Last night, The Game Awards 2025 took place. This time, there were almost no big surprises in the main categories—except for one particularly disappointing one. However, interest in the show was fueled by “Half-Life 3 witnesses,” a mysterious statue in the Mojave Desert, and a whole host of rumors of varying degrees of credibility. To find out how these expectations ultimately panned out, read our article, where we’ve compiled the most important and interesting reveals from the main gaming event of 2025.
Celebrating announcements and honoring winners is always more fun in good company. You can watch the full broadcast of The Game Awards 2025 with Vitaly Kazunov and Mikhail Shkredov on YouTube and VK.
The Game Awards 2025 nominees and winners
Game of the Year
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – Winner
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Donkey Kong Bananza
- Hades II
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
Best Indie Game
- Absolum
- Ball x Pit
- Blue Prince
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – Winner
- Hades II
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
Best Action Adventure
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Ghost of Yōtei
- Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
- Hollow Knight: Silksong is the winner.
- Split Fiction
Best RPG
- Avowed
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – Winner
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
- The Outer Worlds 2
- Monster Hunter Wilds
Best action movie
- Battlefield 6
- Doom: The Dark Ages
- Hades II is the winner
- Ninja Gaiden 4
- Shinobi: Art of Vengeance
The best fighting game
- 2XKO
- Capcom Fighting Collection 2
- Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is the winner.
- Mortal Kombat: Legacy Collection
- Virtua Fighter 5 REVO World Stage
Best Family Game
- Donkey Kong Bananza is the winner
- LEGO Party!
- LEGO Voyagers
- Mario Kart World
- Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds
- Split Fiction
Best simulator or strategy game
- The Alters
- FINAL FANTASY TACTICS – The Ivalice Chronicles – Winner
- Jurassic World Evolution 3
- Sid Meier’s Civilization VII
- Tempest Rising
- Two Point Museum
Best Sports or Racing Game
- EA Sports FC 26
- F1 25
- Mario Kart World is the winner
- Rematch
- Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds
Best Mobile Game
- Destiny: Rising
- Persona 5: The Phantom X
- Sonic Rumble
- Umamusume: Pretty Derby – Winner
- Wuthering Waves
Best Debut Indie Game
- Blue Prince
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – Winner
- Despelote
- Dispatch
- Megabonk could have been here
Best multiplayer
- Arc Raiders are the winner
- Battlefield 6
- Elden Ring Nightreign
- Peak
- Split Fiction
Best VR/AR game
- Alien: Rogue Incursion
- Arken Age
- Ghost Town
- Marvel’s Deadpool VR
- The Midnight Walk is the winner.
Best Game Design
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – Winner
- Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
- Ghost of Yōtei
- Hades II
- Split Fiction
Best narrative
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – Winner
- Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
- Ghost of Yōtei
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
- Silent Hill f
Best Sound Design
- Battlefield 6 is the winner
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Ghost of Yōtei
- Silent Hill f
Best art
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – Winner
- Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
- Ghost of Yōtei
- Hades II
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
Best Soundtrack and Music
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Hades II
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – Winner
- Ghost of Yōtei
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Best community support
- Baldur’s Gate 3 is the winner
- Final Fantasy XIV
- Fortnite
- Helldivers 2
- No Man’s Sky
Best game support
- Final Fantasy XIV
- Fortnite
- Helldivers 2
- Marvel Rivals
- No Man’s Sky is the winner
Accessibility Innovation Award
- Assassin’s Creed Shadows
- Atomfall
- Doom: The Dark Ages is the winner.
- EA Sports FC 26
- South of Midnight
Best Acting
- Ben Starr (Verso in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33)
- Charlie Cox (Gustave in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33)
- Erika Ishii (Atsu in Ghost of Yotei)
- Jennifer English (Mael in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33) – Winner
- Konatsu Kato (Hinako Shimizu in Silent Hill f)
- Troy Baker (Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle)
Best adaptation
- Minecraft in the Cinema
- Devil May Cry (Season 1)
- The Last of Us (Season 2) – Winner
- Splinter Cell: Deathwatch
- Until Dawn
The most anticipated game
- 007 First Light
- Grand Theft Auto VI is the winner
- Marvel’s Wolverine
- Resident Evil Requiem
- The Witcher IV
Best eSports Game
- Counter-Strike 2 is the winner
- Dota 2
- League of Legends
- Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
- Valorant
Contribution to the gaming industry
- Consume Me
- Despelote
- Lost Records: Bloom & Rage
- South of Midnight is the winner.
