The Game Awards 2025 was broadcast live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Celebrating its 11th year, the night was filled with awards, trailers, and surprise reveals. Geoff Keighley returned as host once again. The show brought together developers, creators, and fans to celebrate the year in video games while also looking ahead to what’s next.
By the time the show wrapped up, one story clearly stood above the rest. Still, The Game Awards 2025 had plenty of moments to talk about, long after the show ended. The night featured a dominant Game of the Year win for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, along with long-awaited franchise updates and a few genuine surprises.
Here’s a look at the biggest winners, most exciting announcements, and reveals that made this year’s show one worth talking about.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 dominates The Game Awards 2025
By the end of the night, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was impossible to ignore. The dark fantasy role-playing game took home Game of the Year. And it kept coming back to the stage again and again as more awards were announced.
In total, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 picked up wins for Best Game Direction, Best Narrative, Best Role-Playing Game, Best Art Direction, Best Score and Music, Best Independent Game, and Best Debut Indie Game. Jennifer English also earned Best Performance for her role in the game. By the time the final trophy was handed out, it was clear this was one of the most awarded games the show has ever seen.
The sweep didn’t feel like an accident. Clair Obscur kept coming up as awards were announced, and it never felt out of place. By the time Game of the Year was revealed, it already felt like the night belonged to it. Read my review of Clair Obscure: Expedition 33 here.
Nintendo earns family-friendly and racing awards
Nintendo also had a strong night, particularly in categories that tend to resonate with a wide range of gamers. Donkey Kong Bananza won Best Family Game, recognized for its accessible design and broad appeal. It was one of those wins that immediately made sense. Especially for households looking for games that work just as well for short sessions as they do for longer playtime. Read my review of Donkey Kong Bananza here.
Mario Kart World picked up the award for Best Sports and Racing Game. Continuing the franchise’s long track record of critical and fan recognition. Racing games often get overshadowed by larger action and role-playing titles during awards season. So, seeing Mario Kart World take the spotlight was a welcome moment. Read my review of Mario Kart World here.
Major franchises take centre stage
As expected, The Game Awards 2025 delivered several updates tied to some of gaming’s most recognizable franchises. These were the announcements that had immediate name recognition and sparked the biggest reactions.
Capcom shared a new look at Resident Evil Requiem, confirming that Leon S. Kennedy will appear in the game alongside new protagonist Grace Ashcroft. The trailer contained a mix of survival horror and action, giving longtime fans a clearer idea of how Leon fits into the story. Tomb Raider made a notable return with two announcements. Tomb Raider Catalyst was revealed as a brand-new Lara Croft adventure coming in 2027, while Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis was announced as a remake of Lara’s original 1996 outing, coming in 2026. Seeing both a new entry and a classic reimagined suggests a busy future for the franchise.
Blizzard also used the stage to highlight Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred, the next expansion for Diablo IV. The reveal provided a first look at the new chapter in the game’s ongoing storyline, giving fans of the series something concrete to look forward to.
The surprises that got people talking
Beyond familiar names, a few reveals stood out specifically because they felt unexpected or left plenty to unpack afterward. Control Resonant was one of the most talked-about announcements of the night. Remedy Entertainment revealed the next chapter in the Control universe, shifting focus to Dylan Faden and moving the action outside the Oldest House. The change in setting and perspective suggests a different approach while staying connected to the original game’s ideas.
Larian Studios also made waves by unveiling Divinity, its next major project following the success of Baldur’s Gate 3. The cinematic reveal was light on details, but it was enough to get people talking about what direction the studio might take next.
LEGO Batman also appeared during the show with a new trailer for LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight. The footage confirmed a May 29, 2026 release and showed a heavier focus on combat and character switching, with Robin, Batgirl, Nightwing, Catwoman, and Jim Gordon joining Batman throughout the game. Gotham looked larger this time around, with multiple Batmobile designs pulled from different eras and a quick look at the Batcave hinting at plenty of unlockable suits.
Star Wars had a big presence as well. Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic was revealed as a single-player, narrative-driven action RPG positioned as a spiritual successor to Knights of the Old Republic, with Casey Hudson attached. Alongside that, Star Wars Galactic Racer offered a very different take, focusing on fast-paced racing with podracers and other vehicles from across the universe. These two new games show just how wide the Star Wars games space has become.
Other reveals worth keeping an eye on
The show was packed with additional announcements, but a few more stood out for different reasons. Mega Man: Dual Override was a surprise reveal from Capcom, bringing the classic franchise back into the spotlight. Even without alot of information, the announcement alone was enough to spark excitement.
Total War: Warhammer 40,000 expanded Creative Assembly’s strategy lineup into a new setting, blending the studio’s large-scale battles with the iconic sci-fi universe. The final reveal of the night, Highguard, closed the show on an unexpected note. Rather than ending with a sequel or long-rumored project, The Game Awards 2025 wrapped up with a brand-new shooter from a debut studio made up of veteran developers. The choice gave the finale a different kind of energy and left viewers curious to see more.
Notable winners beyond Game of the Year
While Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 dominated the awards, several other wins were worth highlighting. Arc Raiders took home Best Multiplayer, recognizing its cooperative and competitive design. Hades II earned Best Action Game, continuing Supergiant Games’ strong track record at The Game Awards. Read my review of Hades II Nintendo Switch 2 Edition here.
Hollow Knight: Silksong won Best Action and Adventure, a category fans have been eager to see it recognized in after years of anticipation. Baldur’s Gate 3 won Best Community Support, acknowledging the continued work and engagement surrounding the game well after its release.
Grand Theft Auto VI was named Most Anticipated Game. This came as little surprise given how much attention the game continues to draw whenever it’s mentioned.
Reflecting on The Game Awards 2025
The Game Awards 2025 felt split in an interesting way. One game clearly owned the night, and the rest of the show kept setting up what’s ahead. That kind of balance just worked. Big franchises showed they still have room to evolve, new projects hinted at interesting ideas, and the awards highlighted just how varied gaming has become.
Whether your biggest takeaway was the Game of the Year sweep, a long-awaited reveal, or something that came completely out of left field, this year’s show offered plenty to think about heading into 2026.
What were your favourite moments from The Game Awards 2025? Which announcements are you most excited to see more of? Let us know what stood out to you.
Click here to see the full line of video game software available at Bestbuy.ca
Click here to see digital video game downloads offered at BestBuy.ca
