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This year's annual gaming ceremony, taking place December 11, shapes up as anyone's game. Originally, Grand Theft Auto 6 had been expected to sweep the show, but postponement into 2026 has completely changed the landscape. This turn of events paves the way for a far more open race for the highly sought-after Game of the Year honor.

The process includes a broad group of journalists worldwide, combined with a minor share of community votes. A number of indicators typically influence which releases perform well in the top category race. A strong Metacritic score—preferably above 90—is a near requirement. RPGs and action-adventures often get preferential treatment, while independent and online games struggle against steeper challenges compared to blockbuster story-focused experiences. These tendencies correctly anticipated last year's champion, the PlayStation platformer.

Below are educated guesses for the six likely candidates for Game of the Year 2025. Differing from the movie business, where most contenders are known long before awards season, video games typically reveal their quality only once they're out. Accordingly, this list includes only games that have been released. We will update during the coming months if new releases arrive. Also included are a few likely future contenders and sleepers.

GOTY Front-Runners

1. Expedition 33

Its winning chances: A celebrated narrative adventure, masterful with storytelling and voice acting, emotionally impactful yet entertaining, with slick production values—it embodies all the qualities of a Game of the Year winner. This is an impressive feat from a fairly new group, which only adds to its appeal. The somewhat similar Metaphor: ReFantazio was highly regarded in 2024. The game seems a formidable opponent.

Potential drawbacks: Even though it's a successful release, a sufficient number of people need to play the game—especially among critics—to stay in the discussion for longer than six months. Subscription services will help, but does it truly big enough to come out on top?

Momentum (remaining strong): Expedition 33 is a polished product, fans keep playing and talking about it, and betting odds are overwhelmingly supporting its victory. It's very secure in the number one position.

2. Hollow Knight's sequel

Strengths: This studio's extremely hyped follow-up to its acclaimed indie hit might easily dominate at the ceremony, largely because the first game didn't receive much impact back then and the jury may be eager to retrospectively reward it. Reviewers mostly praise it, sales have been incredibly strong, and its release was a huge event that dominated the gaming talk for weeks.

Drawbacks: This sequel is very hard, which has divided some critics and may further polarize the jury. Many players bounce off the game or feel irritated by it, and the surrounding discussion has been a bit divisive.

Current trajectory (recent addition): No other 2025 games have generated as much buzz as Silksong, and it's improbable that any others will. The shock launch was expertly planned for greatest impact, but the absence of early access for reviewers means its review scores could change over time.

3. Bananza

Why it could win: With a average of 90+ on each of Metacritic and OpenCritic, this game has the essential level of acclaim to compete. Typically for a first-party platformer, which works against it. But, with its destruction gameplay, resuscitation of the iconic character as a lead protagonist, and status as a showcase title for a hardware release, it has more freshness than a typical Mario game, and makes for a more compelling story.

Challenges: All-ages jump-and-run games tend to not do as well in major award categories, due to typical immaturity and less complex plots. The 2024 champion went against that trend, but two wins in a row seems unlikely. Also, the company's excellence is often taken for granted.

Performance (slipping No. 2): The game may maintain momentum better than some other games as more people buy new consoles, but disappointing DLC has dented its reputation somewhat.

4. Kojima's sequel

Positive aspects: Hideo Kojima's second chapter to his divisive 2019 adventure about hiking across a desolate world is both grander and more accessible than the first game. A visually astounding, engaging, bold dad game, with rave reviews, published by a major publisher… it’s got all the ingredients of a top-tier Game of the Year candidate, and it comes from the renowned creative visionary still working.

Drawbacks: Next to Expedition 33's indie charm, Kojima's game feels like the mainstream choice, despite its many oddities. And the closeness between the creator and Geoff Keighley might make some jury members feel uncomfortable about supporting it.

Trend (slipping No. 3): Death Stranding 2's review ratings have moderated a little since launch. And it’s not clear that the game has meaningfully broken out beyond its existing supporters.

5. Hazelight's new game

Strengths: Uniform praise is still the most consistent predictor of success at The Game Awards, and with a rating above 90 on both {Metacritic and OpenCritic|aggregate sites