BAFTA Games Awards 2025: A Celebration of Innovation, Emotion & Play

Every once in a while, an event reminds us that games aren’t just games — they’re art, emotion, and the stories we carry long after the screen goes dark. That event? The BAFTA Games Awards.

Held annually by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), this ceremony is more than just accolades. 

It’s a tribute to creative brilliance, design innovation, and the power of interactive storytelling. The 2025 edition did just that — and more.

So, let’s dive into this year’s celebrated titles and the passionate teams behind them.

---

Best Game

The crown jewel – where everything comes together.

Winner: Astro Bot
A masterclass in gameplay and charm, Astro Bot bounced into the spotlight and stole our hearts.

Nominees:

• Baldur’s Gate 3

• Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II

• Metaphor: ReFantazio

• Thank Goodness You’re Here!

• Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

---

Animation

When pixels move with purpose and grace.

Winner: Astro Bot
Every flip, bounce, and blink was polished to perfection.

Nominees:

• Black Myth: Wukong

• Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II

• Still Wakes the Deep

• The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

• Tiny Glade

---

Artistic Achievement

A visual poetry of color, design, and emotion.

Winner: Neva
Hauntingly beautiful and emotionally rich — Neva painted stories without words.

Nominees:

• Astro Bot

• Black Myth: Wukong

• Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II

• Still Wakes the Deep

• Thank Goodness You’re Here!

---

Audio Achievement

Sound that lingers in the soul.

Winner: Astro Bot
From footstep echoes to melodic scores — Astro Bot’s audio elevated the entire experience.

Nominees:

• Black Myth: Wukong

• Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II

• Still Wakes the Deep

• The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

• Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

---

British Game

Celebrating homegrown brilliance.

Winner: Thank Goodness You’re Here!
Quirky, creative, and quintessentially British — this one stood out with style.

Nominees:

• Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II

• Still Wakes the Deep

• A Highland Song

• Tales of Kenzera: ZAU

• Neva

---

Debut Game

First steps that left a deep impression.

Winner: Balatro
A breakout hit that reshaped expectations.

Nominees:

• Animal Well

• Black Myth: Wukong

• Botany Manor

• Harold Halibut

• Paper Trail

---

Evolving Game

Constantly growing, endlessly engaging.

Winner: Vampire Survivors
A game that keeps on giving, redefining what “update” really means.

Nominees:

• No Man’s Sky

• Sea of Thieves

• Final Fantasy XIV Online

• Minecraft

• Factorio

---

Family

Games that bring everyone to the couch.

Winner: Astro Bot
A joyful romp suitable for kids and nostalgic adults alike.

Nominees:

• Super Mario Party Jamboree

• LEGO Horizon Adventures

• Little Kitty, Big City

• Cat Quest III

• Paper Trail

---

Game Beyond Entertainment

_When games teach, move, and inspire.

Winner: Tales of Kenzera: ZAU
Heartfelt storytelling and emotional resonance wrapped in gameplay.

Nominees:

• A Highland Song

• Botany Manor

• Neva

• Tchia

• Thank Goodness You’re Here!

---

Game Design

Where mechanics meet magic.

Winner: Astro Bot
From level structure to control — everything was brilliantly crafted.

Nominees:

• Balatro

• Helldivers 2

• Metaphor: ReFantazio

• Still Wakes the Deep

• Vampire Survivors

---

Multiplayer

Teamwork, chaos, and the thrill of online worlds.

Winner: Helldivers 2
Explosive co-op fun that kept players coming back for more.

Nominees:

• Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

• LEGO Horizon Adventures

• Super Mario Party Jamboree

• V Rising

• Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

---

Music

Melodies that stay with you even after the controller’s down.

Winner: Helldivers 2
Its soundtrack fueled the chaos, the calm, and everything in between.

Nominees:

• Astro Bot

• Black Myth: Wukong

• Metaphor: ReFantazio

• Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II

• Still Wakes the Deep

The BAFTA Games Awards 2025 proved once again that games are not just pixels and code — they are crafted with soul, heart, and imagination. 

From the whimsical worlds of Astro Bot to the emotional depth of Neva and Tales of Kenzera: ZAU, this year was a celebration of risk-taking, storytelling, and immersive artistry.

And if there’s one takeaway? The future of gaming is bold, beautiful, and incredibly bright.