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This awards show wisely distinguished between consensus and total agreement on Clair Obscur.

January 20, 2026

Gaming’s awards season is still in full swing, and this past Sunday, the New York Videogame Critics Circle showcased why there can’t be just one definitive list of winners in the gaming world.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 took home another Game of the Year trophy, but the winners list also featured titles like Blippo+, Ball x Pit, and Lumines Arise—games that might only appear on the most comprehensive best-of lists curated by the sharpest minds in the industry.

No disrespect to Clair Obscur, which has unfortunately become the go-to target in the ongoing debate about Game of the Year. With the loudest and most glamorous verdicts coming first—especially with The Game Awards approaching in December like an Oscar night that skipped the line—the rest of the year feels like an extended epilogue, filled with ceremonies that either confirm the obvious or take a different route from Geoff Keighley’s voting body.

Expedition 33 has turned this situation into a victory lap. Its nine-win sweep at The Game Awards, including Game of the Year, broke records and established the debut RPG from Sandfall Interactive as a standout indie title that dominated the competition. As awards season continues through DICE, GDC, and beyond, the game remains the frontrunner. The New York Game Awards couldn’t overlook Expedition 33 for the top honor—after all, it’s well-deserved!—but the voters weren’t ready to give it a complete sweep either.

Here’s the complete list of winners from the 2025 New York Game Awards, which could easily win an award for the most creative category names:

Big Apple Award for Best Game of the Year
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Off Broadway Award for Best Indie Game
Blue Prince

Herman Melville Award for Best Writing in a Game
Blippo+

Statue of Liberty Award for Best World
Hades II

Tin Pan Alley Award for Best Music in a Game
South of Midnight

Great White Way Award for Best Acting in a Game
Jennifer English as Maelle in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Excelsior Award for Best NY Game
Ball x Pit

Coney Island Dreamland Award for Best AR/VR Game
Lumines Arise

Central Park Children’s Zoo Award for Best Kids Game
Donkey Kong Bananza

A-Train Award for Best Mobile Game
Is This Seat Taken?

High Line Award for Best Remake
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered