The Xbox 2025 review reveals a year of contrasting fortunes for the brand. While the gaming industry faced a challenging year with mass layoffs and price hikes, Xbox's Game Pass and first-party games shone brightly. The year began with Microsoft announcing layoffs, including 2,500 job cuts in the gaming division, and ended with the launch of the ROG Xbox Ally handhelds and Xbox Play Anywhere program. Despite these challenges, Xbox's studios delivered 11 top-rated games, with Obsidian Entertainment leading the way. The Xbox Game Pass library expanded with over 20 new titles, including GotY winner Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Blue Prince. However, the year also saw price hikes for Xbox hardware and Game Pass subscriptions, causing outrage among fans. The Xbox achievements system remained stagnant, with no substantial changes. As we look ahead to 2026, the question remains: will Microsoft make changes to the Xbox achievements system? The future of Xbox is uncertain, but one thing is clear: the brand has faced a turbulent year, with both highs and lows.