- Wanderstop
Players’ Choice
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Dispatch
- Genshin Impact
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Wuthering Waves is the winner
Game Announcements: What Was Shown
The Game Awards is traditionally regarded by gamers as the “gaming New Year,” and in 2025 it promised to be special—as hinted by numerous rumors and leaks. Whether a miracle has occurred remains to be seen, but perhaps among the trailers presented, you’ll find the one you’ve been eagerly awaiting.
Pre-show
The Free Shepherd
The Game Awards 2025 main show opened with a trailer for The Free Shepherd, an atmospheric single-player adventure from Frame Interactive. The story centers on an energetic and loyal shepherd dog who must explore vast landscapes, track down stray flocks, and guide them to safety. The game is scheduled for release in 2027 on PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam . The trailer is available at the following link.
Decrepit
A dark, first-person action game that combines a Soulslike-style combat system with classic dungeon crawling. Battles require precise positioning, studying enemy patterns, and judicious timing of attacks or spells. Upon death, the player returns to the castle’s starting point. Its structure remains constant, but the enemy placement changes each time. The project is being developed by a single developer from the Swedish studio Jämmerdal Games with support from Three Friends and will be released on PC ( Steam ) in 2026. A video is available at the following link.
AUDIOMECH: your music transformed
Audiosurf creator Dylan Fitterer is back with a new project, AUDIOMECH. This is once again a game in which music is a central mechanic. This is a side-scrolling action game where the player controls a combat mech, and the entire gameplay structure is directly synced with any music running on the computer. Bass influences red elements, vocals and lead instruments control purple elements, and high frequencies shape blue elements. A free demo will be available on Steam on December 12th. A full release date has not yet been announced. A video is available at the following link.
PRAGMATA
Capcom has unveiled a new trailer for Pragmata, a single-player third-person action game in which astronaut Hugh travels with an AI named Diana who takes the form of a young girl, and has finally announced the game’s release date: April 24, 2026.
The trailer combines cinematic in-engine scenes with gameplay clips, showcasing the game’s cyberpunk sci-fi aesthetic, gunplay, and key hacking mechanics. Along with the announcement, Capcom released a playable demo, which is now available on Steam . The game will be released on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2. The trailer is available at the following link.
Solasta II
Kepler Interactive and Tactical Adventures have released a new trailer for Solasta II, confirming the game’s Early Access release date of March 12, 2026, on Steam . Solasta II offers a tactical RPG experience with turn-based combat inspired by Dungeons & Dragons. This time, the story centers on four adopted siblings who set out to uncover the mystery of their mother’s death and stop an impending threat linked to an entity known as Shadwin. The trailer also introduces a stellar cast: Ben Starr, Devora Wilde, Amelia Tyler, and Ellen Thomas. Initial impressions suggest Solasta II is modestly budgeted but ambitious in execution. The trailer is available at the following link.
TankRAT
Kepler Interactive then unveiled TankRAT, a post-apocalyptic action game from Alpha Channel that’s best described as “Mad Max, but with tanks.” The world here has completely abandoned flesh in favor of metal. The wastelands are teeming with mangled mecha-monsters, and survival boils down to constant disassembly, reassembly, and self-reinvention. The gameplay is based on fast-paced tank battles, vehicle customization from scrap, and the principle of “you are what you build.” Everything you find is put to use, everything you destroy becomes a resource.
The game is positioned as a dynamic adventure set in a techno-post-apocalyptic world, and it’s important to note that it’s a single-player experience. The trailer may make the project seem like another game-as-a-service, but that’s not the case. The release is scheduled for 2026 on PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam . The trailer is available at the following link.
Bradley the Badger
Davide Soliani, former creative director of Mario + Rabbids, unveiled his first project since leaving Ubisoft: Bradley the Badger. This marks the debut of Day 4 Night, a new studio co-founded with Christian Cantamessa, lead designer on Red Dead Redemption. The announcement immediately makes it clear that this isn’t just a platformer, but a deliberately meta-game about video games, their genres, and the developers themselves.
In this action adventure, a mascot named Bradley, voiced by Evan Peters, navigates “unfinished” worlds that clearly parody Bloodborne, Cyberpunk 2077, and The Last of Us. Combat combines platforming, abilities, and Soulslike elements, with the key mechanic being the Kit—a tool that allows for editing-style manipulation of the environment, changing object scale, gravity, and level structure. Bradley the Badger is scheduled for release in 2026 on Steam , with potential expansion to other platforms later. The trailer is available at the following link.
