Black Myth: Wukong Leads NAVGTR 2025 Award Nominations

The National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers (NAVGTR) has unveiled the nominees for its 24th annual awards, with Black Myth: Wukong and Metaphor: ReFantazio in the lead. 

NAVGTR awards will honor achievements across fifty two categories. Winners will be announced on March 12, 2025.

Black Myth: Wukong, developed and published by Game Science, leads with 20 nominations, including Game of the Year, Best Art Direction, and Best Original Dramatic Score.

Close behind is Metaphor: ReFantazio developed by Studio Zero and published by Atlus and Sega, which garnered 11 nominations, including Game of the Year and Best Character Design.

Other notable contenders include Helldivers 2 (10 nominations), Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II (9 nominations), and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 (8 nominations).

Nomination Totals (By Game) 

• Black Myth: Wukong – 20 (Publisher and developer: Game Science)
• Metaphor: ReFantazio – 11 (Publisher: Atlus, Developer: Studio Zero)
• Helldivers 2 – 10 (Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment, Developer: Arrowhead Game Studios)
• Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II – 09 (Publisher: Xbox Game Studios, Developer: Ninja Theory)
• Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 – 08 (Publisher: Focus Entertainment, Developer: Saber Interactive)
• Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 – 08 (Publisher: Activision, Developer: Treyarch)
• Stellar Blade – 07 (Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment, Developer: Shift Up)
• Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth – 07 (Publisher: SEGA, Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio)
• Indiana Jones and the Great Circle – 07 (Publisher: Bethesda Softworks, Developer: MachineGames)
• The Plucky Squire – 06 (Publisher: Devolver Digital, Developer: All Possible Futures)
• Harold Halibut – 06 (Publisher and developer:: Slow Bros)
• Star Wars Outlaws – 05 (Publisher: Ubisoft, Developer: Massive Entertainment)
• Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom – 05 (Publisher and developer: Nintendo)
• Astro Bot – 05 (Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment, Developer: Team Asobi)
• Thank Goodness You’re Here! – 03 (Publisher: Panic, Developer: Coal Supper)
• Tekken 8 – 03 (Publisher and developer: Bandai Namco)
• Tales of Kenzera: ZAU – 03 (Publisher: Electronic Arts, Developer: Surgent Studios)
• Still Wakes the Deep – 03 (Publisher: Secret Mode, Developer: The Chinese Room)
• Silent Hill 2 – 03 (Publisher: Konami, Developer: Bloober Team)
• Sand Land – 03 (Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment, Developer: ILCA)
• Neva – 03 (Publisher: Devolver Digital, Developer: Nomada Studio)
• MLB The Show 24 – 03 (Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment, Developer: San Diego Studio)
• Lego Horizon Adventures – 03 (Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment, Developer: Guerrilla Games / Studio Gobo)
• Indika – 03 (Publisher: 11 bit studios, Developer: Odd Meter)
• Dragon Age: The Veilguard – 03 (Publisher: Electronic Arts, Developer: BioWare)
• Death Game Hotel – 03 (Publisher and developer: Too Kyo Games)
• The Rise of the Golden Idol – 02 (Publisher: Playstack, Developer: Color Gray Games)
• The Outlast Trials – 02 (Publisher and developer: Red Barrels)
• Squirrel with a Gun – 02 (Publisher: Maximum Entertainment, Developer: Dee Dee Creations)
• Songs of the Hmong – 02 (Publisher and developer: TBD)
• Shadows over Loathing – 02 (Publisher and developer: Asymmetric)
• Outcast: A New Beginning – 02 (Publisher: THQ Nordic, Developer: Appeal Studios)
• Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition – 02 (Publisher and developer: Nintendo)
• News Tower – 02 (Publisher: Twin Sails Interactive, Developer: Sparrow Night)
• Maestro – 02 (Publisher and developer: TBD)
• Final Fantasy VII Rebirth – 02 (Publisher and developer: Square Enix)
• Expeditions: A MudRunner Game – 02 (Publisher: Focus Entertainment, Developer: Saber Interactive)
• Escaping Wonderland – 02 (Publisher and developer: TBD)
• Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden – 02 (Publisher: Focus Entertainment, Developer: DON’T NOD)
• Band Space – 02 (Publisher and developer: TBD)
• Balatro – 02 (Publisher: Playstack, Developer: LocalThunk)
• Alone in the Dark – 02 (Publisher: THQ Nordic, Developer: Pieces Interactive)
• Alien: Rogue Incursion – 02 (Publisher and developer: Survios)
• Aaero 2 – 02 (Publisher and developer: Mad Fellows Games)

