Ubisoft shares have fallen by as much as 35% after the cancellation of six upcoming games and the restructuring of the company, which includes layoffs and the closure of two studios.
Ubisoft has announced a comprehensive organizational and operational reset, which includes the cancellation of six in-development projects, notably the Prince of Persia: Sands of Time remake. This remake, initially unveiled in 2020, has faced development challenges and is now shelved indefinitely. The company's strategic pivot is a response to changes in the gaming industry, focusing on open-world games and "Games as a Service" (GaaS) experiences, supported by investments in generative AI. Ubisoft has created "Creative Houses" for dedicated teams to enhance brand focus and streamline development. Despite the cancellations, Ubisoft is developing four new intellectual properties, including March of Giants. Additionally, seven upcoming titles have been delayed, with speculation surrounding the remake of Assassin's Creed: Black Flag and other potential candidates like The Division 3 and the remake of Splinter Cell.
Torchlight Infinite has gained attention in the action role-playing game (ARPG) genre with its latest season, Vorax, which introduces features such as custom monster cultivation for arena battles, a 'grafting' system for unique gear creation, and a new hero variant, Vendetta Erika, who operates as an agile assassin. The update also includes new spellcasting mechanics and endgame bosses, alongside a comprehensive UI overhaul aimed at improving aesthetics and readability. On January 17, the game achieved a peak concurrent player count of 23,715 on Steam, surpassing its previous launch high, with an additional 7,600 players on the Chinese client.
The author initially lost interest in Marathon due to its challenges and competition from Arc Raiders, but recent updates, including enhanced visuals and the introduction of Runner Shells, have rekindled their enthusiasm. The Runner Shells are highly customizable, offering more flexibility than traditional hero selections in other games. Various Runner Shells, such as Destroyer, Assassin, Recon, Vandal, Triage, and Thief, have unique abilities inspired by Destiny, with Thief particularly appealing for its loot-gathering capabilities. The author expresses optimism about Marathon's potential and intends to engage with the game at launch.
Assassin's Creed Chronicles India celebrates its tenth anniversary, while Lost Planet turns 18.
Discounts for Nintendo Switch include:
- Crisis Core: FF7 Reunion (-45%)
- Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope (-35%)
- Diablo III Eternal Collection (-27%)
- Hot Wheels Unleashed (-85%)
- This War of Mine Complete Edition (-90%)
Discounts for Xbox include:
- Assassin's Creed Mirage (-69%)
- Persona 5 Royal (-51%)
- Star Wars Jedi Survivor (-63%)
- Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate (-32%)
- Star Wars Squadrons (-38%)
- For Xbox One: Dishonored 2 (-77%), Spyro Reignited Trilogy (-37%), Diablo III Eternal Collection (-59%)
Discounts for PlayStation include:
- Ghost of Yotei (-13%)
- Spider-Man: Miles Morales (-48%)
- Elden Ring (-53%)
- Returnal (-43%)
- Tekken 8 (-45%)
- For PS4: BioShock Collection (-57%), Persona 5 Strikers (-58%), Batman: Arkham Collection (-90%)
Discounts for PC include:
- Pacific Drive (-60%)
- South Park: The Fractured but Whole (-70%)
- SteamWorld Dig 2 (-94%)
- A Plague Tale: Innocence (-80%)
- Little Nightmares Complete Edition (-75%)
LEGO deals include:
- Minecraft: The Creeper (-29%)
- 3in1 Wild Animals Panda (-35%)
- V-19 Torrent Starfighter (-30%)
- Balrog Book Nook (-25%)
The Souls-like genre saw a release of 371 titles in 2024, marking a 41% year-over-year growth, with 207 games tagged as Souls-like by October 2025. Best-selling titles include Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (41.3 million copies), Elden Ring (40.6 million), and Monster Hunter: World (35 million). AAA developers generated approximately 75% of Souls-like revenue on Steam by 2024. Souls-like games represent about 4-5% of all titles on Steam. The APAC region accounts for 80% of all Souls-like projects and 97% of total revenue as of 2025. Chinese players make up 47% of the audience for top Souls-like games on Steam, followed by the US at 23%. Most AAA titles in the genre are priced between .99 and .99.
