The shortlist for the 43rd Golden Joystick Awards has recently been unveiled, and it’s evident this year will be highly competitive. Various categories like Crowd Favorite Game of the Year, Best Multiplayer Game, and Best Indie Game feature outstanding nominations, creating a challenging decision process for voters.

Daniel Dawkins, content director for the Golden Joystick Awards, stated,

“2025 is our most fiercely contested and unpredictable year yet.”

Nominations include titles like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Ghost of Yōtei and Hollow Knight: Silksong.

This year’s awards ceremony is set for November 20, and anticipation is mounting as fans prepare for a close call in deciding the winners across 21 categories.