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The upcoming annual gaming ceremony, taking place December 11, promises to be anyone's game. Originally, Grand Theft Auto 6 was projected to dominate the event, but pushback into 2026 has significantly shifted the competitive field. This development paves the way for a much more unpredictable battle for the highly sought-after Game of the Year award.

The process includes a broad group of critics worldwide, supplemented by a minor share of public voting. A number of indicators help determine which releases perform well in the GOTY race. A strong aggregate review score—ideally above 90—is virtually mandatory. Story-driven adventures and narrative action games usually get preferential treatment, while independent and multiplayer games struggle against steeper obstacles compared to big-budget solo adventures. These patterns were used to predict last year's victor, Sony's critical darling.

What follows are projections for the six likely candidates for 2025's top honor. In contrast to the Oscars, where most entries are familiar months prior to awards season, video games typically demonstrate their appeal only once they're out. Thus, this breakdown features exclusively games that have been released. The list will evolve throughout the year as additional titles arrive. Additionally featured are some likely future hopefuls and dark horses.

Top Contenders for Game of the Year

1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Why it could win: A critically acclaimed RPG, excellent in storytelling and performance, emotionally impactful yet fun, with polished technical quality—it has all the ingredients of a award-winning winner. It's an astonishing achievement from a debut development team, which only adds to its charm. The somewhat similar a previous favorite was well-received in 2024. The game looks a formidable opponent.

Potential drawbacks: While it's a well-received game, enough people must play the game—particularly among critics—to stay in the conversation for longer than six months. Xbox access will help, but can it really popular enough to win?

Trajectory (holding steady): The game is a well-rounded experience, players continue engaging with and discussing it, and prediction markets are overwhelmingly favoring its success. It's very secure in the number one position.

2. Silksong

Strengths: This studio's very awaited successor to its 2017 indie hit has a strong chance to dominate at this year's show, largely because the predecessor didn't make much of an impression back then and the voters may be motivated to belatedly honor it. Reviewers mostly adore it, it has sold incredibly strong, and its debut was a major moment that defined the conversation for an extended period.

Concerns: Silksong is extremely challenging, which has created disagreement among some players and may also divide the audience. Numerous players bounce off the game or feel irritated by it, and the accompanying discourse has been fairly fractious.

Momentum (recent addition): Hardly any 2025 games have generated as much buzz as Team Cherry's release, and it's improbable that any others will. The unexpected release was brilliantly planned for optimal effect, but the lack of early access for critics means its review scores could change over time.

3. Donkey Kong Bananza

Strengths: With a average of over 90 on critical sites, the title has the essential level of praise to be in the running. Typically for a Nintendo family title, which works against it. But, with its chaotic gameplay, resuscitation of the iconic character as a starring character, and role as a launch title for a new console, it has more freshness than the usual platforming game, and makes for a more compelling story.

Limitations: Family-oriented side-scrollers tend to underperform in major award races, due to typical lightheartedness and under-developed narratives. Last year's winner defied that trend, but two wins in a row seems improbable. Plus, Nintendo’s quality is often taken for granted.

Momentum (slipping No. 2): Bananza may maintain momentum better than some other games as more people buy new consoles, but criticized DLC has damaged its image a little.

4. Death Stranding 2

Strengths: The famed director's sequel to his divisive 2019 narrative about connecting across a barren landscape is both bigger and more accessible than the first game. A technically stunning, immersive, ambitious dad game, with high scores, released by an industry giant… it’s got all the features of a major GOTY candidate, and it comes from the renowned creative visionary still working.

Weaknesses: Next to Expedition 33's underdog story, this sequel feels like the safe choice, despite its many oddities. And the closeness between Kojima and Geoff Keighley might make some jury members feel uneasy about voting for it.

Standing (declining No. 3): This title's critical scores have cooled a little since launch. And it’s not clear that the game has significantly grown beyond its current audience.

5. Hazelight's new game

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