We’re proud to announce the nominees for the inaugural GameObserver Awards, celebrating the best in gaming throughout 2025! After our initial round of voting amongst the team, we’ve shortlisted five nominees per category that all deserve a shot at winning the grand prize when our results are revealed later this month.
The nominees are as follows.
Game of the Year
To celebrate the game this year that showed the best gaming has to offer over any other; whether its innovative gameplay, a fantastic story, mastery of a genre or perhaps all of the above. As there was a tie in the shortlist, we’ve got six contenders.
- Hades II
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Blue Prince
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Promise Mascot Agency
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Best Game Direction
For a game that is the plain result of a singular and focused vision, where every element comes together as it was envisioned. Good direction is marked by consistent tone and theming, pulling excellent performances from actors, ludonarrative harmony, and a strong identity that persists the entire way through the game.
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Blue Prince
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Split Fiction
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
The Goldilocks Award for AA Gaming
Goldilocks first tried the AAA porridge, and it was too big. She then tried the indie porridge, and it was too small. She then tried the AA porridge in the middle, and it was just right! These are the best games this year that have budgets too high and dev teams too big to really be indie, but are smaller than AAA.
- Dispatch
- The Alters
- The Hundred Line -Last Defense Academy-
- Powerwash Simulator 2
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Best Indie Game
The best game from an independent developer with a smaller budget and team that stands up to (and even potentially surpasses) the experiences AAA games can deliver.
- Promise Mascot Agency
- Hades II
- Wanderstop
- Blue Prince
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
Best Narrative
For outstanding storytelling, dialogue, and use of narrative that takes advantage of the gaming medium.
- Dispatch
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Promise Mascot Agency
- The Hundred Line -Last Defense Academy-
Best Soundtrack
For excellence in using score and soundtrack to capture and define moments and vibes.
- South of Midnight
- Elden Ring Nightreign
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Promise Mascot Agency
Best Game World
For a world that feels so fantastical, well-realized, and beautiful that we feel like we really went there. This can be a fictional world or a recreation of a real place, but these worlds are defined by immersion and attention to detail.
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Pharloom (Hollow Knight: Silksong)
- Hawaii (Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii)
- The Continent (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33)
- Kaso-Machi (Promise Mascot Agency)
Best Character
For our favorite character this year that stood out among the crowds and left a positive mark on our gaming experience.
- Invisigal (Dispatch)
- Esquie (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33)
- Goro Majima (Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii)
- Pauline (Donkey Kong Bananza)
- Verso (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33)
Best Villain
For the most formidable and memorable villain in gaming this year, who either represented evil and chaos in a fresh way or made us sympathize with their plight.
- Tariffs
- Renoir (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33)
- Dishy the Dishwasher (Date Everything)
- The Price Tag (Mario Kart World)
- King K. Rool (Donkey Kong Bananza)
Best New IP
For the best new world filled with original characters and places that we just couldn’t stop exploring.
- Dispatch
- South of Midnight
- Blue Prince
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Promise Mascot Agency
Innovation in Gameplay
For a game that surprised with innovative new gameplay we haven’t seen before, testing the limits of established game mechanics and introducing new mechanics we never thought possible.
- Blue Prince
- Donkey Kong Bananza
- No, I’m Not Human
- Promise Mascot Agency
- Split Fiction
Fun for the Whole Family
For the best family-friendly game this year. These can be party games, co-op, or even just single-player games suitable and appealing for children while also a good time for adults.
- Jackbox Party Pack 11
- Mario Kart World
- Donkey Kong Bananza
- Peak
- Split Fiction
Laughs-a-Plenty
It’s hard for games to be legitimately funny, and even harder to sustain that humor over many continuous hours. These games made us laugh consistently with good humor, good character work, and great execution.
- Dispatch
- Promise Mascot Agency
- Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
- Date Everything
- Two Point Museum
Cozy Game of the Year
The game that just made us feel great this year and helped us escape the stress of the real world. Grab a mug of tea and a blanket to snuggle in to a good time.
- Two Point Museum
- Wanderstop
- Tiny Bookshop
- Is This Seat Taken?
- Star Birds
Stressful Game of the Year
This is a game that had us sweating hard and raised either our blood pressure or the hairs on our arms.
- Elden Ring Nightreign
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- The Hundred Line -Last Defense Academy-
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hades II
Excellence in Diversity
For stepping above the status quo in representing ethnic, gender, or sexual minorities in gaming as real, three dimensional characters. As there was a tie in the shortlist, we’ve got six contenders.
- Dispatch
- South of Midnight
- Demonschool
- Date Everything
- Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
- Promise Mascot Agency
Best Evolving Game
For a game that has been receiving continual updates, expansions, and new content for at least a year and is better than ever. This game can be live service, early access, or perhaps just a regular game with constant feature updates.
