The Game Awards 2025 is just around the corner, setting the stage for a night filled with dazzling reveals, unexpected adverts, and, of course, Hideo Kojima’s obligatory appearance. Yet amid the spectacle lies a heartfelt celebration honoring the best video games and developers of the year.
In 2025, gamers were treated to a cornucopia of remarkable titles, from instant classics such as Donkey Kong Bananza and Hollow Knight: Silksong to highly anticipated sequels like Death Stranding 2: On The Beach and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. Dominating the conversation, however, is the behemoth Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, favored to make a clean sweep on awards night.
But with so many categories and deserving nominees, the big question remains: which games will take home top honors? Join us as we delve into Moyens I/O Gaming’s predictions for the Game Awards winners of 2025.
Who’s Going to Win GOTY 2025? (Prediction)
Six extraordinary nominees vie for the coveted Game of the Year (GOTY) title, but only one can claim the crown. Here are the contenders:
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Predicted Winner)
It’s no surprise we anticipate Expedition 33 will take the title of Game of the Year. Sandfall’s debut is an overwhelming favorite, celebrated for its innovative storytelling, refined turn-based gameplay, and stunning visual art. Few competitors come close, underscoring the RPG’s brilliance. Read on for more insights into why Expedition 33 is a deserving GOTY contender.
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
Building on the acclaimed yet divisive original, On The Beach elevates the experience significantly. This sequel heightens scale and depth while expertly interweaving cinematic storytelling with signature eccentricity. It’s unique, offering moments like traversing Australia’s rugged landscapes and unexpected delights, such as pizza-making scenes. Discover why we’re confident in its GOTY worthiness.
Hollow Knight: Silksong
It’s no exaggeration to say anticipation ran high for Hollow Knight: Silksong, the sequel to the beloved 2017 Metroidvania. After years of waiting, fans have rightfully elevated it to legendary status—yet the game delivers an experience that is as innovative as it is engaging, where challenge meets thrill. Curious why it earned a GOTY nomination? Our detailed exploration can provide answers.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is a masterclass in RPG design, blending historical intrigue with refined mechanics. It refines what made the original enjoyable and offers an engaging open-world experience. Whether seeking a captivating narrative or a sprawling environment, it does not disappoint. Check out our reflections to understand why it stands as a strong GOTY contender.
Hades II
By choosing to release Hades II in early access, Supergiant gambled for bar-setting success, elevating it to the best-reviewed title of 2025. This sequel expertly builds on the first game’s triumphs while introducing a new protagonist and innovative storytelling mechanics. While it may not carry as much surprise factor as newer titles, it remains a formidable competitor.
Donkey Kong Bananza
Nintendo proved once again why they dominate platformers with Donkey Kong Bananza. While many expected Mario Kart: World to front the Switch 2 lineup, DK surprised everyone. It’s a rewarding experience packed with creativity, allowing players to break through environments while collecting bananas. Although its odds for GOTY may be slim, it’s likely to snag the award for Best Family Game.
The Rest of The Game Awards Winners Predictions
Now that we’ve covered the GOTY nominations, let’s dive into predictions for the other categories. Buckle up for a thorough examination!
Best Game Direction
- Death Stranding 2: On The Beach (Predicted Winner)
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Ghost of Yotei
- Hades II
- Split Fiction
Best Game Direction is shaping up to be a showdown between Death Stranding 2 and Expedition 33. Historically, the GOTY winner often takes this award too, but a repeat scenario from 2019 might be on the horizon. Both titles deserve recognition, but we lean towards Kojima’s distinct vision.
Best Adaptation
- The Last of Us (Predicted Winner)
- A Minecraft Movie
- Devil May Cry
- Splinter Cell Deathwatch
- Until Dawn
The absence of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 clears the way for The Last of Us Season 2 to potentially grab this award, thanks to its acclaim.
Best Narrative
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Predicted Winner)
- Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
- Ghost of Yotei
- Kingdom Come Deliverance II
- Silent Hill f
While winners in the Best Narrative category don’t always align with GOTY, Expedition 33 stands a strong chance due to its compelling story filled with twists.
Best Art Direction Game
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Predicted Winner)
- Death Stranding 2
- Ghost of Yotei
- Hades II
- Hollow Knight Silksong
Expedition 33‘s art direction is visually stunning, reminiscent of fine art, and uniquely positions it for success in this category.
Best Score and Music
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 — Lorein Testard (Predicted Winner)
- Hollow Knight Silksong — Christopher Larkin
- Hades II — Darren Korb
- Ghost of Yotei — Toma Otowa
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach — Woodkid and Ludvig Forssell
Lorein Testard’s impressive orchestrations are expected to resonate strongly with the audience, and could lead Expedition 33 to another victory.
Best Audio
- Ghost of Yōtei (Predicted Winner)
- Battlefield 6
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Silent Hill f
This category is rather open, as several titles offer strong audio experiences, but we believe Ghost of Yōtei holds the edge.
Best Performance
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 — Jennifer English (Predicted Winner)
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 — Ben Starr
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 — Charlie Cox
- Silent Hill f — Konatsu Kato
- Indiana Jones and the Great Circle — Troy Baker
- Ghost of Yōtei — Erika Ishii
Jennifer English’s portrayal as Maelle could very well standout in a category where her performance wins the day.
Innovation and Accessibility
- Assassin’s Creed Shadows (Predicted Winner)
- Atomfall
- Doom: The Dark Ages
- EA Sports FC 26
- South of Midnight
This category often proves difficult to call, but we expect Assassin’s Creed Shadows to stakes its place this year.
