If you missed The Game Awards last night, you missed a piece of history. In a year stacked with heavy hitters like Death Stranding 2 and Hades II, a debut RPG from a French studio didn’t just win—it dominated. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 walked away with a staggering nine awards, including the coveted Game of the Year trophy, cementing its place as an instant classic.
But Geoff Keighley’s annual extravaganza isn’t just about the trophies; it’s about the “World Premieres.” From the surprise reveal of Control 2 (now Control Resonant) to the long-awaited return of Mega Man, 2025’s show delivered on every front. Let’s break down the night’s biggest winners, losers, and jaw-dropping reveals.
The Night of the Expedition
Going into the night, the race felt tight. Death Stranding 2: On The Beach seemed like the Kojima-backed favorite, and Hades II had the indie crowd behind it. Yet, when the envelopes started opening, one name kept coming up: Clair Obscur. Sandfall Interactive’s turn-based RPG swept nearly every major category, including Best Direction, Best Narrative, and Best Score.
The game’s victory represents a massive shift in the industry, proving that a new IP with a unique battle system (those rhythm-based parries are no joke) can still topple the established giants. Ben Starr’s win for Best Performance as Verso was the cherry on top, delivering an acceptance speech that was equal parts emotional and hilarious.
The Complete Winners List
Here is the breakdown of the major categories from last night:
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Game of the Year | Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 |
| Best Game Direction | Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 |
| Best Narrative | Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 |
| Best Action Game | Hades II |
| Best Performance | Ben Starr (Clair Obscur) |
| Best Ongoing Game | No Man’s Sky |
| Best Independent Game | Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 |
| Most Anticipated | Grand Theft Auto VI |
The Announcements That Stole the Show
While Sandfall was collecting hardware, the rest of the industry was busy dropping trailers. The biggest shock was undoubtedly Mega Man: Dual Override. After years of silence (and endless mobile game crossovers), Capcom is finally giving us a new mainline entry in 2027. The reveal of a “Robot Master Design Contest” was a brilliant touch of nostalgia.
Remedy Entertainment also brought the heat with Control Resonant. We finally know that the sequel stars Dylan Faden and takes place in a twisted, open-world version of New York City. Other standouts included the gory gameplay reveal for Lords of the Fallen 2 (where you can apparently cut off any limb) and the surprise announcement of Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve, debuting a new cloud-rendering engine that looks photorealistic.
Conclusion
The Game Awards 2025 will be remembered as the year the underdog won. Clair Obscur’s sweep is a victory for original storytelling and risky game design. But looking ahead to 2026 and 2027, with titles like Control Resonant and Mega Man on the horizon, the future of gaming looks brighter—and weirder—than ever. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go download that free Clair Obscur update.
FAQs
Did GTA 6 win anything?
Grand Theft Auto VI won “Most Anticipated Game,” but it was not eligible for Game of the Year as it has not been released yet.
How many awards did Clair Obscur win?
It won a total of nine awards, setting a new record for the show.
What was the “controversial” win?
Some fans debated Clair Obscur winning “Best Independent Game” due to its high production value and backing by Kepler Interactive, blurring the lines of what defines an “indie.”
Is Death Stranding 2 out?
Yes, it was a major nominee but ultimately lost the top prizes to Clair Obscur.
When is the next Mega Man game coming out?
Mega Man: Dual Override was announced with a release window of 2027.