It's also player's darling 

The last so unanimously liked game I've seen was Baldurs Gate 3. Expedition 33 would be the first JRPG game (or JRPG adjacent at very least) to win GOTY

It checks most of boxes of a winner, it not only features addictive gameplay, but a quite deep story

It's a game that really gives an impact on player's, it's not only good it's memorable 

Thanks for posting! Just to be clear: I’m looking for your personal GOTY contenders, not the industry’s picks. If you’ve played and loved those four games, I will add them to the tracker.

Oh I see! 

In this case Expedition 33 and Split Fiction are amazing and my picks 

Excellent -- added! And please feel free to add to the list as the year goes on.

MarioKart World. It’s only been one day, sure, but I don’t expect this game to drop in quality. (Plus, we’re talking about MarioKart.) It’s incredible so far!

Yeah, I was kinda referring to that in my post - I don't play JRPGs, so when I eventually try Clair Obscur, even if I end up loving it, I won’t be able to assess it objectively, as I lack a proper frame of reference.

On the other hand, I've been playing CRPGs for over 40 years, so I can evaluate them fairly impartially. BG3 was a media darling, widely liked by a broader audience, and it won most of the GOTY awards. Yet from my point of view, it's not as good a CRPG as its accolades make it out to be.

So, as I said, in context of GOTY, my guess is that Clair Obscur wins, and that JRPG fans who have tons of games from the genre under their belt can really tell whether it's really deserving it or not...I can't, even if it turns out to be my GOTY.

Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition
Suikoden 1&2 HD Remaster Collection

Updated through this post. Keep 'em coming!

Currently, my top 5 would have to be

Tempest Rising
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Ninja Gaiden II Black
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Out of which one would win my vote......I would currently have to say Tempest Rising. Bringing back the Action RTS genre in a flawless way. Constantly keeping you engaged, impeccable soundtrack, and a surprisingly epic campaign. This game is the whole package!

This year feels a lot like 2024 IMO. Not a lot of stuff on the first months. I expect a lot more contenders to show up soon.