- By Prateek Levi
- Sat, 13 Dec 2025 04:57 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The Game Awards 2025 kicked off at full speed, dropping a Game of the Year winner, new release dates, and a steady stream of reveals that kept piling up until the night ended. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 emerged as the undeniable star, taking home the top prize while launching new DLC the same evening. Here’s a complete look at everything announced.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Sweeps The Night
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 didn’t just win Game of the Year—it dominated with nine total awards, including Best Game Direction, Best Narrative, and Best Performance for Jennifer English. On top of the accolades, the game launched DLC immediately, adding a new dungeon, enemies, and bosses, proving it wasn’t just about winning, but keeping players engaged.
Major Franchise Returns
Several beloved franchises made their presence felt. Capcom confirmed Leon S. Kennedy as a playable character in Resident Evil Requiem, set for Feb. 27, 2026. Tomb Raider teased a two-step rollout: Legacy of Atlantis in 2026 and Catalyst in 2027. Creative Assembly officially unveiled Total War: Warhammer 40,000, while Bandai Namco announced Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve, six years after the last installment.
Other returning titles included Control: Resonant (2026) shifting focus to Dylan Faden, Mega Man: Dual Override (2027), and Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred (Apr. 28, 2026), introducing a new class alongside the Paladin.
New IP And Surprise Reveals
The night also showcased bold new projects. Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic brought Casey Hudson back to lead a single-player narrative set “across a galaxy on the brink of rebirth.” Larian Studios revealed Divinity, while Neon Giant announced No Law, an open-world RPG starring ex-military Grey Harker.
Other fresh entries included 4:Loop from J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot, Order of the Sinking Star (a 250-hour puzzle adventure from Jonathan Blow), and Highguard, a PvP raid shooter set to release Jan. 26, 2026.
Release Dates To Watch
* Resident Evil Requiem – Feb. 27, 2026
* Saros – Apr. 30, 2026
* Pragmata – Apr. 24, 2026 (Demo available, Switch 2 support confirmed)
* Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred – Apr. 28, 2026
* Phantom Blade Zero – Sept. 9, 2026
* LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight – May 29, 2026
* Highguard – Jan. 26, 2026
* Nioh 3 – Feb. 6, 2026 (Demo Jan. 29, 2026)
* 007 First Light – Mar. 27, 2026
* Super Mario Galaxy Movie – Apr. 3, 2026
* Solasta 2 Early Access – Mar. 12, 2026
Character Updates And Expansions
* Leon S. Kennedy joins Resident Evil Requiem
* Deadpool added to Marvel Rivals Season 6
* New character Ella Mental introduced in Invincible VS
* Paladin returns in Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred alongside a new class
Indie And Experimental Highlights
The show also highlighted smaller or experimental titles:
* Out of Words – Co-op platformer blending stop-motion and puppetry
* Audio Mech – Rhythm shooter with custom music support (demo coming)
* Bradley the Badger – Stylised platformer
* Stupid Never Dies – Zombie dungeon crawler
* The Free Shepherd – Sheep-herding game (2027)
* Coven of the Chicken Foot – Story-driven adventure
* Decrepit – First-person souls-like (2026)
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The Final Word
The Game Awards 2025 balanced reassurance and ambition. Big franchises reminded players they’re still strong, while new IP showed the industry’s willingness to take risks. Capcom flexed loudly with Resident Evil, Pragmata, and Mega Man in a single night. Yet the real headline belonged to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which won the night and shipped new content immediately, proving that confidence backed by delivery still wins.