‘Special’ 92% rated puzzler ‘pretty much as good as Clair Obscur’ snubbed for GOTY | Gaming | Entertainment | EUROtoday

The Game Awards 2025 nominations have been unveiled, and voting is now open. But there’s one recreation that followers are notably miffed about being snubbed.

The narrative-driven Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has garnered a record-breaking 12 nominations, and is extensively tipped to scoop many of the classes it has been nominated for – together with Game of the Year. The RPG faces fierce competitors, nevertheless, with the checklist of GOTY contenders showcasing simply how stellar 2025 has been for gaming lovers. But there’s one other that many felt ought to have made the six-title shortlist.

Expedition 33 is up towards the eagerly-awaited and warmly welcomed Hollow Knight: Silksong, in addition to three different sequels. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Hades II, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II have additionally acquired nominations, whereas Donkey Kong Bananza deservedly completes the checklist.

In a much less aggressive yr, there might need been house for among the video games included in different nominations to be up for Game of the Year. But some avid gamers argue {that a} “unique” puzzle title also needs to have been thought of.

While it is up for Best Indie Game, Blue Prince has been missed for the highest award regardless of common reward. Developed by Dogubomb and revealed by Raw Fury, it earned an total rating of 92 out of 100 on Metacritic, studies All Out Gaming.

Reddit customers have taken to the platform to lament Blue Prince’s lack of recognition in the primary award. One wrote: “Blue Prince is one of the most unique, special, and magical experiences I’ve ever had in gaming, so I’m happy it got nominated for at least something.

“I do know it is area of interest so it most likely will not beat E33 in these classes, nevertheless it’s simply probably the most I’ve loved a recreation post-pandemic.”

Another agreed, adding: “My GOTY as properly. The developer of that recreation poured themselves into it and it exhibits.

“I think it comes across as a clever puzzle game, but you keep playing and you learn that it has a very deep and mysterious story with some of the most atmospheric pieces you’ll see.”

A 3rd declared it was “easily” their recreation of the yr, while one other remarked: “I had high hopes for it winning Best Indie Debut.”

Nevertheless, it goes head-to-head with Expedition 33 in that class and Best Indie Game, which suggests it may very well be missed utterly.

Other video games boasting substantial nominations embody Ghost of Yotei and Death Stranding 2, which secured seven nods apiece. Hades II garnered six nominations and Silksong claimed 5.

Best Ongoing Game

Best Community Support

• Baldur’s Gate 3
• Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail
• Fortnite
• Helldivers II
• No Man’s Sky

Best Mobile Game

• Destiny: Rising
• Persona 5: The Phantom X
• Sonic Rumble
• Umamusume: Pretty Derby
• Wuthering Waves

Best VR / AR Game

• Alien: Rogue Incursion
• Age of the Ark
• Ghost Town
• Marvel’s Deadpool VR
• The Midnight Walk

Best Action Game

• Battlefield 6
• Doom: The Dark Ages
• Hades II
• Ninja Gaiden 4
• Shinobi: Art of Vengeance

Best Action / Adventure Game

• Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
• Ghost of Yōtei
• Hollow Knight: Silksong
• Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
• Split Fiction

Best Role Playing Game

• Avowed
• Chiaroscuro: Expedition 33
• Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
• Monster Hunter Wilds
• The Outer Worlds 2

Best Fighting Game

• 2XKO
• Capcom Fighting Collection 2
• Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves
• Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection
• Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage

Best Family Game

• Donkey Kong Bananza
• Lego Party
• Lego Voyagers
• Mario Kart World
• Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds
• Split Fiction

Best Sim / Strategy Game

• The Alters
• Civilization VII
• Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles
• Tempest Rising
• Jurassic World Evolution 3
• Two Point Museum

Best Sports / Racing Game

Best Multiplayer Game

• ARC Raiders
• Battlefield 6
• Elden Ring Nightreign
• Peak
• Split Fiction

Innovation in Accessibility

• Assassin’s Creed Shadows
• Nuclear energy
• Doom: The Dark Ages
• EA Sports FC 26
• South of Midnight

Best Adaptation

Most Anticipated Game

Best Esports Game