The 2025 Game of the Year field is crowded and varied, and I don’t think there’s a wrong answer within  – Destructoid

Now it's dark here before 5:00 pm, so that only means one thing: Seasonal Affective Disorder! Okay, maybe two things. It's also Game of the Year discussion time.

2025 has been a tough year for everyone, but there are plenty of great games out there to help make the days a little easier. The year is coming to an end with just under two months left and I have my favorites for GOTY 2025, but I honestly think you can't go wrong with a few games to choose from.

Today our Destructoid chat was abuzz with discussion about GOTY 2025, fueled by the fact that ARK Raiders may have entered the conversation, especially given its multiplayer focus, while most of the other games on this year's shortlist are single-player excursions. We'll talk more about the awards in a few weeks, but for now let's open the discussion with you all.

Based on review scores, no game can claim the GOTY title better than Hades 2. Although it launched into early access in 2024, it launched on all applicable platforms just over a month ago and has a whopping 95 Metascore when it comes to critics (I gave him a high score i) and user rating 8.7. It is a masterpiece and an evolution of the roguelike genre.

And this year, most gamers are playing the following game: Chiaroscuro: Expedition 33. With a Metascore of 92, it's one of the best games of the year and will probably define how most players think about the turn-based RPG genre. This is the game I think about most when it comes to excellence in 2025, as a professionally made game is made even more impressive by being created by a small team of mostly former Ubisoft developers based in France.

And then things get even wilder. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach perhaps one of Hideo Kojima's best works. Hollow Knight: Silk Song caused an incredible level of excitement after many years of absence from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 provided a stellar role-playing experience.

Do you prefer puzzles? Blue Prince took everyone by surprise when it fell in April. Lightweight co-op player? Split fiction was another stellar two-player game from Hazelight Studios. Are you a fan of open world platformers? Donkey Kong Bananza became one of the first must-have games for Switch 2 this summer. And everyone has a reason to discuss GOTY.

The list goes on. Sword of the Sea, Monster Hunter: Wilds, Absolum, Ball x Pit, If you played it in 2025 and named it, you'll probably be able to get some rewards. And the variety here is fantastic for gamers because there's something for everyone.

So now I feel obligated to ask you a question, dear reader: what will you choose for GOTY 2025? Let us know in the comments below and be polite because it doesn't seem like there's any wrong answer.