The Game Awards 2025: The Most Competitive Lineup Ever

The Game Awards 2025 lineup is finally here — and it’s not just stacked, it’s chaotic, competitive, unpredictable, and arguably the strongest roster the show has ever seen.
From ambitious AAAs to bold indies, from returning legends to long-awaited sequels, this year’s nominees reflect a gaming industry at its most experimental and daring.

And yes, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 really is everywhere.

Let’s break down the nominees, controversies, surprises, and bold predictions.

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Game of the Year Nominees (GOTY 2025)

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 — 38% chance to win

• Why it was nominated: A surprise breakout hit from a debut French studio. Its painterly art, turn-based/real-time hybrid combat, and emotionally heavy narrative made it the most talked-about new IP of 2025. It dominated social media and became the “critical darling” of the year.

• Strongest gameplay moment: The first encounter with the “Painted Wraiths,” where time freezes mid-attack and players must rotate the camera to dodge paint-strokes suspended in the air — a moment that made everyone go: “Okay, this game is doing something completely new.”

• Major weakness (honesty factor): Some pacing issues in the middle chapters and difficulty spikes that feel artificially punishing.

• Win probability:38%.. Strong frontrunner — critics love it, players love it, and it has the “newcomer shock factor.”

Hades II — 25% chance to win

• Why it was nominated: Supergiant managed the impossible: taking a beloved 10/10 roguelike and making every system sharper, richer, and more expressive. Its story pacing and god-tier combat instantly became the blueprint for modern roguelikes.

• Strongest gameplay moment: The first transformation sequence when Melinoë unlocks her full Witch Mode — every streamer screamed, every player clipped it.

• Major weakness: Because it’s a roguelike sequel, some voters may feel it “plays it safe,” even if it’s mechanically perfect.

• Win probability:25%.. Huge player-base support. A real threat to win Players’ Voice AND GOTY.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach — 17% chance to win

• Why it was nominated: Kojima delivered the most cinematic game of the year — weird, atmospheric, polarizing, but undeniably bold. Its themes of climate collapse, human connection, and grief hit harder than expected.

• Strongest gameplay moment: The first “shoreline collapse” sequence where the ocean literally folds inward, creating a physics-bending wave Sam has to outrun. Pure Kojima insanity.

• Major weakness: The pacing. Some sections feel like a long, beautiful walk… followed by another long, beautiful walk.

• Win probability: 17% ..Critics will praise its ambition, but its divisiveness hurts its top-spot chances.

Hollow Knight: Silksong — 10% chance to win

• Why it was nominated: It finally arrived — and somehow, it lived up to years of impossible hype. Faster, sharper, more vertical, and more atmospheric, Silksong is a masterclass in metroidvania design.

• Strongest gameplay moment: The first boss in the Glass Temples — a multi-phase aerial duel that forces players to re-learn air movement entirely.

• Major weakness: The difficulty curve is brutal, even for franchise veterans.

• Win probability: 10% Beloved and critically adored, but GOTY voters typically avoid extremely punishing titles.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II — 7% chance to win

• Why it was nominated: Historically grounded RPGs rarely feel this immersive. The attention to realism — from weapon physics to medieval politics — makes it one of the most ambitious RPGs of 2025.

• Strongest gameplay moment: The nighttime siege mission where torches go out mid-battle, forcing players to fight blind with sound cues. A masterpiece of tension.

• Major weakness: Its realism can work against it — slower progression and steep systems turn off casual players.

• Win probability: 7%.. Favorite but unlikely to take the top prize.

Donkey Kong Bananza — 3% chance to win

• Why it was nominated: Nintendo magic. Charming, colorful, ultra-polished, and full of personality. It reboots the DK brand with clever level design and outrageous co-op physics.

• Strongest gameplay moment: The vine-slingshot jungle chase — a rollercoaster of chaos that perfectly captures Nintendo’s ability to blend fun + spectacle.

• Major weakness: It’s brilliant, but it’s still a family platformer in a year full of narrative giants.

• Win probability: 3%.. A wonderful nominee but not a realistic GOTY contender.

Game Award 2025: Best Narrative Nominees

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

• A fresh IP with ambition: it combines emotional storytelling with gameplay that pushes you to care about every decision. As one recent preview puts it, its story “lives through every part of the game.”

