It’s that time of year again! In such a packed year, it’s shocking to say that four of the six nominees are a safe bet:

- Claire Obscur: Expedition 33 [Sandfall Interactive]

- Donkey Kong Bananza [Nintendo (EDP 8)]

- Hollow Knight: Silksong [Team Cherry]

- Hades II [Supergiant Games]

All highly acclaimed titles, scoring over 90 across OpenCritic and MetaCritic. However, there are six slots available… so the question of this thread:

What games are filling those fifth and sixth nomination spots for Game of the Year 2025 (TGA)?

My guess is Kingdom Come: Deliverance II and Ghost of Yotei

I think Death Stranding 2 will be one of them for sure. Reviewers love Kojima.

Death Stranding 2 and Split Fiction.

Ghost and Split/Fiction. Though I could see blue prince getting a nom since it does have such high marks.

DS2 and Split Fiction guaranteed.
I made a prediction in July which was the same except it had Prime 4 instead of the two indies, but that obviously won't be a candidate now unfortunately. Will forever be annoying that award shows can't wait for the end of the year to decide the "best X of the year", it's common sense losing to more marketable timing.

Death Stranding, Clair Obscur, Split Fiction, DK Bonanza and Silksong.

MH Wilds, KCD2 Hades 2 and Yotei are all maybes.

Certain genres, like racing, always get snubbed for the main award, so I doubt MKW has a shot.

Claire Obscur: Expedition 33

Death Stranding 2

Split Fiction

Donkey Kong Bananza

Hades 2

Hollow Knight Silksong

FWIW I’m expecting DS2 and GoY to fill those final two spots.

(Though I am a bit upset knowing that MKWorld doesn’t stand a chance at a nomination. It’s definitely a departure from the standard formula, but man, I really love it! My personal GotY…it got snubbed just like MK8.)

Death Stranding 2 is a given. Kojima must appear at the stage, and Geoff praised the game non-stop on Twitter/X after the release.

I would like Silent Hill f to appear, but I really want Clair Obscur to take the overall GOTY.