The Game Awards 2025 delivered a series of exciting game announcements alongside its awards ceremony, hosted by Geoff Keighley on December 13. Shacknews staff members shared their standout favorites from the show's reveals, spanning new entries in established franchises and fresh concepts. Highlights included upcoming titles like Mega Man: Dual Override and Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic.
Overview of The Game Awards 2025
The Game Awards 2025 emphasized future gaming prospects over the ceremony itself, featuring world premieres and trailers for several anticipated projects. Hosted by Geoff Keighley, the event on December 13 showcased a mix of AAA titles and innovative ideas, prompting Shacknews staff to discuss their preferred announcements.
Staff Favorites
Several reveals captured attention. For instance, Star Wars: Galactic Racer emerged as a modern take on podracing, incorporating elements reminiscent of Burnout from former Criterion developers, as noted by senior editor Ozzie Mejia. "Oh, we're getting back to some basics with some Star Wars racing? Yeah, I'm on board," Mejia expressed, highlighting its potential for diverse Star Wars gaming experiences.
Mega Man: Dual Override stood out for fans of the classic series. Writers TJ Denzer and Steve Tyminski praised the new mainline entry, set for a 2027 release, which retains the appealing art style from Mega Man 11 while possibly simplifying mechanics. Denzer simply stated, "They're making new Mega Man," conveying broad excitement after a long hiatus. Tyminski added, "I was so let down by Mega Man 11 that I didn’t think a new Mega Man game could happen," underscoring the surprise and hope for Capcom's commitment.
Other notable mentions included The Free Shepherd, a strand-style game with a dog protagonist, favored by Asif Khan for its unique premise. Bill Lavoy highlighted Divinity for its intriguing, potentially chaotic visuals from Larian Studios, predicting a wait of several years. Sam Chandler appreciated Control Resonant, a melee-focused sequel allowing play as Dylan, Jesse's brother, in Remedy's signature style of action and eerie atmospheres. Donovan Erskine celebrated Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic as a story-driven RPG led by Casey Hudson, though tempered enthusiasm due to the franchise's history of stalled projects.
The event also featured a fun Donkey Kong Bananza musical segment, with voice actor Jenny Kidd impressing in her role as Pauline. Overall, these reveals signal vibrant developments in gaming, blending nostalgia with innovation.