As of early 2025, the Play-to-Earn (P2E) gaming space continues to expand with a range of innovative games that integrate NFTs, cryptocurrencies, and blockchain technology. Here are 10 of the top trending P2E games that are gaining traction, both in terms of player engagement and market value:

1. Axie Infinity

• Platform: Ethereum (Ronin sidechain)

• Genre: Strategy / Collectible Pets

• Overview: One of the most well-known P2E games, Axie Infinity allows players to    collect, breed, and battle fantasy creatures called Axies. Players earn SLP tokens for battles and breeding, which can be traded for real money. The game has a strong player-driven economy and has gained popularity in countries like the Philippines, where players have been able to earn a substantial income.

• Why it's trending: Axie Infinity remains one of the most successful P2E games due  to its deep ecosystem, significant earnings potential, and large community.

2. The Sandbox

• Platform: Ethereum (Polygon network)

• Genre: Virtual World / Metaverse

• Overview: The Sandbox is a decentralized virtual world where players can create,  own, and monetize digital assets in the form of NFTs. Players can design virtual land, assets, and experiences and sell or trade them on the platform’s    marketplace. The game’s native currency is SAND, which is used to purchase    land, participate in governance, and trade assets.

• Why it's trending: As a leading Metaverse game, The Sandbox attracts brands,    artists, and players who want to explore virtual spaces, create experiences, and generate passive income.

3. Decentraland

• Platform: Ethereum

• Genre: Virtual World / Metaverse

• Overview: Decentraland is a virtual reality world where players can buy, sell, and    build on virtual land parcels as NFTs. Players can create interactive environments, host events, or design art galleries and storefronts. The game’s native token is MANA, used for transactions within the platform.

• Why it's trending: As one of the pioneers of the Metaverse, Decentraland has    attracted attention from brands, celebrities, and developers looking to create virtual real estate, art, and experiences.

4. Gods Unchained

• Platform: Ethereum

• Genre: Trading Card Game (TCG)

• Overview: Gods Unchained is a blockchain-based trading card game where players can buy, sell, and trade unique NFT cards. The game uses GODS tokens for governance and FURY tokens for rewards. Players can earn rewards through matches and tournaments, as well as by crafting valuable cards.

• Why it's trending: Combining the competitive nature of TCGs with the financial  incentives of blockchain, Gods Unchained has a strong competitive community and a growing secondary market for trading cards.

5. Illuvium

• Platform: Ethereum (Immutable X)

• Genre: Open-World RPG / Creature Collecting

• Overview: Illuvium is a visually stunning open-world RPG where players can explore, battle, and capture Illuvials, powerful creatures that exist as NFTs. The    game’s economy includes rewards for exploration, combat, and trading Illuvial NFTs. The game uses ILV tokens for governance and rewards.

• Why it's trending: Illuvium is one of the most anticipated P2E games due to its    high-quality graphics, immersive world-building, and unique play-and-earn    mechanics.

6. Splinterlands

• Platform: Hive Blockchain

• Genre: Trading Card Game (TCG)

• Overview: Splinterlands is a popular P2E trading card game that allows players to collect cards as NFTs, battle other players, and earn rewards. The game has a highly active community, and players can earn DEC (Dark Energy Crystals) or SPS (Splintershards) tokens by competing in ranked matches.

• Why it's trending: Splinterlands is known for its fast-paced gameplay, low entry    barriers, and low transaction fees. It’s accessible for both casual and competitive players.

7. Star Atlas

• Platform: Solana

• Genre: Space Exploration / Strategy

• Overview: Star Atlas is a space exploration game that combines strategy, space      combat, and economic management. Players can build and upgrade ships, mine     resources, explore new star systems, and engage in PvP battles. The game      features NFTs for ships, land, and other in-game assets, and it uses ATLAS      and POLIS tokens.

• Why it's trending: As one of the most ambitious Metaverse games, Star Atlas offers players the opportunity to engage in massive space exploration with high-quality visuals and complex economic mechanics.

8. My Neighbor Alice

• Platform: Chromia Blockchain

• Genre: Farming / Life Simulation

• Overview: My Neighbor Alice is a farming simulation game where players can buy land, raise animals, plant crops, and interact with others. Players can purchase    and sell in-game assets such as land plots and animals as NFTs. The game uses ALICE tokens for transactions and governance.

• Why it's trending: With its casual gameplay and focus on community interaction, My  Neighbor Alice is attracting players looking for a more relaxed P2E    experience.

9. Guild of Guardians

• Platform: Ethereum (Immutable X)

• Genre: Action RPG / Mobile Game

• Overview: Guild of Guardians is an action RPG where players build a team of heroes to battle through dungeons and participate in guild-based events. Players    can earn NFTs representing heroes, items, and resources, which can be traded.    The game uses GOG tokens as its native currency.

• Why it's trending: Guild of Guardians is one of the most popular mobile P2E games, offering a rewarding experience for both casual and hardcore gamers who  want to earn while playing.

10. Battle Pets

• Platform: Ethereum (Polygon Network)

• Genre: Collectible Strategy / Battler

• Overview: Battle Pets is a strategy game where players collect, breed, and battle    Pets represented by NFTs. Players earn rewards in the form of tokens by    competing in battles and participating in tournaments. Battle Pets also features a unique governance model where players can influence the development of the game.

• Why it's trending: With its engaging gameplay, accessible mechanics, and the Pet  Metaverse theme, Battle Pets is gaining popularity among fans of casual  competitive gaming.

Honorable Mentions:

• Axie Infinity: Origin: The revamped version of Axie Infinity offers a fresh gameplay experience with updated mechanics and enhanced rewards.

• Thetan Arena: A MOBA that allows players to earn through participation in battles    and tournaments, offering both competitive and casual modes.

• CryptoBlades: A RPG where players can create and upgrade characters to participate in battles, with earnings in the form of SKILL tokens.

Summary:

The P2E ecosystem is thriving, with games offering diverse genres from virtual worlds, strategy games, and card games to RPGs and Metaverse experiences. These games are combining NFTs, cryptocurrencies, and blockchain technology to create more interactive, rewarding, and sustainable ecosystems, giving players the opportunity to earn real-world value through their gaming activities.