Game of the Year 2025: Top Contenders, Biggest Surprises, and What to Watch Next

Get ready, gamers! The race for Game of the Year 2025 is heating up, and with Grand Theft Auto 6 delayed to 2026, everything’s up in the air. Who are the real front-runners now? Let’s dive in and see which titles are leading, which ones could surprise us, and what’s still to come before The Game Awards on December 11!

The biggest GOTY 2025 contenders so far
Dark horses that could shake up the race
Upcoming releases to keep an eye on
Why GTA 6’s delay changes everything

GOTY 2025: The Current Front-Runners

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

This ambitious RPG is turning heads everywhere. With high scores, a gripping story, and stunning visuals, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is exactly the kind of game that wins awards. Created by the debut team at Sandfall Interactive, it’s both a critical darling and a fan favorite—though it’ll need to stay in the spotlight till voting time. Game Pass could give it the push it needs!

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

Hideo Kojima is back, and so is the hype. Death Stranding 2 is grander, more accessible, and still as weird as ever. Rave reviews, Sony’s backing, and technical excellence make it a serious contender. Some might see it as the “safe” pick, but with Kojima at the helm, anything can happen.

Split Fiction

Hazelight’s new co-op adventure is rocking a 90+ score on Metacritic and OpenCritic. Following the success of It Takes Two (2021’s GOTY), Split Fiction blends creative design with a unique VR-inspired story. Will jurors want to give Hazelight another win so soon? Only time will tell.

Blue Prince

Every year, one indie game breaks into the top six, and this year Blue Prince is leading the charge. With a 92 Metascore, clever puzzles, and a mysterious narrative, it’s got people talking. But is it accessible enough to win over the mainstream jury? If another big indie like Hades 2 drops, things could get interesting.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

Looking for a massive, realistic RPG? Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 fits the bill. Critics love it, and its medieval world is a hit with hardcore fans. However, some controversy around the developer and its challenging gameplay might hold it back from top honors.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

MachineGames’ take on Indiana Jones just missed last year’s deadline, but it’s back in the running for 2025. With top-notch storytelling and action, plus Troy Baker in the cast, it’s a strong candidate. But can a licensed game stay relevant for a whole year? That’s the big question.

Dark Horses: Who Could Surprise?

There’s always room for a surprise at The Game Awards. Here are some titles flying under the radar but with real potential:

Avowed: Obsidian’s fantasy RPG didn’t blow critics away at launch, but strong writing and word of mouth could boost its chances.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Solid start, but can it keep the momentum going?
Despelote: This slice-of-life indie about soccer and childhood is getting rave reviews, but needs more buzz to break through.
Monster Hunter Wilds: Huge sales at launch, but the community is divided and interest is waning.
The Alters: 11 Bit Studios’ unique clone-survival game isn’t universally loved, but it’s sparking big conversations—a definite plus for GOTY consideration.

Upcoming Games to Watch

The year isn’t over, and some big releases could shake up the whole race:

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond: Retro Studios returns, and every Metroid Prime game has scored over 90 so far. Could this be Nintendo’s big Switch 2 moment?
Hades 2: If Supergiant’s sequel leaves early access this year, expect it to lead the indie charge—especially after the original was snubbed in 2020.
Keeper: Double Fine’s next game is a mystery, but with Psychonauts 2’s pedigree and intriguing art, it’s one to watch.
Ghost of Yōtei: Sony’s other big contender, following the beloved Ghost of Tsushima. Expect high polish and serious GOTY vibes.
Donkey Kong Bananza: Platformers rarely win, but Astro Bot’s 2024 victory changed the game. If it delivers, Donkey Kong could be a surprise nominee.

What’s Next?

With GTA 6 out of the running, this year’s GOTY competition is wide open. Whether you’re rooting for indie darlings or AAA blockbusters, there’s plenty to get excited about. Stay tuned—this race is just getting started!