Games for Impact
- South of Midnight (Predicted Winner)
- Consume Me
- Despelote
- Lost Records Bloom And Rage
- Wanderstop
Tackling sensitive themes, we see South of Midnight emerging victorious due to its impact and visibility.
Best Ongoing Game
- Fortnite
- Final Fantasy XIV
- Helldivers II
- Marvel Rivals
- No Man’s Sky
This year’s updates and expansions have ensured that Fortnite remains a notable contender for this category.
Best Community Support
- No Man’s Sky (Predicted Winner)
- Baldur’s Gate 3
- Final Fantasy XIV
- Fortnite
- Helldivers 2
While popular sentiment tends to favor Fortnite, we expect Hello Games will receive recognition for transforming No Man’s Sky.
Best Independent Game
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Predicted Winner)
- Absolum
- Ball x Pit
- Blue Prince
- Hades II
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
The impact of a debut title sweeping the awards is certainly noteworthy, and Expedition 33 is the talk of the town.
Best Debut Indie
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Predicted Winner)
- Blue Prince
- Despelote
- Dispatch
Megabonk
A gracious gesture from the solo developer behind Megabonk leaves this category short on nominees, but it won’t alter the expected outcome.
Best Mobile Game
- Umamusume Pretty Derby (Predicted Winner)
- Destiny Rising
- Persona 5 The Phantom X
- Sonic Rumble
- Wuthering Waves
Even with its limited slate of nominees, Umamusume Pretty Derby stands out due to its cultural phenomenon.
Best VR/AR Game
- Arken Age (Predicted Winner)
- Alien Rogue Incursion
- Ghost Town
- Marvel’s Deadpool VR
- The Midnight Walk
While VR hasn’t had a standout year, Arken Age is anticipated to take home the win based on its critical acclaim.
Best Action Game
- Hades II (Predicted Winner)
- Battlefield 6
- Doom: The Dark Ages
- Ninja Gaiden 4
- Shinobi: Art of Vengeance
The action game landscape is filled with strong contenders, but Hades II is the one to watch closely this year.
Best Action/Adventure
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (Predicted Winner)
- Ghost of Yōtei
- Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Split Fiction
This category is quite competitive, but we believe Death Stranding 2 will edge out the top spot.
Best RPG
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance II (Predicted Winner)
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Avowed
- The Outer Worlds 2
- Monster Hunter Wilds
While Expedition 33 is top of mind, we predict that Kingdom Come: Deliverance II will be acclaimed as a standout RPG.
Best Fighting Game
- Capcom Fighting Collection 2 (Predicted Winner)
- 2XKO
- Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves
- Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection
- Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage
This year’s offerings in fighting games aren’t exceptional, leading us to expect a classic compilation like Capcom Fighting Collection 2 to win the day.
Best Family Game
- Donkey Kong Bananza (Predicted Winner)
- LEGO Party!
- LEGO Voyagers
- Mario Kart World
- Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds
- Split Fiction
Among brilliant entries, we believe Donkey Kong Bananza deserves to shine for its family-friendly fun and vibrant gameplay.
Best Sim/Strategy Game
- The Alters (Predicted Winner)
- Final Fantasy Tactics — The Ivalice Chronicles
- Jurassic World Evolution 3
- Sid Meier’s Civilization VII
- Tempest Rising
- Two Point Museum
The Alters stands out due to its unique blend of strategy and narrative, making it our pick for the category’s win.
Best Sports/Racing Game
- Mario Kart World (Predicted Winner)
- EA Sports FC 26
- F1 25
- Rematch
- Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds
No contest here—Mario Kart continues its reign as the go-to franchise in this category.
Best Multiplayer Game
- Arc Raiders (Predicted Winner)
- Battlefield 6
- Elden Ring Nightreign
- Peak
- Split Fiction
Arc Raiders has swiftly become a sensation, redefining the multiplayer experience with engaging cooperative gameplay.
Most Anticipated Game
- Grand Theft Auto VI (Predicted Winner)
- 007 First Light
- Marvel’s Wolverine
- Resident Evil Requiem
- The Witcher IV
When it comes to anticipation, nothing can come close to Grand Theft Auto VI, which will likely secure a winsome fan-vote.
Content Creator of the Year
- The Burnt Peanut (Predicted Winner)
- Caedrel
- Kai Cenat
- MoistCr1TiKal
- Sakura Miko
With a unique style that captured audiences, The Burnt Peanut is our clear pick in a sensational category.
Best Esports Game
- League of Legends (Predicted Winner)
- Counter-Strike 2
- DOTA 2
- Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
- Valorant
Another successful year for League of Legends makes it an easy favorite for the title.
Best Esports Athlete
- ZywOo (Predicted Winner)
- brawk
- Chovy
- f0rsakeN
- Kakeru
- MenaRD
By leading Team Vitality to championship victories, ZywOo has solidified his position as a formidable competitor.
Best Esports Team
- Gen.G – League of Legends (Predicted Winner)
- NRG – Valorant
- Team Falcons – DOTA 2
- Team Liquid PH – Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
- Team Vitality – Counter-Strike 2
While popularity often influences outcomes, Gen.G has undoubtedly dominated the League of Legends scene this year.
Players’ Voice
- Dispatch (Predicted Voice)
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Genshin Impact
- Wuthering Waves
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
As fans decide the victor in a more casual setting, we expect Dispatch to emerge as the fan-favorite.
And there you have it—our predictions for the 2025 Game Awards winners. Do you agree with our selections? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. For more engaging articles, continue exploring related content on Moyens I/O.