GOTY 2025
Six nominees. Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Award references: [3]
Winner · GOTY 2025
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Sandfall Interactive
An RPG set in a fantasy world inspired by the Belle Époque. An expedition seeks to stop the Paintress, whose annual number condemns people of that age. Its turn-based battles include real-time actions.
Dodging, parrying and executing attacks require participation during turns as well as strategic planning. Its premise joins a party’s journey with a system combining tactical decisions and reactions.
Game reference: Official description →
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Nominee · GOTY 2025
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Kojima Productions
Continues Sam’s story and his mission to connect communities in a transformed world. Transport, route planning, exploration and encounters with threats shape the journey.
Its identity rests on how you cross the landscape and connect places. Among these nominees, it offers a narrative adventure where travel and decisions about the route are central to the experience.
Game reference: Official description →
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Nominee · GOTY 2025
Donkey Kong Bananza
Nintendo EPD
A 3D platforming adventure for Nintendo Switch 2 taking Donkey Kong and Pauline underground. Punching and destroying parts of the environment opens paths and reveals items and secrets.
The terrain is more than a backdrop: breaking it is part of exploration. This edition’s nominee turns Donkey Kong’s strength and environmental destruction into tools for progressing.
Game reference: Official description →
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Nominee · GOTY 2025
Hades II
Supergiant Games
An action roguelike starring Melinoë that expands the mythological world of Hades. Weapons, magic and divine blessings alter the possibilities of each attempt.
Repeated runs are part of its structure: combinations change and the story accompanies your progress. Its nomination belongs to 2025, even though it had previously spent time in early access.
Game reference: Official description →
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Nominee · GOTY 2025
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Team Cherry
A 2D action and exploration adventure starring Hornet in the kingdom of Pharloom. It combines platforming, enemies, tools and connected areas in a hand-drawn world.
A different protagonist also changes movement and combat options. Its premise centres on navigating an interconnected map and discovering new routes as you progress through the kingdom.
Game reference: Official description →
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Nominee · GOTY 2025
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
Warhorse Studios
An action RPG set in medieval Europe continuing Henry’s journey. Its story combines political conflict, combat and decisions about how to act in a world aiming for historical representation.
The official trailer presents conscience, morality and the consequences of decisions as part of the adventure. Among the nominees, it offers a historical medieval setting alongside others’ fantasy worlds.
Game reference: Official description →
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