The Game Awards 2025 nominations have been unveiled, and voting is now open. But there’s one game that fans are particularly miffed about being snubbed.

The narrative-driven Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has garnered a record-breaking 12 nominations, and is widely tipped to scoop most of the categories it’s been nominated for – including Game of the Year. The RPG faces fierce competition, however, with the list of GOTY contenders showcasing just how stellar 2025 has been for gaming enthusiasts. But there’s another that many felt should have made the six-title shortlist.

Expedition 33 is up against the eagerly-awaited and warmly welcomed Hollow Knight: Silksong, as well as three other sequels. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Hades II, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II have also received nominations, while Donkey Kong Bananza deservedly completes the list.

In a less competitive year, there might have been space for some of the games included in other nominations to be up for Game of the Year. But some gamers argue that a “unique” puzzle title should also have been considered.

While it’s up for Best Indie Game, Blue Prince has been overlooked for the top award despite universal praise. Developed by Dogubomb and published by Raw Fury, it earned an overall score of 92 out of 100 on Metacritic, reports All Out Gaming.

Reddit users have taken to the platform to lament Blue Prince’s lack of recognition in the main award. One wrote: “Blue Prince is one of the most unique, special, and magical experiences I’ve ever had in gaming, so I’m happy it got nominated for at least something.

“I know it’s niche so it probably won’t beat E33 in those categories, but it’s easily the most I’ve enjoyed a game post-pandemic.”

Another agreed, adding: “My GOTY as well. The developer of that game poured themselves into it and it shows.

“I think it comes across as a clever puzzle game, but you keep playing and you learn that it has a very deep and mysterious story with some of the most atmospheric pieces you’ll see.”

A third declared it was “easily” their game of the year, whilst another remarked: “I had high hopes for it winning Best Indie Debut.”

Nevertheless, it goes head-to-head with Expedition 33 in that category and Best Indie Game, which means it could be overlooked completely.

Other games boasting substantial nominations include Ghost of Yotei and Death Stranding 2, which secured seven nods apiece. Hades II garnered six nominations and Silksong claimed five.

Best Ongoing Game

Best Community Support

• Baldur’s Gate 3
• Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail
• Fortnite
• Helldivers II
• No Man’s Sky

Best Mobile Game

• Destiny: Rising
• Persona 5: The Phantom X
• Sonic Rumble
• Umamusume: Pretty Derby
• Wuthering Waves

Best VR / AR Game

• Alien: Rogue Incursion
• Arken Age
• Ghost Town
• Marvel’s Deadpool VR
• The Midnight Walk

Best Action Game

• Battlefield 6
• Doom: The Dark Ages
• Hades II
• Ninja Gaiden 4
• Shinobi: Art of Vengeance

Best Action / Adventure Game

• Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
• Ghost of Yōtei
• Hollow Knight: Silksong
• Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
• Split Fiction

Best Role Playing Game

• Avowed
• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
• Monster Hunter Wilds
• The Outer Worlds 2

Best Fighting Game

• 2XKO
• Capcom Fighting Collection 2
• Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves
• Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection
• Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage

Best Family Game

• Donkey Kong Bananza
• Lego Party
• Lego Voyagers
• Mario Kart World
• Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds
• Split Fiction

Best Sim / Strategy Game

• The Alters
• Civilization VII
• Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles
• Tempest Rising
• Jurassic World Evolution 3
• Two Point Museum

Best Sports / Racing Game

Best Multiplayer Game

• ARC Raiders
• Battlefield 6
• Elden Ring Nightreign
• Peak
• Split Fiction

Innovation in Accessibility

• Assassin’s Creed Shadows
• Atomfall
• Doom: The Dark Ages
• EA Sports FC 26
• South of Midnight

Best Adaptation

Most Anticipated Game

Best Esports Game