This year’s rankings from PC Gamer reveal an intriguing landscape of gaming excellence, particularly highlighted by the absence of several anticipated titles from the Game of the Year conversation. Notably missing from the list are acclaimed games such as Elden Ring Nightreign, Battlefield 6, Europa Universalis 5, Arc Raiders, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. While these titles garnered favorable reviews, they fell short of the stringent threshold set at 89% and above.
Among these, Clair Obscur stirred the most debate with its 70% rating—a score that, while still a recommendation, did not reflect the high praise it received from various quarters, including some of PC Gamer’s own writers. Battlefield 6 achieved an 82%, and Arc Raiders earned an 86%. To secure a truly exceptional score, a game must resonate deeply with a reviewer, compelling them to advocate passionately, even against editorial scrutiny questioning whether it truly merits a 92% or higher.
89%
90%
- Halls of Torment*: “Halls of Torment assembles the Frankenstein parts of Diablo and Vampire Survivors into something brilliantly all its own.”
- Thank Goodness You’re Here*: “A gleefully anarchic treasure trove of jokes and skits, TGYH is the funniest game I’ve played.”
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2: “A big, bold, unutterably weird thing, and it’s a new RPG classic.”
- Keep Driving: “Great characters, challenging resource management, and impeccable road trip vibes.”
- The Alters: “Wildly unpredictable but always enjoyable, The Alters is a masterclass in high-tension gaming.”
- Hollow Knight: Silksong: “Silksong can be ruthless, but it’s hard to pry yourself away from its haunted little world that never seems to end.”
- Silent Hill f: “An excellent next step for this accomplished horror series, proving that the horrors of Silent Hill aren’t and shouldn’t be restricted to the iconic American mountain town.”
- Keeper: “A gorgeous little package of tightly designed puzzles and cerebral platforming that showcases what makes Double Fine’s games so uniquely special.”
91%
92%
- Nine Sols*: “A masterful metroidvania that builds on Sekiro-style combat and tells a great sci-fi story too. Unmissable.”
- Blue Prince: “This elaborate and elegant strategy adventure is one of the best puzzle games in years.”
- Abiotic Factor: “An unforgettable interdimensional odyssey with you and your closest friends.”
94%
- Promise Mascot Agency: “The least amicable city council meeting you’ve ever attended and probably the best game you’ll play this year.”
*Released in 2024, but reviewed in 2025.
