As the 2025 Game Awards draw nearer, anticipation is building around which title will take home the coveted Game of the Year (GOTY) prize. With a rich and varied release calendar this year, industry watchers and fans alike are speculating about which games have the strongest shot at being honored in December. While Grand Theft Auto 6 is the most anticipated release, its eligibility remains uncertain. In the meantime, several major contenders have emerged from both indie and AAA studios.
Hazelight’s Split Fiction: The Critical Darling
The frontrunner so far appears to be Split Fiction, the narrative-rich adventure from Hazelight Studios. Known for their 2021 hit It Takes Two, Hazelight has returned with another co-op-focused experience that blends genre-bending gameplay with a highly emotional story. Critics have praised Split Fiction for its writing, inventive mechanics, and art direction, making it a strong contender for multiple categories beyond GOTY. Its emphasis on collaborative storytelling and emotional stakes seems poised to resonate with both voters and players.
Blue Prince: The Indie Challenger
One of the most surprising GOTY candidates this year is Blue Prince, an indie game developed by Dogubomb and published by Raw Fury. Blending psychological horror, puzzle-solving, and procedural generation, Blue Prince has earned acclaim for its innovative design. Players explore a mysterious mansion room by room, making choices that permanently alter the building’s layout and narrative. Its unconventional structure and high replayability have drawn comparisons to Return of the Obra Dinn and The Stanley Parable. While its niche appeal may limit mass-market traction, it has a solid chance of earning a nomination based on artistic merit alone.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2: Ambitious But Risky
Warhorse Studios’ sequel to their 2018 medieval RPG promises a sweeping story, larger world, and deeper combat system. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 expands upon its predecessor’s historical authenticity and grounded storytelling. However, its late 2025 release means it could face issues with timing and polish. If it launches as planned and delivers on its promises, it could easily enter the GOTY conversation, though a delay or technical issues might hurt its chances.
Monster Hunter Wilds: A Fan Favorite With Momentum
Monster Hunter Wilds is one of the most anticipated games of the year, and Capcom’s track record with Monster Hunter World and Rise suggests this could be a breakout hit. The game reportedly introduces open-world exploration and mounts, evolving the franchise’s traditional formula. If it manages to innovate while retaining the core appeal of monster hunting, it could become a strong candidate—especially given its dedicated fan base and the genre’s growing popularity in the West.
Other Notables: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and Avowed
Bethesda’s Indiana Jones and the Great Circle aims to blend action-adventure gameplay with a cinematic presentation worthy of its namesake. Meanwhile, Obsidian’s Avowed, set in the Pillars of Eternity universe, is an RPG with serious pedigree. Both games face potential drawbacks: Indiana Jones could be seen as too linear or shallow, while Avowed must prove it can stand up to giants like Baldur’s Gate 3 in terms of narrative depth and player choice.
The Elephant in the Room: Grand Theft Auto 6
While Rockstar Games has confirmed a 2025 release for Grand Theft Auto 6, the exact launch window remains unknown. If the game releases before November, it could dominate the awards conversation purely based on its cultural footprint and production value. However, if it slips into 2026, it will be ineligible for this year’s awards, reshaping the playing field.
Looking Ahead
The 2025 Game Awards will take place on December 11, and the field remains wide open. With big-budget sequels, surprising indie gems, and genre reinventions all in contention, this year’s GOTY race promises to be one of the most diverse and unpredictable yet. Whether the winner is a blockbuster or a dark horse, one thing is clear: 2025 has already delivered a landmark year for gaming.
