The results of this poll will reset once every two weeks (with data edited into OP). I am curious to track public opinion on the topic of what game people believe will win the most overall GotY (Game of the Year) awards for 2025. (Note that I am not asking for people’s personal GotYs.) It’s a little late in the year, next time I’m hoping to get this started a tad bit sooner.

If your top pick for “Winningest Game of the Year” isn’t on here, please comment the game below. I would also be curious to see full lists of how you believe the dust will settle among all the top contenders.

My personal thoughts (so far) are that (i) Expedition 33 appears to be the favorite and (ii) DKBananza is comfortably seated in the second position. Silksong unfortunately doesn’t seem to be a major contender for the “winningest game” solely based on how few critics will have reviewed it compared to the other two. I do foresee a possible scenario where GoY or MP4 receive high enough critical praise to completely “flip everything on its head” (92OC is not a very high demand for a major first-party Sony release nor for a Metroid Prime made by Retro studios).

Judging from what I've seen, E33 is the frontrunner. I'll also be happy to see it win.

I don't think Yotei will overthrow it, not because it will lack quality though. DS2 might have had a chance, especially since Kojima is a TGA darling but it seems to have fallen sort of the acclaim needed for this. Metroid Prime 4 releases too late in the year to be considered.

Personally, it's a toss up between DK and E33 so far. Silksong is quite close but I'm not done with it yet.

From a public standpoint, it seems like Expedition 33 is practically a guarantee at this point.

From a personal standpoint, it still has to be Tempest Rising, although Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, Donkey Kong Bananza, and Shinobi could challenge it. There's still some other games releasing that could get my top spot such as Silent Hill f, Ninja Gaiden 4, Hades 2, or Ghost of Yotei. Still a lot of gaming to go this year.

Wow today (and tomorrow) has been (and will be) crazy for games! Hades 2 (93OC), Silent Hill f (88OC), Final Fantasy Tactics (88OC), Ghost of Yotei (tomorrow). There are three games here that could very well enter GotY discussion, with Hades 2 possibly becoming a frontrunner.

Pokémon Legends Z-A also recieved some very interesting final impressions today...it appears Game Freak has really changed the formula (with added difficulty), for better or for worse.

I agree with those who say that Game Award GOTY nominees should be expanded to ten or at least eight slots to give a wider representation.

Clair Obscur
Bananza
Kingdom Come 2
Death Stranding 2
Split Fiction
Silksong
Blue Prince
Silent Hill f
Hades 2

That’s already nine games that I don’t think are out of place for a nomination, even if only a few have an actual shot at winning. There’s also Yotei, Metroid Prime 4, Battlefield 6, Outer Worlds 2 and such still to come.

I thought it would go like:

1. Clair Obscur/Metroid
2. Metroid/Clair Obscur
3. Donkey Kong Bananza
4. Death Stranding 2
5. Split Fiction
6. Hollow Knight Silksong

But Hades 2 is probably going to kick one of these out. I don't think Ghost of Yotei or Silent Hill f or Blue Prince will make it.

My GOTY: Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter :)