The Game Awards 2025 delivered another massive night for gaming, blending world-premiere trailers, surprise reveals, and a long list of category winners. As expected, the show moved quickly between awards and new game announcements, but one title dominated almost every major moment of the event.
This year’s biggest question was simple: could anything stop Clair Obscur: Expedition 33? With a record number of nominations and huge fan support, many expected it to sweep. And for the most part, that’s exactly what happened.
Below is a complete breakdown of the winners, major surprises, and standout awards from the show.
The Game Awards 2025: Full Winners List And Show Highlights
Game of the Year
Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
A predictable but well-earned victory. Its storytelling, art direction, and emotional impact made it one of the most talked-about games of the decade.
Nominees:
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Donkey Kong Bananza
Hades II
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
Best Game Direction
Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
A strong finish near the end of the show that made the GOTY win even more obvious.
Best Adaptation
Winner: The Last of Us: Season 2
A surprising pick considering mixed feedback, but it still outperformed a relatively soft lineup.
Best Narrative
Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Its biggest strength, and the award that locked in its status as a generational game.
Best Art Direction
Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
A game built like a living painting was always the favorite here.
Best Score & Music
Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Its soundtrack earned huge praise throughout the year, making this win feel inevitable.
Best Audio Design
Winner: Battlefield 6
One of the few categories where Expedition 33 didn’t win, and the result makes sense Battlefield remains unmatched in sound design.
Best Performance
Winner: Jennifer English (Expedition 33)
Her performance held the emotional weight of the entire story, making her win well-deserved.
Innovation in Accessibility
Winner: Doom: The Dark Ages
Games for Impact
Winner: South of Midnight
Best Ongoing Game
Winner: No Man’s Sky
A remarkable turnaround story that continues to deliver free and ambitious updates.
Best Community Support
Winner: Baldur’s Gate 3
Best Independent Game
Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Winning this category made it clear that no other indie nominee could beat it for GOTY.
Best Debut Indie Game
Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Best Mobile Game
Winner: Umamusume: Pretty Derby
Best VR/AR Game
Winner: The Midnight Walk
Best Action Game
Winner: Hades II
A strong category, but Hades II was the clear favorite.
Best Action/Adventure
Winner: Hollow Knight: Silksong
Best RPG
Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Best Fighting Game
Winner: Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves
Best Family Game
Winner: Donkey Kong Bananza
Best Sim/Strategy
Winner: Civilization VII
Best Sports/Racing
Winner: Mario Kart World
Best Multiplayer
Winner: Arc Raiders
One of the biggest surprise success stories of the year.
Most Anticipated Game
Winner: Grand Theft Auto VI
Content Creator of the Year
Winner: MoistCr1TiKaL
Best Esports Game
Winner: Counter-Strike 2
Best Esports Athlete
Winner: Chovy
Best Esports Team
Winner: Team Vitality – Counter-Strike 2
Players’ Voice
Winner: Wuthering Waves
One of the few categories where Expedition 33 didn’t take the top spot.
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