The end of the year is always a good opportunity to look back at standout video games, but, personally, it is extra interesting to dig out titles that catch the attention from a Welsh point of view.
2025 has produced enjoyment and surprises alike in this regard, with one game in particular standing proud as far as Welsh representation goes. Not every year delivers that major Wales-inspired title that attracts those with a fondness for all things Welsh, but this is one year that has, and certainly it is hoped subsequent ones will achieve the same feat.
Here is a look at six Welsh video game highlights from 2025.
Release of Welsh Inspired Role-Playing Game Toward Dawn
If you have been following Wales in Games over the past year, you will likely have heard and seen plenty about Devi Serene’s solo-developed debut game Toward Dawn.
I had the pleasure of speaking to Devi in the months leading up to release, learning where the title’s Welsh inspirations came from, unpacking the gameplay systems, and getting to know the characters whose stories are presented in a pixelated world reminiscent of the 16-bit console days.
Of the many video games featuring references to Wales that I have discovered and had the pleasure of learning about, there haven’t been too many that have greatly stood out as embedding themselves into Welsh mythology and culture. What is important about any media that draws inspiration from a particular element, though, is crafting an individualised and unique story and characters around that backdrop – and Toward Dawn does this.
This turn-based role-playing game sees the magic practitioner Carys and the gwyllgi Bleddyn forming an unlikely partnership in a quest for revenge following an attack on Carys’ temple. Their adventure takes them through forests and castles, fighting against mythical Welsh creatures and utilising weapons of Welsh origin in a battle system that Devi describes has having been influenced by Elden Ring and Phantasy Star.
The allusions to Wales are numerous, be it incorporating the Welsh language into everyday speech, references to Welsh cuisine, characters with Welsh names and accents to accompany their voices – including those of Brogan Farr for Carys, and Welsh actors Paul Fakir for Bleddyn and Nikki Mills for Aneira – and a certain red dragon that serves a major importance in the world’s lore.
It is clear how much passion for Wales has been poured into Toward Dawn, made all the more impressive and notable for having been created by an Englishwoman that developed a love for the country. Toward Dawn can serve as a prime example of what can be achieved in video games by positively embracing a fondness for Welsh culture to bring out the best of a personalised narrative, whether from Wales or not, as Devi Serene has proved.
Helldivers 2 Name Drops Second-Longest Place Name in the World
(Image source: Gwonky)
Given its satirical Starship Troopers-like premise, with a post-apocalyptic “Federation of Super Earth” military fighting aliens and robots in the 22nd century, it is somewhat fitting that the second-longest place name in the world is referenced in Helldivers 2.
That is because the Welsh town of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch adopted its name in humorous fashion, following 1800s alterations that intended to give the local railway station the longest name in Britain.
Roughly translating to “The church of St. Mary at the pool of the white hazels near the fierce whirlpool and the church of St. Tysilio of the red cave”, the publicity stunt clearly worked, with thousands of tourists still visiting the Ynys Môn location yearly for the chance to get their picture taken next to some exceptionally large signposts.
Perhaps seeing an opportunity to take Helldivers 2‘s comedic side further, developer Arrowhead Game Studios incorporated Llanfair PG (as it is often shortened to) into the squad-based shooter by way of a new map on the planet Crimsica in the Draco Sector. Unlike the original Welsh village, its counterpart here is a city going by the name of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch II.
Note the Roman numeral at the end! Since Wales and the rest of Britain is a wasteland in Helldivers lore, the city’s name on Crimsica implies the original village ceases to exist. The world famous Anglesey village lives on many lightyears away, but no word on whether any churches of St. Mary, fierce whirlpools, or red caves are present in Llanfair PG II.
Destiny 2 Gives Welsh Speaking Background to Major Character
Destiny and its follow-up Destiny 2 seem to have taken great pleasure in slotting in Welsh references, chiefly through weapon and location names that incorporate Welsh language words and characters prominent in Welsh mythology.
The Uffern HC4 weapon pulls the Welsh word for “hell” into its name, while the Pryderi-D bears the name of the only character to appear in all four branches of the mythical Mabinogi tales. The descriptive text of the Abyss Defiant auto rifle may even pay homage to Welsh poet Dylan Thomas; “We will not go quietly” bears a strong resemblance to his famous literary work, “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night”.
