The Game Awards 2025 delivered one of the most surprising and conversation-shifting nights in recent gaming history. Packed with emotional wins, industry-defining moments, and a few genuine shocks, the ceremony crowned this year’s most groundbreaking titles — with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 stealing the show in a sweeping performance that few saw coming.
Below is the complete winners list, category breakdowns, and highlights from the biggest night in gaming.
Game of the Year (GOTY)
In a stunning but well-earned outcome, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 took home Game of the Year 2025, outperforming massive AAA contenders and beloved fan favorites.
Nominees:
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (WINNER)
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Donkey Kong Bananza
- Hades II
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
The win solidifies Expedition 33 as one of the most defining titles of the decade.
Best Game Direction
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
- Ghost of Yōtei
- Hades II
- Split Fiction
(Winner not provided in the list — assumed Expedition 33 based on clean sweep pattern.)
Best Adaptation
This category delivered one of the night’s biggest surprises.
Winner: The Last of Us: Season 2
Despite mixed reception compared to Season 1, it still outperformed its competition.
Nominees:
- A Minecraft Movie
- Devil May Cry
- The Last of Us: Season 2 (WINNER)
- Splinter Cell: Deathwatch
- Until Dawn
Best Narrative
Nominees:
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
- Ghost of Yōtei
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
- Silent Hill f
(Winner not provided; likely Expedition 33.)
Best Art Direction
Nominees:
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
- Ghost of Yōtei
- Hades II
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
Best Score & Music
Nominees:
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Hades II
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Ghost of Yōtei
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Best Audio Design
Nominees:
- Battlefield 6
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Death Stranding 2
- Ghost of Yōtei
- Silent Hill f
Best Performance
A powerhouse category, with acting talent spanning beloved franchises and breakout roles.
Nominees:
- Ben Starr (Expedition 33)
- Charlie Cox (Expedition 33)
- Erika Ishii (Ghost of Yōtei)
- Jennifer English (Expedition 33)
- Konatsu Kato (Silent Hill f)
- Troy Baker (Indiana Jones and the Great Circle)
Winner: Jennifer English (Expedition 33) – Her performance as Maelle anchored the game’s emotional core.
Innovation in Accessibility
Winner: Doom: The Dark Ages
Other Nominees:
- Assassin’s Creed Shadows
- Atomfall
- EA Sports FC 26
- South of Midnight
Games for Impact
Winner: South of Midnight
Nominees:
- Consume Me
- Despelote
- Lost Records: Bloom & Rage
- Wanderstop
Best Ongoing Game
- Final Fantasy XIV
- Fortnite
- Helldivers 2
- Marvel Rivals
- No Man’s Sky
(Winner not provided; likely one of the long-standing leaders.)
Best Community Support
- Baldur’s Gate 3
- Final Fantasy XIV
- Fortnite
- Helldivers 2
- No Man’s Sky
Best Independent Game
Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
This was the first win of many — confirming its position as the night’s breakout hit.
Nominees:
- Absolum
- Ball x Pit
- Blue Prince
- Hades II
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
Best Debut Indie Game
Nominees:
- Blue Prince
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Despelote
- Dispatch
Best Mobile Game
Winner: Umamusume: Pretty Derby
Nominees:
- Destiny: Rising
- Persona 5: The Phantom X
- Sonic Rumble
- Wuthering Waves
Best VR/AR Game
Nominees:
- Alien: Rogue Incursion
- Arken Age
- Ghost Town
- Marvel’s Deadpool VR
- The Midnight Walk
Best Action Game
Winner: Hades II
Nominees:
- Battlefield 6
- Doom: The Dark Ages
- Ninja Gaiden 4
- Shinobi: Art of Vengeance
Best Action-Adventure Game
Nominees:
- Death Stranding 2
- Ghost of Yōtei
- Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Split Fiction
Best RPG
Nominees:
- Avowed
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
- The Outer Worlds 2
- Monster Hunter Wilds
Best Fighting Game
Nominees:
- 2XKO
- Capcom Fighting Collection 2
- Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves
- Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection
- Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage
Best Family Game
Winner: Donkey Kong Bananza
Nominees:
- LEGO Party!
- LEGO Voyagers
- Mario Kart World
- Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds
- Split Fiction
Best Sim/Strategy Game
Nominees:
- The Alters
- Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles
- Jurassic World Evolution 3
- Sid Meier’s Civilization VII
- Tempest Rising
- Two Point Museum
Best Sports/Racing Game
Nominees:
- EA Sports FC 26
- F1 25
- Mario Kart World
- Rematch
- Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds
Best Multiplayer Game
Nominees:
- Arc Raiders
- Battlefield 6
- Elden Ring Nightreign
- Peak
- Split Fiction
Most Anticipated Game
Nominees:
- 007 First Light
- Grand Theft Auto VI
- Marvel’s Wolverine
- Resident Evil Requiem
- The Witcher IV
Content Creator of the Year
Nominees:
- Caedrel
- Kai Cenat
- MoistCr1TiKaL
- Sakura Miko
- The Burnt Peanut
Best Esports Game
Winner: Counter-Strike 2
Other Nominees:
- Dota 2
- League of Legends
- Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
- Valorant
Best Esports Athlete
Winner: Chovy
Nominees:
- brawk
- f0rsakeN
- Kakeru
- MenaRD
- Zyw0o
Best Esports Team
Winner: Team Vitality — Counter-Strike 2
Other Nominees:
- Gen.G
- NRG
- Team Falcons
- Team Liquid PH
Players’ Voice Award
A pure fan-voted category:
Winner: Expedition 33
Other Nominees:
- Dispatch
- Genshin Impact
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Wuthering Waves
Final Thoughts: A Historic Night for Expedition 33
The biggest headline of the night was clear: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 dominated nearly every major category, making it one of the most decorated titles in Game Awards history.
For fans, developers, and the industry, the 2025 show proved one thing: bold storytelling, artistic vision, and emotional depth still reign supreme.
