Xbox boss Phil Spencer, officially the CEO of Microsoft Gaming, recently shared his picks for the best games of 2025 in a new interview with Famitsu, offering a rare glimpse into his personal gaming tastes. Spencer named several standout titles, including Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Hollow Knight: Silksong, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, Oblivion Remastered, DOOM: The Dark Ages, and Death Stranding 2: On the Beach.
Among these, he singled out Expedition 33 as his personal Game of the Year — a choice that aligns with much of the gaming community’s current sentiment. Spencer’s selection highlights how 2025 has become one of the most competitive years in gaming, with a remarkable mix of indie innovation and blockbuster sequels shaping the conversation around the upcoming Game Awards.
Phil Spencer’s 2025 Game of the Year Picks
In his conversation with Famitsu, Spencer emphasized that he wanted to set aside Xbox’s own titles to give an honest, unbiased view of his favorite games. When asked to list the ones that impressed him the most this year, he mentioned:
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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
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Hollow Knight: Silksong
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Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound
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Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
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Oblivion Remastered
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DOOM: The Dark Ages
Spencer ultimately described Expedition 33 as his “personal Game of the Year,” praising its creative direction, narrative depth, and emotionally charged world-building. Developed by Sandfall Interactive, the French studio’s debut title has earned global acclaim for its breathtaking art style and innovative combat system — blending turn-based tactics with real-time strategy in a way that feels both modern and timeless.
Meanwhile, Spencer’s inclusion of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach — the highly anticipated sequel from Hideo Kojima — also drew attention. While some fans raised eyebrows at the Xbox CEO publicly endorsing a PlayStation-exclusive title, Spencer’s comments reflect his open admiration for Kojima’s storytelling and the game’s bold approach to cinematic gameplay.
A Snapshot of the 2025 GOTY Race
As the Game Awards 2025 draw closer, debates surrounding the Game of the Year contenders are heating up across the internet. Scheduled for December 11, this year’s ceremony is expected to feature an especially stacked lineup of nominees.
In addition to Expedition 33 and Death Stranding 2, other likely contenders include Hades II, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and Split Fiction. Indie and mid-tier titles like Blue Prince have also managed to stand tall among the giants, thanks to their originality and artistic storytelling.
Spencer’s list, though personal, mirrors the general consensus of many critics and players — a testament to how diverse and creatively rich this year’s lineup truly is.
Balancing Xbox and the Broader Industry
It’s worth noting that Spencer’s willingness to praise non-Xbox titles, particularly Death Stranding 2, reflects Microsoft’s increasingly open stance on cross-platform collaboration. Over the past year, several formerly Xbox-exclusive titles, including Hi-Fi Rush and Sea of Thieves, have made their way to PlayStation 5.
There are even persistent rumors that Halo: Combat Evolved will receive a PlayStation 5 port, marking a monumental shift in Xbox’s business strategy. Xbox President Sarah Bond echoed this sentiment earlier in 2025, saying that “exclusives are becoming an antiquated concept for most people.”
While not all fans agree with this approach, Microsoft’s leadership appears committed to broadening its ecosystem rather than focusing solely on exclusivity. This philosophy aligns with recent reports by Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, who noted that Microsoft has been targeting a 30% profit margin from the Xbox division — a move that likely incentivizes reaching more players across platforms.
A CEO Who Still Plays for Fun
Spencer’s candid answers also remind fans that despite his corporate position, he’s still very much a gamer at heart. He’s long been known for supporting diverse gaming experiences and promoting creativity across the industry — not just within Xbox’s ecosystem.
In previous interviews, Spencer has discussed his admiration for games that “take creative risks” and “push the boundaries of what interactive storytelling can be.” His love for both blockbuster epics like DOOM: The Dark Ages and artistic indies like Expedition 33 illustrates the broad range of titles he engages with personally.
Looking Ahead to 2026
While 2025 has been an incredible year for gaming, Spencer and the Xbox team already have their sights set on the future. Titles like Avowed, Fable, and Perfect Dark are expected to headline Microsoft’s 2026 lineup, while Bethesda continues work on Starfield’s major expansion.
For now, though, even the head of Xbox is content to enjoy the same games as everyone else — a reminder that great games transcend platform loyalties.
