The race for the prestigious distinction of Game of the Year (GOTY) was tight in 2025, with a large number of titles up for consideration. At the 12th annual Game Awards on Dec. 11, six games were up for consideration. Each featured incredible stories, with themes ranging from loss and reconnection to vengeance and just plain goofy fun. But in the end, one epic tale reigned supreme. Before we get to the winner, let’s take a look at its competition.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (Developed by Kojima Productions/Sony Interactive Entertainment)
Hideo Kojima’s sequel to Death Stranding builds on an already unique vision, delivering a film-like experience in the ever-mysterious, fictitious world Kojima has expertly crafted.
This time, traversal is improved, with a higher focus on stealth and combat options, and an expanded progression system. The sequel is far more accessible for general audiences while still preserving Kojima’s signature style.
At the 2025 Game Awards, Death Stranding 2 was nominated for seven categories, including GOTY, but surprisingly walked away completely empty-handed.
Donkey Kong Bananza (Developed by Nintendo)
Nintendo surprised fans by reintroducing a golden-age character with a new coat of paint (or perhaps fur?), a refreshed personality, and some brand-new, unique designs. Donkey Kong (DK) is back and better than ever.
At its core, it’s a bright, active platformer that, for the first time ever, borrows RPG elements, with the integration of skill points and attribute upgrades, while maintaining DK’s trademark charm. With the new “Bananza” transformation mechanics, the game introduced refreshed traversal and combat, leaving fans with a delightful surprise.
Donkey Kong: Bananza stands out from previous DK games by delivering a fresh take on an age-old character, having a fully destructible 3D world, transforming-based abilities, and a more open sandbox-style adventure, unlike the previous, more linear 2D platformers that came before. This fresh adventure helped Donkey Kong: Bananza earn its Game of the Year nomination.
Although Nintendo didn’t manage to secure GOTY with Bananza, it did win the award for Best Family Game of 2025.
Hades II (Developed by Supergiant Games)
Supergiant’s long-awaited sequel continues the studio’s winning streak of a game made with unique characters driven by a rogue-like experience.
With a new protagonist, Hades II keeps its addictive loop of runs and upgrades, while introducing new environments, enemies, and systems that make each gameplay attempt unique. With the blend of story and pacing, each failure feels meaningful.
Along with GOTY, Hades II was nominated for five other awards, ultimately taking home the prize for Best Action Game of 2025.
Hollow Knight: Silksong (Developed by Team Cherry)
The highly anticipated Hollow Knight follow-up delivers a new, redefined platforming experience with a fresh, expanded world. Silksong replaces the Knight’s slow movement with a faster, more strategic style built on agility, aggression, and combat. Its narrative takes place within a new kingdom, with quest-driven progression, and a more dynamic, explorative environment, expanding on everything Hollow Knight did right and more.
Fans of the series can expect a revamped game with new tools and a major overhaul of the special ability system. Hollow Knight: Silksong evolves the exploration without sacrificing difficulty. The developers’ art direction and design are intact, adding a fresh coat of paint.
Like Hades II, although Hollow Knight: Silksong was nominated for five other awards in addition to GOTY, it only managed to take home the award for Best Action/Adventure Game of 2025. But hey, that’s still one more than Death Stranding 2.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II (Developed by Warhorse Studios/Deep Silver)
Kingdom Come’s sequel sinks its teeth back into the historical RPG genre once again, this time doubling down on the map’s size and adding new systems like firearms that expand on the depth that far exceeds the original.
Warhorse’s sequel dives into its historical RPG roots once more, adding a significant number of gameplay improvements and a heavier story.
With reworked combat, more weapons, and a full new blacksmithing/crafting system, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II sets a realistic tone and pays attention to detail that helps it stand out among the number of similar games.
In addition to GOTY, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II was nominated for two awards, but left the event empty-handed.
WINNER: Clair Obscure: Expedition 33 (Sandfall Interactive/Kepler Interactive)
With an emotional story and boundary-pushing graphics, Clair Obscure: Expedition 33 grabbed the gaming community’s attention and never let go.
Expedition 33 immerses players in turn-based tactical gameplay, where players and opponents take turns with each attack, rather than in streamlined real-time battles. The game adds a fresh new level to classic JRPG (Japanese role-playing game) mechanics, with real-time dodging and parrying that punish or reward players depending on whether they miss or hit. Featuring locations, clothing, and dialogue inspired by the Belle Epoque of France, the game’s painting-like aesthetic led to the massive praise from players and critics alike, resulting in Expedition 33 earning nine awards, including Best Narrative, Best Independent Game, and, of course, Game of the Year.