Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Crowned 2025 Game of the Year, Hades 2 Tops Metacritic

The Game Awards 2025 concluded on December 11. The prestigious Game of the Year honor went to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. The action sequel Hades 2 was officially named the highest-rated original game of the year.This dual recognition caps a historic year for the gaming industry. The accolades come from major critics and player consensus. These titles led a diverse and critically acclaimed list of 2025 releases.

Clair Obscur Claims Gaming’s Top Honor

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 secured the top prize at The Game Awards. It is a turn-based RPG from French developer Sandfall Interactive. The game also won the award for Best Role Playing Game that same night.It launched on April 24 across all major platforms. According to Metacritic, its scores range between 92 and 93. The game was also a massive success on the Xbox Game Pass subscription service at launch.The game’s win is significant. It marks a rare victory for a brand-new intellectual property. The victory over established franchises underscores its exceptional quality and reception.

Hades 2 Achieves Critical Acclaim with Record Score

Supergiant Games’ Hades 2 earned a near-perfect 95 score on Metacritic. This made it the highest-rated original game released in 2025. The score is based on widespread critical reviews.The game launched fully on September 25 after an early access period. It is available on PC and Nintendo Switch systems. It received the Best Action Game award at The Game Awards.Critics praised its refined combat and deep narrative. The game improved upon every aspect of the beloved original. This achievement highlights the power of player feedback during development.

2025’s Broader Gaming Landscape Shines

The year’s quality extended far beyond the top two winners. Publications like Polygon and The Guardian compiled their own top-twenty lists. There was strong consensus on many other standout titles.Major releases like Hollow Knight: Silksong and Ghost of Yotei ranked highly. Other notable games included Death Stranding 2 and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II. The variety spanned indie projects to blockbuster sequels.According to analysis from The Gamer, 2025 was one of the industry’s best years in over a decade. The breadth of high-quality games across genres was remarkable. This provided something exceptional for every type of player.

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The 2025 game awards spotlight an industry at its creative peak, celebrating both groundbreaking new worlds like Clair Obscur and masterful sequels like Hades 2.

Info at your fingertips

Q1: What type of game is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33?

Clair Obscur is a turn-based role-playing game (RPG). It features a unique Belle Époque-inspired art style and strategic combat. The game was developed by the studio Sandfall Interactive.

Q2: Why did Hades 2 get such a high Metacritic score?

Hades 2 earned a 95 for its exceptional polish and design. Critics lauded its engaging combat, writing, and art direction. The lengthy early access period allowed the developers to refine the game based on player input.

Q3: Were there other big winners at The Game Awards 2025?

Yes. Hollow Knight: Silksong won Best Action/Adventure Game. Mario Kart World won Best Sports/Racing Game. ARC Raiders was awarded Best Multiplayer Game.

Q4: On what platforms can I play these top games?

Clair Obscur is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows PC. Hades 2 is available on PC and Nintendo Switch. Both games are stand-alone purchases.

Q5: What sources were used for this ranking information?

This report is based on official results from The Game Awards 2025. Additional data comes from the review aggregator Metacritic. Analysis from reputable outlets like Polygon and The Gamer was also consulted.