Top Contenders for Game of the Year at The Game Awards

Introduction: What The Game Awards 2025 Means

Each year, The Game Awards brings together the biggest and most beloved games to produce a celebration of creativity, innovation, and impact.

This December (11th), the 2025 ceremony will shine a spotlight on six standout titles competing for Game of the Year (GOTY).

These games have captured the hearts of players, critics, and industry insiders and this year’s list shows a mix of bold new ideas and thoughtful sequels. Let’s dive into each nominee and see why they are worthy of this honor.

1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

This turn-based RPG developed by Sandfall Interactive is set in a haunting Belle Époque–inspired world where a mystical “Paintress” writes a number every year, and anyone of that age disappears.

Players control a party on a mission to end this cycle before the number 33 appears. This combat blends into a classic turn-based strategy with real-time mechanics like dodging, parrying, and timed actions.

It has an artistic world design which is inspired by French culture and painting techniques struck a chord with fans, while strong themes of mortality and hope make it emotionally powerful.

Since launch, the game has sold millions of copies and received widespread praise, earning a spot on this year’s GOTY list.

2. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

The long-anticipated sequel to Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding continues its deeply emotional, cinematic storytelling.

Fans were excited after seeing early trailers showing both familiar characters and new landscapes. As a nominee, its biggest stand out is for its narrative ambition and the way it challenges players to think about connection, isolation, and community.

The game’s influence on market attention is big Kojima’s name alone drives visibility, and many believe this sequel could reshape single-player open-world storytelling.

On forums like Reddit, players debate whether the emotional payoff lives up to the original, making it a compelling GOTY pick.

3. Donkey Kong Bananza

This may sound like a fun twist on a classic: Donkey Kong Bananza delivers bright, joyful platforming action with a franchise legend in the lead.

The hype around this game comes from its nostalgic roots which is combined with fresh level design and modern mechanics.

It is appealing to both the long-time fans and newcomers looking for a quality platformer gameplay.

Its nomination has acknowledged how platformers still play a key role in game culture, and how classic characters can be reinvented while keeping their spirit.

The community seems excited about a Donkey Kong game being recognized among heavy hitters a sign of broad appeal.

4. Hades II

The sequel to the critically acclaimed Hades, this game was hugely anticipated. Players admired its fast-paced action, the deep storytelling, and how it built the original’s roguelike formula.

Its nomination for GOTY makes sense because it not only refines and defines what worked before, but also expands the world, characters, and narrative in so many meaningful ways.

Market-wise, Hades II has kept players engaged and retained strong critical praise making it a strong contender.

Fans on social media are divided such that some believe its improvements deserve the top spot, others are loyal to newer IPs, but few deny its impact on the genre.

5. Hollow Knight: Silksong

This sequel to the beloved Hollow Knight carried an enormous amount of expectations. Known for its tight platforming, gorgeous hand-drawn art, and the deep lore, Silksong was rumored and teased for years so its nomination also feels like a reward for patient fans.

The anticipation that built around its release was intense such as speedrunners, explorers, and longtime Metroidvania lovers all weighed in.

Its strong performance among niche gaming communities and its emotional, layered world make it a worthy GOTY pick.

Many fans on Reddit have said they’d be thrilled if it won, citing how the game feels both familiar and vastly expanded.

6. Kingdom Come: Deliverance II

As a sequel to the historically grounded RPG Kingdom Come: Deliverance, this title is praised for its commitment to charateristcis such as realism, moral complexity, and deep role-playing systems.

This hype was built from how the first game championed historical fidelity, and the players are curious how the sequel pushes that further.

Its nomination reflects the strength of its world-building, character growth, and the challenge it brings to players who like serious, strategy-rich RPGs.

On social platforms, fans of the first game are passionate, arguing that KCD II deserves just as much legacy love as any fantasy or action title.

Audience Buzz: Who Players Want to Win

Looking across Reddit, X, and other platforms, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 seems to be the fan favorite. Many players also celebrated its originality, emotional depth, and artistic ambition.

The refined gameplay and legacy of Hades II is why some users support it most. Some users of the forum support the platformer Hollow Knight: Silksong most as it seems to have such a dreamlike world.

The forum debate is thriving and this is what video game awards should do. It should be a celebration of the art of video games in all its forms and diversity.

The winner should also be a game of great emotional and artistic boldness. The forum users supported the Hades II most. The artistic ambitions of Clair Obscura as well as other newcomers deserve this recognition.

Final Thoughts: Why This GOTY List Feels Special

2025’s nominations are also liable to newcomers and less-important sequels. It is great to see so much diversity in this years nominations across not only the great blockbusters but also the small, creative games.

The winner will be a game which focuses great, creative depth and perhaps even new gameplay. This is a clear win for players as the forum users will be able to see this variety praised.