2025 has been a great year for gaming, but we’re only halfway through the year. We’ve seen so many good games already this year, some of which we’ll see in contention for Game of the Year. But let’s take a step back from the games and look at the studios that make them, because Obsidian has stood out this year.
Obsidian Entertainment is a known name in the industry. With three major games launching in a single calendar year, the studio is setting a new standard for productivity and polish. First, we got Avowed earlier this year, and next, we have both Grounded 2 and The Outer Worlds 2 coming out this year.
Obsidian has really been the best studio of 2025 so far
The first sign of Obsidian’s 2025 resurgence was Avowed, which released earlier this year to generally favorable reviews. It wasn’t a perfect game, even we can tell you that. But it showed that Obsidian could build something new outside of their usual comfort zone. For many, Avowed was proof that the studio’s partnership with Xbox was bearing serious fruit.
Thanks to everyone who joined us for #XboxShowcase and The Outer Worlds 2 & Grounded 2 Direct. To the creative teams whose games were featured—it’s an honor to present your work. We’re proud of this great lineup of games and updates coming to @Xbox https://t.co/0ACiLhSLzQ pic.twitter.com/pWJ8rPWfvM
— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) June 8, 2025
But the real show begins now, after the new announcements at the Xbox Games Showcase. Set for release on October 29, 2025, The Outer Worlds 2 is being called the biggest game Obsidian has ever made. From what we’ve seen since the first announcement to the recent 30-minute Direct, this sequel takes everything that worked with the first one and makes it even better.
None of this would be possible without the strategic backing Obsidian has received since its 2018 acquisition by Microsoft. The company has been allowed to maintain its creative independence while receiving the resources to scale up projects when needed.
Obsidian is the most important studio for the Xbox brand.
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Of course, we’re not the only ones who think so. Fans online are praising Obsidian as the current MVP of Xbox’s first-party lineup. One user on r/XboxGamePass said it well: “Obsidian does amazing work, can’t wait for Grounded 2.” Another added, “They are for the moment. I hope they continue to do smaller, more unique projects as well as the beefier ones.”
Three games in one year is pretty crazy
But Obsidian’s biggest flex comes with Grounded 2, the surprise sequel to their acclaimed backyard survival game. Revealed at the Xbox Games Showcase and arriving in early access on July 29, Grounded 2 is one of those games you didn’t think you needed until you saw it. We didn’t expect to see it, but now we can’t wait to see what’s in store.
As we reach the midway point of 2025, the gaming industry is in such a place where studios usually don’t ship games yearly. Meanwhile, Obsidian is on track to give us three major titles in just twelve months. More remarkably, the studio isn’t using this moment to announce a break. On the contrary, they ended the announcement at the showcase by saying that there are “no plans to slow down.”
Of course, we all know that Xbox Game Pass has become a key part of Microsoft’s strategy. But it’s developers like Obsidian that truly elevate its value. It’s games like these that make Game Pass feel like a must-have. With Grounded 2 and The Outer Worlds 2 both launching on Game Pass, we’re gonna get even more value than before.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
