The Game Awards 2025 nominations are out and feature 29 award categories, with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 leading the nominee race with over 12 nominations—the highest ever in TGA’s history.
The Game of the Year (GOTY), however, is the most prestigious category among them all, for which six games will clash out at Geoff Keighley’s show. Interestingly, this year’s GOTY race isn’t looking one-sided, with every nominated title being a tour de force in its own right. Without further ado, here are The Game Awards 2025 GOTY nominations.
All The Game Awards 2025 GOTY nominations
Below is the list of all the games nominated for the Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2025.
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Donkey Kong Bananza
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Hades 2
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a condensed and challenging turn-based RPG with a unique parry system, but that’s not all it has to offer. Its gut-wrenching story, grief-stricken characters, gorgeous visuals, and hauntingly beautiful soundtrack come together in harmony with its impeccable gameplay to create one of the most memorable videogame experiences of this generation.
It currently boasts a Metacritic score of 92/100. The game is available on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox Game Pass.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Like its predecessor, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is, for the most part, a walking simulator, in which Sam Bridges embarks on a journey of grief to reconnect parts of Mexico and Australia. However, it’s a more uniformly structured game, with improved pacing, subtle yet essential gameplay changes, additional combat encounters, and a more plausible story.
The game currently has a Metacritic score of 89/100, and is PS5 exclusive as of now.
Donkey Kong Bananza
As the first 3D Donkey Kong game since 1999’s Donkey Kong 64, Bananza had big shoes to fill, and somehow it ended up doing that and more, effortlessly. It’s one of the most innovative 3D platformers of this generation, blending clever platforming puzzles in open-ended, highly destructible spaces ripe for exploration.
It currently boasts a Metacritic score of 91/100, and is available on Nintendo Switch 2.
Hades 2
Hades 2 is a fast-paced, isometric roguelike title in which you play as Melinoe, Greek princess of the underworld, who’s on a mission to defeat Chronos, the titan of time. It features jaw-droppingly beautiful art, a captivating soundtrack by Journey‘s composer Austin Wintory, fascinating lore-accurate characters, smart, ever-changing levels, and, most importantly, a satisfying gameplay loop that holds everything together.
At the time of writing, the game boasts a Metacritic score of 95/100. It’s available on PC, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2.
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Hollow Knight: Silksong was a surprising release this year, but its quality remained unsurprisingly top-notch like its 2017 predecessor. It’s a brutally difficult 2D Metroidvania with labyrinth levels that embody a unique and vibrant art style, boss encounters that feel like an orchestrated ballad, and a deep progression system that feels cathartic and righteous in every sense.
It currently boasts a Metacritic score of 91/100, and is available on a wide range of platforms, including PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox Game Pass.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is a hardcore, first-person RPG in the veins of KCD 1, but with a few refinements. It combines the best elements of Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, marrying them with the grounded gameplay beats of the first KCD.
KCD 2 takes place in an expansive open world inspired by real-life 15th-century Bohemia, full of intriguing characters, a branching narrative, nail-bitingly tough combat encounters, engaging side activities, and an exceptionally well-written story that continues and concludes Henry’s tale.
Available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, the game currently has a Metacritic score of 88/100.