This year’s awards also highlight the contributions of top developers and publishers. Game Science, Atlus, and Arrowhead Game Studios are among the leading developers, while Sony Interactive Entertainment, SEGA, and Nintendo dominate the publisher nominations. 

Since its inception, the NAVGTR Awards have honored over 7,146 individuals for their contributions to the gaming industry.

Full Nomination List

Animation, Artistic

Harold Halibut
Neva
The Plucky Squire
Princess Peach: Showtime
Stellar Blade

Animation, Technical

Black Myth: Wukong
Helldivers 2
Indika
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

Art Direction, Contemporary

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Helldivers 2
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
The Outlast Trials
The Plucky Squire

Art Direction, Fantasy

Metaphor: ReFantazio
Outcast: A New Beginning
Star Wars Outlaws
Tales of Kenzera: ZAU
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

Art Direction, Period Influence

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
Harold Halibut
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
News Tower
Stellar Blade

Camera Direction in a Game Engine

Astro Bot
Black Myth: Wukong
Metaphor: ReFantazio
Princess Peach: Showtime
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II

Character Design

Black Myth: Wukong
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Metaphor: ReFantazio
Outcast: A New Beginning
Stellar Blade

Control Design, 2D or Limited 3D/VR

Death Game Hotel
Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
Monument Valley 3
The Plucky Squire
VR Legs

Control Design, 3D

Astro Bot
Black Myth: Wukong
Helldivers 2
Metaphor: ReFantazio
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II

Control Precision

Astro Bot
Black Myth: Wukong
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
Tekken 8

Costume Design

Black Myth: Wukong
Metaphor: ReFantazio
Stellar Blade
Tekken 8
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

Direction in a Game Cinema

Black Myth: Wukong
Harold Halibut
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
Squirrel with a Gun

Direction in Virtual Reality

Alien: Rogue Incursion
Brazen Blaze
Death Game Hotel
The Exit 8 VR
Tomb Explorer VR

Engineering

Expeditions: A MudRunner Game
Metaphor: ReFantazio
Monument Valley 3
Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

Gameplay Design, Franchise

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Dragon Age: The Veilguard
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

Gameplay Design, New IP

Balatro
Black Myth: Wukong
Harold Halibut
Metaphor: ReFantazio
The Plucky Squire

Game of the Year

Black Myth: Wukong
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
Metaphor: ReFantazio
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

Game, Classic Revival

Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed
Luigi’s Mansion 2
Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door
Riven
Silent Hill 2

Game, Franchise Action

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Helldivers 2
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

Game, Franchise Adventure

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Star Wars Outlaws
Tintin Reporter: Cigars of the Pharoah

Game, Franchise Family

Astro Bot
Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition
Princess Peach: Showtime
Super Mario Party Jamboree

Game, Franchise Role Playing

Dragon Age: The Veilguard
Dragon’s Dogma 2
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

Game, Original Action

Black Myth: Wukong
Minishoot’ Adventures
Nine Sols
Stellar Blade
XDefiant

Game, Original Adventure

Death Game Hotel
Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE Plus
Still Wakes the Deep

Game, Original Family

All You Need is Help
Harold Halibut
The Plucky Squire

Game, Original Role Playing

Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden
Metaphor: ReFantazio
Sand Land
Unicorn Overlord

Game, Fighting

Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero
Tekken 8
Underdogs
Undisputed
WWE 2K24

