For as long asGrand Theft Auto 6was meant to release in 2025, there was no question that it was going to be the game of the year.GTA6has been in the making since at least 2018, and if the newest trailer is any indication, it’s going to be one incredible—and incredible-looking—game. But whenGTA6was delayed to 2026, it left a vacuum for another game to fill as the best game of the year.
There have already been plenty of potential game of the year titles in 2025. Contenders include breakaway hits likeBlue PrinceandExpedition 33:Clair Obscurand bigger, moreestablished names likeDonkey Kong BananzaandPokémon Legends: Z-A.But in reality, there’s onlyone game that’s perfectly poised to claim the crown fromGTA6, and that game isHollow Knight: Silksong.
Hollow Knight: Silksong Is The Natural GOTY Frontrunner
Silksong Is Set To Follow In Hollow Knight’s Footsteps
Hollow Knight: Silksonghas a very similar story toGTA6.Both have been in development for many years and both have experienced delays and very limited communication with fans. And yet, where other game communities would have given up hope by now, both theGTA6and theSilksongcommunities haveremained steadfast in their support of the upcoming games.
TheSilksongcommunity has become something of a meme, with members poring over every tiny detail in the scant screenshots and videos available andhosting ridiculous contestswith fans competing for the right to be “sacrificed” (ie banned) by the dedicated Subreddit.
WhenHollow Knightwas released, it was a relatively unknown debut project from the small indie studio Team Cherry. In the years since, the game has gone on to becomeone of the most beloved Metroidvanias of all timewith aMetacriticrating of 9.1—and there’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that the sequel will be just as excellent.
Silksongwill follow Hornet, a secondary character fromHollow Knight,as she slashes her needle and weaves a new dark tale in theHollow Knightsaga. The game has been the most wishlisted title on Steam for a long time and isslated to be shown off at the Game Worldsexhibit in the Melbourne media museum, ACMI. Team Cherry has beenquietly working on making a game that’s worthy of theHollow Knightname, and when it finally releases sometime this year, it’s going to be a hard title to topple from the year’s Game of the Year throne.
2025’s GOTY May Very Likely Be A Different Game
But Silksong Will Be A Hard Title To Beat
This year has had plenty of hits, with aforementionedtitles likeBlue PrinceandExpedition 33: Clair Obscurmaking a huge impact on the video game industry.It’s quite possible that the title of 2025 Game of the Year will be claimed by one of these games, or even a title that isn’t even out yet.
But if the victory ofAstro Botin 2024 is any indication, the gaming community votes with the heart, and you won’t find a more dedicated group of supporters than the fans of the as-yet-unreleasedHollow Knight: Silksong.Of course, it’s possible that even after over six years of waiting,Silksongwill completely bomb. But withGrand Theft Auto 6out of the way, it’s much more likely that any game that wants to make it to the top in 2025 will have to climb pastSilksongto get there.
