Bloody Hell, TGA 2025 Was a Wild Ride: Untangling the Best, the Bizarre, and the 'Wait, *What* Was That?' Reveals
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Jeff dives into the chaotic cosmic swirl of The Game Awards 2025, unearthing surprising indie gems, monumental AAA reveals (Larian's new IP!), and even a sly 'Switch 2' mention, all while maintaining his signature blend of curiosity and gentle skepticism.
Alright, you magnificent digital denizens, Jeff here, still trying to scrape the glitter and high-octane marketing jargon off my keyboard after what can only be described as The Game Awards 2025. Every year, it’s the same ritual, isn’t it? Geoff Keighley descends from his digital mountaintop, armed with more world premieres than you can shake a wizard’s staff at, promising a night ‘heaving with enticing teasers’. And fair dinkum, he wasn't wrong. My inbox, much like my sanity, is currently a tangled mess of new titles, release dates, and enough cinematic trailers to make your eyeballs feel like they’ve run a marathon.
Now, before we dive into the veritable treasure trove (or perhaps, a booby-trapped chest, depending on your level of cynicism) of announcements, let's remember the cardinal rule of these grand spectacles: separate the genuine magic from the smoke and mirrors. We had some whispers – a Diablo 4 expansion, a few cheeky leaks – but largely, it was a mystery box. And bloody hell, some of the contents were genuinely surprising. So, grab your potion of critical thinking, because we’re about to sort through the digital tea leaves from a night that was, by all accounts, a proper showcase. Let's dig in, eh?
First out of the gate, we got a glimpse of **'The Free Shepherd,'** which, no joke, looks like a dog simulator with a mystical twist. A shepherd dog, doing… fantastical things? Coming 2027 to PS5 and Steam. I'm all for charmingly weird, and a dog game that isn't just 'fetch the stick' has my curiosity piqued. What ancient doggy magic will we wield? Reckon it's going to be a wholesome head-scratcher.
Next up, **'Decrepit.'** The name alone screams 'dark fantasy,' doesn't it? A first-person action game with 'Souls-like influence.' Now, we’ve heard that before, haven’t we? Like hearing 'I just need one more turn' in a strategy game – it *sounds* good, but the execution is everything. Still, a good dose of spooky fantasy action on Steam? I'm tentatively keen to see if it lives up to the lofty shadow of its inspirations. Wishlist it, they say!
Then came a proper brain-tickler: **'Audio Mech.'** The creator of *AudioSurf* is back, apparently transforming your music into a shoot 'em up. A demo tomorrow, they said! Now *this* is the kind of innovative indie spirit I get excited about. Using music as a gameplay mechanic isn't new, but *AudioSurf* nailed it, and seeing that creativity applied to a shooter? My mind's already conjuring up epic boss battles set to my favourite chiptunes. No release date yet, but that demo is *definitely* getting tinkered with.
Capcom then swooped in with an update on their mysterious sci-fi shooter, **'Pragmata.'** We finally got a release date – April 24, 2026 – and the kicker? It's hitting the *Switch 2*, alongside PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Hold up. *Switch 2*? My digital wizard senses are tingling, folks. This isn't just an update; it's a quiet confirmation of a new Nintendo console, casually dropped into a major cross-platform announcement. That's a meta-reveal right there! Plus, a gameplay demo is out on Steam *now*. Capcom being sneaky and generous – I like it.
**'Solasta 2'** popped up next, giving us more CRPG goodness. A 'star-studded cast of voice actors' and a 'fantastical setting rich in magic and mystery.' Look, if you're into your D&D-esque tactical combat and lore-heavy narratives, this is probably music to your ears. March 12, 2026, on Steam. Another solid entry for the ever-growing legion of CRPG fans – always good to see the genre thriving.
**'Tankrat.'** Yeah, you heard that right. A sci-fi vehicle combat game where you build up your 'scrappy tank' and go to war against 'weird and worrisome machines.' Dystopian future, Spring 2026 on PC and PS5. Sounds like a delightful dose of vehicular mayhem and customization. My inner mechanic (who mostly just hits things with a spanner) is already picturing the glorious scrapheap creations.
Speaking of charmingly weird, enter **'Bradley the Badger.'** A puzzle game with exploration and creative tools. The description even said it 'looks a little weird, which is a good thing!' And yes, I wholeheartedly agree. Give me the idiosyncratic, the unexpected, the games that don't fit neatly into a marketing box. Wishlist it on Steam – sometimes the most unassuming titles are the ones that truly enchant.
