Xbox Game Pass subscribers have access to two of the six nominees for Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2025. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Hollow Knight: Silksong, both day-one releases on the service, earned spots on the prestigious list alongside other major titles. Voting is now open, with the ceremony set for later this year.
Nomination Highlights
The Game Awards 2025 nominations were announced recently, spotlighting the year's top games. Among the six Game of the Year contenders are Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a turn-based RPG from Kepler Interactive that launched in April on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, the long-awaited indie platformer from Team Cherry that arrived on September 4. Both titles debuted on Game Pass the same day as their full releases, allowing subscribers to play them immediately.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has received strong acclaim, boasting a 92 Metacritic score and a 9.6 user rating, positioning it as a potential frontrunner. Hollow Knight: Silksong follows with a solid 90 Metacritic score, bolstered by intense fan anticipation for the sequel.
Other Nominees and Accessibility
The full Game of the Year list includes Hades 2, a Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 exclusive; Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, available only on PS5; Donkey Kong Bananza, limited to Switch 2; and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, playable on Xbox Series X|S but not on Game Pass. This lineup features several sequels, highlighting a strong year for established franchises.
Xbox players face barriers to the other nominees due to platform exclusivity, but Game Pass offers a unique advantage for the two eligible titles. Past winners like Baldur's Gate 3 (2023) and Elden Ring (2022) set a high bar, with last year's PS5-exclusive Astro Bot taking the top prize.
Context and Voting
The Game Awards combine awards with reveals and trailers, drawing massive viewership. Nominations reflect critical and industry votes, with public voting now active for final tallies. For Game Pass users, this means experiencing potential winners without extra cost, underscoring the service's value in 2025's gaming landscape.