Another year comes to a close, and 2025 has brought an array of new mobile games to discuss. The PocketGamer.biz team shares their favorite mobile game of the year and highlights other notable titles.
Game of the Year: Persona 5: The Phantom X
Recently, while unwell and confined to bed, I decided to try Persona 5: The Phantom X. I was thoroughly impressed and have been returning to this mobile game regularly since. I haven’t played all the Persona games, but I’ve completed the third and fourth titles and own Persona 5 Royal, although I hadn’t played it due to its size.
This mobile version functions as a fun option for fans who seek more Persona without the full commitment of a mainline game. It captures the series’ distinctive style well, featuring stunning art direction and excellent music that sticks in your head. I’ve encountered both familiar and new characters, adding to the enjoyment.
The usual calendar system has been adapted for mobile play, allowing you to choose how to spend your time without the typical intensity of deadlines. At first, I felt this was a drawback, but now I see it as a way to make the experience more casual and enjoyable. The balance of activities remains faithful to the Persona feel without the pressure of a time limit.
Overall, for Persona fans looking for a familiar yet less time-demanding experience, Persona 5: The Phantom X is a satisfying choice.
Honourable Mention: Resident Evil Survival Unit
I’m not entirely sure how this title will develop, but I’ve been enjoying Resident Evil Survival Unit. As a longtime Resident Evil fan, being part of that universe is always appealing.
The game includes various features like base building and battle defense, but the campaign levels, where you control a character, solve puzzles, and fight zombies, are the real highlights. The gameplay immediately immerses you, making you wish for a whole Resident Evil game designed specifically for mobile.
A concern, however, is that some popular characters, like Leon, are only accessible through real-money purchases, which could lock out some players and potentially deter them as more characters are added.
Non-mobile Game of the Year: Death Stranding 2
Game of the Year: Fire Emblem Shadows
If you had asked my favorite mobile game three months ago, I would have given a different answer. However, my Game of the Year emerged quietly in September without significant marketing: Fire Emblem Shadows, Nintendo’s first mobile release of the 2020s.
Six years after Mario Kart Tour, Shadows demonstrates Nintendo’s ongoing commitment to developing new game applications. Shadows is a social deduction game resembling Among Us but with Fire Emblem’s grid-based play. Gamers initially team up to face enemies in real-time battles, with one player secretly acting as a villain. The strategy lies in observing allies and making strategic attacks.
While classic Fire Emblem elements, including familiar characters and music, are present, the game innovates with its strategy through social interactions. The music, a hallmark of the series, features returning characters with remixed tracks, enhancing the gameplay experience.
Fire Emblem Shadows may not be the most commercially successful or polished title of 2025, but its engaging themes and gameplay make it a standout choice among fans.
Honourable Mention: Umamusume: Pretty Derby
New to the Western market in 2025, Umamusume: Pretty Derby is a unique racing game where characters are anime girls inspired by real thoroughbreds. The gacha system allows players to collect and train these characters to compete in races.
Watching these animated races, where characters compete on a vibrant track, offers a strangely satisfying experience.
Non-mobile Games of the Year: Pokémon Legends Z-A, Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition
Mobile Game of the Year: Kingshot
My pick for Mobile Game of the Year is Kingshot by Century Games. As a fan of strategy games, I usually avoid mobile 4X strategy titles due to excessive handholding and poor onboarding experiences.
Kingshot, however, excels in its onboarding, making the game enjoyable right from the start. It combines Archero-like gameplay and tower defense for a more casual experience. The vibrant and lively world enhances the gameplay.
Century Games is reshaping the genre into a more approachable and enjoyable format.
Honourable Mention: New York Times Games
I’ve also continued enjoying the New York Times’ selection of games, including Wordle and Spelling Bee, and I even subscribed to access more content.
Non-mobile Game of the Year: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 stands out due to its vibrant art style, innovative turn-based strategy, and emotional narrative. The game’s story offers a literary quality, leaving a lasting impression long after completion.
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