Stupid Never Dies
A music video with comic-style cel-shading, pop-punk energy, and a deliberately wild tone hinted at a new game from GPTRACK50, a studio founded by former Capcom producer Hiroyuki Kobayashi. The player controls a zombie named Davey, who embarks on a perilous journey to bring a frozen girl named Julia back to life.
The gameplay revolves around dynamic combat, leveling up, and experimenting with abilities. Davey can steal enemy abilities, modify his own body, and summon minions. Visually and in presentation, the project evokes the style of Suda51’s work, emphasizing eccentricity and aggressiveness. A release is planned for 2026 on PC, Steam , and PlayStation 5. The trailer is available at the following link.
Main show
Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic
The Game Awards 2025 main show opened with a short but striking cinematic trailer for Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic. This single-player Star Wars action RPG from Casey Hudson and Arcanaut is set during the Old Republic era and clearly harks back to the legacy of Knights of the Old Republic.
Details are minimal for now, but the return to this era of the universe under Casey Hudson’s direction is hard to ignore. Even in its extremely laconic format, Fate of the Old Republic looks gorgeous and immediately sets a high bar for the entire show. The trailer is available at the following link.
John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando
Saber Interactive and Focus Entertainment announced the release date for the co-op action shooter John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando. The game will launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on March 12, 2026. The announcement was accompanied by a new trailer featuring meaty gameplay footage and the announcement of the pre-order launch. The trailer is available at the following link.
Divinity
One of the most talked-about moments of The Game Awards 2025 was the announcement of Larian Studios’ new game, a sequel to the Divinity series. The project’s unveiling was accompanied by a stage performance and a cinematic trailer, which immediately set a dark and provocative tone. The trailer depicted a brutal fantasy world with elements of ritual violence, body horror, and debauchery, including a scene of a public execution and imagery alluding to pagan cults and rituals. Visually, the project takes a noticeably darker and more radical direction compared to the studio’s previous work.
According to Jeff Keeley, the new Divinity will be Larian’s most ambitious project yet, surpassing Baldur’s Gate 3 in scope. Gameplay details and release dates have not yet been revealed. The video is available at the following link.
4:LOOP
Sony. Sony never changes. Bad Robots Game and PlayStation brought another co-op action roguelike to The Game Awards 2025: 4:Loop, which was unveiled on stage by J.J. Abrams and Mike Booth. The announcement was loud, chaotic, but vague: futuristic ruins, robots, monsters, and fighters in exosuits battling in a post-apocalyptic world.
Judging by the first reveal, 4:Loop is emphasizing co-op, a cyclical structure, and repeatable runs, but how exactly it will differ from similar projects remains unclear. After seeing it, it’s easy to catch yourself thinking about “Concord 2,” albeit with a slightly more grounded style. The project will be released not only on PlayStation 5 but also on PC via Steam . Judging by the tags on Valve’s platform, the game will be paid.
Coven on the Chicken Foot
Wildflower Interactive has unveiled its debut game, Coven of the Chicken Foot. The project is being developed with the help of Bruce Straley, co-author of The Last of Us and Uncharted 4, but its tone and form are markedly different from his previous works.
The main character is an elderly witch named Gertie, who travels with a large creature companion. The game features a hand-drawn, fairytale fantasy style and emphasizes atmosphere, exploration, puzzle solving, world traversal, and character interaction. A release date and platforms other than Steam have not yet been announced.
ONTOS
SOMA creators Frictional Games have released ONTOS, a first-person sci-fi adventure. The story centers on Aditi Amani, who arrives at the converted lunar hotel Samsara after receiving a mysterious message from her father. The complex has become a site of strange experiments, where science and faith intertwine, and reality is gradually unraveling. Instead of traditional horror, ONTOS emphasizes morally complex situations and “experiments” with multiple possible solutions, the consequences of which are not directly indicated.
The gameplay is built around careful exploration, analog systems, and thoughtful planning. The project is being developed using the new HPL4 engine and is billed as Frictional Games’ largest and most detailed game yet. It will be released in 2026 on Xbox Series X|S and PC, including Steam . A trailer is available at the following link.
Resident Evil Requiem
Capcom unveiled a new cinematic trailer for Resident Evil Requiem, which clarified one of the main questions surrounding the project. The video initially focuses on the new protagonist, Grace Ashcroft, investigating a series of mysterious events and the disappearance of a police officer. The trailer has a dark, tense tone, gradually building to the key moment of the announcement.
