2025 has brought hit after hit, from Ubisoft’sAssassin’s Creed: Shadowsto Capcom’sMonster Hunter Wilds. While triple-A giants typically dominate the Game of the Year race, the surprise contenderBlue Prince, a brilliant indie puzzle game, might just claim the crown.
Although the title hasn’t even been released yet, gamers across Twitter/X have quickly praisedBlue Prince, withone postdeclaring, “Pretty sure I’ve played the GOTY for 2025, and its name isBlue Prince.” Having experienced its brilliance firsthand duringmy review, I can confidently say it has all the qualities of the year’s best. It’s a refreshing, innovative addition to the puzzle genre, where you must constantly reshape your thinking.
At the heart of it all liesBlue Prince’sdistinctive approach to navigating the vast Mt. Holly manor, as the layouts and puzzles change on a daily basis. Because of this unique approach,Blue Princehas now taken the top spot onMetacritic’sBest Games This Year, surpassing hits likeSplit Fiction,Monster Hunter Wilds, andKingdom Come Deliverance: 2.
Blue Princesits at a comfortable 92 out of 100 rating based on reviews from multiple gaming outlets. What’s even more spectacular is thatBlue Princemarks Dogubomb’s first project, a remarkable achievement for an indie game developer so new to the scene.
I’m intrigued to see how the review scores will evolve onceBlue Princedebuts on April 10. The player base is likely to be substantial as it will be available in both the Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus catalogs from Day One. Depending on the reception, it could even result in a higher score.
WhileBlue Princeis emerging as a strong contender for GOTY 2025, a few titles could still claim the title. By the end of April, the star-studdedClair Obscur: Expedition 33will be released, followed byDoom: The Dark Agesin May. And, of course, we can’t overlook the highly anticipated debut ofGrand Theft Auto 6, a game so formidable that evenSplit Fiction’sdirector, Josef Fares, believes it will be tough to rival for the GOTY title. Additionally, the launch of Nintendo Switch 2 games is poised to introduce a few potential hits of its own. We’ll just have to see how the rest of the year unfolds.
