By Jordan Grim • November 18, 2025 • 11:53 PM (PDT)
By Jordan Grim • November 18, 2025 • 11:53 PM (PDT)
The game awards 2025 lineup is out, and this year’s nominations bring a wave of excitement across the gaming world. Topping the list is Clair Obscur Expedition 33, securing an impressive twelve nominations and setting the pace for the rest of the field. The role-playing title earned strong praise for its emotional storytelling, standout battles, and memorable performances, making it a clear favorite in the game of the year nominees 2025.
Sandfall Interactive’s team of around thirty developers crafted a game that pushed beyond expectations. With nominations in major categories including Game of the Year, Best Narrative, and multiple performance awards for Ben Starr, Charlie Cox, and Jennifer English, the studio’s work continues to attract attention. Some fans are debating its placement in the independent game category, but the excitement surrounding its achievement remains strong.
The game awards nominations list for 2025 is stacked with major titles. Death Stranding 2, directed by Hideo Kojima, earned eight nominations and returns with its signature cinematic style. Ghost of Yōtei, another PlayStation exclusive, matched that count and placed Erika Ishii among the acting nominees.
Indie favorites Hades 2 and Hollow Knight Silksong continue to dominate conversations. Silksong’s long-awaited arrival sparked massive player interest, crashing several online stores at launch. Rounding out the major contenders are Donkey Kong Bananza—a standout on the new Switch 2—and Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, keeping medieval storytelling alive in the top category.
Your nominees for GAME OF THE YEAR at #TheGameAwards 2025 on Thursday, December 11. pic.twitter.com/VQTXMfNHOQ
— The Game Awards (@thegameawards) November 17, 2025
This year’s nominations also shine a bright light on Xbox’s lineup. Titles such as Avowed, DOOM The Dark Ages, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Ninja Gaiden 4, South of Midnight, and The Outer Worlds 2 earned recognition across a wide range of categories. Players can access many of these titles through Xbox Game Pass, making it easier for fans to try the nominated games before the winners are announced.
Troy Baker’s performance as Indiana Jones secured a well-earned nomination, continuing the strong presence of narrative-driven adventure games in the awards race.
As with every year, the game awards 2025 list wouldn’t be complete without debates over missing contenders. Ghost of Yōtei fell short of a Game of the Year slot despite its critical success. Split Fiction, the follow-up to It Takes Two, surprised many by missing out as well.
One of the biggest talking points is the absence of Blue Prince from major categories. With some of the best reviews of the year, its omission from Game of the Year remains a sore point for many fans.
Meanwhile, The Hundred Line Last Defense Academy delivered one of the most ambitious narratives of the year, complete with 100 unique endings, yet failed to find a place in the Best Narrative category.
Fans across the United States are gearing up for the ceremony in Los Angeles. With millions expected to stream the event, the game of the year battle remains one of the biggest entertainment stories of the month. As excitement builds, the game awards 2025 continues to shape conversations about creativity, storytelling, and the future of game development.
