3 min read
The Game Awards 2025 has officially concluded, and history was made last night. This year celebrated the best of the industry, but it also signalled a massive shift. For the first time, independent titles heavily influenced the Game of the Year (GOTY) category. Three of the nominees lacked traditional AAA backing. Ultimately, the night belonged to one standout masterpiece: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
The Game Awards 2025: Indie Games Take Centre Stage
The industry is changing. Developers, writers, and actors are pouring their passion into projects that challenge the status quo. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the perfect example. It did not just win Game of the Year. It absolutely dominated the ceremony.
The game secured wins for Best Game Direction, Best Narrative, and Best Art Direction. Furthermore, Jennifer English took home the Best Performance award for her role in the title. This victory casts a bright light on the future direction of gaming. It proves that ingenuity often beats budget.
Major Winners & Announcements at The Game Awards 2025
While Clair Obscur led the pack, other titles had their moment in the spotlight. Hollow Knight: Silksong finally arrived and claimed Best Action/Adventure Game. Hades 2 secured Best Action Game.
In the ongoing categories, No Man’s Sky continues its redemption arc by winning Best Ongoing Game. Fans also made their voices heard. Grand Theft Auto VI took home the Most Anticipated Game award, while Wuthering Waves won the Players’ Voice award.
Below is the complete breakdown of every winner from The Game Awards 2025.
Top Honours & Creative Awards
| Category | Winner | Notable Nominees |
| Game of the Year | Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 | Death Stranding 2, Hades 2, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 |
| Best Game Direction | Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 | Ghost of Yotei, Split Fiction |
| Best Narrative | Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 | Silent Hill f, Death Stranding 2 |
| Best Art Direction | Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 | Hollow Knight: Silksong, Ghost of Yotei |
| Best Score and Music | Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 | Hades 2, Death Stranding 2 |
| Best Audio Design | Battlefield 6 | Silent Hill f, Ghost of Yotei |
| Best Performance | Jennifer English (Clair Obscur) | Ben Starr, Troy Baker, Charlie Cox |
| Games for Impact | South of Midnight | Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, Wanderstop |
| Innovation in Accessibility | Doom: The Dark Ages | Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, Atomfall |
Genre-Specific Awards
| Category | Winner |
| Best Action Game | Hades 2 |
| Best Action/Adventure | Hollow Knight: Silksong |
| Best RPG | Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 |
| Best Fighting Game | Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves |
| Best Family Game | Donkey Kong Bananza |
| Best Sim/Strategy | Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles |
| Best Sports/Racing | Mario Kart World |
| Best Multiplayer | ARC Raiders |
| Best Mobile Game | Umamusume: Pretty Derby |
| Best VR/AR Game | The Midnight Walk |
Esports, Community & Media
The night also celebrated the community and competitive side of gaming. Counter-Strike 2 remains the king of esports, while Team Vitality secured the Best Esports Team award.
- Best Ongoing Game: No Man’s Sky
- Best Community Support: Baldur’s Gate 3
- Best Independent Game: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Debut Indie Game: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Content Creator of the Year: MoistCr1TiKaL
- Best Esports Game: Counter-Strike 2
- Best Esports Athlete: Chovy
- Best Esports Team: Team Vitality (CS2)
- Best Adaptation: The Last of Us Season 2
- Players Voice: Wuthering Waves
- Most Anticipated Game: Grand Theft Auto 6
The Game Awards 2025 was a night to remember. It honoured the “names and faces” behind the games, including the developers, publishers, and actors who make it all possible. Congratulations to all the winners!
