Well, the votes are in, the dust has settled, and the people have spoken. Every year, we turn the reins over to you, the IGN community, to decide the best of the best, and 2025 was a year for the ages. We saw the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, the long-awaited arrival of titles like Hollow Knight: Silksong, and a slate of incredible entertainment that kept us glued to our screens. It was a year defined by titans, and your votes reflect that with resounding clarity.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 achieved a historic sweep, winning all nine categories it was nominated in, including the coveted Best Game of 2025.
- ✓ In a massive show of audience support, Andor Season 2 swept all four of its TV categories, including Best TV Show and Best Performer for Genevieve O'Reilly.
- ✓ Sinners, starring Michael B. Jordan, pulled off a huge double win, securing Best Horror Movie and the overall Best Movie of 2025.
- ✓ Hades 2 successfully followed its legendary predecessor, winning both Best Action Game and Best Roguelike with over 57% of the vote in each.
- ✓ Predator: Badlands clawed its way to victory as Best Sci-fi or Fantasy Movie by the slimmest margin of just 1.1%.
- ✓ Community consensus was incredibly strong this year, with winners in 17 of the 23 categories securing over 40% of the total votes.
What’s truly striking about this year's results isn't just *who* won, but *how* they won. We saw staggering landslides and nail-biting photo finishes, but the overarching theme was consensus. From a stunning new RPG that captured everyone's imagination to a Star Wars show that redefined what prestige television can be, you guys knew what you loved, and you voted for it in droves. So let's break it all down and look at the stories behind the winners.
The Unstoppable Juggernaut: Clair Obscur's Historic Sweep
Let's just start with the biggest story of the year, because there’s no burying this lead. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 didn't just win; it conquered. Nominated in nine categories, it won all nine. I want you to read that again: nine for nine. This wasn't just a popular game; it was a cultural phenomenon that united players across every platform, winning Best PlayStation Game (43.6%), Best Xbox Game (60.2%), and Best PC Game (51.2%).
But the domination went so much deeper. It took home Best RPG with a jaw-dropping 66.8% of the vote, proving its mechanics and world-building were second to none. The game's soul-stirring narrative and unforgettable characters were recognized with wins for Best Ensemble Cast (65.2%) and a well-deserved Best Performance trophy for Jennifer English's portrayal of Maelle (36.5%). It's clear that the game’s central theme, summed up by the haunting phrase "For those who come after," resonated deeply with players on an emotional level.
Here's the real story, though. When a single game also wins Best Art Direction (58.5%) and Best Music/Score (67.5%), you're witnessing more than just a great product. You're seeing a masterpiece of cohesive artistic vision. Every single element, from the soundscape to the visual design to the performances, worked in perfect harmony. Capping it all off with the ultimate prize, Best Game of 2025 with over half the total vote, wasn't a surprise—it was an inevitability. This is what a true Game of the Year looks like: a title so profoundly excellent that it becomes the benchmark for everything else.
Why It Resonated So Deeply
From my perspective, the success of a brand-new IP on this scale sends a powerful message to the industry: players are absolutely starved for fresh, ambitious, and emotionally intelligent experiences. In an era dominated by sequels and established franchises, Clair Obscur proved that a compelling new world, brought to life with passion and artistry, can absolutely capture the zeitgeist. It wasn't just a game; it was an event.
Andor's Rebellion: A Masterclass in Prestige TV
If Clair Obscur was the undisputed king of gaming, then Andor Season 2 was the unquestionable ruler of television. Much like our gaming champion, Andor pulled off a complete sweep of its own, winning all four TV categories it was nominated for. It secured Best TV Show with a strong 38% of the vote, proving that its slow-burn, character-driven approach to the Star Wars universe has cultivated a fiercely loyal audience.
The show's brilliance was recognized on both a macro and micro level. The community voted the episode "Who Are You?" as the Best TV Episode of the year with a massive 46.9% share. This tells us that audiences aren't just enjoying the overall series; they're connecting with specific moments of powerful, poignant storytelling. The series also won for Best Ensemble Cast (39.9%), a nod to the incredible chemistry and talent that brings the gritty world of the burgeoning Rebellion to life.
Perhaps the most telling win, however, was Genevieve O'Reilly taking home Best Performer for her role as Mon Mothma. For years, Mon Mothma was a background character, a face in the crowd of the Rebellion. Andor transformed her into one of the most complex and compelling characters in modern Star Wars canon, and O'Reilly's nuanced performance was the heart of that transformation. It’s a victory for quiet strength and methodical writing over flashy lightsaber duels, and a clear signal that audiences are ready for more mature, sophisticated stories from a galaxy far, far away.
