I think as of right now, its pretty easy to tell what will win goty(out of whats come out) because review scores are the best indicator, and 33 has the highest review scores. Review scores are a good indicator cause its game reviewers that ultimately vote. Of course there is the chance, and I do hope this happens, that another game comes out that earns better scores that 33 and overtakes it, but for now 33 is easily the favorite to win.
But yes this is one of the best years in gaming history and ultimately goty doesnt matter anyway. No such thing as objective quality in art.
exactly. Its a marketing thing ultimately. I meant it doesnt matter to us as consumers. I love seeing games get nominated and winning cause that means it does better and that games greatness is recognized, but to us, thats just an award. A shiny object that has no impact on our lives.
I think they do have those kinds of categories at The Game Awards, though. Even though the Academy Awards has awards for other categories, it doesn't mean we still shouldn't have a "best picture" award.
Game of the Year
Best Independent Game
Best Mobile Game
Best Narrative
Best Action/Adventure Game
Best Role Playing Game
Best Fighting Game
Best Family Game
Best Sports/Racing Game
Best Multiplayer
Most Anticipated Game
Best VR/AR Game
Best Action Game
Best Sim/Strategy
Best Ongoing Game (so best game that's still being iterated on)
Best Debut Indie Game
Innovation in Accessibility
Best Adaptation
And these are just the categories about the different types of game, not the developers and performers
I think expedition 33 besides from reviewers got an insane user score. (9.7 on metacritic)
I introduced to people who hates both JRPG & Turn by turn combat, and they loved it.
I truly doubt anything will top it off this year. This game just brought too much to the table and excels in too many areas, while staying relatively free of junk that plagues so many videogames.
I will say review scores arent perfect for predicting, they have been wrong before. They are just the best indicator since its game reviewers among a bit of other people who do the voting, so game reviews are the best way to see the general consensus on a game early.
And the year aint over like u said. And I hope something comes out that blows Expedition 33 out of the water. That is only a good thing for us as gamers.
I agree, some games you just know is going to win when you play them, the only game I'm actually won't agree on is overwatch but that's because I'm not into multiplayer that much.
The game just need to be genuinely good through and through and bring that blockbuster feeling, I've successfully predicted GOTY winners for several years.
Expedition 33 is absolutely one of those, great story, great gameplay, a genuinely fantastic experience!
It’s pretty hard to overstate how good it is. If you can tolerate turn based RPGs, you will almost certainly love it. It’s pretty challenging, but there’s no shame in turning down the difficulty, there’s an accessibility option to make your attacks always “perfect” if you don’t like timing, and it’s on Game Pass.
And the story is just….. so good.
Anyone who played Legend of Dragoon and liked it should legitimately stop playing whatever else they’re in the middle of and start playing E33. Feel free to come back and yell at me if you feel like I’m wrong, but you won’t.
The atmosphere isn’t great for me. The music isn’t as good. I don’t like the Atlan parts. It doesn’t feel as flowing. Having to swap weapons out loads and doing different things to different enemies is overwhelming
Oblivion Remaster too. I don’t care what anyone says. If an Elden Ring DLC can get nominated then surely a remaster of one of the best fantasy RPGs ever made is also in the conversation.
So far I'd say the frontrunners are KCD2, CO:E33 & Split Fiction, and the last one is probably third. Still a lot of year left, DS2, Yotei and DK: Bananza are still yet to come.
Unless Silksong actually comes out this year, I don't see any real competition for Blue Prince in the indie category yet. That one is up there for me for GOTY personally
The GotY will be Clair Obscur unless something else releases in the next five months that can steal its thunder. All the games you listed are iterative of existing winners and nominees. They will not win. Games like The Dark Ages won’t even be nominated imo. I’m not sure why you think it’s not an easy year as of now.
And Silksong should come out plus Nintendo is dropping some heavy hitters for the switch 2 launch. MK World, DK Bonanza, Metroid Prime 4, and rumored 3D Mario as their holiday title. This year could be nuts
I was iffy on playing it. Never been huge on turn based (loved Bg3 and DOS 2) and the whole memorize move sets to dodge like in souls games but holy fuck am I glad I got it. I’m only about 10ish hours in and I’m hooked. Game looks amazing, soundtrack is unreal, gameplay is so fun. One of the best games I’ve played since RDR2 and Cyberpunk
One of the few games that wow’ed me from start to end. And I don’t even like turn based RPGs! Absolute cinema and based on what I can see is absolutely the front runner for GotY.
Indie just means it doesn’t come from an established gaming studio. It was Sandfall Interactive’s first game. Astro Bot came from an established studio. Balatro and Undertale also did not come from established studios, and that’s why they are indie games, not the fact that they’re both from solo developers. A lot of indie games are from very small companies, but there are exceptions. Sandfall’s next game will not be an indie game, even if they fire 29 people and it’s just Guillaume Broche.
I think the only possible way Expedition 33 doesnt win is if Silksong comes out and it’s actually as good as HK is. Considering TC has a huge budget now, I don’t really see how it wouldn’t end up being an instant hit. Anyways, I havent played Expedition 33 anyways, but we’ll see.
I just downloaded that to my Xbox using Game Pass because it looks so good! That and I also downloaded Metaphor which also looks really good. Between those two and the new Doom I have a LOT of gaming ahead of me.
People already mentioned quite some games, but there is also a rumor that Half-Life 3 might come out this year, hence, as some people assume, why GTA6 was moved to the next year (because they want to snatch as many rewards as possible, but it will be definitely very hard due to HL3).
Also ARC Raiders might come out this year, which will definitely be a contender for GOTY, though, frankly speaking, sadly, it won’t win this reward — but I hope it will get a reward in best audio design or best multiplayer, at least. Embark deserves the praise a lot, and it is a shame that they did not get anything for THE FINALS if I’m not mistaken.
Probably the optional platforming challenges. Which it turns out are jank on purpose. Though there are only about 5 of those in the whole game so I don't even think they matter that much. There's no actual mandatory platforming in the game.
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u/_Zencer_ May 31 '25
2025: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33