The Game Awards GOTY
The Game Awards is an annual awards ceremony honouring achievements in the video game industry. Established in 2014, the shows are produced and hosted by game journalist Geoff Keighley. These are the titles which took out the prestigious "Game of the Year" category.
Games
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
It happened! I've had trouble getting into this type of game, but they've done it. Clair Obscur's haunting beauty is very cleverly combined with slick turn-based combat, which is punched up with realtime mechanics like parrying and dodging. Diverse and satisfying buildcrafting, a great story, an intriguing world, compelling characters and excellent VA - and all atop an unforgettable soundtrack. It's focused, emotional, confident, and it all works. A rare gem that proves a vision and creative freedom can trump budget and team size. Ripper game.
Astro Bot
A triumph for platforming fans, blending nostalgia with fresh and ridiculously creative mechanics. Team Asobi's clever level design and charming PlayStation callbacks make for smile after smile. A polished, joyous, heartwarming adventure that's hard to put down.
Elden Ring
So masterfully crafted, creative, confident and bold that it immediately makes the rest of the openworld genre feel dated and uninspired. A landmark achievement and a very special game. Masterpiece.
It Takes Two
I wish there were more truly co-op games like this. I could have done without all the cutscene interruptions, but almost everything else makes up for it. Lovingly crafted and quite funny at times.
The Last of Us Part II
Harrowing and emotionally challenging, a game has never left me feeling the way I did as I stared through tears at the credits of The Last of Us Part II. This is a masterpiece I love so much, but may never play again.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
The latest game by FROM is just as challenging as its predecessors, while taking things in a different direction: combat is more demanding, the world is more vertical & platformy. Extremely good.
God of War
One of the best games of its generation and a shining example of how to do reboots creatively and exceedingly well. Great characters, story, combat and world. Super ambitious and pulls it all off.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
I have no idea how Nintendo did this. It takes mechanics and gamedesign inspiration from all over the industry, and improves on basically all of them. Constantly impressive and gratifying - one of the best games ever made.
Overwatch
At launch, fresh and exciting. A level of polish and characterisation not really seen in PVP-focused shooters before. Devolved a bit over time, seemingly driven by meta enforcement, unsure whether to target the pro or casual scene.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
I had to install this and try to like it five times. I'm sure theres a good game somewhere among the dotted line GPS, braindead quests and interruptions at every turn, but I kinda can't be bothered finding it.