We’ve reached the halfway mark of 2025, and with it comes the perfect time to look back at the year in gaming so far. One of the biggest fan obsessions? Trying to predict which title will take home Game of the Year (GOTY) at The Game Awards 2025. While critical and player reception doesn’t guarantee a win, Metacritic scores offer a helpful snapshot of where things stand heading into the second half of the year.
(Note: Titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom for Nintendo Switch 2 have received stellar reviews for their technical updates, but since they’re not new releases, they’re ineligible for GOTY at TGA 2025.)
Top-rated games of 2025 (as of June)
Leading the pack is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the breakout JRPG from Sanfall Interactive, which has taken both critics and players by storm. Not only did it score a 93 on Metacritic, it also earned glowing praise from MeriStation, which awarded it a 9.4/10, calling it “a stunning debut and a heartfelt, polished experience.”
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – 93
- Blue Prince – 92
- Split Fiction – 91
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach – 90
- Despelote – 89
- The Talos Principle: Reawakened – 89
- Monster Hunter Wilds – 88
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 – 88
- Monster Train 2 – 88
- The Roottrees are Dead – 87
What do players think? The top 3 by user score
Beyond critical acclaim, some games have won over fans in a big way. According to Metacritic’s user ratings:
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 — Developed by Sandfall Interactive, Clair Obscur has secured a 9.7 User Score and captured players with its distinctive art, compelling story, and strategic combat.
- Death Stranding 2 continues to impress with its cinematic storytelling and 8.9 User Score.
- Split Fiction follows with a strong 8.8, praised for its bold narrative choices and seamless co-op design.
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 stays true to its immersive RPG roots with an 8.6 User Score.
- Blue Prince, with a 7.6, it continues to charm players thanks to its roguelike structure, unique visual style, and deep lore.
These five are emerging as frontrunners for GOTY 2025, appealing not just to critics but to a broad swath of players worldwide.
When are The Game Awards 2025?
This year’s ceremony, once again hosted by Geoff Keighley, will be held on December 11, 2025. While it’s still early, keep an eye on these top contenders as the race to GOTY heats up—and expect a few late-year surprises to enter the conversation, too.
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