So far, my top four favorites this year include...

Split Fiction
Deltarune
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Donkey Kong Bananza <-- Not finished playing, but close enough to firmly endorse.

An extended list of personal faves from this year though would add Citizen Sleeper 2 and Rift of the NecroDancer, but I think we know they have no chance. Too obscure, and also not necessarily my tippy top picks anyway.

These things said, I'd also add that I'm really, really excited to play Silent Hill f based on everything I've seen of it and heard about it. I reserve the option to add a vote for it to my personal list of contenders after it comes out.

Expedition 33, nothing else has been close. Like, I think Avowed is a great, great game. Amazing combat. But Expedition 33 shits on it from great heights.

Added -- thank you! Please feel free to return after playing more contenders!

This is perfect -- thanks!

I'm going to include Citizen Sleeper 2 and NecroDancer, if that's OK with you. The idea is to capture as many contenders as possible, no matter how niche

I added both. Hope that's OK!

This Sword of the Sea game that turned up "free" in PS Extra, looks like it might have a chance to get into my top 5, haven't played it yet but I get the sense but mainly cause it has the Platinum to support it and it looks like a great list. So far my top 5 are, not a bad year so far with two 10's.

1. Clair Obscur Expedition 33 - 10/10
2. Death Stranding 2 - 10/10
3. The First Berserker Khazan - 9/10
4. Keepers Toll - 8/10
5. Soulstone Survivors - 7/10

Ds2 and Khazan are fighting each other for second place despite DS2 having a better score. Khazan lost marks for some really slight, silly issues but I think I had more fun with Khazan over DS2. I very much doubt upcoming games can beat the top three, maybe Gjost of Yotei has a chance but I'm discouraged about most else, Lost Soul Asides looks like FF16 unfortunately and MGS3 Delta is way to expensive for a remake of a game I have sitting in my library, I'll grab that when it is free or close to it...

I hold hope for Silent Hill f, Ninja Gaiden 4 and the Outer Worlds 2 but I expect to be disappointed and doubt they'll break the top 3 if they end up being really good.

I was severely let down by Wuchang, Ai Limit (less so), Oblivion remastered which is near unplayable with frame pacing nd some others and have yet to play KCD2 past the half a dozen hours but I'm sure It'll be up there whenever I push past that initial hump that feels like a old school, prolonge sequel nerfing but even have a chance for no. 2. 

No worries! And sure, sounds good.

Expedition 33 - 10/10
KCD2 - 9/10
Khazan - 8/10

Have not played split fiction, but from what I have seen definetly seems like a GOTY contender. I don't think khazan will be nominated but included as its a new game I played this year

Alright, I've gotta add Hollow Knight: Silksong to the list of considerations at this point.

Agreed. Silksong is definitely a top nominee.