• Its mix of atmosphere, pacing, and narrative weight — especially in a year crowded with big sequels — gives it a distinctive edge.

• Why it could win: It feels like a “whole package” — strong story, memorable characters, and a sense of stakes that many games this year tried to replicate.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

• As a sequel to a narrative-driven original, expectations are high. The developer behind a famously polarizing but bold first game is unlikely to play it safe.

• If it delivers on emotional beats and philosophical depth (as the first did), its narrative weight and ambition make it a wild card.

• Why it might pull through: For players who value bold, auteur-driven storytelling and a continuation of the original’s themes.

Ghost of Yōtei

• A relative dark horse — coming from a studio known for action, this could surprise by leaning into storytelling in an unexpected way.

• Its presence shows the category isn’t dominated only by huge blockbusters or legacy franchises.

• Why it’s interesting: If it nails tone, setting and motivation, it could be the sleeper pick — especially for players wanting something fresh beyond RPGs.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II

• A sequel to a realistic, historically-inspired RPG: its narrative strength lies in grounded storytelling, believable characters, and stakes rooted in realism.

• For fans of immersive, mature stories and historical settings, this is a solid pick.

• Why it could resonate: Its tone and narrative ambition might appeal to players who prefer realism and slower-burn stories over high-fantasy spectacle.

Silent Hill f

• The return of a storied horror franchise — with potential for psychological horror, atmosphere, and a narrative that challenges expectations.

• Horror narratives, when done right, stand out for emotional impact and memorable moments.

• Why it has potential: For players drawn to dark, twisted storylines and a return to eerie, cinematic horror — this could be the sleeper hit.

Game Award 2025: Best Art Direction

• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 — This title pushes boundaries by blending cinematic visuals with painterly, atmospheric art direction. It evokes a mood that feels both haunting and deeply immersive, making environments feel like living artwork rather than mere game backdrops.

• Death Stranding 2: On The Beach — Known for its realistic detail and surreal touches, this sequel marries harsh real-world landscapes with dreamlike visuals, delivering a striking contrast that underscores its narrative themes. The art direction works to amplify the emotional weight and mystery of the story.

• Ghost of Yōtei — This game seems to lean heavily on mood and tone, using light, color palettes, and environmental design to build atmosphere. Its visual identity likely helps to create a sense of place and character that resonates emotionally with players.

• Hades II — While it inherits the strong stylistic DNA from its predecessor, Hades II refines and elevates it: vivid art, bold character and environment design, and dynamic aesthetics that match the game’s fast-paced action. Its art direction isn’t just decoration, it’s part of the gameplay experience.

• Hollow Knight: Silksong — With its signature hand-drawn art style and gothic, atmospheric charm, Silksong remains a standout in 2D design. Its art direction balances darkness and beauty, giving every frame a storybook-like quality that’s both haunting and enchanting.

Game Award 2025: Best Score and Music

• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 — music by Lorien Testard
• Death Stranding 2: On the Beach — music by Woodkid and Ludvig Forssell
• Ghost of Yōtei — music by Toma Otowa
• Hades II — music by Darren Korb
• Hollow Knight: Silksong — music by Christopher Larkin

Game Award 2025: Best Ongoing Game

The nominees for The Game Awards 2025 – Best Ongoing Game are:

• Final Fantasy XIV
• Fortnite
• Helldivers 2
• Marvel Rivals
• No Man’s Sky

These titles stand out not for a single release but for their ongoing evolution through updates, expansions and live-service support.

Game Award 2025: Best Community Support

Nominees: Baldur’s Gate 3, Final Fantasy XIV, Fortnite, Helldivers 2, No Man’s Sky

• This award recognizes games that deliver consistent updates, responsiveness to players, and active community engagement — including social-media interaction, bug-fixing, patches, and transparency from developers.
• Example: Baldur’s Gate 3 keeps receiving free content updates and mod-support, proving the developer’s commitment even years after launch.
• Example: No Man’s Sky remains a strong contender thanks to long-term free updates and sustained community interaction over many years.
• A win here means the game’s dev team values players, listens actively, and supports the community beyond launch hype

Game Award 2025: Best Independent Game

• Absolum
• BALL x PIT
• Blue Prince
• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Hades II
• Hollow Knight: Silksong

