BEST INDEPENDENT
For the games developed by a handful of incredibly daring and talented people who challenge the mainstream in new inventive ways. The underdog nominees are:
Blue Prince
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector (Read our review here)
Hades 2
Hollow Knight: Silksong
The Drifter (Read our review here)
BEST ACTION-ADVENTURE
For the titles that take us to the most exotic and fantastical destinations without compromising on exploration and adventure. The nominees adventuring onto the scene are:
Doom: The Dark Ages (Read our review here)
Ghost of Yotei
Ninja Gaiden 4
Split Fiction (Read our review here)
South of Midnight
BEST PLATFORMER
For the titles that kept us smashing jump and took us to greater heights. The nominees jumping in are:
Bionic Bay
Donkey Kong Bananza (Read our review here)
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance
Tiny Terry’s Turbo Trip (Read our review here)
BEST RPG
For the games that allowed us to take up new identities, immerse in new worlds, and gave us freedom of expression. The nominees capping this list are:
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Digimon Story: Time Stranger
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II (Read our review here)
The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy
Trials in the Sky 1st Chapter
BEST FIGHTER/BEAT-EM-UP
For the strongest fighters out there that know how to pack a mean punch. Which nominee will claim the championship title?:
2XKO
Absolum
Capcom Fighting Collection 2 (Read our review here)
Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves (Read our review here)
Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection (Read our review here)
BEST HORROR
For the titles that will make you scream, cry, and beg for someone human to hold you. The nominees that will haunt your dreams are:
Cronos: The New Dawn (Read our review here)
Dying Light: The Beast
Out of Sight (Read our review here)
Saeko: Giantess Dating Sim
Silent Hill f
OUTSTANDING STORY AND NARRATIVE
For those titles that captivated us with exceptional storytelling, character development, and worldbuilding. The nominees showing off their creative writing skills are:
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Split Fiction
The Drifter
The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy
OUTSTANDING ART DIRECTION
For the games that feature stunning and inventive art styles that break the conventional. The nominees painting the scene are:
Absolum
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Hollow Knight: Silksong
The Drifter
OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL SCORE AND MUSIC
For the titles that made us hum catchy tunes and compositions all day long. The nominees bringing the beats are:
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Donkey Kong Bananza
Ghost of Yotei
Skin Deep
OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMNT
For the games that pushed audio-visual boundaries to deliver spectacular next-gen experiences. The nominees breaking the mold are:
Battlefield 6
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Doom: The Dark Ages
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
BEST PERFORMANCE
For the actors and voice artists who bring virtual worlds to life through exceptional voice work, motion capture, and storytelling. The nominees straight out of the recording booth are:
Ben Starr (Verso) – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Erika Ishii (Atsu) – Ghost of Yotei
Jennifer English (Maelle) – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Konatsu Kato (Hinako) – Silent Hill f
Troy Baker (Higgs) – Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
THE MIGHT NOT SUCK AWARD
For the titles that make us most impatient about the coming year. Here are the games releasing in 2026 that we have high expectations for, but which one takes the top spot for the most highly anticipated?
007: First Light
Ananta
Bubsy 4D
Crimson Desert
Fable
Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave
Forza Horizon 6
Gears of War: E-Day
Grand Theft Auto VI
Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra
Mewgenics
Phantom Blade Zero
Pragmata
Resident Evil: Requiem
Romeo is a Dead Man
Super Meat Boy 3D
The Blood of Dawnwalker
THE SMASHY (GAME OF THE YEAR)
For the titles that dazzled us with incredible production values, talent, and ingenuity across the board. These games deserve universal praise for being the best of the best. Our contenders are:
Blue Prince
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Donkey Kong Bananza
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
Split Fiction
The Drifter