COGconnected GOTY 2025 – Best Performance
This year has been an outstanding year for video games. He didn't just raise the bar, he broke it. In fact, each of these performances proved that games are one of the most powerful storytelling tools. Regardless of whether we're looking at indie games or AAA games, one thing is clear: the actors gave emotionally powerful and deeply memorable performances. They used voice acting, motion capture, and even silence to keep us connected to these characters every step of the way. So, without further ado, this list highlights the best performances that defined the year, reminding us here at COGconnected time and time again why powerful performance is just as important as great gameplay.
Johnny Santiago's Don Bernardo Torrisi is all about cold eyes and quiet menace. Every line of this razor-sharp performance sounds like a warning, imbued with power and menace. Santiago absolutely nails the old school boss vibe. This stunning spectacle sets the tone for the game and lasts long after the screen has gone dark.
Hidenari Ugaki has always played Goro Majima and still finds new ways to make him unpredictable. One second you're laughing at him and the next you're genuinely worried about what he'll do. Not many actors can walk that line. This is not just a performance, this is an event.
8. Konatsu Kato as Hinako (Silent Hill f)
Konatsu Kato gives a gripping performance as Hinako, carrying fear, grief and determination without exaggerating a beat. Her quiet speech makes terror pierce through you like a whisper in your ear, grounding you. Silent Hill f in pure human emotions. This is a show that gets under your skin and sets up camp there.
7. Norman Reedus as Sam Porter Bridges (Death Stranding 2)
Norman Reedus performing at Death in Stranding 2 feels more deep and nuanced than the first game. This time he'll be able to peel back more layers of Sam—more vulnerability, more humanity underneath that stoic exterior. You really understand why he keeps going when everything falls apart. This is a fantastic performance that we will remember long after the journey is over.
6. Tom McKay as Henry (“Kingdom Come: Deliverance II”)
Tom McKay's Henry is not your typical video game hero. No destiny, no special powers, just a regular dude trying not to screw things up when life goes wrong. The way he plays on Henry's doubts along with his determination makes you really care about what's happening to him. His performance gives Kingdom Come: Deliverance II his raw heart.
5. Luca Marinelli as Neil Vana (Death Stranding 2)
Luca Marinelli is absolutely magnetic as Neil Vana, delivering a performance that is both tense and menacing. He plays Norman Reedus' doppelgänger very well – adding tension, intrigue and a sense of danger, making the journey unpredictable and high stakes. Everything about him seems dangerous, even when he is charming. You know something bad is coming, but you don't know when. It's a performance that electrifies Death in Stranding 2 and keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
4. Ben Starr as Verso (“Claire Obscurus: Expedition 33”)
Ben Starr gives a powerful performance as Verso in Chiaroscuro: Expedition 33balancing emotional intensity and steely determination. Every line, look and hesitation has weight, making his character feel alive and convincing. It's a performance that anchors the story and makes the journey absolutely thrilling.
3. Jennifer English as Mael (“Claire Obscurus: The Expedition”).paragraph 33)
Jennifer English makes every scene with Maile important. Every expression and pause conveys depth, making Maelle feel alive in a dangerous world. Chiaroscuro: Expedition 33. This is a performance that will stay with you, balancing power and emotion with unforgettable precision.
2. Charlie Cox as Gustav (“Claire Obscurus: Expedition 33”)
Charlie Cox delivers a calm and engrossing performance as Gustav, combining understated intensity with poignant emotional undertones. Every glance and measured word reveals layers of ambition, doubt and hidden motives, making Gustav feel deeply compelling. This is a performance that raises the stakes in every scene and keeps you on the edge of your seat every step of the way.
1. Troy Baker as Indiana Jones (“Indiana Jones and the Great Circle”)
We all know Harrison Ford is Indiana Jones… yet Troy Baker makes the character his own. His performance in Indiana Jones this is a masterclass in honor of the iconic character. He captured the spirit of Indiana, but made it completely his own. He does a great job of proving that Indiana Jones is more than just a hat and a whip, but a character with curiosity, stubbornness and heart. Troy Baker's performance proves that even the most legendary roles can feel fresh in the right hands.
Honorable Mentions
Of course, there are more fantastic roles that were not included in the top 10. Some of them include Troy Baker as Higgs in Death Stranding 2, Gabe Cuzzillo as Nate in Baby Steps, and much to my surprise, Milo Ventimiglia as Mason from Black Opera 7.
Tell us about your favorite performances this year. What was your number 1? Let us know in the comments below or connect with us on social media.
