Every summer, the gaming world gets a clear look at the biggest games arriving in the second half of the year, thanks to events like Geoff Keighley’s Summer Game Fest. While these showcases didn’t reveal the next Grand Theft Auto VI contender, they did solidify the lineup for the 2025 Game of the Year (GOTY) awards, revealing some surprising frontrunners alongside expected heavy hitters. The big takeaway? The race is shaping up to be far less predictable than many might have guessed, with a notable indie title currently holding the top spot.
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Summer Showcases Set the Stage
June’s gaming events are crucial for seeing which games are aiming for a late-year release and potentially vying for the coveted Game of the Year title. This year, publishers revealed release dates and new details, giving us a much clearer picture of the competitive landscape. While some expected contenders are certainly in the running, the biggest surprise comes from a game that’s already out.
New Challengers Emerge
Microsoft was among the companies that showed their hand, confirming October release dates for games like the action-packed Ninja Gaiden 4, the RPG sequel The Outer Worlds 2, and the intriguing new game Keeper. While action games often struggle for GOTY nominations, RPGs like The Outer Worlds 2 typically have a better shot, though its reception remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, Keeper, from the beloved studio Double Fine (known for Psychonauts 2), looks tailor-made for awards attention. Based on its debut trailer, it appears to be a wordless, emotionally resonant action-adventure starring a sentient lighthouse and its bird friend. Its striking visual style and Double Fine’s pedigree make it a potential dark horse, assuming its gameplay lives up to the promise.
A unique lighthouse character with legs walks on a beach at sunset in the upcoming game Keeper.
Long-Awaited Arrivals Finally Land
Another highly anticipated game finally received a 2025 release window: Hollow Knight: Silksong. The original Hollow Knight was a critically acclaimed indie hit that has only grown in popularity since its 2017 release. While it didn’t make a huge splash at The Game Awards back then (in a year packed with huge titles like Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey), the jury might be keen to recognize its hugely anticipated sequel. However, Silksong will need to compete for what is often a single indie GOTY slot against other strong contenders like Blue Prince and potentially Hades 2 if it leaves early access this year.
Konami’s Silent Hill f, now slated for a September release, could also surprise many. Horror games occasionally break into the GOTY conversation, and fans are hopeful this new entry marks a true return to form for the iconic series after the successful Silent Hill 2 remake last year. The developer, NeoBards, is a bit of an unknown quantity, making critical reviews even more important for its GOTY chances.
Beyond these newly dated titles from the summer events, the two strongest unreleased candidates already had their dates locked in: Kojima Productions’ highly anticipated Death Stranding 2 and Sucker Punch’s intriguing Ghost of Yōtei. Both are the kind of ambitious, narrative-driven action-adventure games that tend to resonate strongly with The Game Awards jury. As PlayStation exclusives published by Sony, they benefit from the platform holder’s impressive track record at the awards show.
A scene from Death Stranding 2 shows main character Sam Porter Bridges gently kissing a small baby named Lou.
Either Death Stranding 2 or Ghost of Yōtei could realistically be considered a frontrunner. But the biggest surprise heading into the latter half of the year is that neither currently sits atop the predicted GOTY rankings.
The Unlikely Frontrunner
As astonishing as it might sound, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is currently looking like the game to beat. This surprise hit RPG from Sandfall Interactive seems to tick all the right boxes for a GOTY winner. It belongs to a popular genre, offers strong storytelling and characters, and boasts polished gameplay, stunning visuals, and a distinct personality. It remains highly rated on sites like Metacritic and OpenCritic for games released this year.
What gives Clair Obscur an extra edge is its compelling backstory. It’s a passion project from a small, new studio and an emerging publisher that managed to deliver a game competing directly with titles from industry giants. Like Baldur’s Gate 3, the 2023 GOTY winner which also felt like a game for the players, Clair Obscur has built a strong connection with its community. This sentimentality could play a significant role when the jury makes its final decision, potentially favoring this indie success story over well-funded sequels.
The coming months will reveal how these games fare upon release and as players spend more time with them. While big names like Death Stranding 2 and Ghost of Yōtei are definitely strong contenders, don’t be surprised if Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 maintains its momentum and takes home the top prize.
Explore more about the games shaping the 2025 Game of the Year conversation and dive deeper into individual titles.
