Blue Prince Is the GOTY Indie Contender to Beat — Until Hades 2 Drops

Blue Prince is crushing it. Dogubomb’s freaky, stylish puzzle-box mansion game is the breakout indie hit of 2025 so far — and it’s currently sitting as the best-reviewed game of the year. If The Game Awards happened tomorrow, yeah, it’d probably snag a Game of the Year nomination.

But it’s not November. It’s April. And as strong as Blue Prince looks now, the GOTY indie slot is always a bloodbath. History shows us that the rules are different when you’re a small studio. Only five indie games have ever even made it into the final six. Never more than one per year. Never a win.

“All video games are equal, but some are more equal than others.”

Are you wondering if it's worth trying? We’ve covered a beginner’s guide for Blue Prince if you started playing or might be starting. Maybe this will better clarify the situation and what kind of game this is.

It’s got the numbers, though. With a 92 Metascore, Blue Prince hits that sweet spot of broad acclaim. But critical reception alone isn’t enough. Racing games, strategy sims, and even some RPGs can score just as high and never get a nod. Indie games walk a thinner line — they need high scores and cultural takeover-level buzz.

The tricky part? Indie Game of the Year picks usually become the indie story of the year. And when that happens, others get shoved aside. Last year, Balatro made it all the way with glowing reviews and a perfectly timed mobile launch that kept it in the spotlight just before voting season.

Meanwhile, UFO 50 and Animal Well, which were arguably just as good, got zero GOTY love. Despite strong reviews, they simply didn’t pull the same crowd. That kind of narrative momentum matters more than people admit. Reviewers, critics, and players all have short memories — and long award shortlists.

“To put it simply, everyone was playing it.”

The same pattern shows up again and again. Stray in 2022. Hades in 2020. Celeste in 2018. Inside in 2016. Every one of them had their moment. Stray even pulled a nomination with a Metascore of just 83 — and that was mostly off the power of its cat game vibes and visual polish.

What makes Blue Prince a contender is that it's in the conversation. Right now, people are dissecting every puzzle, trading theories, and digging through lore. It feels “authored,” like there’s a real vision behind it. Designer Tonda Ros definitely left fingerprints all over this thing.

And while its raw sales aren’t exploding just yet, availability on Game Pass and PlayStation Plus is a cheat code. It’s going to keep growing, especially among puzzle freaks and critics who love a slow burn. This is a game people talk about, not just play.

But.

Hades 2 exists.

“If another indie game comes along that is just as well reviewed and even more popular, Blue Prince’s nomination is toast.”

Supergiant’s sequel is already in early access and pulling massive numbers. It’s got that “next stage of an already huge hit” polish. It’s familiar, smooth, and much more action-heavy. If it launches fully this year on PC and Switch 2, it’ll own the spotlight. And there’s only room for one indie darling at the top.

Let’s be real: Hades 2 isn’t just a threat because it’s good. It’s the safer pick. Critics already know they love Supergiant. Players already know what they’re getting. It’s shiny, loud, and cool. Compared to Blue Prince, which is dense, weird, and deliberately mysterious, it’s an easier sell.

Still, we’re early in the year. If both games stay hot and finish strong, there’s a sliver of hope they could share the stage. But that would be a first. It’s never happened. And even then, did they win the actual award? That’s another wall entirely.

“We should live in a world where one of them might actually win. But, for now, we don’t.”

So, enjoy Blue Prince while it’s still the indie front-runner. It’s got the brains, the vibe, and the buzz — just not the guarantee. If Hades 2 hits full release this year, the spotlight may shift fast. And what if another indie hits big in late fall? The mansion door might slam shut.

For now, though? It’s the one to beat.