A reader goes through every Game of the Year winner at The Game Awards, from 2014 to now, and decides what games he would have chosen instead.
So by now it’s confirmed what many predicted, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was Game of the Year at this year’s The Game Awards. I thought I’d take a look at the previous winners and whether they’d be my pick for game of the year or not.
2014 – Actual winner: Dragon Age Inquisition; My winner: Mario Kart 8
For me this was a weak year and I struggled to find any games I had a great love for. I’ve never played Dragon Age and although I never played Mario Kart 8 on the Wii U I have enjoyed the Switch version.
2015 – Actual winner: The Witcher 3; My winner: Batman: Arkham Knight
I know a lot of people have a great appreciation of The Witcher 3 but I’ve struggled with it. I think there’s some really interesting storylines and characters, such as the Bloody Baron storyline. However, I struggle with the combat, potion making, and the inventory system. Many consider Arkham Knight to be the weakest of the series but although the tank sections can be tedious the combat and gameplay is arguably the best the series has to offer.
2016 – Actual winner: Overwatch; My winner: Inside
Given I have only a passing interest in online multiplayer and first person shooter games Overwatch was never in consideration. I was torn between Uncharted 4 and Inside. Inside won out in the end – such a great game, that I’ve come back to several times.
2017: Actual winner: Zelda: Breath Of The Wild; My winner: Breath Of The Wild
Super Mario Odyssey would be my runner-up but in the end I have to agree that Breath Of The Wild was a worthy winner. I struggled with the game initially, as I wasn’t sure what I was meant to be doing, but when I eventually got into it I was totally sold and now consider it my favourite game of all time.
2018: Actual winner: God Of War; My winner: Red Dead Redemption 2
2018 was a great year and God Of War is a worthy winner. I also have a lot of love for Marvel’s Spider-Man. However, my winner is Red Dead Redemption 2. A slow, ponderous game that takes a while to get going and is arguably too long. However, it’s also one of the best experiences I’ve had with a video game, with flawed and complex characters, an engaging narrative, and an argument for one of the best ever open world environments.
2019: Actual winner: Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice; My winner: Resident Evil 2
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Since Elden Ring has been my first and only FromSoftware game to date I can’t really comment on Sekiro. For me, then, the winner would be Resident Evil 2. As someone who’s old enough to have played the original I have to praise what they achieved with the remake, by bringing the game up to modern standards whilst retaining what made it so great in the first place. I would have to say as well, though, that the Remedy game Control also deserves an honourable mention as my runner-up for Game of the Year 2019.
2020: Actual winner: The Last Of Us Part 2; My winner: The Last Of Us Part 2
2020, for me, was a quieter year for interesting games. Some of the titles that did well, like Hades and Animal Crossing, just aren’t for me. However, am a big fan of The Last Of Us and for me the sequel was a worthy follow-up that dared to push the story forward in unexpected and interesting ways.
2021: Actual winner: It Takes Two, My winner: Forza Horizon 5
It Takes Two no doubt is a game I’d probably very much enjoy but unfortunately, I don’t know who I’d play it with. My wife, who isn’t a gamer, had a go but gave up after 15 minutes. Therefore, my Game of the Year is Forza Horizon 5. Generally speaking, I’m not a big fan of racing games. However, Forza Horizon is the exception. Don’t like racing either? Then there’s still speed traps to activate, stunts and jumps, drifting and, of course, just enjoying the frankly obscenely beautiful scenery and graphics.
2022: Actual winner: Elden Ring; My winner: Elden Ring
I played a lot of this game in 2022. At first, I struggled but with perseverance and some internet help I started to (somewhat) get the hang of it. Always challenging and at times frustrating, I don’t think any other game has given me the same level of satisfaction at beating an enemy after numerous tries. Although I never finished the game after getting stuck, it’s one that will live long in the memory.
2023: Actual winner: Baldur’s Gate 3; My winner: Alan Wake 2
This was a tough year. If I’m being honest, my real winner would be Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom but I felt I should give it to another game since Breath Of The Wild was my winner in 2017. Super Mario Bros. Wonder was also considered. In the end I think Alan Wake 2 just edged it, mainly in part due to the musical scene, which was unlike anything I’ve seen before in a video game.
2024: Actual winner: Astro Bot; My winner: Astro Bot
As one of the few games I have managed to get a platinum trophy for, I found Astro Bot just an absolute joy, despite the utter frustration of replaying the final challenge level over and over again. I hope there’s a follow-up before long. I’d also like to show some love for the underappreciated Star Wars Outlaws, which I played on the Switch 2 this year.
2025: Actual winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33; My winner: undecided
I’ve played a fair few games this year but mostly ones that released in other years. I’ve played a bit of Clair Obscur but only for an hour or so and intend to give it a fair shot over the next few weeks. At the moment I’d probably say either Mario Kart World or Donkey Kong Bananza would also be in the running, but although I enjoyed both they’re not without fault.
By reader matc7884
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