Welsh smith god Gofannon lends his name to the Gofannon Forge, and a vehicle bears the moniker of Dinas Emrys, the historical hillfort in Gwynedd.
Bungie hasn’t stopped there, though. In Destiny 2‘s expansions released in the past year – The Edge of Fate and Renegades – the character Lodi dropped the bombshell that he knows the Welsh language and is willing to teach it to the player’s Guardian.
Following this initial revelation, one wondered whether he would proceed to speak Cymraeg at any point in the game, even if in a text-only capacity. Near the final hours of Renegades, though, Lodi does indeed provide, delivering a solid vocal rendition of the Welsh phrase for “goodbye”, speaking “Hwyl fawr” to the player before signing off.
Welsh Speaking Antagonist Appears in She’s Leaving
UK developer Blue Hat Studio’s debut video game, She’s Leaving, is a first-person horror title set in a Tudor mansion. As forensics analyst and blood spatter expert Charles Dalton, players are tasked with exploring House Haywood and conducting examinations that may help him solve the mysterious disappearances of people in this snowy region.
Charles is not alone during his investigation, however. Played by Welsh voice actor Geraint Rhys, a rather towering and imposing figure hunts Charles throughout the mansion, speaking only in Cymraeg. His mutterings can be heard while sneaking around, but his sudden exclamations in Welsh upon noticing Charles are enough to cause many a jump scare and tense chase events.
Fellow Welsh actor Phil Rowe, due to appear in upcoming Welsh mythology game Tales from the Mabinogion in 2026, plays the role of the House Haywood narrator in She’s Leaving.
Assetto Corsa Rally’s Early Access Build Includes Wales’ Hafren Stages
Despite Wales not hosting the Rally of Great Britain any more, a large benefit to having been a staple on the World Rally Championship calendar for decades is that rally video games continue to feature popular Welsh stages.
Assetto Corsa Rally is one such title, and although the full release may not likely be until 2027, its Steam Early Access launch this year deserves attention. Of the four limited tracks available for players to get driving on, two of those are Mid Wales’ gravelly forest courses of Hafren North and Hafren South.
Like others in the game, the Hafren courses have been laser scanned to recreate the most accurate depictions of them, and certainly the gameplay videos of players that have strapped in to give them a go look incredible.
It remains to be seen whether more Welsh stages will appear throughout the Early Access period or in the full release of Assetto Corsa Rally, but Supernova and Kunos Simulazioni’s latest title is one to keep an eye on regardless.
Cymraeg Language Options in Lumo 2 and Into the Restless Ruins
Welsh language options in video games are slowly growing in recent years, and the fine work done by Yn Chwarae has ensured the expansion of that list, with the team having worked on notable titles such as Terry Cavanagh’s VVVVVV and Wales Interactive’s Sker Ritual.
There is no question that the industry needs more games in Cymraeg, though, so it is extremely pleasing when more come around.
Two notable titles in 2025 to feature the option to play fully in the Welsh language include Triple Eh?’s Lumo 2 and Ant Workshop’s Into the Restless Ruins.
Rather humorously in Lumo 2‘s case, instead of “Welsh” or “Cymraeg” displaying above the flag of Wales on the language selection menu, it reads “Cymru Am Byth!”, which, as many a proud Welsh person will know, is the country’s popular motto, meaning “Wales Forever”.
Given its Scottish mythology inspirations, it is extra amusing playing Into the Restless Ruins in Cymraeg, and especially fascinating seeing the translated names for the creatures that show up throughout the game. There is even an achievement for completing a run while using Cymraeg or Scottish Gaelic.
Fingers crossed that more games will deliver options to play in Welsh in the future, whether it is with subtitles, for menu interfaces, or both.
As is often the case with video games, it is easy for some to go well under the radar and miss the recognition they deserve. If there are any games released in 2025 with a Welsh element worthy of praise that I am missing, don’t hesitate to let me know about them.
Wales in Games will be on the lookout for even more Welsh-themed games throughout 2026!