The Game Awards 2025 delivered one of the most competitive and surprising lineups in recent memory. With new IPs challenging long-established franchises and bold artistic visions redefining modern gaming, this year’s winners set a new standard for creativity, innovation, and technical excellence across the industry.
Below is the complete list of winners across all major categories, along with context on why each title stood out in a stacked year.
Game of the Year
Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
A stunning achievement in art, storytelling, and experimental RPG combat, Expedition 33 dominated the night with its painterly visuals and emotional depth.
Best Game Direction
Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Awarded for visionary leadership and innovative systems design that redefined turn-based combat for a new generation.
Best Narrative
Winner: Star Wars Outlaws
Praised for its cinematic presentation, rich world-building, and strong character-driven storytelling.
Best Art Direction
Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
A visually groundbreaking title that blends impressionist art with dark fantasy themes.
Best Score and Music
Winner: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
A sweeping orchestral experience enhanced by modern reinterpretations of iconic themes.
Best Audio Design
Winner: S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl
Recognized for its atmospheric soundscapes and hyper-realistic environmental audio.
Best Performance
Winner: Ben Starr as Clive Rosfield (Final Fantasy XVI)
A moving, powerful performance that resonated with players and critics.
Games for Impact
Winner: Dungeons of Hinterberg
Celebrated for its meaningful storytelling and emotional resonance.
Best Ongoing Game
Winner: Fortnite
Continues dominating with consistent content updates, community engagement, and genre-expanding events.
Best Community Support
Winner: No Man’s Sky
A testament to long-term dedication and transformative updates that reshaped player perception.
Best Independent Game
Winner: Hades II
Supergiant Games delivered another masterclass in design, narrative pacing, and combat fluidity.
Best Debut Indie Game
Winner: Hades II
Recognized again for excellence as a debut release in early access format.
Best Mobile Game
Winner: Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile
Praised for console-quality visuals, smooth gameplay, and huge player ecosystems.
Best VR/AR Game
Winner: Horizon Call of the Mountain
Awarded for breathtaking visuals and immersive VR design.
Best Action Game
Winner: Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon
High-speed mecha combat with deep mechanical customization.
Best Action/Adventure Game
Winner: Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Combines narrative emotion, tight combat, and signature traversal.
Best RPG
Winner: Baldur’s Gate 3
A role-playing masterpiece with unmatched choice-driven gameplay.
Best Fighting Game
Winner: Tekken 8
Domination through refined mechanics and next-generation animation detail.
Best Family Game
Winner: Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Colorful, creative, and accessible fun for all ages.
Best Sports/Racing Game
Winner: Forza Motorsport
Awarded for realism, track design, and deep simulation systems.
Best Simulation/Strategy Game
Winner: Cities: Skylines II
Offers expansive city-building tools with unmatched scale.
Best Multiplayer Game
Winner: Helldivers 2
A cooperative shooter that exploded in popularity due to tight gameplay and community execution.
Most Anticipated Game
Winner: Grand Theft Auto VI
No surprise here. The global hype is unmatched.
Final Thoughts
The Game Awards 2025 celebrated a year defined by artistic risk-taking, ambitious storytelling, and breakthroughs in technology. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 emerged as the standout champion, but every winning title pushed the industry forward in its own way.