The gaming industry is set to have a massive2025. In the first few months alone, gamers can expect a newAssassin’s Creed,Civilization 7,Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2,Monster Hunter Wilds, andAvowed, and that’s just the highlights of what’s to come in February. Long-awaited sequels likeGrand Theft Auto 6andMafia: The Old Countrybring forth other major names scheduled to round out the year, making2025a thrilling year for gamers.
Whilethe roster for 2025 is stacked, there is actually an interesting parallel happening with past releases. Looking back two full decades, next year’s release schedule shares some stark similarities with 2004’s titles, bringing a fun dose of nostalgia for gamers who have grown up with these franchises through the years. Looking back, the franchises that have continued into 2025 have helped define the industry, making next year an even more exciting time for gaming.
2025
2004
Monster Hunter Wilds
Monster Hunter
Seeing these titles side by side is wild, as it showcases just how far these franchises have come since their beginnings. While most of these series are more than 20 years old,the genesis ofMonster HunterandFablewas marked in 2004, and seeing the legacy continue over two decades later is impressive. This list of franchises is incredibly diverse, but they all have one huge thing in common. Every listed title has helped influence the industry as a whole, resonating with a wide variety of gamers.
As of now, the only 2025 game with a confirmed release date isMonster Hunter Wilds. Although the rest of the list has yet to nail down a specific date, they have all at least been confirmed for the upcoming year. WhileGrand Theft Auto 6is the most anticipated of these titles, the other five franchises represented are massive properties, too. Even if 2025 just had these six releases lined up, that would be enough to make the new year exciting, but these games are simply a small piece of an even larger pie.
Monster Hunter Wildslaunches on February 28.
2025 Brings Nostalgia Front and Center
While there are some first-time titles set to bring original IPs to 2025,likeSplit FictionandCronos: The New Dawn, the year is also filled with some of the longest-running modern series. Even newGears of WarandNinja Gaidenprojects are set to resurrect their respective franchises. However, the six franchises that presented a similar lineup back in 2004 showcase an exciting example of the evolution of each series. It’s emotional to look back on so many titles and realize how far they have come, but it also demonstrates just how great it can be to grow up alongside such compelling stories and worlds.
Gaming Could Be Ready to Have Its Biggest Year Yet
Until now,2023 was hailed as one of the best years for gaming. With titles likeBaldur’s Gate 3, Zelda:Tears of the Kingdom, and theResident Evil 4remake, it was hard to imagine getting such a similarly packed year so soon. However, 2025 is primed to give 2023 a run for its money, as the schedule is filled to the brim with major names.
As the wait for official release dates continues, it will be exciting to see what time frames these six franchises decide to eye for their launches. It’s amazing to see that,even after 20 years, the fan bases that made these franchises so successful from the start have continued to grow and keep these titles important fixtures in gaming.
