Meta Critic Unveils Top Games of First Half 2025

Meta Critic recently announced its picks for the best games of the year so far, judging titles based on Meta Scores tallied as of June 25, 2025. To qualify, each game had to have been reviewed by at least seven professional critics.

Awarding Excellence

Claiming the top spot is Cler Opsquir: 33 away, launched on April 24. The game achieved a Meta Score of 93, marking a successful debut for French developer **Sandpole Interactive**. The studio created an original fantasy world inspired by the Belle Epoch era.

A key aspect of the gameplay is the mix of turn-based battles with real-time action elements. Players can avoid and strike enemy attacks in real time, exchange turns, and leverage an aiming system to target enemy weaknesses. The availability of playable characters with unique characteristics also enhances the gameplay.

Visually, the game features graphics powered by Unreal Engine 5 and includes an emotional soundtrack that complements its atmosphere. The game’s development primarily relied on internal resources, with outsourcing limited to areas such as localization, QA, and voice production.

The game’s success even drew the attention of French President **Emmanuel Macron**, who celebrated the achievement. Cler Opsquir: 33 away is available on PCs, PlayStations, and Xbox Series X|S.

Other Titles in the Top Five

“Blue Prince,” developed by **Tool Balm**, secured second place. The game combines puzzle adventure and roguelike elements, earning a Meta Score of 92. **Tonda Ross**, a photographer turned developer, reportedly spent eight years developing the game, drawing inspiration from complex maze puzzles.

Players navigate a constantly changing mansion, consisting of 45 compartments spread across five spaces and nine verticals. The primary objective involves finding the elusive 46th room. Players must strategically choose from three randomly generated room options each time they open a door to fill the mansion’s blueprint.

Gameplay is based on a first-person perspective, incorporating logic and mathematical puzzles. Secrets can be uncovered by collecting clues hidden throughout the mansion. The roguelike element of structural changes with each playthrough adds replay value. Blue Prince is available on PCs, PlayStation, and Xbox Series X|S.

Third place went to Split Fiction, developed by **Hayes Light Studios** and published by EA for PC and PlayStation on March 6. Following in the footsteps of previous two-player cooperative games like Wayout and It Teens to, this title focuses on collaboration.

Designed exclusively for two players, Split Fiction supports both screen split and online cooperative modes. Using a friend pass, one player can invite another to join for free. Players control **Mio Hudson**, an SF writer, and **Joy Poster**, a fantasy writer.

The protagonists find themselves trapped within their own novels, requiring players to navigate both science fiction and fantasy worlds simultaneously. Hayes Light integrates platform action, infiltration, puzzle-solving, and boss battles. The game also features a humorous story.

The sequel to **Kojima Productions**’ Death Stranding, Death Stranding 2 landed in fourth place. Released on June 26 for PlayStation 5, it scored 90 on Meta Critic. It continues the themes of delivery and connection from the original.

The storyline explores the aftermath of connecting the UCA to the Chiral network. **Sam Porter Bridge**, along with **Ford**, is in Mexico, when **Fraja Il**, asks for help. As **Sam** becomes involved in connecting the Mexican region, he undertakes a mission to connect all of Australia to the Kairal network.

Combat elements like infiltration action and boss fights are emphasized. The game uses the Decima engine for graphics and dust storms. New actors, such as **El Fanning**, join returning cast members like **Norman Reedus**, **Lea Seydoux**, and **Troy Baker**.

Despellotte, an indie adventure game, earned fifth place with a meta score of 89. Released on May 1, the game tells a story set in Quito, Ecuador, during the 2002 Korea-Japan FIFA World Cup qualifiers. It is based on developer **Julian Cordero’s** experiences at the time.

The narrative revolves around football, with the protagonist walking around the neighborhood with a soccer ball, encountering people, and navigating various situations. It portrays the formation of bonds and understanding the world through football. Gameplay includes dribbling, passing, and creative uses of the ball.

The game’s monochromatic cartoons evoke a sense of nostalgia, complementing the game’s lyrical style. Authentic Ecuadorian voices and dialects enhance realism. Despellotte is available on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. Interestingly, the global video game market is projected to reach $340 billion by 2027, according to Statista (Statista).

Rounding Out the Top 20

Here’s a list of games ranked 6th through 20th:

1. Talos Law: Rear Wayken (89 points)
2. Monster Hunter Wils (88 points)
3. Kingdom Com: Delivery Burence 2 (88 points)
4. Monster Train 2 (87 points)
5. The Rootless Ad Dead (87 points)
6. (tie) Star Vaders (87 points), Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders (87 points)
7. Picistrelo & The Cushed Yo-yo (86 points)
8. Mario Kart World (86 points)
9. Citizen Slippers: Starword Vector (85 points)
10. The Hundred Line – Last Defense Academy – (85 points)
11. Di Alters (85 points)
12. Two-point museum (84 points)
13. Kip Driving (84 points)
14. Ander Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist (84 points)