Then things got... poppy? **'Stupid Never Dies'** is an action horror game starring a duo battling ghouls and undead. 'Poppy horror' is an intriguing combination. Is it 'Evil Dead' levels of camp? Or something genuinely unsettling with a vibrant aesthetic? I'm always down for horror that tries something different, especially if it involves a romantically inclined monster-slaying duo. A peculiar one for the wishlist, for sure.
Alright, settle in, because this one's a biggun. **'Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic.'** A single-player action RPG set in the Old Republic era. Now, Star Wars games are a dime a dozen these days, but *this* one comes with a very interesting name attached: Casey Hudson, director of the *original Knights of the Old Republic*. That, my friends, is enough to send ripples of anticipation through the Force. Can Hudson recapture that lightning-in-a-bottle magic? Or is this another case of tapping into nostalgia that might just… fizzle? My gentle skepticism is on high alert, but my inner Jedi (or Sith, depending on the day) is cautiously optimistic. This could be a proper game-changer if they get it right. No pressure, eh?
And then, just when you thought your hype meter couldn't take any more, Larian dropped **'Divinity.'** A dark fantasy game with a 'horrific cinematic trailer.' Larian. Yes, *that* Larian. The folks who melted our brains and ate our social lives with *Baldur's Gate 3*. So, when they announce a *new* dark fantasy IP, you don't just 'get excited,' you pre-emptively clear your calendar and start practicing your 'just five more minutes' excuses. This is probably going to be a monumental time-sink, and I, for one, welcome our new Larian overlords.
JJ Abrams and Bad Robot joined the party with **'4Loop.'** A co-op third-person sci-fi shooter where you're 'constantly killed, re-printed, and sent out into a ravaged world.' PlayStation and PC. The concept of dying and respawning as a core mechanic in a co-op shooter sounds like a chaotic blast – think *Returnal* meets *Borderlands*? Abrams bringing his mystery box mojo to gaming is always interesting, though sometimes those boxes are a bit empty. Still, the premise sounds like it could be a proper laugh with mates.
Then, a warm hug for the soul: **'Coven of the Chicken Foot.'** You play as an 'older lady and her monstrous (but friendly) companion' adventuring across a perilous world. This is pure, unadulterated indie charm. The kind of game that reminds you that gaming can be weird, wonderful, and heartwarming all at once. My inner curious wizard is already picturing the spells this dynamic duo will cook up. Wishlisted, no question.
Frictional Games delivered their new first-person title, **'Ontos,'** coming 2026 to Xbox, PS5, and Steam. And, as if Frictional's pedigree in horror (think *Amnesia*, *Soma*) wasn't enough to get you quivering, they've roped in Stellan Skarsgård for voice acting. That, mate, is a combo that screams 'atmospheric and unsettling.' Expect existential dread served with a side of top-tier vocal performance. I reckon this will be a proper mind-bender.
Finally, Riot Games gave us a sneak peek at Caitlyn joining their fighting game, **'2XKO.'** It's also confirmed for consoles in January. Not a brand-new reveal, but a solid update for fighting game aficionados and Riot fans. Good to see their venture into the genre making headway and expanding its roster.
So there you have it, a whirlwind tour of The Game Awards 2025. What a bloody spread, eh? From the charmingly bizarre indies like 'Bradley the Badger' and 'Coven of the Chicken Foot,' to the high-stakes AAA plays like 'Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic' and Larian's new 'Divinity,' it was a mixed bag in the best possible way. The quiet bombshell of a 'Switch 2' mention for 'Pragmata' has my brain doing cartwheels, too. It’s a reminder that even in a world obsessed with big numbers and corporate speak, there's still plenty of genuine innovation and passionate game development bubbling away. Some promises to watch, some demos to download, and plenty of reasons to be cautiously optimistic about what the gaming landscape holds in the coming years. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a demo or two calling my name – probably going to accidentally summon a portal to another dimension while I'm at it. Keep it weird, folks!
Original reporting on these announcements was expertly covered by Connor Makar at Eurogamer on December 12, 2025.
Tags: Game Awards 2025, Gaming News, New Game Reveals, Indie Games, AAA Titles
Original article: Eurogamer