Game, Puzzle

Animal Well
Balatro
Islands of Insight
Monument Valley 3
The Rise of the Golden Idol

Game, Racing

EXOcars
F1 24
MudRunner VR

Game, Rhythm

Aaero 2
Band Space
Maestro
Songs of the Hmong

Game, Simulation

Expeditions: A MudRunner Game
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
News Tower

Game, Special Class

1000xResist
Caves of Qud
DOS – Steve Pardo
Infinity Nikki
Squirrel with a Gun

Game, Sports

College Football 25
MLB The Show 24
NBA 2K25

Game, Strategy

Age of Mythology: Retold
Frostpunk 2
Tactical Breach Wizards

Graphics, Technical

Astro Bot
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Helldivers 2
Stellar Blade
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

Lighting/Texturing

Black Myth: Wukong
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
Indika
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II

Original Dramatic Score, Franchise

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Dragon Age: The Veilguard
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
Star Wars Outlaws

Original Dramatic Score, New IP

Black Myth: Wukong
Metaphor: ReFantazio
Neva
Pixel Noir
Rise of the Ronin
Stellar Blade

Original Light Mix Score, Franchise

Aaero 2
Alone in the Dark
Monument Valley 3
The Oregon Trail
Princess Peach: Showtime

Original Light Mix Score, New IP

Go-Go Town!
Hauntii
The Rise of the Golden Idol
Shadows over Loathing
Songs of the Hmong
Sorelle

Performance in a Comedy, Lead

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth – Kazuhiro Nakaya as “Ichiban Kasuga”
Sand Land – Mutsumi Tamura as “Beelzebub”
Thank Goodness You’re Here! – Matt Berry as “Various”

Performance in a Comedy, Supporting

Escaping Wonderland – Jason Anthony as “Various”
Escaping Wonderland – Joe Gaudet as “Various”
Helldivers 2 – Craig Lee Thomas as “Super Earth Spokesperson”
Sand Land – Chô as “Thief”
Thank Goodness You’re Here! – Jon Blyth as “Various”

Performance in a Drama, Lead

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle – Troy Baker as “Indiana Jones”
Silent Hill 2 – Luke Roberts as “James Sunderland”
Star Wars Outlaws – Humberly González as “Kay Vess”
Still Wakes the Deep – Alec Newman as “Caz McLeary”
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 – Clive Standen as “Lieutenant Demetrian Titus”

Performance in a Drama, Supporting

Black Myth: Wukong – Megan Richards as “The Second Sister”
Black Myth: Wukong – Arina Li as “Rakshasi”
Black Myth: Wukong – Andrew Koji as “Erlang”
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle – Alessandra Mastronardi as “Gina”
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle – Marios Gavrilis as “Emmerich”
Silent Hill 2 – Salóme Gunnarsdóttir as “Mary”

Song, Original or Adapted

Black Myth: Wukong – I See
Black Myth: Wukong – Listen Not
Delta Force – Dawn
Honor of Kings: Misty Marshes – To Be Continued
MLB The Show 24 – Dancer
MLB The Show 24 – La Canción Feliz del Disco featuring Milo j

Sound Editing in a Game Cinema

Alone in the Dark
Black Myth: Wukong
Helldivers 2
Lego Horizon Adventures
Star Wars Outlaws

Sound Effects

Black Myth: Wukong
Helldivers 2
Lego Horizon Adventures
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
Tales of Kenzera: ZAU

Sound Mixing in Virtual Reality

Alien: Rogue Incursion
Band Space
Maestro
Mixture VR
Silent Slayer: Vault of the Vampire

Use of Sound, Franchise

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Helldivers 2
Lego Horizon Adventures
The Outlast Trials
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II

Use of Sound, New IP

Harold Halibut
Mullet Madjack
Neva
Still Wakes the Deep
Tales of Kenzera: ZAU

Writing in a Comedy

Helldivers 2
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
The Plucky Squire
Shadows over Loathing
Thank Goodness You’re Here!

Writing in a Drama

Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden
Black Myth: Wukong
Indika
Metaphor: ReFantazio
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II