Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has received a record 12 nominations at The Game Awards 2025, topping the list including Game of the Year. The French RPG joins other contenders like Death Stranding 2 and Hollow Knight: Silksong for the top prize. The ceremony is set for December 11 in Los Angeles.
Overview of Nominations
The Game Awards 2025 nominations were announced on November 17, highlighting standout titles from the year. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, developed by Sandfall Interactive in Montpellier, France, leads with 12 nominations. This turn-based RPG, praised for its storyline, battles, and performances, is nominated for Game of the Year, best narrative, best independent game, and three best performance awards for actors Ben Starr, Charlie Cox, and Jennifer English.
Game of the Year Contenders
Competing for Game of the Year are:
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Death Stranding 2 (directed by Hideo Kojima, with eight nominations total)
- Donkey Kong Bananza (a Nintendo Switch 2 release)
- Hollow Knight: Silksong (indie sequel that crashed online stores upon release)
- Hades 2 (another indie sequel)
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (medieval adventure)
Ghost of Yōtei, a PS5 exclusive, also earned eight nominations, including one for Erika Ishii's performance.
Best Adaptation Category
The Best Adaptation category includes nominees such as A Minecraft Movie, Devil May Cry, Splinter Cell Deathwatch, The Last of Us Season Two, and Until Dawn. Notably, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, which released in December 2024 and holds a high Rotten Tomatoes score, was overlooked despite eligibility.
Event Details and Context
Hosted by Geoff Keighley, the event on December 11 in Los Angeles will feature 29 categories, musical performances, and game trailers. Last year's show had 154 million livestreams, with Astro Bot winning Game of the Year. Criticisms persist regarding advertising focus, shortened speeches, and the end of the Future Class initiative, though a new Game Changer award honored laid-off developers in 2024.
