Game Of The Year 2025 Could Be A Very Interesting Race

It’s a new year, and that means the GOTY clock gets reset. The cards are being shuffled, the wheel is being spun, the coins are dropping into slots, and the gambling metaphors are getting increasingly strained. It’s time to look ahead to what might win GOTY in 2025.

I’m not concerned with what might get the highest score, the most sales, or even what will win at The Game Awards. I’m fairly confident that the answer for all three is GTA 6. Instead, I’m looking at what could win TheGamer’s GOTY, with odds provided to highlight how likely each one might be.

Any Game Not Mentioned Here – 100/30

Though it’s rare, I have been known to be wrong, so I’m covering my bases here. While I’m including the games I consider most noteworthy, the sheer mass of games launching in 2025 means only a tiny fraction of a percent are present. The potential element of surprise can also work in a game’s favour, as we saw with our 2024 runner up Balatro, as well as previous winners Citizen Sleeper and The Forgotten City.

It’s tough to call the race before it starts, so I have to admit it’s just as likely a game I haven’t thought of (maybe a game I haven’t even heard of) snatches the crown from the pre-race favourites.

The Next Mario – 9/2

We don’t know for certain that a new Mario game is coming in 2025, but I think it’s a lock. We haven’t had a new 3D Mario since Odyssey arrived in the Switch’s launch year, and it stands to reason that as a new console launches, so does a new Mario.

Despite the question mark over its existence and arrival date, I’m installing it as favourite for the crown. Astro Bot won our GOTY this year, and if we do get a new Mario, it will almost certainly be the Astro Bottiest game of the year. That could make it TheGamer’s Game of the Year too.

Ghost Of Yotei – 7/1

I don’t know what to tell you. I just feel it in my bones that Ghost of Yotei is going to be a smash hit. I liked Tsushima enough but it seemed like the series had a much higher ceiling, and Yotei could reach it. If it does, it could be in line for the reason developers get out of bed in the morning – TheGamer’s Game of the Year award.

I don’t always feel this way about Sony exclusives. In fact, I’m often deeply wary of Sony’s increasingly similar cinematic experiences. There’s just something about Yotei that I want to like, and I hope that faith is justified come the end of the year.

Grand Theft Auto 6 – 10/1

The obvious front-runner for GOTY at The Game Awards (having just ‘won’ Most Anticipated) is still near the front for us. While I expect it to be very good indeed, I’m not entirely sure if TheGamer’s GOTY vote system works in its favour. Since every editor here gets an equal vote, I suspect just as many will skip GTA entirely as will play it.

We saw Elden Ring drop into second place in 2022 for largely the same reason. The whole-site cross section method of doing GOTY has its ups and downs, but the fact our winner is not the foregone conclusion it might otherwise be is definitely a positive. PS I always liked Red Dead better anyway.

Any Other Switch Launch Title – 12/1

Aside from Pokemon and Metroid, both of which have been announced, I’m not sure what the Switch 2 will launch with. Mario aside, nothing much seems nailed on. Mario Kart, maybe, but I doubt that’s got the GOTY juice.

Still, whatever it is, I expect the follow up to the Switch will pick up where the last one left off and launch with a strong library. Whatever games are in the mix, a GOTY contender is sure to be among them.

Doom: The Dark Ages – 18/1

This is the game most people at the site seem actively excited for. Eric Switzer even had the trailer on his ‘things that can’t be GOTY but should be’ list. It’s also much easier to pick up and play than meaty RPGs or complex narrative sagas.

However, much like GTA it might not have universal appeal to everyone here, and could skip as many lists as it features in. Hopefully everyone decides to give ripping and tearing a try in 2025.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii – 20/1

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth came fourth in TheGamer’s Game of the Year this year, but it had the highest average from everyone who voted for it. Its undoing was not enough people playing it.

Yakuza/Like a Dragon fans at the site grow year on year through word of mouth, so I’m hopeful Infinite Wealth’s reception will lead to more editors giving Pirate Yakuza a chance. On the plus side, it’s likely to be much shorter. However, its odds are lengthened by its status as a spin off which could dent its overall quality and make those on the fence less likely to pick it up before ploughing through the others.

Split Fiction – 25/1

If not for the unconfirmed arrival of a Super Mario, I’d suggest Split Fiction as the Astro Bottiest game of 2025. It Takes Two was only sixth in our 2021 list, but the growth of our voting jury that could cost some of the massive hitters here will likely aid the playful casual appeal of Split Fiction. GOTY might be a bridge too far, but expect it to better It Takes Two’s showing if it can match its quality.

Half-Life 3 – 33/1

Odds lengthened by the fact we have no idea if or when this game is coming out, odds shortened by the fact this year seems more likely than ever.

Citizen Sleeper 2 – 50/1

Citizen Sleeper won in 2022, so its sequel is due consideration. However, I don’t think the odds are in its favour. The sequel is no longer a fresh new experience, but has the pressure of living up to its predecessor. Indie darlings always do well in TheGamer’s GOTY, but most of them are complete surprise packages, not sequels.

There’s also the voting method to consider again. With more editors than in 2022, it’s harder for lesser-known games to come up for air. It cost Balatro (as well as the aforementioned Infinite Wealth) this year, and even if Citizen Sleeper 2 matches the original, it may struggle to get the numbers to make it count.

Platform(s)

PS5
, Xbox Series X|S

Released

2025-00-00