The Game Awards 2025 has revealed its nominees for Game of the Year, featuring a lineup dominated by sequels and breakout titles. Standouts include Hideo Kojima's Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Hades 2, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, alongside Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. The event highlights major releases across platforms, with Donkey Kong Bananza as a contender for Nintendo Switch 2.
Nominees Overview
The 2025 Game of the Year category features six finalists, as announced by The Game Awards. These include sequels like Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, starring Norman Reedus and directed by Hideo Kojima, Hades 2, and Hollow Knight: Silksong. Newer entries such as the turn-based RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which earned 12 nominations overall, and the ambitious Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 also made the list. Donkey Kong Bananza rounds out the nominees, positioning it as a key title for the Nintendo Switch 2.
Additional Categories
In the Best Mobile Game category, five titles are nominated, including Umamusume: Pretty Derby, Destiny Rising, and Wuthering Waves. Fan reactions have heavily favored Umamusume: Pretty Derby, praising its unique gacha mechanics, character-driven stories, and engaging racing simulation based on real-life horses. The game offers modes like Career storylines and daily races, with robust free-to-play elements despite some paid pulls for competitive play.
Broader Context
The nominations come amid discussions about category representation, with calls for a dedicated puzzle game section to highlight titles like Lumines, Blue Prince, and Unpacking. PlayStation's Black Friday sale features discounts on nominees including Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Death Stranding 2: On the Beach among nearly 900 games. The full list covers categories from Best Narrative to emerging genres, setting the stage for the December event.