- No Man’s Sky
- Marvels Rivals
- Fallout 76
- Disney Dreamlight Valley
- Astrobot
Best Boss Fight
For the most memorable battle of the year. The winner will have multiple key elements such as an excellent villain, great design of the fight, and epic moments you still can’t get off your mind.
- Arlecchino (Lies of P: Overture)
- Eito (The Hundred Line -Last Defense Academy-)
- King K. Rool (Donkey Kong Bananza)
- Parking Attendant (Split Fiction)
- Renoir (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33)
Best Action Combat
For the game that brings the best feeling and most nuanced moment-to-moment gameplay when fighting enemies, whether they be NPCs or other players online.
- Hades II
- Elden Ring Nightreign
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Donkey Kong Bananza
Technical Achievement
For a game that really, genuinely feels like it is taking advantage of all the current-gen tech at its disposal, whether that presents itself in graphics, mechanics, performance, or all of the above.
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
- Donkey Kong Bananza
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Split Fiction
Best With Buddies
For a game in which playing alongside friends, whether on the couch or online, elevates the experience to incredible new heights.
- Jackbox Party Pack 11
- Elden Ring Nightreign
- Peak
- Mario Kart World
- Split Fiction
Excellence in Art Design
For a game that brings a notable art style, impressive theming, and visual cohesion to a world that makes you want to just keep taking it in.
- South of Midnight
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Promise Mascot Agency
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Best Lead Performance
The best performance by an actor or actress in a game this year, whether it’s just voice or full body motion capture. Characters that are on screen or in the party for the majority of the game are included here.
- Aaron Paul – Robert Robertson (Dispatch)
- Konatsu Kato – Shimizu Hinako (Silent Hill f)
- Jennifer English – Maelle (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33)
- Takaya Kuroda – Michi (Promise Mascot Agency)
- Ben Starr – Verso (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33)
Best Supporting Performance
The best performance by an actor or actress in a game this year, whether it’s just voice or full body motion capture. Side characters who are not frequently on screen are included here.
- Jeffrey Wright – Chase (Dispatch)
- Travis Willingham – Phenomaman (Dispatch)
- Maxence Cazorla – Esquire (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33)
- Andy Serkis – Renoir (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33)
- Robbie Daymond – Hank 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (Date Everything)
Best Horror Game
For the best game that primarily focuses on instilling fear in the player by creating an environment filled with tension, dread, and atmosphere.
- Heartworm
- Caput Mortum
- Dead Take
- No, I’m Not Human
- Eclipsium
Best Puzzle Game
For the best game that challenges the mind with innovative design and features satisfying problem-solving.
- Escape Simulator 2
- The Séance of Blake Manor
- Blue Prince
- Whisper of the House
- Is This Seat Taken?
Best Action/Adventure Game
For the best game that features combat, a story-rich world, light RPG elements, exploration, and progression.
- Hades II
- Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
Best Simulation Game
For the best game that delivers a fun and inventive simulation of real-world activities and experiences.
- Two Point Museum
- News Tower
- Tiny Bookshop
- Wanderstop
- Promise Mascot Agency
Best Strategy Game
For the best game that presses the player to think tactically, create plans, and see them through to overcome obstacles.
- The Alters
- Preserve
- The Hundred Line -Last Defense Academy-
- Star Birds
- Emberward
Best RPG
For the best game that features exploring, leveling up, branching gameplay styles, and building out your character’s stats so that they better perform.
- The Outer Worlds 2
- Deltarune
- Digimon Story: Time Stranger
- Pokémon Legends: Z-A
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Best Story-Driven Game
For the best game that primarily relies on telling a story through interactive fiction without heavy mechanical input from the player, often featuring dialogue choices and decisions to make.
- Dispatch
- Your House
- Despelote
- The Hundred Line -Last Defense Academy-
- Cabernet
Best Platformer
For the best game that heavily features jumping, running, and movement-based gameplay across precision level design.
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Split Fiction
- Rain World: The Watcher
- Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution
- Donkey Kong Bananza
Best Metroidvania
For the best game that blends exploration, upgrades, progression, and interconnected level design.
- Blade Chimera
- Primal Planet
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Pipistrello and the Cursed Yo-yo
- ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist
Most Anticipated
The games we are most excited for that are currently slated for release in 2026.
- Fable
- Gothic 1 Remake
- Resident Evil Requim
- Danganronpa 2×2
- Pokémon Pokopia
And those are our 2025 GameObserver Award nominees! Which games are you rooting for? Let us know your thoughts in the comments down below, and keep your eyes on GameObserver.com for the winners later this month!