The Outer Worlds 2 is a sequel that builds on its predecessor's foundations, featuring impactful decision-making and refined gameplay. Set in a different galaxy, players take on the role of an agent of the Earth Directorate, tasked with investigating catastrophic rifts threatening the galaxy, particularly the Arcadia colony. The game critiques hyper-capitalism while being developed under Microsoft, incorporating satirical elements. Players' choices significantly influence gameplay, with character builds affecting the narrative and challenges faced. The revamped flaws system introduces both positive and negative effects based on player actions, encouraging exploration. The game features expertly crafted quests that intertwine with the main storyline, leading to unique outcomes. Companions add emotional depth to the experience, each with distinct personalities. While initial planets showcase engaging quests, later areas feel less vibrant, and combat lacks depth, often becoming repetitive. The crafting system allows for customization but may not be fully utilized due to the game's ease. Performance is strong, running smoothly on high-end hardware. Overall, The Outer Worlds 2 emphasizes meaningful player choices but reveals a need for improved combat mechanics.
Playing PC games on an Android device using GameHub and GameNative is legal and does not involve questionable workarounds. Game emulation for older systems and retro consoles is different and may have legality issues. GameHub and GameNative are recommended methods for playing games on Android, with GameHub being the best all-rounder. Tweaking settings may be necessary for optimal performance. Android handhelds have advantages over x86 gaming handhelds but may not be a proper replacement yet. The future for PC gaming on Android looks promising as more development is being done in this area.
As 2025 draws to a close, the PC gaming landscape has flourished with a diverse array of titles. Notable games include:
1. INAZUMA ELEVEN: Victory Road - A football RPG with a vibrant anime aesthetic and extensive replayability.
2. Dispatch - A humorous superhero adventure featuring a charming cast and an engaging narrative.
3. Hades 2 - A roguelike action-RPG sequel known for its captivating story and unique art style.
4. The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered - An enhanced version of the original game, offering an unforgettable narrative experience.
5. Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter - An action-packed JRPG with compelling characters and intricate combat.
6. Absolum - A roguelike game featuring thrilling combat against the Crimson Order.
7. Clair Obscur Expedition - An award-winning game with a beautifully crafted world and character-driven narratives.
8. Hollow Knight: Silksong - A sequel where players explore an expansive world with fresh combat mechanics.
9. Blue Prince - A puzzle game that challenges players with mental puzzles to secure an inheritance.
10. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 - An RPG sequel with a vast map and engaging quests.
11. ARC Raiders - An extraction shooter known for its community-driven experience.
12. Assassin’s Creed Shadows - Set in feudal Japan, featuring unique characters and stunning environments.
13. Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth - An enhanced PC version of the classic narrative with improved gameplay mechanics.
14. Monster Hunter Wilds - An RPG with beautifully designed biomes and thrilling hunts.
15. Lumines Arise - A puzzle game that combines simple mechanics with complex gameplay loops.
16. Battlefield 6 - A visually impressive shooter with refined multiplayer mechanics.
17. The Alters - A creative title allowing players to create alternate versions of themselves.
18. The First Berserker: Khazan - A revenge-driven narrative complemented by stylish combat.
19. Bionic Bay - An atmospheric game that rewards creativity and patience.
20. Jurassic World Evolution 3 - A management game featuring dinosaurs and the return of Jeff Goldblum.
The winner of the best PC game in 2025 is Clair Obscur: Expedition, praised for its blend of realism and artistic expression, compelling characters, and immersive soundtrack.
Valve has released the list of the best-selling games on Steam for 2025, which includes:
1. Monster Hunter Wilds
2. Elden Ring Nightreign
3. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
4. EA Sports FC 26
5. Borderlands 4
6. Schedule I
7. Hollow Knight: Silksong
8. Civilization VII
9. Battlefield 6
10. Dune Awakening
11. Arc Raiders
12. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
The games ranked 13-24 are:
13. Assassin’s Creed Shadows
14. Dispatch
15. Dying Light: The Beast
16. Anno 117: Pax Romana
17. Europa Universalis V
18. Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
19. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
20. Split Fiction
21. Inzoi
22. Doom: The Dark Ages
23. Stellar Blade
24. Digimon Story: Time Stranger
Monster Hunter Wilds has been criticized as one of the worst PC ports of the year but remains popular among players. Civilization VII also faced criticism over launch issues yet made it into the top 12. Capcom plans to release performance improvements for Monster Hunter Wilds in 2026.
