I’ve been covering The Game Awards for years, but 2025’s ceremony was absolutely historic. As I watched from my gaming setup, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 wasn’t just winning Game of the Year; it was sweeping nearly every category it was nominated in. Let me break down all the winners and share my thoughts on why this year’s awards were so special.
The Game Awards is basically the Oscars of the gaming world, hosted annually by Geoff Keighley since 2014. I’ve followed this ceremony since its inception, and it’s grown from a niche streaming event to a massive production that airs on Prime Video, YouTube, and Twitch. This year’s show took place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, bringing together developers, publishers, and gamers from around the globe.
What makes The Game Awards unique is how it balances celebrating past achievements with showcasing future titles. I love how they mix the awards ceremony with world premieres and announcements, making it must-watch content for any serious gamer.
Honestly, I get chills every year when the orchestra starts playing and the first winner is announced. There’s something magical about seeing developers who poured their hearts into games get recognized for their work. This year was particularly special because I had the chance to play several of the nominated games before the ceremony.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 had been on my radar for months, and I knew it was something special when I first booted it up. The way it blends turn-based RPG mechanics with real-time elements is revolutionary. I spent countless hours exploring its Belle Époque-inspired world, and seeing it dominate the awards felt like validation for all the time I invested in it.
If you missed the live ceremony, don’t worry! Here’s how you can catch up:
I recommend watching the full ceremony if you have time – the musical performances and developer acceptance speeches really add to the experience. Jennifer English’s acceptance speech for Best Performance gave me goosebumps when she dedicated her award to neurodivergent gamers.
Here’s every winner from this year’s ceremony, along with my personal thoughts on each category:
Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
I called this one months ago! Clair Obscur wasn’t just the best game of 2025; it redefined what an indie RPG could achieve. The fact that it beat out heavyweights like Death Stranding 2 and Hades II speaks volumes about its quality.
Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
No surprise here. The game’s direction is masterful, balancing complex gameplay systems with an emotionally resonant story. I’ve never seen a game handle pacing so well.
Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
The narrative in Clair Obscur is absolutely gripping. I found myself completely invested in the characters and their journeys, which is rare for me in RPGs.
Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
The Belle Époque aesthetic mixed with fantasy elements creates a visual style unlike anything I’ve seen. Every screenshot looks like a painting.
Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Lorien Testard)
Lorien Testard’s score is hauntingly beautiful. I’ve actually added several tracks to my regular playlist – that’s how good it is.
Winner: Jennifer English (Expedition 33)
Jennifer’s performance was incredible, but her acceptance speech was even better. As someone who struggles with focus myself, her words really hit home.
Winner: Hades II
Hades II improved on the original in every way. I’ve sunk over 100 hours into it, and I’m still discovering new things.
Winner: Hollow Knight: Silksong
Team Cherry finally delivered! The wait was worth it – Silksong takes everything great about the original and expands it beautifully.
Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
This category was stacked, but Clair Obscur’s innovative combat system gave it the edge. I love how it makes you think strategically while keeping the action flowing.
Winner: Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves
As a fighting game fan, I’m thrilled to see Fatal Fury get some love. The rollback netcode is fantastic, and the roster is perfectly balanced.
Winner: Mario Kart World
Mario Kart World takes the franchise to new heights with its online integration. I’ve been playing with friends across the country, and it’s been a blast.
Winner: Donkey Kong Bananza
Nintendo knocked it out of the park again. Donkey Kong Bananza is accessible enough for kids but has enough depth to keep adults engaged.
Winner: FINAL FANTASY TACTICS – The Ivalice Chronicles
As a longtime FFT fan, this remake exceeded all my expectations. The updated graphics and quality-of-life improvements make it perfect for modern audiences.
Winner: Arc Raiders
Arc Raiders brings back the magic of cooperative shooters. I’ve been playing with my regular squad, and the teamwork required makes every match exciting.
Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For a debut title to win this many awards is unprecedented. Sandfall Interactive has announced themselves as a major player in the industry.
Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Another well-deserved win for Clair Obscur. It’s incredible to see an indie game compete toe-to-toe with AAA titles.
Winner: Umamusume: Pretty Derby
I’ll admit, I was skeptical about this one until I tried it. The blend of horse racing and idol management is surprisingly addictive.
Winner: The Midnight Walk
VR gaming continues to improve, and The Midnight Walk showcases the medium’s potential for unique experiences.
Winner: No Man’s Sky
Hello Games’ redemption story is one of my favorite gaming narratives. No Man’s Sky has evolved into something truly special.
Winner: Baldur’s Gate 3
Larian Studios continues to support their masterpiece with meaningful updates. The community response has been incredible.
Winner: Doom: The Dark Ages
id Software continues to lead the way in accessibility options. The customizable controls and visual settings make the game playable for almost everyone.
Winner: South of Midnight
Games that tackle important social issues deserve recognition, and South of Midnight handles its themes with grace and sensitivity.
Winner: The Last of Us: Season 2
The Last of Us continues to set the standard for video game adaptations. Season 2 was even better than the first.
Winner: Counter-Strike 2
CS:GO’s evolution to Counter-Strike 2 has revitalized the competitive scene. The tournaments have been more exciting than ever.
Winner: Chovy
Chovy’s dominance in League of Legends continues to be awe-inspiring. His mechanics are simply on another level.
Winner: Team Vitality (Counter-Strike 2)
Team Vitality’s CS2 roster has been nearly unstoppable this year. Their teamwork is a joy to watch.
Winner: MoistCr1TiKaL
Charlie’s consistent quality and genuine personality make him deserving of this award. His content has helped countless gamers discover new titles.
Winner: Girls Make Games
This organization is doing incredible work to increase diversity in the gaming industry. Their impact will be felt for years to come.
Winner: Grand Theft Auto VI
Was there ever any doubt? The hype for GTA VI is unreal, and Rockstar hasn’t even shown proper gameplay yet.
This year’s ceremony introduced several new elements that I found particularly interesting:
If you’re planning to watch next year’s ceremony, here are some tips I’ve learned from years of coverage:
The ceremony took place on December 11, 2025, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
You can watch the full ceremony on The Game Awards’ official YouTube channel, Twitch, or Amazon Prime Video.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 won an unprecedented nine awards, including Game of the Year, Best Game Direction, Best Narrative, and more.
Geoff Keighley hosted the ceremony, continuing his role as the creator and host of the event since its inception in 2014.
Winners are chosen by a jury of international media and influencers, representing over 100 global publications and content creators.
The biggest surprise was Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 sweeping so many categories, breaking the record for most awards won by a single game in one year.
Yes, the ceremony featured several world premieres and announcements for upcoming games, including new trailers and release dates.
Fans can vote through the official website and various partner platforms. The Player’s Voice category is determined entirely by fan voting.
The Game Awards 2025 will go down as one of the most memorable ceremonies in gaming history. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33‘s dominance wasn’t just a victory for one game – it was a victory for indie developers everywhere, proving that passion and innovation can triumph over massive budgets.
As I reflect on this year’s winners, I’m excited about the future of gaming. The diversity of genres, the focus on accessibility, and the recognition of storytelling excellence show that our medium continues to evolve in exciting ways. Whether you’re a fan of RPGs, fighting games, or esports, there was something to celebrate for everyone this year.
What were your thoughts on this year’s winners? Did your favorite game get the recognition it deserved? I’d love to hear your predictions for next year’s ceremony in the comments below!
