Another year in the books, and what a year it was. 2025 felt like a whirlwind of massive releases, from the long, long-awaited arrival of Hollow Knight: Silksong to the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, which brought us new adventures in Mario Kart and a triumphant return for Donkey Kong. But as the dust settles and we look back, it’s time to see which games, movies, and shows truly captured our collective imagination. The votes are in, the numbers have been crunched, and the IGN community has made its voice heard loud and clear.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 absolutely dominated, winning all nine of its nominated categories, including the coveted Best Game of 2025.
- ✓ Andor mirrored this success in television, sweeping all four of its TV categories, including Best TV Show and a win for Genevieve O'Reilly.
- ✓ Sinners, the horror film starring Michael B. Jordan, pulled off a huge upset by winning Best Movie of 2025.
- ✓ Predator: Badlands won Best Sci-Fi or Fantasy Movie by the slimmest margin of the year, just 1.1%.
- ✓ Community consensus was incredibly strong, with 17 of the 23 winners securing over 40% of the total votes in their respective categories.
- ✓ Blue Prince had the most decisive victory, capturing a massive 72.9% of the votes for Best Puzzle Game.
Every year, the community awards feel like the real pulse of the industry. It's one thing for critics to have their say, but it's another to see what thousands of you actually spent your time and money on and loved the most. This year, the alignment between critics and audiences felt stronger than ever, and the results paint a fascinating picture. We saw utter domination from a few key players, nail-biting finishes in packed categories, and a clear message that quality storytelling reigns supreme. So, let’s dive in and unpack the winners you chose.
The Year of Clair Obscur: An Unprecedented Clean Sweep
Let's just get straight to the biggest story of the year. Calling Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 a fan favorite would be the understatement of the decade. This game didn't just win; it conquered. Nominated in nine categories, it won all nine. I have to repeat that: a perfect nine for nine. This wasn't just a win; it was a cultural moment, a testament to a game that resonated so deeply with players that it became an unstoppable force in these awards.
The game’s central theme, summed up by the haunting phrase "For those who come after," clearly struck a chord. In a year with heavy hitters, this new IP from developer Sandfall Interactive became the one everyone was talking about. It rightfully took home the biggest prize, Best Game of 2025, with a commanding 50.8% of the vote. But the landslide was even more apparent in the genre category, where it won Best RPG with a staggering 66.8% majority. The message is clear: the community didn't just like this RPG; they adored it.
What’s truly remarkable is its universal appeal. It won Best PlayStation Game (43.6%), Best Xbox Game (60.2%), and Best PC Game (51.2%). In an era of platform exclusives and tribalism, a single game dominating across all major ecosystems is incredibly rare. It tells us that the experience crafted by Sandfall transcended hardware, delivering a story and gameplay loop that was simply unmissable, no matter where you played. For more on this stunning game, you can check out its official page on the Sandfall Interactive website.
More Than Gameplay: An Artistic and Auditory Masterpiece
The dominance of Clair Obscur wasn't just about its mechanics. The community recognized its excellence in every facet of its design. It swept the artistic categories, winning Best Art Direction (58.5%) and Best Video Game Music/Score (67.5%). This speaks volumes. Players weren't just engaged by the combat; they were mesmerized by its world, a beautiful yet melancholic fantasy inspired by France's Belle Époque era. The art and music worked in perfect harmony to create an atmosphere that was as much a character as any of the heroes.
And speaking of characters, the game also won for its human element. It secured Best Ensemble Cast in a Video Game with an overwhelming 65.2% of the vote, and Jennifer English took home the award for Best Performance in a Video Game for her portrayal of Maelle. This complete package—engaging story, breathtaking art, a moving score, and unforgettable performances—is what separates a great game from an all-time classic. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is firmly in the latter category, and the community has overwhelmingly confirmed it.
Andor's Rebellion: A Clean Sweep in Television
If Clair Obscur was the undisputed king of gaming, then Andor was its television counterpart. In a year filled with great TV, the Disney+ series achieved its own perfect run, winning all four categories it was nominated for. This wasn't just a win for Star Wars; it was a win for a specific *kind* of Star Wars—one that is patient, mature, politically complex, and deeply character-focused.
The show took home Best TV Show of 2025 with 38.0% of the vote, proving that its slow-burn, espionage-thriller approach has cultivated a passionate and dedicated fanbase. The community also recognized the power of its cast, awarding it Best Ensemble Cast with nearly 40% of the votes. This is a show where every performance matters, from the biggest names to the smallest side characters, all contributing to the texture of its lived-in world.
What's fascinating is how specific the praise was. The community didn't just love the show in general; they pointed to a specific high point. Season 2, Episode 8, titled “Who Are You?,” won Best TV Episode with a massive 46.9% of the vote. This highlights the power of masterful episodic storytelling, where a single hour of television can stand out in a sea of content. The show’s quality is consistently recognized by critics and fans alike, as you can see from its stellar ratings on sites like Rotten Tomatoes.
