Best Independent
For the games developed by a handful of incredibly daring and talented people who challenge the mainstream in new inventive ways.
Animal Well
Another Crab’s Treasure — Winner
Dungeons of Hinterberg
Promenade
Thank Goodness You’re Here!
Best Action Adventure
For the titles that take us to the most exotic and fantastical destinations without compromising on exploration and adventure.
Black Myth: Wukong — Winner
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Sword Art Online Fractured Daydream
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
Best Platformer
For the titles that kept us smashing jump and took us to greater heights.
Animal Well
Astro Bot — Winner
Promenade
Tales of Kenzera: Zau
The Plucky Squire
Best RPG
For the games that allowed us to take up new identities, immerse in new worlds, and gave us freedom of expression.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Granblue Fantasy: Relink
Metaphor: ReFantazio — Winner
Unicorn Overlord
Best Shooter
For the fast-paced and straight-shooting games that never compromise on action or explosions.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 — Winner
Helldivers 2
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
XDefiant
Best Fighter
For the strongest fighters out there that know how to pack a mean punch.
Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO
Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics
Rivals of Aether 2
Tekken 8 — Winner
UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH II Sys:Celes
Best Multiplayer
For the titles that make interacting with people a real joy and a necessity.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Helldivers 2 — Winner
Palworld
Super Mario Party Jamboree
Tekken 8
Best Horror
For the titles that will make you scream, cry, and beg for someone human to hold you.
Amanda the Adventurer 2
Crow Country
Silent Hill 2 Remake
Still Wakes the Deep — Winner
Best Family
For the games that are supremely wholesome, accessible to all, and blur the line between genres.
Astro Bot — Winner
Little Kitty, Big City
Paper Trail
Super Mario Party Jamboree
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
Outstanding Story and Narrative
For those titles that captivated us with exceptional storytelling, character development, and worldbuilding.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard
Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
Metaphor: ReFantazio — Winner
Outstanding Art Direction
For the games that feature stunning and inventive art styles that break the conventional.
Animal Well
Astro Bot
Black Myth: Wukong — Winner
Promenade
Thank Goodness You’re Here!
Outstanding Original Score and Music
For the titles that made us hum catchy tunes and compositions all day long.
Astro Bot
Dragon Age: The Veilguard
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Metaphor: ReFantazio — Winner
Unicorn Overlord
Outstanding Technical Achievement
For the games that pushed audio-visual boundaries to deliver spectacular next-gen experiences.
Black Myth: Wukong
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II — Winner
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
Surprise of the Year
For games that came out of nowhere and with little expectation, yet still managed to become a hit with wider audiences.
Balatro
Black Myth: Wukong — Winner
Granblue Fantasy: Relink
Helldivers 2
Palworld
Most Anticipated Game of 2025
For the titles that make us most impatient about the coming year.
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows
Avowed
Borderlands 4
Civilization VII
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
Doom: The Dark Ages
Fable
Ghost of Yotei
Grand Theft Auto VI — Winner
Little Nightmares 3
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
Mouse: P.I. For Hire
Pokémon Legends: Z-A
Professor Layton and the New World of Steam
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2
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.
Animal Well
Astro Bot — Winner
Black Myth: Wukong
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Metaphor: ReFantazio
Promenade
Unicorn Overlord