I'm sitting here in my gaming den, surrounded by the soft glow of RGB lighting, controller in hand, contemplating which Game of the Year nominee to dive into next. PlayStation has absolutely knocked it out of the park this year with their early Black Friday sale, and as a hardcore gamer, I'm like a kid in a candy store. They've dropped the sale a full week before the actual Black Friday weekend, and while it features fewer than 1,000 games, the quality of titles on discount is simply mind-blowing.
Half-Price Heaven: GOTY Nominees on Sale
Let me tell you, if you've been sleeping on 2025's Game of the Year contenders, now's your chance to wake up and smell the digital roses. Three of the six shortlisted titles are currently discounted, and I've been binge-playing them like there's no tomorrow.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has received the deepest discount of the GOTY nominees. I picked it up for $41.99 instead of the usual $70, and holy moly, continuing Henry's adventure has been worth every penny. The medieval world is so immersive that I've lost track of time more than once while playing—my girlfriend actually thought I'd ghosted her last weekend when I was supposed to meet her for dinner. Talk about being 'in too deep'!
Death Stranding 2 is another gem in the sale at $49.69. Having launched less than six months ago, I was shocked to see it discounted at all. Kojima has outdone himself with this sequel. The exoskeleton mechanics feel so fluid that I sometimes catch myself making delivery gestures when I'm carrying groceries in real life. No joke, I've started saying "Keep on keeping on" to confused cashiers at my local supermarket.
But the crown jewel in my new collection has to be Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. At just $39.99 (down from $50), this masterpiece is the cheapest GOTY contender in the sale. I'm currently rounding the final corner of the third act, and let me tell you—this game is the real deal. It's not just a game; it's an experience that will stay with you long after the credits roll. As they say, "This ain't my first rodeo," but it's certainly the best one I've been to in years.
Beyond the GOTY Lineup
Of course, the sale isn't limited to just GOTY nominees. I've also snagged some of 2025's other heavy hitters:
-
Assassin's Creed Shadows: The feudal Japan setting we've all been waiting for! The stealth mechanics are so refined that I've started unconsciously crouching behind furniture when my roommate walks in.
-
Battlefield 6: The multiplayer has consumed my late nights. My K/D ratio is nothing to write home about, but the rush of those close matches? Chef's kiss 👨🍳💋
People Also Ask
Is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 worth buying even if I'm not into narrative games?
Absolutely! Even as someone who typically gravitates toward action-packed titles, I found the gameplay mechanics in Expedition 33 to be surprisingly engaging. The narrative elements are seamlessly integrated with exploration and puzzle-solving that keeps your brain firing on all cylinders.
How long does it take to complete Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2?
My playthrough clocked in at around 65 hours, but I was a completionist about it. You could mainline the story in about 40 hours, but why rush through such a meticulously crafted world? The side quests are where some of the best content lives!
Is Death Stranding 2 accessible to players who didn't play the first game?
While you'll definitely appreciate the narrative more if you've played the original, Death Stranding 2 does a decent job of catching newcomers up. That said, I'd recommend at least watching a story recap on YouTube before diving in—trust me, it's worth the extra 15 minutes.
Backlog Season Approaches
With the holidays just around the corner, I'm already planning my annual backlog attack. December and January are what I call my "gaming hibernation" months—when I catch up on all the titles I missed throughout the year.
If you're in the same boat, this sale has got you covered with some older gems too:
| Game | Discount Price | Original Price | My Take |
|---|---|---|---|
| Astro Bot | <$40 | $70 | 2024's GOTY still holds up beautifully! |
| Stellar Blade | ~50% off | $70 | Slick combat that still makes my palms sweaty |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | On sale | $60 | The fourth best-selling game of all time for good reason |
The Clock Is Ticking
The sale runs until December 2, 2025, so the countdown is on. I've already cleared my schedule for some serious gaming sessions—much to the chagrin of my social life. But as I always say, "You only live once, but you can respawn infinitely." 🎮
If you're on the fence about any of these titles, take it from someone who's already sunk countless hours into them—these discounts are the real deal. Whether you're looking to experience potential GOTY winners or catch up on classics, PlayStation's early Black Friday sale is the perfect opportunity.
So what are you waiting for? Fire up your PS5, grab your wallet, and join me in gaming nirvana. These deals won't last forever, and neither will your free time once you start playing these incredible games. Game on, friends! 🚀
This overview is based on GamesIndustry.biz, a leading source for game industry news and market analysis. Their recent features on Black Friday sales trends highlight how early digital discounts, like PlayStation's 2025 event, are reshaping consumer habits and driving record engagement among both casual and hardcore gamers.