The year 2025 has become one of the most competitive years in the gaming industry. Many major titles arrived with solid quality, delivering innovative, emotional, and technically impressive experiences. Based on data from the OpenCritic aggregator, we now have a complete list of the 10 highest-rated games of 2025.

Interestingly, not all of these highly rated games made it into the Game of the Year (GOTY) nominations at The Game Awards 2025. With only six GOTY slots available, some major titles were left out—even those with higher scores than certain GOTY contenders.

This article summarizes the full list of the highest-rated games of 2025, the games considered strong GOTY candidates, and what high ratings truly mean for a game and the industry.

10 Highest-Rated Games

• Hades 2 – 94
• The Seance of Blake Manor – 92
• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – 92
• Donkey Kong Bananza – 91
• Hollow Knight: Silksong – 91
• Split Fiction – 91
• Death Stranding 2: On the Beach – 90
• Blue Prince – 90
• Monster Hunter Wilds – 89
• Keep Driving – 89

GOTY Contenders at TGA 2025

The Game Awards 2025 is one of the tightest competitions in its history. Only six games were selected as GOTY nominees, and five of them appear in the list of the top 10 highest-rated games of the year.

Here are the six GOTY contenders along with their OpenCritic scores:

• Hades 2 – 94
• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – 92
• Donkey Kong Bananza – 91
• Hollow Knight: Silksong – 91
• Death Stranding 2: On the Beach – 90
• Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 – 89

Interestingly, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is the only GOTY nominee that did not make it into the top 10 highest-rated games on OpenCritic.

On the other hand, some high-rated games failed to enter the GOTY lineup, such as:

The Seance of Blake Manor (92)

This game did not receive any nomination at TGA 2025, despite ranking second on the highest-rated list. It stands as one of the biggest “snubs” of the year.

Split Fiction (91)

Although not part of the GOTY list, this title earned major recognition with nominations in Best Game Direction, Best Action/Adventure, Best Family Game, and Best Multiplayer.

Blue Prince (90)

This indie title was nominated for Best Independent Game and Best Debut Indie Game. Many players and critics expressed disappointment that Blue Prince was not nominated for GOTY, considering its exploration depth and innovative mystery design.

Monster Hunter Wilds (89)

Capcom once again grabbed attention with Wilds, which earned a nomination for Best Role Playing Game. However, the intense GOTY competition kept it from breaking into the top six.

Keep Driving (89)

One of the highest-rated games that received zero nominations. This highlights that GOTY selection is not solely based on rating—cultural impact, relevance, and TGA’s own curation choices also play significant roles.

Among all the contenders, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is widely predicted to be the strongest candidate to sweep multiple awards, including GOTY. However, Hades 2 and Silksong remain serious threats thanks to their massive fanbases.

What High Ratings Mean for a Game

High ratings from aggregators like OpenCritic play a crucial role in shaping a game's performance and reputation. For players, a high score signals that the game offers above-average quality—whether in gameplay, narrative, visuals, or innovation.

Here are several key meanings behind high ratings:

1. Quality Validation from Critics and the Industry

High ratings reflect consistent appreciation from critics. This is important for strengthening a game’s position in a highly competitive industry.

2. Impact on Sales

Multiple studies show that games scoring above 85 often see significant sales boosts during the first weeks after release. “Must Play” or “Strong Recommended” labels attract more players.

3. Influence on Developer Branding

For indie studios such as the creators of Blue Prince, high ratings can be a major stepping stone—helping studios gain recognition, secure funding, and expand their networks.

4. Increased Expectations for Sequels

High-rated games often open doors for sequels or expansions. Hades is a prime example—after the tremendous success of the first game, the sequel once again earned top ratings.

5. Not a Guarantee for GOTY

As seen at The Game Awards 2025, high ratings don’t guarantee a GOTY nomination. Other factors such as innovation, cultural impact, release timing, and jury preferences also play major roles.

The list of highest-rated games of 2025 according to OpenCritic shows just how strong and diverse this year’s lineup has been. Even though many games received remarkable scores, not all of them managed to secure a spot in the GOTY nominations at The Game Awards 2025.

The fierce competition led to some unfortunate snubs like The Seance of Blake Manor and Blue Prince. Still, high ratings remain a testament that these games have left a significant mark on the industry.

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