The Game Awards 2025 nominations reveal a clear frontrunner

The Game Awards 2025 has finally revealed its nominees in categories including Best Racing Game, Best Sports Game, and the coveted Game of the Year. This has been one of the best years for gaming in recent memory. Nintendo launched the Switch 2THE successor to its dominant console and handheld hybrid, and Xbox has dipped its own toes into the handheld market with the ROG Xbox Ally.

There have been incredible successes across the industry from small independents like Blue Prince And Despeloteas well as blockbusters like Doom: Dark Ages, Divided fictionAnd Wild Monster Hunters. There were also quite a few surprises at the end of the year like ARC Raiders And Shipping.

But only one game can win the 2025 Game of the Year award, and there are only six nominees. Keep reading to find out how to vote in The Game Awards 2025 as well as the full list of categories and nominees, from Best Indie Game to Best Art Direction.

Chiaroscuro: Expedition 33

Chiaroscuro: Expedition 33 is the clear fan favorite to win the 2025 Game of the Year award. Made by a small group of passionate developers in France, this game combines engaging turn-based combat with believable characters to tell one of the most moving stories of this year. Plus, unlike all the other Game of the Year contenders, Expedition 33 is not a sequel or franchise title, which may give it an added advantage among gamers.

Expedition 33 also leads the pack with an impressive 12 nominations this year in other categories, including Best Art Direction and Best Story.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

The sequel to Hideo Kojima’s post-apocalyptic epic, Death Strandingis another fantasy narrative game with themes of connection, heartbreak, and loss. With Death Stranding 2, Helldiverse 2, And Yotei’s GhostSony is the most nominated publisher this year with 19 nominations.

Death Stranding was nominated for Game of the Year at the 2019 Game Awards, but ultimately lost to From Software and Activision. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Let’s see if Kojima can win the prize this time.

Donkey Kong Bananza

Nintendo took its monkey mascot and created one of the best 3D platformers this year with Donkey Kong Banaza. The camaraderie between Donkey Kong and Daisy is so charming, and the game’s innovative destruction mechanics make destroying the environment to pieces fun.

Nintendo has received numerous Game of the Year nominations over the years with games like Xenoblade 3 Chronicles, Metroid TerrorAnd Super Mario Bros. Wonderbut has not won the category since 2017 with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

Hades 2

Hades was the indie darling of the 2020s. The incredibly addictive “just one more turn” roguelite gameplay, engaging characters, and bold comic book art direction captivated gamers around the world. Hades 2 brings more of the same but turns up the dial. With even more gameplay refinements, areas to explore, and deities to encounter, it’s no wonder that Hades 2 received a nomination for Game of the Year.

Hades was nominated for Game of the Year in 2020, but lost to The Last of Us Part 2. Now is another chance for him to win.

Song of the Hollow Knight’s Silk

With Hades 2 And Expedition 33, Song of the Hollow Knight’s Silk completes the independent trifecta of nominations this year. It’s surprising that this game came out this year after numerous delays, but the wait definitely paid off. Its exploration and difficulty are extremely rewarding, making it one of the best 2D platformers in years.

His predecessor, Hollow Knightwas nominated for Best First Indie Game in 2017, but lost to Cutting head. Now its sequel joins the big leagues with a nomination for Game of the Year. Talk about a blast!

Kingdom Come Deliverance 2

This one is a bit of a surprise because for all that Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 that is to say, there are other games that could have taken its place in this nomination. The other nominees remained in the cultural zeitgeist and were in the spotlight. Always, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2‘s dedication to historical realism and gameplay is impressive, and its story is more emotionally charged than the first game, making it an excellent medieval simulation RPG.

The first game didn’t receive any nominations in previous shows, so it must be exciting for the developers to get their first nomination at The Game Awards, and for the ultimate Game of the Year category, no less.

How to vote at The Game Awards 2025

The Game Awards 2025 will take place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California and will air on December 11. You can vote for your favorite games on The Game Awards website. All you need to do is create an account and log in to start voting immediately. However, winners are not simply chosen by popular vote.

In addition to fan votes, The Game Awards features a “jury of more than 100 media and media influencers from around the world, selected for their history of critically evaluating video games. Specialist juries also convene for other categories, including esports, accessibility and best adaptation.” In the end, “the winners are determined by a mixed vote between the voting jury (90%) and the vote of fans from the public (10%). Fans can vote for their favorite games at TheGameAwards.com.

The Game Awards 2025: full list of nominees

In addition to the six nominees for Game of the Year, here is the full list of categories and nominations for 2025.

Best Indie Game:

Best first independent game:

Best mobile game:

• Destiny: Ascendant

• Persona 5: Phantom

• Sonic roar

• Umamusume: Nice Derby

• Howling Waves

Best virtual reality/augmented reality game:

• Alien: Raid of Thieves

• Age of Arken

• Ghost town

• Marvel’s Deadpool VR

• The midnight walk

Best action game:

Best role-playing game:

Best fighting game:

• 2XKO

• Capcom Combat Collection 2

• Fatal Fury: City of Wolves

• Mortal Kombat: Legacy Collection

• Virtua Fighter 5 REVO World Stage

Best family game:

Best simulation/strategy game:

• Changes

• Final Fantasy Tactics: The Chronicles of Ivalice

• Jurassic World Evolution 3

• Civilization VII by Sid Meier

• Rising storm

• Two Point Museum

Best sports/racing game:

Best multiplayer game:

• ARC Raiders

• Battlefield 6

• Night Reign of the Elder Ring

• CULMINATE

• Divided fiction

Best game direction:

Best story:

• Chiaroscuro: Expedition 33

• Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

• Yotei’s Ghost

• Kingdom Come: Deliverance II

• Silent Hill

Best Art Direction:

Best score and music:

Best Audio Design:

Best performance:

• Benn Star in Chiaroscuro: Expedition 33

• Charlie Cox in Chiaroscuro: Expedition 33

• Erika Ishii in Yotei’s Ghost

• Jennifer English in Chiaroscuro: Expedition 33

• Konatsu Kato in Silent Hill

• Troy Baker in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

Innovation in accessibility:

Games for impact:

Best current game:

• Final Fantasy XIV

• Fortnite

• Helldiverse II

• Marvel Rivals

• No Man’s Sky

Best Community Support:

• Baldur III’s Gate

• Final Fantasy XIV

• Fortnite

• Helldiverse II

• No Man’s Sky

Best Game Adaptation:

Most anticipated game:

• 007 First Light

• Grand Theft Auto VI

• Marvel’s Wolverine

• Resident Evil Requiem

• The Witcher IV

Content Creator of the Year:

• Cedrel

• Kai Cénat

• WetCr1TiKaL

• Sakura Miko

• The burnt peanut

Best eSports game:

Best eSports Athlete:

• brawk – Brock Somerhalder (VALORANT)

• Chovy – Jeong Ji-hoon (League of Legends)

• f0rsakeN – Jason Susanto (VALORANT)

• Kakeru – Kakeru Watanabe (Street fighter)

• MenaRD – Saul Leonardo (Street fighter)

• Zyw0o – Mathieu Herbaut (Counter-Strike 2)

Best eSports team: