After GTA 6 Delay, Game Awards 2025 GOTY Race Is Wide Open — Clair Obscur Leads as Hades 2 and Silksong Close In
The 12th Game Awards will take place on Dec. 11, 2025, and the field for Game of the Year is wide open after Grand Theft Auto 6 was delayed into 2026. As a result, several released games are being discussed as front-runners, dark horses, or possible late arrivals.
1. Game of the Year front-runners
2. Dark horses
3. Upcoming titles to watch
Game of the Year front-runners
1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is developed by Sandfall Interactive and published by Kepler Interactive. The game is positioned as a critically praised role-playing title from a relatively small debut studio. Additionally, prediction markets are strongly favoring its chances; for example, you can see betting activity on these prediction markets.
2. Hades 2
Hades 2 is by Supergiant Games and left Early Access in September 2025. After its 1.0 release it held a 94 Metacritic score and a 93 on OpenCritic. The original Hades was a major awards contender in 2020, and Hades 2’s strong critical scores have made it a top contender for 2025.
3. Hollow Knight: Silksong
Hollow Knight: Silksong is Team Cherry’s follow-up to the 2017 indie hit. The game had a high-profile release in 2025, strong critical response from many outlets, and very strong sales during its launch window. Its difficulty has been a notable point in coverage.
4. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is developed by Kojima Productions and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. The sequel to the 2019 title received rave coverage for its technical ambition and scale, and it remains a major contender in the conversation for Game of the Year.
5. Donkey Kong Bananza
Donkey Kong Bananza is a Nintendo platformer that earned ratings of 90 or higher on both Metacritic and OpenCritic. The game was noted for its destruction-focused gameplay and role as a flagship release on a new console. However, Nintendo’s platformers historically face mixed outcomes in GOTY voting.
6. Split Fiction
Split Fiction is a co-op action-adventure from Hazelight Studios and published by EA. It holds scores above 90 on Metacritic and OpenCritic, and Hazelight’s previous game, It Takes Two, won Game of the Year in 2021.
Dark horses
Several other released games are being discussed as possible surprise nominees. These titles have had positive receptions or devoted followings, which could help in a wide voting body.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is a realistic medieval RPG with a devoted European fanbase. The Game Awards jury has strong European representation, and similar games have secured nominations in the past.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle by MachineGames remained in the conversation after its late 2024 release. The game retains a sentimental following among some critics and players, and new DLC called The Order of Giants was released after launch.
Monster Hunter Wilds
Monster Hunter Wilds launched early in the year to acclaim and large sales. Over time, discussion around the game has lessened, but it remains a recognized entry from Capcom’s long-running series.
Blue Prince
Blue Prince is an indie puzzle game that gained critical attention and viral media coverage within games circles. The game’s limited localization may affect its reach among the international Game Awards jury.
Ghost of Yōtei
Ghost of Yōtei is a samurai sequel from Sucker Punch that received a generally warm critical reception. The game’s final impact will depend on player uptake and the broader Sony slate.
Silent Hill f
Silent Hill f is Konami’s full-scale return to the franchise and was well received by critics and players. High-profile horror titles have entered the GOTY conversation in past years.
Upcoming titles to watch
Finally, here are a few released-after-preview or upcoming games that could still shape the GOTY field if they land strongly before voting concludes.
The Outer Worlds 2
The Outer Worlds 2 is Obsidian Entertainment’s sequel to the 2019 space RPG. It aims to follow the studio’s previous work and could be a contender depending on reception at launch.
Keeper
Keeper is Double Fine’s next game, scheduled for October. It is described as a game about a sentient lighthouse with a bird friend and minimal dialogue. Double Fine’s previous nomination for Psychonauts 2 suggests the studio can be noticed by awards voters.
Update (Oct. 1): Hades 2’s full release in September moved it into top contention as one of the year’s best-reviewed games. In addition, coverage suggests a historic two-indie nomination scenario is now likely, with Hollow Knight: Silksong also well positioned. Meanwhile, Silent Hill f and Ghost of Yōtei are currently viewed as dark horses depending on how players respond to them following release.
