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This year's Game Awards, taking place December 11, appears wide open. At first, Rockstar's next big title had been expected to dominate the show, but pushback into 2026 has significantly shifted the outlook. This turn of events creates a much more open race for the prestigious Game of the Year honor.

The process relies on a broad panel of critics globally, combined with a small percentage of public voting. A number of indicators typically influence which games perform well in the Game of the Year race. A strong Metacritic score—optimally above 90—is almost essential. Role-playing games and cinematic experiences often receive strong support, while smaller and co-op games struggle against tougher challenges compared to big-budget story-focused adventures. These tendencies were used to predict 2024's victor, Sony's critical darling.

Here are educated guesses for the select few likely nominees for Game of the Year 2025. Differing from the Oscars, where nearly all hopefuls are known long before awards season, video games typically reveal their impact only post-launch. Thus, this list features exclusively games that have been released. We will update as the year as new releases hit the market. Listed below are several likely upcoming contenders and under-the-radar picks.

GOTY Front-Runners

1. Expedition 33

Why it could win: An highly praised narrative adventure, strong on narrative and performance, thought-provoking yet entertaining, with high technical quality—this is all the traits of a GOTY contender. As a astonishing feat from a fairly new development team, which enhances its prestige. The somewhat similar last year's Metaphor was highly regarded in 2024. This title looks tough to top.

Challenges: Even though it's a minor hit, enough people must play this title—particularly among reviewers—to stay in the discussion for over six months. Xbox access will boost visibility, but is it genuinely popular enough to take the crown?

Current standing (stable): Expedition 33 is a polished product, people are still enjoying and praising it, and fan polls are strongly backing its chances. It remains firmly placed in the number one position.

2. Silksong

Positive factors: The developers's very awaited successor to its breakout indie hit might easily sweep at the ceremony, largely because the original didn't make much of impact back then and the panel may be keen to now reward it. Journalists mostly love it, sales have been very strong, and its release was a significant event that captured the gaming talk for a long time.

Concerns: The game is very hard, which has divided some players and may also alienate the voters. Numerous players struggle with the game or feel frustrated by it, and the surrounding debate has been somewhat fractious.

Momentum (new entry): Few 2025 games have generated as much buzz as this title, and it's improbable that any others will. The surprise release was expertly orchestrated for optimal effect, but the absence of early access for critics means its review scores could shift over time.

3. Donkey Kong Bananza

Strengths: With a rating of 90+ on critical sites, this game has the necessary level of praise to contend. That’s not surprising for a Nintendo family title, which counts against it. But, with its chaotic action, return of a classic IP as a starring character, and status as a showcase title for a hardware release, it has more novelty than a typical Mario game, and makes for a more compelling story.

Challenges: Family-oriented platformers tend to not do as well in Game of the Year races, due to typical simplicity and under-developed plots. Last year's winner defied that trend, but a repeat in a row seems doubtful. Plus, their excellence is often assumed.

Current status (down from No. 2): The game may hold momentum better than some other games as more people acquire Switch 2, but criticized DLC has dented its reputation somewhat.

4. Kojima's sequel

Why it could win: The famed director's sequel to his unique 2019 narrative about traveling across a barren landscape is both more expansive and more enjoyable than the first game. A visually astounding, absorbing, ambitious thoughtful experience, with critical acclaim, published by an industry giant… it’s got all the ingredients of a top-tier GOTY hopeful, and it comes from the most famous creative visionary still working.

Issues: Next to Expedition 33's indie charm, Death Stranding 2 feels like the safe choice, despite its many eccentricities. And the closeness between the director and the awards producer might make some voters feel uncomfortable about voting for it.

Trend (declining No. 3): The game's reception have moderated a little since launch. And it’s not clear that the game has truly grown beyond its existing fanbase.

5. Split Fiction

Strengths: Reviewer agreement is still the most accurate signal of success at The Game Awards, and with a rating over 90 on {Metacritic and OpenCritic|aggregate sites