Bored? These Games Will Save Your Day
Mateo is a speedrunner and glitch documentarian who explores the technical artistry behind breaking games. He produces frame-precise guides for runners and interviews top competitors to understand the culture, history, and legacy of speedrunning.
Feeling that gaming itch but stuck in a rut? This listicle is for gamers hunting for new titles in 2025 to banish boredom with immersive worlds, clever mechanics, and hidden gems. From blockbuster hits to under-the-radar stunners, we’ve got you covered with detailed picks across genres and platforms. Dive in for some fresh adventures that’ll keep you glued to your screen.
Split Fiction – A Co-Op Adventure That Blends Sci-Fi and Fantasy
Summary: Split Fiction is a cooperative masterpiece from Hazelight Studios, where you and a friend play as Mio and Zoe, two writers trapped in their own stories. One crafts sci-fi, the other fantasy, and you’ll hop between their contrasting worlds to escape a machine stealing their ideas. Expect a wild ride through neon-lit highways and dragon-filled forests, all while solving puzzles and battling enemies together.
Key Gameplay Features:
- Genre: Co-op action-adventure
- Art Style: Vibrant, genre-shifting visuals blending cyberpunk and fantasy aesthetics
- Story: A heartfelt tale of friendship with sharp writing and emotional depth
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
- Mechanics: Split-screen co-op with unique abilities per character, platforming, and creative level design
- Multiplayer: Requires two players (local or online via Friend’s Pass)
Why It’s Worth Playing: If you loved It Takes Two for its co-op brilliance, Split Fiction cranks up the creativity with its genre-hopping premise. It’s perfect for shaking off boredom because every level feels fresh—one minute you’re dodging hover cars, the next you’re taming dragons. Its constant surprises and tight cooperative gameplay make it a must-play for duos. Plus, it earned a rare 10/10 from critics, so you know it’s a banger. Release Year: 2025
Platform Availability: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
Blue Prince – A Puzzle Game That’ll Haunt Your Brain
Summary: Blue Prince is a roguelike puzzle game where you explore a shapeshifting mansion to find the elusive 46th room in a house with only 45. Each day, you choose blueprints to build new rooms, uncovering clues and solving intricate logic puzzles. It’s a mind-bending experience that’s equal parts mystery and strategy.
Key Gameplay Features:
- Genre: Roguelike puzzle
- Art Style: Clean, modern visuals with a creepy, minimalist vibe
- Story: A cryptic genealogical mystery tied to the Roottree Corporation
- Platforms: PS5, Windows PC, Xbox Series X
- Mechanics: Room-building, logic puzzles, memory tests, and exploration
- Single-Player: Deeply solo-focused with high replayability
Why It’s Worth Playing: If you’re a fan of brain-teasers like The Witness or Return of the Obra Dinn, Blue Prince is your next obsession. This hidden gem flew under the radar but shines for its clever puzzles and eerie atmosphere. It’s perfect for boredom because it demands focus—expect to be scribbling notes and theorizing about hidden clues long after you stop playing Release Year: 2025
Platform Availability: PS5, Windows PC, Xbox Series X
Doom: The Dark Ages – Medieval Mayhem Meets Classic Chaos
Summary: Doom: The Dark Ages takes the iconic FPS series to a medieval-inspired hellscape, where you wield both swords and shotguns to shred demons. It’s a prequel to the modern Doom games, blending brutal melee combat with the fast-paced gunplay the series is known for. The story follows the Doom Slayer’s origins, but let’s be honest—you’re here to rip and tear.
Key Gameplay Features:
- Genre: First-person shooter
- Art Style: Gritty, medieval-fantasy with gore-soaked visuals
- Story: Light but engaging, focusing on the Doom Slayer’s early days
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch
- Mechanics: Fast-paced combat, new melee weapons, and satisfying movement
- Single-Player/Multiplayer: Primarily single-player with optional co-op modes
Why It’s Worth Playing: If you’ve ever played Doom Eternal and craved more chaos, this delivers in spades. Its blend of medieval weaponry and heavy metal aesthetics keeps every fight thrilling, making it ideal for short, adrenaline-pumping sessions when boredom strikes. The new mechanics, like shield-throwing and mounted combat, add just enough freshness to keep you hooked.
Release Year: 2025
Platform Availability: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch
The Alters – Sci-Fi Survival with a Twist of Self-Reflection
Summary: In The Alters, you’re Jan Dolski, a stranded miner on a hostile alien planet, creating clones of yourself with alternate life paths to survive. Each clone has unique skills and personalities, leading to moral dilemmas and deep interactions as you manage your base and race against a deadly sunrise. It’s a gripping mix of survival, strategy, and narrative.
