The nominees are in for this year’s GOTY from the Geoff Keighley-led The Game Awards, sponsored by a load of Gatcha games, free-to-play, microtransactioned up the wazoo mobile titles, and Call of Duty. I’m just messing. This is one of my favorite events of the year, and it’s becoming a lot of other people’s, too. Hell, it’s even being broadcast on Amazon Prime this year! It’s definitely coming up in the world.
The six shortlisted games for this year’s grand prize are:
They’re all worthy contenders, for sure, but here at CouchSoup.com, we’d like to remind everyone of some of our favorites that DIDN’T make the GOTY shortlist in 2025. These are some absolute bangers of games that we think deserve a little more recognition.
Absolum is a revelation in the genre, the beautiful love-child of Hades and Streets of Rage 4. I cannot believe that this game exists, but I thank all of the Gods it does. I stand by my original review, saying Absolum has that special sauce that makes me say “just one more run” when it’s already 30 minutes past midnight on a work night.
Soup Rating: 9.5/10
Read our full review here.
Embark Studios not only seems to be on top of their game (pardon the pun), but they also seem to be listening to their fans. While other developers are trying things that are closer to PUBG, it’s nice to see a studio take some chances and give us a game like ARC Raiders with some exciting twists on the same old looter/shooter genre, adding in the extraction aspect to keep the loot you did find. Couch Soup contributor Tim Beisiegel reviewed the game and addressed the controversial use of AI in the game's development.
Soup Rating: 8.5/10
Read our full review here.
This castle builds itself… and it’s got secrets. Blue Prince might just be the weird, wonderful game you didn’t know you needed. Room by room, it lures you in with charm, mystery, and just the right amount of existential dread. It's a beautiful, even extraordinary title that deserves more attention and appreciation.
Soup Rating: 10/10
Read our full review here.
Warning: Despelote may cause unexpected feelings… from a soccer game. Yes, seriously. It’s like Field of Dreams had a baby with a soccer ball and a warm empanada. It's a game that absolutely has to be experienced (and more people should have experienced it).
Soup Rating: 8.5/10
Read our full review here.
If you’ve ever lost sleep over a game - truly, deeply obsessed over every mechanic, every moment, every boss fight - then you’ll understand why ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist had me in a chokehold. This sequel to ENDER LILIES isn’t just another Metroidvania; it’s a masterclass in tight combat, fluid exploration, and hauntingly beautiful storytelling. The game sucked me in so completely that I forgot to hydrate. The boss fights? Sick. The build customization? Insanely rewarding. The improvements over its predecessor? Chef’s kiss.
Soup Rating: 9/10
Read our full review here.
Gears of War: Reloaded delivers exactly what it set out to do by polishing and adding a fresh coat of paint on a beloved classic, and uniting console players together for the first time in nearly two decades. This is the same story you know and love, the same band of brothers you'd go to hell and back for, and the same chaotic multiplayer that you love to hate, yet still keep coming back for more. If you're a returning player, there's never been a better time to jump back in. And for those experiencing it for the first time, welcome to the army soldier.
Soup Rating: 9/10
Read our full review here.
The Little Nightmares games are known for their visual and non-verbal storytelling. Little Nightmares 3 does have its moments. I appreciated that it was short and sweet and didn't overstay its welcome. Little Nightmares 3 is a solid entry to the franchise, and if you like these games or this genre of games, there is a lot to love here. It feels like a great way to tie the series into a nice trilogy where each game feels unique, but not without its minor issues.
Soup Rating: 8/10
Read our full review here.
Ragebound needed to be a fun, short experience with kickass ninjas looking cool and killing demons. And it succeeded in that regard. This throwback retro-inspired 2D action platformer brought us back to a simpler time, a time when you could hop onto a game, complete a level, and then hop off, perhaps trying to improve your high score or ranking along the way. It was awesome.
Soup Rating: 8.5/10
Read our full review here.
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a triumphant return for Joe Musashi and his action-platforming ninja franchise. The combat feels like you are a badass shadow warrior on a quest for justice in a world where ninjas, mercs and demons are all out to get you, but you know they can’t touch you because you’re the freaking SHINOBI. The wish fulfillment alone is worth a GOTY nod.
Soup Rating: 9/10
Read our full review here.
Is Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds the best racing game ever? Well, that all comes down to personal preference, but it sure as shit was Tom’s! Do yourself a favour and give Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds a chance, you won’t regret it.
Soup Rating: 9/10
Read our full review here.
Did your favorite game make the nominee list this year? Or did it make ours? And, if no to both, tell us about it in the comments so we can all go and play it!
