The Best Game of 2025 You Probably Never Played

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2025 saw a lot of attention on big games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Hades 2, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, but some fantastic titles didn’t get the recognition they deserved. Every year, one truly special game often gets overlooked – it doesn’t become a streaming sensation or enter the Game of the Year conversation, and simply fades away. But being under the radar doesn’t mean it’s not excellent. In 2025, despite all the major releases and popular games competing for attention, one extraordinary title delivered a deeply moving and memorable experience that almost no one seemed to notice.

This year’s standout surprise is The Alters, a science fiction survival game that combines managing resources, making impactful story choices, and a chilling sense of existential dread into a deeply personal experience. Created by 11 bit studios, the game takes well-known mechanics and uses them to explore tough questions about who we are, the things we regret, and the paths we didn’t take. While it might not have the big-budget spectacle of some other 2025 games, The Alters is a game you won’t soon forget.

The Alters Cuts Deeper Than Most AAA Stories

The central idea of The Alters is a compelling one: what if you had to face alternate versions of yourself to survive? You play as Jan Dolski, who’s stranded on a dangerous planet. To make it through, Jan creates different versions of himself – each with unique skills, experiences, and personalities. Importantly, these aren’t simple copies; they’re fully developed individuals who believe their lives are genuine.

This isn’t just a superficial game element; it’s central to everything. Each version of you – your ‘Alter’ – has unique strengths, weaknesses, and personal feelings. Some will like you, while others will be upset by the decisions you’ve made. Successfully running your base means navigating these relationships, keeping everyone’s spirits up, and resolving conflicts between your different selves, who all have very different ideas about what you should do. It really takes the idea of ‘being your own worst enemy’ to the extreme.

The Alters is one of the year’s best story-focused games. What sets it apart from other choice-based RPGs is how personal the impact of your decisions feels. Instead of making simple good-versus-evil choices, you’re choosing between different paths your life could have taken. This unique idea makes the game stand out from most science fiction stories in gaming, both this year and in the past. Every decision – even those made by alternate versions of yourself – significantly affects the story and whether you survive.

Gameplay That Serves the Story, Not the Other Way Around

One reason why the game The Alters didn’t get much attention initially is that it doesn’t simply follow popular gaming trends. It combines elements of survival, building a base, and managing time, but always to enhance the story. Your choices truly matter, impacting your team – assigning someone to the wrong job can cause friction, and neglecting their emotional well-being could lead to problems like breakdowns or even sabotage.

The planet is a harsh and unforgiving place. Dangerous radiation storms disrupt plans, and essential supplies are limited, creating constant time pressure. This challenging environment reflects the struggles within your team, forcing you to make difficult choices. The game repeatedly questions if getting things done is more important than caring for each other, and whether doing what it takes to survive is worth the emotional cost.

What makes The Alters a great survival game is how its gameplay directly supports its story. Instead of focusing on a huge world like many similar games, The Alters builds suspense and demands careful play. Every action and system in the game ties back to the core themes of who you are and the consequences of your choices. The game unfolds slowly and intentionally, forcing you to carefully consider each decision and truly feel the impact of every compromise you make.

Why The Alters Deserves Better

What sets The Alters apart, and could make it a top contender for game of the year in 2025, isn’t flawless perfection. It’s the game’s willingness to try new things and take chances that most major titles shy away from. Instead of focusing on simple power trips, it challenges players to think about difficult emotions and concepts. The gameplay is more deliberate and emphasizes story and skillful play over flashy action.

Importantly, The Alters showcases what’s possible with a reasonable development budget. 11 bit studios is known for games that make you think about difficult choices, like This War of Mine and Frostpunk, and this new game continues that tradition. It demonstrates that you don’t need a huge amount of money to be innovative – just a compelling idea and the dedication to bring it to life.

Despite launching around the same time as many other games and not receiving a lot of hype, The Alters stands out as a unique experience. It’s a game focused on story, with choices that matter and thought-provoking themes. Unlike many modern games, it doesn’t rely on quick thrills or instant gratification; it’s a game you’ll really get invested in and remember for a long time. Players who’ve tried it have been captivated, and the overwhelmingly positive reviews on Steam prove it. I believe it has the potential to become a beloved cult classic and eventually receive the appreciation it deserves.

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2025-12-27 00:12