Key Gameplay Features:
- Genre: Survival strategy with RPG elements
- Art Style: Sci-fi with a sleek, futuristic aesthetic
- Story: Emotional, character-driven narrative about identity and survival
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
- Mechanics: Base-building, resource management, and clone interactions
- Single-Player: Story-focused with strategic depth
Why It’s Worth Playing: Think Subnautica meets This War of Mine—The Alters combines survival tension with introspective storytelling. It’s a standout for boredom because it balances hands-on base management with philosophical questions, keeping you engaged on multiple levels. Its unique premise and emotional depth make it a 2025 must-play.
Release Year: 2025
Platform Availability: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii – Wacky Open-World Piracy
Summary: Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii stars fan-favorite Goro Majima in a standalone Yakuza spinoff. Shipwrecked with amnesia, Majima becomes a pirate, exploring a vibrant Hawaiian open world filled with beat-’em-up combat, ship battles, and absurd side content. It’s the series’ signature mix of heart and hilarity.
Key Gameplay Features:
- Genre: Action-adventure, open-world
- Art Style: Colorful, anime-inspired with a tropical flair
- Story: A mix of goofy pirate antics and heartfelt character arcs
- Platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One
- Mechanics: Beat-’em-up combat, ship management, and minigames galore
- Single-Player: Packed with side quests and collectibles
Why It’s Worth Playing: If you’re into Yakuza or GTA for their wild open-world antics, this is your vibe. It’s a boredom-killer with its endless side activities—think pirate coliseum battles and Pokémon-style minigames. Majima’s charisma and the game’s ability to make a familiar Hawaii map feel fresh make it a joy to explore.
Release Year: 2025
Platform Availability: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One
Keep Driving – A Nostalgic Road Trip Adventure
Summary: Keep Driving is an indie gem that captures the aimless freedom of a road trip in your early 20s. You’ll cruise through pixel-art landscapes, pick up quirky hitchhikers, and navigate random roadside events, all while managing resources and making choices that shape your journey. It’s cozy yet surprisingly deep.
Key Gameplay Features:
- Genre: Narrative-driven adventure with RPG elements
- Art Style: Retro pixel art with a nostalgic, summery vibe
- Story: A personal tale of youth, freedom, and self-discovery
- Platforms: PS5, Windows PC, Xbox Series X
- Mechanics: Turn-based road events, resource management, and branching narratives
- Single-Player: Highly replayable with randomized events
Why It’s Worth Playing: If you enjoyed Night in the Woods for its emotional storytelling, Keep Driving is a hidden gem that hits similar notes. Its laid-back gameplay and heartfelt encounters make it perfect for unwinding when bored, while the randomized events ensure no two playthroughs are the same. It’s a love letter to youthful wanderlust. Release Year: 2025
Platform Availability: PS5, Windows PC, Xbox Series X
Star * Vaders – A Tactical Twist on Classic Shooters
Summary: Star * Vaders is a turn-based strategy game that fuses Slay the Spire’s card mechanics with Space Invaders-style combat. You pilot a mecha armor, battling alien swarms in a roguelite campaign with grid-based tactical battles. It’s crunchy, chaotic, and endlessly replayable.
Key Gameplay Features:
- Genre: Turn-based strategy, roguelite
- Art Style: Retro-futuristic with vibrant, pixelated visuals
- Story: Light narrative focused on surviving an alien invasion
- Platforms: PC, Switch
- Mechanics: Card-based combat, grid movement, and randomized campaigns
- Single-Player: Deeply strategic with high replay value
Why It’s Worth Playing: Fans of Into the Breach or Slay the Spire will love Star * Vaders for its addictive blend of strategy and action. It’s a boredom-buster because its short, intense runs are perfect for quick sessions, yet the depth keeps you coming back. This under-the-radar title deserves more buzz for its clever mechanics.
Release Year: 2025
Platform Availability: PC, Switch
Whether you’re craving heart-pounding action, brain-twisting puzzles, or cozy narratives, these 2025 titles offer something for every bored gamer. From the co-op chaos of Split Fiction to the nostalgic vibes of Keep Driving, there’s no shortage of ways to dive into new worlds. Got a favorite we missed? Drop it in the comments or share your go-to boredom-busters—let’s keep the gaming convo going!