Hellblade 2 on Xbox Leads the Pack in 2025 BAFTA Nominations

The shortlist for the 2025 BAFTA Games Awards has been unveiled, and it’s clear that Xbox Game Studios and Ninja Theory’s Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 is making waves with a whopping 12 nominations. However, despite its impressive showing across multiple categories, it was a surprise to see that Hellblade 2 didn’t make the cut for Best Game. This coveted spot is instead going to be fought over by stellar titles like Astro Bot, Balatro, Black Myth: Wukong, Helldivers 2, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, and Thank Goodness You’re Here!

In other notable mentions, PlayStation Studios and Team Asobi’s Astro Bot emerged as a strong contender, securing eight nominations. Not far behind is Game Science’s Black Myth: Wukong, which bagged seven nods. Astro Bot’s success streak continues, having already scooped Game of the Year honors at both the 28th D.I.C.E. Awards and the 2024 Game Awards.

One important thing to keep in mind is the awards’ eligibility cut-off date of November 15, 2024. This means that certain titles, like Bethesda Softworks MachineGames’ Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, missed this round but will have their shot next year.

Other nominations for Xbox productions include Blizzard Entertainment’s Diablo 4 and World of Warcraft, as well as Rare’s Sea of Thieves, all vying for Best Evolving Game.

Here’s a breakdown of the categories and the lucky nominees:

Animation:

• Astro Bot
• Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
• LEGO Horizon Adventures
• Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2
• Thank Goodness You’re Here!
• Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

Artistic Achievement:

• Astro Bot
• Black Myth Wukong
• Harold Halibut
• Neva
• Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2
• Still Wakes the Deep

Audio Achievement:

• Animal Well
• Astro Bot
• Helldivers 2
• Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2
• Star Wars Outlaws
• Still Wakes the Deep

Best Game:

• Astro Bot
• Balatro
• Black Myth: Wukong
• Helldivers 2
• The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
• Thank Goodness You’re Here!

British Game:

• A Highland Song
• LEGO Horizon Adventures
• Paper Trail
• Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2
• Still Wakes the Deep
• Thank Goodness You’re Here!

Debut Game:

• Animal Well
• Balatro
• Pacific Drive
• The Plucky Squire
• Tales of Kenzaru: ZAU
• Thank Goodness You’re Here

Evolving Game:

• Diablo 4
• Final Fantasy 14 Online
• No Man’s Sky
• Sea of Thieves
• Vampire Survivors
• World of Warcraft

Family:

• Astro Bot
• Cat Quest III
• LEGO Horizon Adventures
• Little Kitty, Big City
• The Plucky Squire
• Super Mario Party Jamboree

Games Beyond Entertainment:

• Botany Manor
• Kind Words 2
• Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2
• Tales of Kenzaru: ZAU
• Tetris Forever
• Vampire Therapist

Game Design:

• Animal Well
• Astro Bot
• Balatro
• Helldivers 2
• The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
• Tactical Breach Wizards

Multiplayer:

• Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
• Helldivers 2
• LEGO Horizon Adventures
• Super Mario Party Jamboree
• Tekken 8
• Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

Music:

• Astro Bot
• Black Myth: Wukong
• Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
• Helldivers 2
• Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2
• Star Wars Outlaws

Narrative:

• Black Myth: Wukong
• Dragon Age: The Veilguard
• Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
• Metaphor: ReFantazio
• Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2
• Still Wakes the Deep

New Intellectual Property:

• Animal Well
• Balatro
• Black Myth: Wukong
• Metaphor: ReFantazio
• Still Wakes the Deep
• Thank Goodness You’re Here!

Performer in a Leading Role:

• Alec Newman – Still Wakes the Deep
• Humberly González – Star Wars Outlaws
• Isabella Inchbald – INDIKA
• Luke Roberts – Silent Hill 2
• Melina Juergens – Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2
• Y’lan Noel – Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Performer in a Supporting Role:

• Abbi Greenland & Helen Goalen – Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2
• Aldís Amah Hamilton – Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2
• Jon Blyth – Thank Goodness You’re Here!
• Karen Dunbar – Still Wakes the Deep
• Matt Berry – Thank Goodness You’re Here!
• Michael Abubakar

Technical Achievement:

• Astro Bot
• Black Myth: Wukong
• Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
• Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2
• Tiny Glade
• Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

With such a diverse lineup, this year’s BAFTA Games Awards promise to be an exciting event loaded with top-tier talent and creative excellence. Whether you’re a diehard fan or a casual observer, there’s plenty to look forward to as we celebrate the incredible achievements in gaming.