The Game Awards 2025 delivered surprises, controversy, and blockbuster reveals in equal measure. From a dominant Game of the Year sweep to long-awaited franchise revivals, the annual LA showcase gave you plenty to talk about. Here’s what mattered most and why it sets the tone for gaming in 2026.
Held in Los Angeles, the annual event blended celebrity sheen with world premieres, awkward clapping, and this year, one of the most dominant victories in the show’s history.
That honor belonged to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a debut role-playing game from independent studio Sandfall Interactive, founded by former Ubisoft developers.
The game swept an astonishing nine of the 30 available categories, including Game of the Year, Best RPG, Best Narrative, and Best Art Direction.
It was the kind of emphatic clean sweep more commonly associated with blockbuster films than first-time game releases. The message was unmistakable: Clair Obscur wasn’t just a success—it was the defining title of the year.
A Sweep That Raised Eyebrows
While it’s genuinely refreshing to see an independent project receive this level of recognition, the scale of the win inevitably sparked debate. This was a year that also delivered standout creative achievements like Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and Hades II.
For Clair Obscur to dominate so thoroughly sent an unintentional signal that it may be the only game worth talking about from 2025—an outcome that feels slightly unfair to a year packed with quality releases.
The Real Stars: New Game Announcements
As usual, the trophies weren’t the only reason to tune in. Studios invest heavily to showcase upcoming projects during the ceremony, and this year’s slate of announcements carried serious weight across multiple genres and franchises.
One of the biggest reveals was Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, a new single-player RPG set in the Knights of the Old Republic timeline. Written by Casey Hudson of Mass Effect fame, the game promises a narrative-driven experience, though the debut trailer kept frustratingly light on concrete details.
Familiar Faces and Long-Awaited Returns
Larian Studios, fresh off the success of Baldur’s Gate 3, appeared to tease a new Divinity title, which the studio described as its “biggest ever.” Expectations are understandably high given Larian’s recent track record.
Survival horror fans also had reason to pay attention. Resident Evil Requiem revealed a brief glimpse of longtime protagonist Leon Kennedy, strongly suggesting he’ll be playable for at least part of the 2026 release.
Meanwhile, Tomb Raider: Catalyst confirmed that Lara Croft is back once again, sporting a refreshed character design that includes a surprisingly divisive necktie—an update that’s already proving polarizing among fans.
The Surprise Standout of the Show
The most exciting reveal of the night, however, may have been Star Wars: Galactic Racer. Developed by ex-Criterion staff at new studio Fuse Games, the title channels the blistering speed of Episode I: Racer with WipEout-style inertia and modern visuals.
With a serious Burnout and Need for Speed pedigree behind it, Galactic Racer stood out as the announcement that truly justified staying up for the show—and one that could quietly become a sleeper hit.
Final Thoughts
The Game Awards 2025 may be remembered for Clair Obscur’s historic sweep, but its lasting impact will likely come from the games it set in motion. From major franchise revivals to ambitious new IP, the ceremony offered a clear message: 2026 is already shaping up to be a big year for players willing to look beyond the trophies.
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