The Silver Screen Showdown: Predators, Sinners, and Superman's Return
Over in the world of cinema, the races were much tighter and full of fascinating stories. The award for Best Movie of 2025 went to Sinners, the chilling horror film that also won its genre category with a commanding 41.5% of the vote. For a horror movie to take the top prize is a huge deal, suggesting it transcended its genre to deliver a powerful story that resonated with a broad audience. It was bolstered by an incredible lead performance, with Michael B. Jordan winning Best Performer in a Movie for his dual role as the Moore twins.
The most dramatic race of the year was for Best Sci-Fi or Fantasy Movie. In a true nail-biter, Predator: Badlands squeaked out a win over Frankenstein by just 1.1%. This incredibly narrow victory shows just how divided the community was, but it also proves that there is a massive appetite for the Predator franchise when it’s handled with care. After the success of Prey in 2022, this win cements the idea that focusing on taut, high-stakes thrillers is the right path forward for the iconic hunter.
Meanwhile, there was nothing close about the Best Superhero Movie category. James Gunn's Superman soared to victory with a staggering 57.3% of the vote. What this tells us is that the audience was overwhelmingly ready for a return to a more hopeful, classic interpretation of the Man of Steel. After years of darker, more cynical takes on superheroes, this landslide victory is a clear mandate from fans for optimism and heroism in their comic book movies. It's a fantastic start for the new DC Universe on film.
Gaming's Other Champions: From Kong's Return to Indie Glory
While Clair Obscur was the story of the year, it was far from the only game that earned your love. The launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 was a monumental event, and its flagship title, Donkey Kong Bananza, swung its way to victory as Best Nintendo Game with nearly half the votes (49.9%). This win is significant because it proves Nintendo still knows how to launch a new console with an irresistible, must-play title that captures the magic of its most beloved characters.
Expectations couldn't have been higher for Hades 2, the sequel to IGN's 2020 Game of the Year. And somehow, Supergiant Games delivered. You crowned it both Best Roguelike (57.2%) and Best Action Game (58.8%), proving that its intoxicating blend of fast-paced combat, compelling narrative, and incredible art style is still a winning formula. Pulling off a sequel this good is one of the hardest things to do in gaming, and they absolutely stuck the landing.
But the biggest blowout win of the entire awards belongs to an indie. Blue Prince took home Best Puzzle Game with an unbelievable 72.9% of the vote. This is the definition of a landslide. In a year filled with massive AAA blockbusters, this incredible victory shows that pure creativity and ingenious game design can still captivate an audience like nothing else. It’s a powerful reminder that some of the most memorable experiences often come from the smallest studios.
What These Wins Tell Us About the State of Entertainment
Looking at the results as a whole, a few clear trends emerge. The first is the power of a unified vision. The biggest winners—Clair Obscur and Andor—weren't just good in one area; they were exceptional across the board. They won awards for performance, writing, art, and music, demonstrating a level of holistic quality that audiences clearly recognize and reward. It’s not enough to have a good gimmick; you need to deliver a complete, polished, and emotionally resonant experience.
The second trend is the audience's deep appreciation for both bold new ideas and respectful treatments of beloved classics. A brand-new IP like Clair Obscur can become the undisputed Game of the Year, while at the same time, a legacy remaster like The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered can win its category with a healthy 34.6% of the vote. This shows a healthy ecosystem where players are eager for innovation but also cherish the chance to revisit timeless masterpieces. The same goes for Predator: Badlands and Superman—audiences will show up for old franchises if they are handled with vision and respect. More information on the history of Oblivion can show why this remaster was so anticipated.
Finally, the overwhelming consensus in so many categories suggests that 2025 was a year of undeniable masterpieces. There was less debate and more celebration. When a title is truly great, it seems the community rallies behind it with overwhelming force. It’s a fantastic sign for the health of both the gaming and entertainment industries, and it sets an incredibly high bar for 2026.
Conclusion
As we close the book on the 2025 IGN Community Awards, the message from the voters is loud and clear. It was a year defined by complete artistic triumphs like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which didn't just win Game of the Year but set a new standard for excellence. It was a year where mature, intelligent storytelling in shows like Andor was celebrated above all else, and where films of all genres—from horror to sci-fi to superhero epics—had their moment to shine.
Thank you to every single person who took the time to vote and make your voice heard. These awards are a reflection of your passion, and this year, that passion pointed decisively toward quality, innovation, and unforgettable experiences. With giants like GTA 6 and Marvel's Wolverine looming on the 2026 horizon, we can only imagine what incredible debates and celebrations we'll be having this time next year.
About the Author
This article was written by the editorial team, dedicated to bringing you the latest news, trends, and insights.
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