The 2025 Nordic Game Awards have officially wrapped up, celebrating the best games to come out of the Nordic region in the past year. From Sweden to Norway, Finland, Iceland and Denmark, developers showcased their creativity, technical prowess, and storytelling chops across a wide range of categories. Here are all the winners from this year’s ceremony:
Nordic Game of the Year
Winner: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Developer: MachineGames (Sweden)
The long-anticipated action-adventure from MachineGames swung into the top spot this year. With thrilling set pieces and a cinematic feel that captures the spirit of the legendary archaeologist, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle claimed the biggest award of the night.
Nordic Game of the Year – Small Screen
This irreverent, time-traveling comedy adventure stood out for its creativity and humor on mobile and handheld devices. The Holy Gosh Darn blends absurdity with clever puzzles, earning it top honors in the small screen category.
Check it out on Steam
Best Art
Winner: Miniatures
Developer: Other Tales Interactive (Denmark)
Delicate, intricate, and deeply atmospheric, Miniatures wowed the jury with its striking visual style. The Danish studio’s attention to detail and unique aesthetic made this a standout in the art category.
Check it out on Steam
Best Game Design
Winner: Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
Developer: Simogo (Sweden)
With its mind-bending puzzles and non-linear structure, Lorelei and the Laser Eyes is a masterclass in interactive design. Simogo continues to push boundaries, and the game’s complex, layered mechanics earned it the nod for best game design.
Check it out on Steam
Best Technology
Winner: Satisfactory
Developer: Coffee Stain Studios (Sweden)
Few games have evolved as impressively as Satisfactory. Coffee Stain’s factory-building sim continues to dazzle with its technical achievements, from seamless co-op to sprawling environments and intricate automation systems.
Check it out on Steam
Best Audio
Winner: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Developer: MachineGames (Sweden)
MachineGames scored a second win for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, this time for its stellar audio work. From sweeping orchestral scores to immersive soundscapes and punchy action cues, the audio design plays a huge role in bringing Indy’s world to life.
Best Fun for Everyone
Winner: Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley
Developer: Hyper Games (Norway)
A warm, musical adventure that’s accessible for all ages, Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley captures the spirit of Tove Jansson’s beloved world. With charming visuals and a soothing soundtrack, it’s a feel-good game that welcomes everyone.
Check it out on Steam
Best Debut
Winner: Mouthwashing
Developer: Wrong Organ (Sweden)
Weird, bold, and refreshingly original, Mouthwashing made a splash as one of the most unique indie debuts of the year. Wrong Organ’s experimental approach helped the game carve out a niche of its own and impressed the jury with its vision.
Check it out on Steam
People’s Choice Award
Winner: Pao Pao
Developer: ArtDock (Moldova)
This year’s People’s Choice Award went to Pao Pao, a chaotic and colorful blend of culinary diving and animal madness. You run your own restaurant, gather ingredients, go fishing, and serve wild orders, all while managing the madness solo or with friends. Though not from a Nordic studio, Pao Pao was featured at the venue and quickly won over the crowd with its charm and frantic fun. The audience spoke, and Pao Pao took the crown.
Check it out on Steam
The Nordic Game Awards continue to spotlight some of the most innovative and exciting titles in the global games industry. This year’s winners reflect the diversity and creativity that define the Nordic scene, and they’re well worth checking out if you haven’t already.