At the end, Capcom officially confirmed the return of Leon S. Kennedy. His appearance is accompanied by short gameplay clips showcasing action with a focus on gunplay, finishing moves, and staging similar to Resident Evil 4 Remake. Resident Evil Requiem is scheduled for release on February 27, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2. The trailer is available at the following link.
Order of the Thinking Star
Thekla Inc. and its founder, Jonathan Blow, creator of Braid and The Witness, have unveiled Order of the Sinking Star, a Sokoban-based puzzle game that has been in development for ten years. The project promises over a thousand puzzles spread across four interconnected worlds with their own rules and mechanics. Players will control various characters—from a queen and a thief to a druid and even a talking boat—each interacting with the environment in their own unique way. The game will be released on PC in 2026, with other platforms planned for later releases. A video is available at the following link.
Exodus
Wizards of the Coast and Archetype Entertainment brought a new trailer to The Game Awards 2025 for Exodus, an ambitious action RPG from a team of BioWare alumni, including Mass Effect and KOTOR writer Drew Karpyshyn. In addition to an atmospheric cinematic, the trailer also featured glimpses of gameplay: cover-based shooting, gadget use, careful melee combat, several engaging bosses, and suitably expressive locations.
Exodus is set in the distant future, where humanity struggles to survive the destruction of Earth. The project’s core concept is the influence of time and moral choices—player decisions impact the fates of factions and entire generations due to interstellar time dilation. Exodus is scheduled for release in early 2027 for PC and consoles. A trailer is available at the following link.
Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons
Wizards of the Coast unveiled a new project in the Dungeons & Dragons universe: Warlock, a single-player action game focusing on a single class and a single hero. The announcement was accompanied by an atmospheric cinematic trailer without gameplay. The story centers on Kaatri, an original character and former warrior who gains the supernatural powers of a warlock.
The developers emphasize a systemic approach to magic, where spells are used not only in combat but also for world exploration and problem-solving. The game is being developed for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S and is intended as a standalone entry point into the Dungeons & Dragons universe. Development is being handled by Invoke Studios, an internal studio at Wizards of the Coast. A full gameplay demo is promised for summer 2026, with a release slated for 2027. The trailer is available at the following link.
CONTROL Resonant
Remedy made a splash with the announcement of a new game in the Control universe—the project is officially titled Control: Resonant and will be released in 2026. The presentation began with a performance and then transitioned into a cinematic trailer featuring gameplay clips that immediately set the tone: distorted reality, crumbling architecture, and images that seem straight out of a dreamscape in the spirit of Inception, but filtered through the recognizable aesthetic of Control.
This time, the protagonist is Dylan Faden, Jesse’s brother. The plot shifts the action beyond the Oldest House—a paranormal crisis engulfs Manhattan, turning the city into a new epicenter of chaos. Judging by the demo, Resonant is noticeably shifting toward more dynamic action, and official information indicates that the project will feature an open world, ability and weapon upgrades, and choices that influence the character’s journey and ending.
The game will be released on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. A Steam release has been confirmed immediately, with no timed exclusivity on the Epic Games Store, meaning the project is likely to recoup its costs faster than usual. The trailer is available at the following link.
Gang of Dragon
The debut project from Nagoshi Studio, founded by Toshihiro Nagoshi, co-creator of the Yakuza / Like a Dragon series. The game was revealed with a cinematic trailer without gameplay, but its tone and presentation clearly evoke the familiar aesthetics of crime dramas. The lead role is played by Korean actor Ma Dong-seok, whose appearance immediately set the tone for the project. The project doesn’t yet have a release date, but it’s already clear: Nagoshi Studio is starting its story with a highly recognizable and intentionally provocative image. The game is being developed for PC ( Steam ) and possibly consoles, but no specific details are available yet. The trailer is available at the following link.
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight
TT Games has unveiled a new cinematic trailer for LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight and revealed its release date: May 29, 2026.
The video is generously packed with familiar faces and action: the Joker, Batman, Penguin, Two-Face, Poison Ivy, Mr. Freeze, Bane and other villains appear in the frame, and the Dark Knight is joined by Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl and Catwoman, including in the moment of her “transformation”.
In addition to the cinematic, new gameplay footage featuring combat, chases, and a Batmotorcycle ride was also shown, along with a fresh look at the Batcave and open-world Gotham. The game will be released on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2, with Deluxe Edition owners getting a three-day early access. The trailer is available at the following link.
