It may not have the sheer quantity of high-quality games that last year had, but 2024 has been a surprisingly good year for video game releases.Astro Bot,Helldivers 2,STALKER 2,Metaphor: ReFantazio,Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, andBalatrowere all released this year, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. But 2025 is already looking like it could be a year for the history books, andThe Game Awards 2024’s Most Anticipated Game nominee list exemplifies that.
If every game currently slated for next year actually released, 2025 could genuinely be one of the greatest years for the video game industry. But even if some titles are pushed back, there are sure to be plenty of releases that can easily pick up the slack. The five games nominated forThe Game Awards 2024’s Most Anticipated category, for instance, would be enough to satisfy many for the entire year. But while all of these games are undoubtedly anticipated, just one can win the Game Award.
The Game Awards 2024’s Most Anticipated Game Nominees
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Hideo Kojima is a legendary figure in the video game industry, proving time and time again that his strong passion for both video games and cinema can create unforgettable art. Upon its November 2019 launch,the firstDeath Strandingwas met with a generally positive reception from fans and critics alike, but its themes and strong sense of game direction have continued to impress those who have played it over the last five years.
The long-awaited sequel,Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, is currently set fora 2025 release, and fans couldn’t be more excited. Along with continuing the stories and themes explored in the first game,Death Stranding 2seems to be cranking the bizarre factor even higher, which is sure to make the sequel an extremely memorable journey.
WHERE TO PLAY
Embark on an inspiring mission of human connection beyond the UCA. Sam—with companions by his side—sets out on a new journey to save humanity from extinction. Join them as they traverse a world beset by otherworldly enemies, obstacles and a haunting question: should we have connected? Step by step, legendary game creator Hideo Kojima changes the world once again.
Ghost of Yotei
Though it was somewhat overshadowed by its close proximity toThe Last of Us Part 2’s launch,Ghost of Tsushimahas since become widely regarded as one ofthe best action-adventure gamesin recent history, with its satisfying combat, emotive story, and astounding art direction setting it apart from other open-world titles. After a year or so of rumors and speculation, a sequel has finally been announced, and it’s set for release in 2025.
Ghost of Yoteiwill see players take control of Atsu, a warrior who takes on the mantle of “The Ghost” on the Japanese island of Hokkaido in the year 1603.Ghost of Yoteiisset around 300 years after the events ofGhost of Tsushima, so players can expect to see plenty of new weapons and activities themed around the advancement of technology, such as the ability to wield a rifle. WithGhost of Tsushimaonly growing increasingly popular since its release, it’s fair to say that there’s a lot of excitement surrounding the upcoming sequel.
Discover a bold, new story of a warrior in Japan who is on a mission of vengeance all her own.Set 300 years after the critically acclaimed Ghost of Tsushima, Ghost of Yōtei is standalone experience set in 1600s rural Japan. The story follows a haunted, lone mercenary named Atsu. Thirsty for revenge, she travels through the beautiful, rugged landscapes of northern Japan, hunting those who killed her family many years earlier.
Grand Theft Auto 6
It’s been over a decade since players first got their hands onGrand Theft Auto 5, and it’s been almost as long since fans first started theorizing about when they’d seeGrand Theft Auto 6. Before it even debuted a single second of in-engine footage,Grand Theft Auto 6could call itself one ofthe most anticipated video gamesof all time, and with it now being almost a year since its first trailer dropped, that fervent excitement has reached a fever pitch.
From character twists to story beats to open-world side activities to multiplayer minigames toEaster eggs, every single possible element ofGrand Theft Auto 6has been a source of speculation for years, to the point where its eventual release will likely feel pretty surreal for some fans. Though it might sound hyperbolic,Grand Theft Auto 6is going to set the world on fire in 2025.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
Another sequel that’s been the subject of non-stop rumors and speculation for the best part of a decade,Metroid Prime 4: Beyondfinally has a tentative release window, and that window is 2025. Whilethe Nintendo Switch’s successoris rumored to be releasing next year as well, it seems likeMetroid Prime 4: Beyondwill still be available on the current generation of Switch consoles, which will be great news for every fan who’s been waiting years for this long-awaited sequel.
The galaxy’s greatest bounty hunter Samus Aran will embark on a new mission in Metroid Prime™ 4: Beyond, coming to Nintendo Switch in 2025.
Monster Hunter Wilds
A direct successor to 2018’sMonster Hunter: World,Monster Hunter Wildshas a concrete release date of June 11, 2025.Monster Hunter Wildsis probably the game on this nominee list that fans know most about, with Capcom having released multiple cinematic and gameplay trailers for it. As such, while fans are certainly excited to venture out intoMonster Hunter Wilds' huge open-world, the game is missing a layer of mystery and excitement that surrounds the other titles in the running for this Game Awards trophy.
The unbridled force of nature runs wild and relentless, with environments transforming drastically from one moment to the next. This is a story of monsters and humans and their struggles to live in harmony in a world of duality.Fulfill your duty as a Hunter by tracking and defeating powerful monsters and forging strong new weapons and armor from the materials you harvest from your hunt as you uncover the connection between the people of the Forbidden Lands and the locales they inhabit.The ultimate hunting experience awaits you in Monster Hunter Wilds.
Final Prediction
ThoughMonster Hunter Wilds,Death Stranding 2: On the Beach,Ghost of Yotei, andMetroid Prime 4: Beyondare all highly anticipated titles, there’s one clear winner forThe Game Awards 2024’s Most Anticipated Game category, and that’sGrand Theft Auto 6. No sequel in gaming history has ever had quite so much widespread appeal and notoriety asGrand Theft Auto 6, and it’s undoubtedly the gaming world’s most anticipated game of 2025.
MORE:8 Great Games From 2024 That Weren’t Nominated For The Game Awards, Ranked
