The night began with a whisper, a rumble and then a wave of excitement that rolled across the world. As the lights rose on The Game Awards 2025, one name kept echoing through the global crowd: Expedition 33. By the end of the night, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 would walk away with the biggest honour of all: Game of the Year.
A night full of buzz, big moments
This year came with high tension. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 entered the ceremony with 13 nominations, something rarely seen in the show’s history. Many believed it was the clear favourite. Others waited for a shock twist; maybe Hades 2 or Silksong would steal the crown. A few hopeful voices asked if Death Stranding 2: On the Beach might climb out of left field.
But as each category passed, one thing became clear: the night belonged to Expedition 33.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 wins Game of the Year
The biggest moment of the ceremony arrived with a breathless pause. Hearts raced across the world. And then the announcement came:
“Game of the Year goes to… Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.”
The crowd erupted.
This year’s nominees were some of the strongest in recent years. The Game of the Year lineup included:
– Donkey Kong Bananza
– Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
– Hades 2
– Hollow Knight: Silksong
– Kingdom Come Deliverance 2
A Race of Giants: Why the competition was so intense
From the bold creativity of indie developers to the giant worlds built by major studios, every nominee brought something special.
Hades 2 offered sharp action and addictive gameplay. Silksong finally showed up with the magic fans have waited years for. Death Stranding 2 delivered cinematic storytelling and Kojima-style mystery. And Donkey Kong Bananza brought pure joy for families worldwide.
While Game of the Year grabbed headlines, the ceremony had many standout moments across categories.
A Long List of Wins for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Few games in the history of The Game Awards have swept categories the way Expedition 33 did tonight. It picked up multiple trophies, including:
– Best Independent Game
– Best Art Direction
– Best Debut Indie Game
– Best Score and Music (Lorien Testard)
– Best RPG
– Best Narrative
– Best Game Direction
– Game of the Year
Full list of major winners
– Best Family Game – Donkey Kong Bananza
– Innovation in Accessibility – Doom: The Dark Ages
– Best Esports Game – Counter-Strike 2
– Best Esports Athlete – Chovy
– Best Esports Team – Team Vitality
– Best Mobile Game – Umamusume: Pretty Derby
– Best Independent Game – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
– Best Adaptation – The Last of Us: Season 2
– Best Action Game – Hades II
– Best Performance – Jennifer English (Expedition 33)
– Games for Impact – South of Midnight
– Best Ongoing Game – No Man’s Sky
– Best Audio Design – Battlefield 6
– Content Creator of the Year – MoistCr1TiKaL
– Best Fighting Game – Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves
– Most Anticipated Game – Grand Theft Auto VI
– Game Changer Award – Girls Make Games
– Best Action Adventure – Hollow Knight: Silksong
– Best Art Direction – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
– Best Sim/Strategy Game – Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles
– Best Debut Indie Game – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
– Best Score and Music – Expedition 33
– Best Sports/Racing Game – Mario Kart World
– Best Community Support – Baldur’s Gate 3
– Best VR/AR Game – The Midnight Walk
– Best RPG – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
– Player’s Voice – Wuthering Waves
– Best Narrative – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
– Best Multiplayer – Arc Raiders
– Best Game Direction – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
– Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33