Golden Joysticks 2025 Ultimate Game of the Year Nominees Highlight the Dominance of Indie Titles

The Golden Joystick Awards 2025 have officially revealed their shortlist for the Ultimate Game of the Year, and this year’s lineup is a striking reflection of how far independent studios have come. Despite 2025 being filled with massive releases from the biggest names in gaming, the most impactful and acclaimed experiences appear to have come from smaller, creative indie developers.

GamesRadar+ unveiled the final list, which features 12 nominees, more than most major award shows, and nearly two-thirds of them come from independent teams. Among the standout indie contenders are Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Blue Prince, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and Peak, all of which have captured audiences with inventive design and emotional storytelling.

The Full List of 2025 Ultimate Game of the Year Nominees

• Blue Prince

• Hollow Knight: Silksong

• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

• Peak

• Hades II

• Split Fiction

• Ghost of Yotei

• Kingdom Come: Deliverance II

• Silent Hill f

• Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

• Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

• Donkey Kong Bananza

This year’s list is notable not only for its indie presence but also for who didn’t make the cut. Major AAA titles such as DOOM: The Dark Ages, Borderlands 4, Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, Monster Hunter Wilds, Avowed, The Outer Worlds 2, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, and Battlefield 6 were all excluded, showing a shift in focus toward originality and emotional depth over blockbuster spectacle.

Of the twelve nominees, seven were developed by independent studios, and five were created without major publisher support—an impressive feat that underscores how much the indie scene has evolved. Titles like Hades II and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 have been praised for their bold artistic direction and mechanical innovation, while Blue Prince and Peak have stood out for delivering unique, emotionally rich experiences on modest budgets.

Even games like Split Fiction and Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, which had the backing of major publishers, were developed by relatively small teams, further highlighting the creative edge of independent talent this year.

As with every year, the Golden Joystick Awards are determined entirely by public vote, following the selection of nominees by a jury. Voting for the Ultimate Game of the Year category is now open through GamesRadar’s official site.

Whether or not you agree with all the inclusions or the notable absences, it’s hard to deny that 2025 has been a milestone year for independent games. From small studios redefining genres to solo developers creating unforgettable worlds, the Golden Joysticks 2025 lineup shows that innovation and impact don’t require blockbuster budgets.

 
Which game do you think deserves to win the Golden Joysticks’ Ultimate Game of the Year for 2025? Are indie titles finally taking over the spotlight from AAA releases?