Tomb Raider: Catalyst
Crystal Dynamics and Amazon Games announced Tomb Raider: Catalyst, an entirely new game and the next chapter in Lara Croft’s story. The story takes the heroine to Northern India, where a mythical cataclysm has awakened ancient powers, forcing Lara to fight for artifacts coveted by other treasure hunters. A release is planned for 2027 for PC and modern consoles. The trailer is available at the following link.
Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis
The second announcement was Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis—a full-fledged remake of the 1996 original, set for release in 2026, developed by Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog. The project reimagines Lara Croft’s original adventure with modern graphics, updated design, and the preservation of key classic elements—the gameplay footage in the trailer is enough to confirm the right direction. Of course, the triangular charms are a thing of the past, but take a look at the trailer—I’m sure you won’t be disappointed. It will be released on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. The trailer is available at the following link.
Forest 3
Endnight unexpectedly returned with the first teaser for Forest 3—and at first, it’s easy to mistake the video for anything but a sequel to The Forest. In the trailer, the protagonist, flying a spaceship, is sucked into an anomaly and crashes on an alien, hostile planet inhabited by strange creatures and terrifying humanoid monsters.
Details are minimal for now, but the visual leap is immediately noticeable, and the trailer’s tone makes it clear that Endnight isn’t simply repeating the formula of The Forest and Sons of the Forest, but rather radically expanding it—into sci-fi and even more unsettling survival horror. Release dates and platforms for Forest 3 have not yet been announced. The trailer is available at the following link.
Orbitals
A two-player co-op space adventure from Shapefarm. Players assume the roles of Maki and Omura, inexperienced but stubborn space explorers whose home station is on the brink of destruction and trapped within a supernatural space storm. To save their home, the heroes must leave the safety of orbit and venture into uncharted regions of space.
Visually, Orbitals draws on the retrofuturistic aesthetic of 1980s anime, combining vibrant colors, expressive character designs, and stylized spacescapes. Gameplay revolves around cooperative puzzles, synchronized actions, and constant interaction between teammates, where success depends on communication, precise timing, and coordinated teamwork. The game is set for release in 2026 exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2. A trailer is available at the following link.
Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred
Blizzard announced a major expansion for Diablo IV called Lord of Hatred. It is scheduled for release on April 28, 2026, on PC and consoles. The announcement was accompanied by a cinematic trailer featuring Mephisto playing a key role as he confronts a paladin. The expansion will follow Vessel of Hatred and continue the main campaign, focusing on the confrontation with the Lord of Hatred.
The game’s main new feature will be the return of the Paladin, a class fans have long been eagerly awaiting. Those who pre-order will be able to play as the Paladin now. The expansion will also introduce another new class, details of which have not yet been revealed, and the world of Sanctuary will expand to include the Skovos region.
Lord of Hatred will also bring a major rework of skill trees for all eight classes, new skill variations, a revamped item system, a loot filter, and endgame changes. The trailer is available at the following link.
007 First Light
A new trailer for 007: First Light has been released, focusing on one of the game’s key characters. The video features Bowman, the largest black marketeer in the Western Hemisphere, a charismatic and unpredictable criminal leader, played by Lenny Kravitz. The game will be released on March 27, 2026, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. The trailer is available at the following link.
Lords of the Fallen II
CI Games has unveiled the first gameplay trailer for Lords of the Fallen II, the sequel to the Soulslike game, scheduled for release in 2026. The trailer combines cinematic scenes and gameplay clips, showcasing the redesigned combat system, the dark atmosphere of the world of Axiom, and several story-driven episodes. Judging by this first look, the project aims for a more brutal, polished, and truly merciless Soulslike experience—provided the studio can deliver on this scale beyond trailers and manage the technical challenges. The trailer is available at the following link.
Saros
Housemarque Studios has unveiled a new trailer for Saros, combining cinematic scenes with gameplay footage. The video, for the first time, details the plot, characters, and key mechanics of the upcoming action game, and confirms the release date has been pushed back to April 30, 2026. The developers explain this decision as a result of their desire to bring the project to its stated scale and meet their own ambitions.
Saros tells the dark story of the lost alien colony of Carcosa, caught in the grip of a sinister eclipse. Players assume the role of Arjun Devraj, a lone guardian trying to understand his past and the reasons behind his current state. In terms of gameplay, the project continues to build on Housemarque’s signature “bullet ballet,” as the developers themselves call it. Saros will launch on PlayStation 5 with PS5 Pro enhancements and a Digital Deluxe Edition with 48-hour early access and bonus costumes inspired by Returnal, God of War, and Ghost of Yōtei. The trailer is available at the following link.
