This Season’s Most Critically Acclaimed Games

28 September 2025

Alright gamers, let’s be real here—2024 has been absolutely wild when it comes to gaming. Whether you’re team console or team PC (no judgment, seriously), this season dropped some mind-blowing titles that critics are absolutely raving about. We're talking 10/10s, Game of the Year whispers, and Metacritic scores so high they probably made developers cry tears of joy.

So grab your energy drink of choice, get cozy, and let’s deep-dive into the most critically acclaimed video games of the season. And hey, even if you haven’t played them yet, don’t worry. By the end of this article, your wish list will be longer than your Steam backlog. Let’s go!

🎮 1. Baldur’s Gate 3 – The D&D Dream Come True

If you’ve spent any amount of time on gaming forums lately, you’ve probably seen people absolutely losing it over Baldur’s Gate 3. And with good reason.

Larian Studios took the chaotic energy of Dungeons & Dragons and wrapped it in a rich RPG filled with brain-bending choices, lovable (and hateable) characters, and combat that makes your inner tactician scream with delight.

Why it slayed critics:

- Insanely detailed world-building
- Every choice actually matters (seriously!)
- Dialogues that feel like they came out of a Netflix drama
- You can romance a vampire… or a bear (it’s complicated)

Critics called it “the gold standard of modern role-playing games,” and honestly? It’s hard to disagree.

🌌 2. Starfield – Space Opulence with Some Gravity Woes

Bethesda’s long-awaited sci-fi epic, Starfield, finally took off into the galaxy—and opinions were, well, divided. But here’s the thing: critics overall praised it for the sheer scale, ambition, and that good ol’ Bethesda DNA.

What hooked the reviewers:

- Massive universe (we’re talking over 1,000 planets!)
- Deep lore and storytelling
- Custom spaceship building that will eat your evenings alive

Sure, some folks said it’s “Fallout in space,” but for many, that’s exactly what the doctor ordered. When stars call your name, it’s hard not to answer, even if your inventory is always full.

🐺 3. Lies of P – Pinocchio, But Make It Dark Souls

Yeah, you read that right. Lies of P is a gritty, gothic spin on the Pinocchio legend—and it’s serving major Bloodborne vibes. You’re this puppet warrior slicing your way through twisted nightmares in a Belle Époque horror setting. Sounds rad? That’s because it totally is.

What made critics fall in love:

- Tight, challenging combat that rewards skill
- Stunning visuals with creepy, eerie charm
- Surprisingly deep storytelling (yes, with puppets)

With comparisons to FromSoftware’s finest, Lies of P carved out its own space in the soulslike genre. Plus, it gave us a terrifying new reason to never trust puppets again.

🧙‍♂️ 4. Hogwarts Legacy – Magic, Mystery, and Some Controversy

Regardless of where you stand on the wizarding world discourse (and yeah, it’s layered), Hogwarts Legacy enchanted a huge player base and turned critics’ heads with its immersive take on magical teen life.

Why it bewitched reviewers:

- A Hogwarts you can finally explore freely
- Spell-slinging combat that doesn’t feel like a chore
- Butterbeer. So much butterbeer.

While there were debates about its lore and origins, there’s no denying it packed enough polish and nostalgia to become one of the season’s biggest hits.

🧟 5. Resident Evil 4 Remake – Nostalgia + New School Horror

Capcom is on a roll with its remakes, and the Resident Evil 4 remake is… chef’s kiss. It takes everything you loved about the 2005 classic and injects it with modern tweaks, tighter controls, and graphics that’ll haunt your dreams (in a good way).

Critics adored it for:

- Improved gameplay mechanics (finally, Leon can move and shoot!)
- Gorgeous, gory visuals
- That same campy horror charm that made the original iconic

It’s like putting an old haunted house through renovation—it still creaks, but now it has motion sensors and a fresh coat of blood. Uh, paint.

🛡️ 6. Diablo IV – Hell Never Looked So Good

Let’s face it—fans were skeptical. After the Diablo Immortal fiasco, Blizzard had to come back swinging. And swing they did. Diablo IV not only brought back the gritty hellish design of Diablo II, but also added MMO-lite features to make Sanctuary feel alive... and constantly on fire.

Why critics bowed to Lord Diablo:

- Darker tone and horror-focused art direction
- Addictive loot loop (you’ll tell yourself “just one more dungeon”)
- Polished combat with loads of build variety

It’s the demon-slaying therapy session we didn’t know we needed.

🐍 7. Alan Wake 2 – The Return of the King (of Psychological Horror)

It took 13 years—yeah, thirteen!—for Alan Wake to get his sequel, but dang, did it deliver. Alan Wake 2 is less “shooter with a flashlight” and more “twisted fever dream that eats your sanity.”

Why critics lost sleep over it:

- Seamless blend of horror and narrative
- Dual protagonists keep the story fresh
- Mood and atmosphere so thick you can taste it

Everything about Alan Wake 2 screams “cult classic,” but critics are calling it one of the best horror games of the decade. If you like your scares existential, don’t sleep on this one (literally).

🏎️ 8. Forza Motorsport – Cars, But Make It Art

Forget basic racing. Forza Motorsport went back to the drawing board with a soft reboot, turning what could’ve been “just another car game” into a high-octane, hyper-realistic celebration of speed and engineering beauty.

What made it vroom into critical acclaim:

- Deep simulation and customization
- Absolutely jaw-dropping graphics
- Slick driving mechanics and AI improvements

You don’t just race in Forza—you become part of the car. And for gearheads and casual players alike, that makes all the difference.

🐲 9. Final Fantasy XVI – Dramatic Battles and Game of Thrones Vibes

Final Fantasy XVI took a bold new direction with more action-oriented gameplay and a darker political storyline. Think Game of Thrones with Eikons (giant magical kaiju…ish things).

Critics were all in for:

- Epic, cinematic battles
- Mature, character-driven plot
- A world that feels alive and torn apart at the seams

Yes, it’s different from the old-school turn-based systems, but man, it’s intense in the best way possible.

🦾 10. Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty – The Redemption Arc

Oh, how the mighty have risen. After a rocky launch that became a meme fest, Cyberpunk 2077 clawed its way back into favor with Phantom Liberty, its slick expansion.

Why it earned back goodwill:

- Idris Elba (need we say more?)
- Polished mechanics and bug fixes galore
- Dense, espionage-focused story

If Cyberpunk was a high-tech ship sinking on day one, Phantom Liberty was the lifeboat that turned into a luxury yacht. Critics were impressed, and fans? Even more so.

🎉 Honorable Mentions

We can't wrap this up without a hat tip to some under-the-radar gems and genre standouts:

- Sea of Stars – A throwback JRPG that glows with pixel-perfect charm
- Hi-Fi Rush – An unexpected rhythm-action banger that’ll make your head bop
- Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon – FromSoftware goes back to its mech roots—with explosions

These titles may not have hogged all the headlines, but critics still tossed roses their way. And honestly, they’re worth every button press.

🎮 So, Which Game Should You Play First?

Tough choice, right? The best part is there’s something here for every type of gamer—story lovers, horror freaks, loot junkies, and even casual players who just want to fly a spaceship or throw magic around.

In this golden era of gaming, we’re spoiled for choice. So whether you want jaw-dropping graphics, next-level storytelling, or just a fun power fantasy, this season’s list has got you covered.

And hey, if your backlog just sighed loudly—welcome to the club.