Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 could make history as indie RPG leads Game Awards 2025 nominations
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 leads the 2025 Game Awards with a historic 12 nominations, topping a competitive field that includes Death Stranding 2, Hades II, and Hollow Knight: Silksong.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has emerged as the clear frontrunner for this year’s Game Awards, earning a record-breaking 12 nominations - the most any title has ever received in the event’s history.
The surreal RPG from Sandfall Interactive is nominated in categories including Game of the Year, Best Game Direction, Best Art Direction, Best Narrative, and Best Score and Music, while also picking up three separate nominations in the Best Performance category.
The title’s dominance positions it as the game to beat heading into the ceremony on 11 December in Los Angeles.
Other contenders for the coveted Game of the Year trophy include Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Donkey Kong Bananza, Hades II, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II - a diverse mix of prestige sequels, indie heavy-hitters, and Nintendo’s latest platforming hit.
Following Expedition 33’s 12 nods, Death Stranding 2 and Ghost of Yōtei each secured eight nominations, while Hades II earned six and Hollow Knight: Silksong picked up five.
In other categories like Best Multiplayer, newly-released Arc Raiders is competing against juggernaut AAA games like Battlefield 6 and Elden Ring: Nightreign.
As for the Most Anticipated Game award, Grand Theft Auto VI, Marvel’s Wolverine, Resident Evil Requiem, 007 First Light and The Witcher IV are all up for the honour.
This year’s slate highlights a strong showing from both big-budget productions and renowned indie studios, underscoring the breadth of innovation across the industry.