Of course, you can't talk about Andor without talking about Mon Mothma. Genevieve O'Reilly won Best Performer in a TV show or Movie for her incredible portrayal of the conflicted senator. She took a character that was once a background figure and turned her into a compelling, tragic hero wrestling with the cost of rebellion. Her win, with 29.2% of the vote, shows that audiences appreciate nuance and subtlety just as much as flashy action.
The Big Screen Battles: Vampires, Predators, and a Man of Steel
Over in the world of cinema, the results were just as exciting. The biggest surprise of the night might just be the winner for Best Movie of 2025. In a year with superheroes and massive blockbusters, the top prize went to Sinners, which captured 24.7% of the vote. A horror film taking the grand prize is a massive statement from the audience, signaling a hunger for original, high-concept genre films that deliver genuine thrills.
The film also rightfully won Best Horror Movie with a strong 41.5% margin. The dream team of director Ryan Coogler and star Michael B. Jordan clearly delivered the goods. Jordan's performance was a particular standout, earning him the award for Best Performer in a Movie (36.8%) for his complex dual role as Elijah and Elias Moore. It's a performance that required incredible range, and the community clearly took notice.
Meanwhile, the superhero world had its own champion. James Gunn's highly anticipated Superman soared to victory as the Best Superhero Movie with a decisive 57.3% of the vote. This is a hugely significant win. With so much riding on the launch of the new DCU, this overwhelming community support suggests that the new vision for the Man of Steel has resonated powerfully with audiences. It's the kind of positive momentum the franchise desperately needed. You can keep up with the latest from the DC universe on their official website.
And then there was the photo finish. The award for Best Sci-Fi or Fantasy Movie was the tightest race of the year, with Predator: Badlands clinching the win by a mere 1.1% over its closest competitor. The source material even hinted it might be the best Predator film ever made, and this victory shows that a significant portion of the audience agrees. It’s a huge win for a franchise that has had its ups and downs, proving there’s still plenty of life left in the hunt.
Genre Champions and Nostalgic Victories
Beyond the titans that swept their categories, there were so many other deserving winners that reflect the incredible diversity of entertainment in 2025. Supergiant Games’ Hades 2 had enormous shoes to fill, following up on a Game of the Year winner. It proved more than up to the task, winning both Best Action Game (58.8%) and Best Roguelike Game (57.2%). The strong majorities in both categories show that the studio once again delivered the tight combat, compelling narrative, and addictive loop that fans were craving.
Nintendo also had a fantastic year with its new hardware. Donkey Kong Bananza swung to the top, winning Best Nintendo Game with nearly half the vote (49.9%). It’s a massive win for a beloved, classic franchise and a great sign for the early days of the Nintendo Switch 2. On the indie side of things, we saw one of the most lopsided victories of the awards. Blue Prince completely ran away with the Best Puzzle Game category, earning an incredible 72.9% of all votes. When a game wins by that kind of margin, you know it's something special—a truly unique and mind-bending experience that left a lasting impression on everyone who played it.
The community also showed love for other genres and old favorites. Ghost of Yotei took the crown for Best Action-Adventure Game (29.6%), while Anno 117: Pax Romana was voted Best Strategy Game (25.5%). And in a delightful dose of nostalgia, The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered won Best Remake or Remastered Game with 34.6% of the vote, proving that a classic is forever.
What the Votes Tell Us About 2025
Looking at the results as a whole, a clear picture emerges. The most telling statistic is that in 17 of the 23 categories, the winner captured over 40% of the vote. This is significant. It shows that in a year packed with quality, the community wasn't divided or split. Instead, there was a powerful consensus around a select group of games, movies, and shows. We knew what we loved, and we voted for it in droves.
From my perspective, this signals a community that values deeply crafted experiences above all else. The winners weren't necessarily the ones with the biggest marketing budgets or the most established names. They were the ones that delivered on a profound level, whether it was the emotional storytelling of Clair Obscur, the intricate plotting of Andor, or the sheer creativity of Blue Prince. It’s a reward for artistry, polish, and a respect for the audience’s time and intelligence.
It’s also worth noting the foundation that allows for these passionate discussions. The source material mentioned IGN's commitment to "Keepin' It Clean" by fostering a positive community space. This is more important than it sounds. For awards like these to have meaning, they need to come from a place of genuine and respectful debate. Creating an environment where people feel welcome to share their opinions is what makes a community thrive, and it's the bedrock upon which these results are built.
Conclusion
So there you have it—the people have spoken, and their voice was unified and powerful. 2025 will forever be remembered as the year of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Andor, two titles from different mediums that achieved total victory through sheer, undeniable quality. They proved that a compelling vision, executed flawlessly, can capture the hearts and minds of millions. We also saw genre films like Sinners and Predator: Badlands rise to the top, while beloved sequels like Hades 2 met and exceeded sky-high expectations.
These awards are a fantastic snapshot of what mattered to us this year. They celebrate the stories that moved us, the worlds we got lost in, and the characters we won't soon forget. A huge thank you to everyone in the IGN community who took the time to vote and share their passion. Now, with titans like GTA 6 and Marvel's Wolverine looming on the 2026 horizon, the stage is already being set for next year’s battles. The debates are only just beginning.
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