NO LAW
Krafton and Neon Giant (creators of The Ascent) have unveiled No Law, a new first-person shooter set in a dense cyberpunk setting. The first gameplay footage resembles Dying Light, but with a greater emphasis on firearms.
The action takes place in the megacity of Port Desire, where players are free to choose their approach—either a head-on assault or a stealthy approach, using vertical movement, hacking systems, and the environment. A release date hasn’t been announced yet, but it’s already exciting to see Neon Giant grow and move away from the isometric perspective. The game will be released on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. A trailer is available at the following link.
Total War: WARHAMMER 40,000
Creative Assembly has finally delivered what fans have been waiting for decades—the official announcement of Total War: Warhammer 40,000. The classic Total War formula—turn-based strategy and gigantic real-time battles—is transported to the grim sci-fi future of Warhammer 40,000. The reveal began with a powerful cinematic trailer, showing Ultramarines unsentimentally mopping up enemy hordes, and then moved on to the first gameplay footage, immediately conveying the scale of the action.
Four factions are announced at launch: Space Marines, Orks, Eldar, and Astra Militarum, each with its own mechanics, units, and combat style, including fleet management, economics, and orbital strikes. The game is expected to be released on PC and consoles; a release date has not yet been announced. The trailer is available at the following link.
ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE
Bandai Namco unveiled Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve, kicking off the announcement with a stunning cinematic trailer. After six years of anticipation, the series returns with a single-player story mode, casting players as an elite pilot who begins his or her journey aboard an aircraft carrier and gradually becomes a legend in the skies.
According to the developers at Project Aces, the game will retain the arcade core of the series, but will feature a more cinematic and polished storytelling. Ace Combat 8 will be released in 2026 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S and will be the first installment in the series built on Unreal Engine 5. A trailer is available at the following link.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer
Star Wars: Galactic Racer is a new racing game set in the Star Wars universe. The project is being developed by Fuse Games, a studio founded by former key Criterion developers who worked on Burnout and Need for Speed. The debut trailer, built entirely in-engine, showed futuristic tracks and speeders and landspeeders racing. The release is scheduled for 2026 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The trailer is available at the following link.
Phantom Blade Zero
Chinese studio S-Game has unveiled a new cinematic trailer for Phantom Blade Zero and finally announced its release date: September 9, 2026. The trailer emphasizes the game’s story and combat systems, interspersing action scenes with dynamic battles. The release is planned for PC and PlayStation 5, and after seeing what we’ve seen, the project still looks like one of the most promising Eastern action games of the coming years, despite the sheer glut of similar titles on the market. The trailer is available at the following link.
Mega Man: Dual Override
Capcom has announced Mega Man: Dual Override, the first new game in the main series since Mega Man 11 in 2018. The project is being developed in a classic format, emphasizing the game’s recognizable visual style and traditional level structure.
Details about the new mechanics are scarce, and the video itself doesn’t make it clear how, other than improved graphics, the game will differ from previous installments. Mega Man: Dual Override will be released in 2027 on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and both versions of the Nintendo Switch—after that, everything will depend on whether Capcom decides to offer something more than just another “run-of-the-mill” chapter. The video is available at the following link.
Nioh 3
Koei Tecmo and Team Ninja unveiled a new trailer for Nioh 3 and immediately backed up the announcement with some specifics. A demo will be released on January 29, 2026, featuring online co-op for up to three players and save transfers to the full game. The third installment continues the historical and mystical arc of the series and follows Tokugawa Takechiyo, the future shogun of Japan, as he faces a challenge to stop his brother’s plot and a yokai invasion during the height of the Sengoku period. The full release of Nioh 3 will take place on February 6, 2026, on PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam. The trailer is available at the following link .
Highguard
A “killer announcement” that truly killed the enthusiasm of some viewers—especially those naively expecting Half-Life 3 at The Game Awards—instead received a new free-to-play heroic PvP shooter from Wildlight Entertainment, a team of veterans who worked on Apex Legends and Titanfall. HighGuard launches free on January 26, 2026, on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. The project’s fate, like many similar releases, will depend not on the big names in the credits, but on whether Wildlight can deliver something more. The trailer is available at the following link.
The Game Awards 2025 Musical Performances
Evanescence’s “Afterlife” from the anime Devil May Cry
Games of the Year performed by The Game Awards Orchestra
