2025's Game Awards have certainly stirred up the gaming community, with several high-profile games, including Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (KCD2) and Death Stranding 2 (DS2), leaving the event without a single win. This year's awards saw a mix of surprises and disappointments, with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 taking the crown for Game of the Year, leaving both KCD2 and DS2 without any recognition.
KCD2, developed by Warhorse Studios and published by Deep Silver, received a lot of attention due to its historical and immersive gameplay. The game, released on February 4, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S, was up for Best Role-Playing Game and Best Narrative.
Meanwhile, Death Stranding 2 was in the running for seven awards, including Best Audio Design, which went to Battlefield 6, and Best Action Adventure Game, which was awarded to Hollow Knight: Silksong. The game was also up for Awards like Game of the Year, Best Action/Adventure Game and Best Narrative.
Despite their nominations, both games were notably absent from the list of winners. Instead, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the highest nominated game in the history of the Game Awards, dominated the event with 13 nominations, including a win for Game of the Year.
The developers of KCD2, in a rather humorous and candid response, posted a tweet with a meme of the "this is fine" dog surrounded by fire, hinting at their disappointment while maintaining a light-hearted tone.
Looking at the overall performance of both games, it's clear that the competition was fierce. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 managed to outshine both KCD2 and DS2, showcasing the high standards set by the gaming industry this year. The responses from the developers and fans alike highlight the emotional investment that goes into these games, and the impact of such high-profile awards on the gaming community.
