The Game Awards 2025 lineup has been officially revealed, and this year’s Game of the Year nominees showcase one of the strongest and most diverse selections the industry has seen in years. From long-awaited sequels to ambitious new IPs, the nominees highlight how far gaming has evolved in storytelling, gameplay depth, and artistic direction.
The following titles represent the very best of 2025 and are competing for the biggest honor in gaming: Game of the Year.
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Few games in modern gaming history have built a cult following quite like Hollow Knight: Silksong. After years of anticipation, Team Cherry’s sequel finally arrived in 2025, immediately earning critical acclaim.
Why Silksong Deserves Its GOTY Nomination
Silksong elevates everything that made the first game iconic. Faster movement, deeper lore, refined combat, and a breathtaking orchestral score have cemented it as one of the most polished indie titles of the decade.
Players and critics highlighted:
• Highly expressive animation and art direction
• Expanded world design with complex vertical maps
• A challenging yet fair combat system
• Memorable boss encounters that push precision skills
It represents the pinnacle of handcrafted Metroidvania game design and is a strong contender for the award.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
Warhorse Studios returns with Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, a historical RPG that prioritizes realism over fantasy. Its nomination underscores how impressive and unique the experience is compared to other AAA releases.
What Makes It Stand Out
• Deep medieval role-playing rooted in authentic history
• A branching narrative shaped by player decisions
• A highly detailed open world set in 15th-century Bohemia
• Improved combat mechanics that make sword fighting feel grounded and brutally realistic
This sequel fixes nearly every issue from the original and expands its ambition. Its dedication to realism and historical storytelling makes it unlike any other GOTY contender.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Hideo Kojima’s long-awaited sequel pushes boundaries once again, merging cinematic storytelling with unusual, thought-provoking gameplay. As expected, it generated enormous discussion immediately upon release.
Why It Earned a GOTY Nomination
• Stunning performance capture from Hollywood actors
• A unique narrative blending emotional drama, philosophy, and sci-fi
• Massive environmental upgrades and surreal world design
• Deeply atmospheric direction that only Kojima Productions can deliver
Death Stranding 2 is the kind of game that defines a generation. It challenges the traditional idea of what a game should be, ensuring its place among 2025’s top nominees.
Donkey Kong Bananza
Nintendo surprised everyone with Donkey Kong Bananza, a return to classic platforming with modern enhancements. Nostalgia combined with innovative level design brought this game into the GOTY spotlight.
Highlights That Make It GOTY-Worthy
• Energetic, vibrant worlds full of interactive elements
• Highly polished platforming mechanics
• A perfect balance of challenge and accessibility
• A soundtrack that blends retro themes with new rhythmic energy
Bananza is proof that 2D and 2.5D adventure games can still compete against massive AAA productions when executed with passion and precision.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
One of the most groundbreaking releases of 2025, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 pushes artistic boundaries and introduces a combat system that blends real-time movement with turn-based strategy.
Why It’s One of the Strongest Nominees
• A painterly visual style that feels like an animated oil painting
• A deeply emotional and thought-provoking storyline
• Innovative hybrid combat that has set a new standard for RPGs
• A beautifully crafted world full of atmospheric detail
Expedition 33 was praised for its creativity and emotional depth, making it a top favorite in this year’s race.
Hades II
Supergiant Games returns with a sequel that not only matches but surpasses the original. Hades II delivers refined combat, expanded lore, and a larger world, all wrapped in the studio’s signature art style.
Key Strengths of Hades II
• Fast-paced action that feels incredibly smooth and responsive
• A roguelike structure that encourages experimentation
• Voice acting and storytelling that deepen the mythological experience
• High replayability with countless build combinations
The sequel improves almost every aspect of the first game, turning it into one of 2025’s most beloved releases.
Which Game Has the Best Chance to Win?
This year’s lineup is extremely competitive, but early critic and community sentiment points toward two frontrunners:
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hades II
Both titles have consistently led discussions around innovation, gameplay quality, and artistic excellence.
However, emotional and cultural impact plays a crucial role in GOTY voting. Hollow Knight: Silksong could easily pull ahead thanks to its massive and dedicated fanbase.
Kojima’s Death Stranding 2 is another wildcard, especially if the industry leans toward narrative innovation this year.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Game of the Year nominees represent the full spectrum of modern gaming: indie artistry, AAA storytelling, realism-driven RPGs, emotional adventures, and nostalgic revivals. Each game brings something unique to the table, making this year’s competition one of the most exciting in recent memory.
No matter which title ultimately wins, 2025 will be remembered as a year when creativity and innovation flourished across the entire gaming industry.