuals and the feeling of manipulating a handmade world, resulting in an experience that many describe as charming and immersive. Although some point out slightly sluggish controls in certain stages, the execution and art style have drawn attention and given the game a good reception in the indie community.

A first-person horror experience inspired by classic 90s dungeon crawlers, developed by WildArts Games and published by Black Lantern Collective. It was originally released for PC via Steam on August 27, 2025, before later arriving on consoles like PS5 and Xbox Series. The story takes place in an abandoned alchemist's tower in 16th-century France, where you explore dark corridors, solve puzzles, and confront macabre creatures with limited resources.

The game uses an unusual control scheme to enhance the feeling of vulnerability and evoke memories of classic games, while also offering alternative options for keyboard or controller. The setting is heavy and tense, combining a dark atmosphere, puzzles, and a bit of survival, all in a relatively short package. User reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the immersion and old-school style of the title.

A first-person horror game focused on melee combat, created and published by independent developer David Szymanski, known for games like Dusk and Iron Lung. Released on January 23, 2025 for PC via Steam, the game puts you in the shoes of a disturbed character who goes to an isolated cabin in Butcher's Creek, Pennsylvania, in search of supposed snuff tapes, only to be captured by a cult of torturers and forced to fight for his life.

The gameplay revolves around using improvised weapons like knives, hammers, and pickaxes to confront brutal enemies in dark and claustrophobic settings in the middle of an Appalachian forest. The atmosphere is gritty and heavy, mixing explicit violence with a visual style reminiscent of old films and classic horror games. Users on Steam praise the aesthetics and dense atmosphere, describing the combat and environments as immersive and intense. Despite the praise, some comment that the experience is relatively short, but overall, player reception has been very positive.

A first-person dungeon crawler created by developer J.R. Hudepohl and published by Top Hat Studios, released on May 13, 2025 for PC and various consoles. The setting blends folklore and mythology from feudal Japan with survival horror elements, placing you in the role of a lone soldier searching for the demon who betrayed his lord.

The game's retro vision uses PS1-style graphics with dark filters and textures, reinforcing the claustrophobic feeling of the catacombs. Its gameplay demands resource management, brutal combat with swords and ancient weapons, and exploration of a labyrinth full of secrets and horrifying creatures. Players face oppressive environments, puzzles, and choices that can change their fate as they pursue the Demon King. Despite mixed reviews and praise, many comment that the intense atmosphere and retro design are the title's biggest draws.

An atmospheric adventure game developed and published by Giant Squid, released on August 19, 2025 for PC and PlayStation 5. In it, you control the Wraith, an entity that surfs through sandy landscapes on constant waves using a "hoversword", in a mix of surfing, skateboarding, and snowboarding, while exploring ancient ruins and trying to restore a lost ocean. The gameplay focuses on fluid movement and a sense of speed, encouraging tricks, exploration of environments, and solving small puzzles.

The scenery changes as you progress, transforming deserts into vibrant seas and revealing traces of ancient cultures hidden beneath the sand. Creative direction is by Matt Nava, known for titles like Journey and The Pathless, giving the game a strong visual identity and meditative narrative. User reviews highlight the striking aesthetic and sense of flow during exploration, with overwhelmingly positive ratings on platforms like Steam.