VGChartz’s Evan Norris: “Some years, it’s fairly easy to predict the sort of games that will make the shortlist for Overall Game of the Year. And some years it’s surprise after surprise after surprise. 2025 was one of the more unpredictable years, for sure, despite a couple of obvious contenders — Ghost of Yōtei and Split Fiction — being highlighted at The Game Awards 2024. But just look at the remaining finalists. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 came out of nowhere and became an instant classic. Donkey Kong Bananza, the first 3D platformer starring the great ape in 26 years, was first announced in April 2025, just three months before launch. And Hollow Knight: Silksong, which had topped so many fans’ wishlists for six-plus years, arrived just two weeks after Team Cherry announced its release date, which sent other indie studios scrambling to delay their titles, for fear of being overshadowed.”