Game Award 2025: Best Mobile Game

• Destiny: Rising
• Persona 5: The Phantom X
• Sonic Rumble
• Umamusume: Pretty Derby
• Wuthering Waves

Game Award 2025: Best Action Game

• Battlefield 6
• Doom: The Dark Ages
• Hades II
• Ninja Gaiden 4
• Shinobi: Art of Vengeance

Game Award 2025: Best Action/Adventure Game

• Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
• Ghost of Yōtei
• Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
• Hollow Knight: Silksong
• Split Fiction

Game Award 2025: Best Role Playing Game (RPG Games)

• Avowed
• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
• Monster Hunter Wilds
• The Outer Worlds 2

Game Award 2025: Best Fighting Game

• 2XKO: A bold candidate from Riot Games, nominated even while still in beta.
• Capcom Fighting Collection 2: A compilation of legendary fighters from Capcom, offering a polished package with nostalgia and variety.
• Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection: A packed collection that assembles past entries from NetherRealm Studios into a single fighting-game anthology.
• Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage: A refreshed version of the 3D fighting staple from Sega, bringing updated netcode and renewed competitive potential.

Game Award 2025: Best Family Game

Family-friendly options that everyone can enjoy:

• Donkey Kong Bananza: A joyful and chaotic platformer that brings back classic arcade-style fun with enough whimsy for the whole family.
• LEGO Party!: A relaxed, collaborative game that focuses on creativity and group interaction. Great for younger players and casual sessions with friends or family.
• LEGO Voyagers: Combines exploration and building mechanics with LEGO charm, offering a safe and imaginative experience for all ages.
• Mario Kart World: A classic racing party game that appeals to fans of all ages. Its accessibility and friendly competition make it a top pick for group play.
• Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds: Fast-paced but accessible racing that mixes nostalgia and modern design. Good balance between fun and challenge for families and friends.
• Split Fiction: A more unconventional pick for the category. Offers cooperative or shared experiences that can bring a group together; a refreshing different flavor among familiar party-style games.

Game Award 2025: Best Performance

• Ben Starr: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

• Charlie Cox: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

• Jennifer English: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

• Erika Ishii: Ghost of Yōtei

• Troy Baker: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

• Konatsu Kato: Silent Hill f

Conclusion

The 2025 Game Awards lineup isn’t just stacked — it’s historic. This is the rare year where every nominee brings something genuinely new to the table: bold storytelling, genre-redefining combat, technical innovation, or pure Nintendo-style joy. 2025 didn’t give us one masterpiece — it gave us six.

“Which game will define the next era of gaming?”

And when the winners are announced, expect shockwaves — because whichever studio walks away with GOTY 2025, it’s going to reshape the conversation for years to come.

This is the most exciting Game Awards season we’ve had in a decade. Buckle up.

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FAQs

When will Game Awards 2025 nominees go on sale?

Expect major sales during and immediately after The Game Awards on December 11, 2025. Publishers traditionally discount nominees by 20-40% during the event, with losing nominees often seeing steeper cuts in the following weeks. Holiday sales in late December also coincide perfectly with the awards timing, creating optimal buying opportunities. Set up price alerts now so you don’t miss the discounts when they hit.

Are free-to-play nominees worth playing?

Absolutely. Nominees like Apex Legends, Fortnite, Final Fantasy XIV, Genshin Impact, and Valorant offer complete experiences without mandatory purchases. These games generate billions in revenue precisely because their free content is excellent enough to attract massive player bases. You can enjoy hundreds of hours across all five games without spending anything, making them perfect for budget-conscious gamers seeking quality entertainment.

Should I buy Game of the Year nominees at launch or wait?

Wait unless you’re dying to play immediately. Historical data shows Game of the Year nominees drop 25-50% in price within 3-6 months post-launch. Previous winners like Elden Ring and Baldur’s Gate 3 both received significant discounts during subsequent seasonal sales. The gaming experience remains identical whether you buy at launch or six months later, but your savings can fund additional games. Patience literally pays.

Hager Hesham

Content Writer and your go-to gaming expert. I'm here to share my best practices, valuable strategies, and professional gamer guidance. Also, I'm a gem hunter for the best deals and gift cards, just to enjoy games at almost zero cost with AR-pay.