With so much discourse surrounding this year’s The Game Awards, I felt compelled to give my opinion on previous winners and which game I personally believe should’ve taken the hardware home that year. Nobody asked me, to be sure, but that didn’t seem to affect the draw of the keyboard, so here we are. What could possibly go wrong?
A quick caveat, I’m treating this like I’m voting in the moment for that year’s Game of the Year award, so there are some games I didn’t get to within the year.
2014
Winner – Dragon Age: Inquisition
My GOTY – The Evil Within
I’ve always been a huge fan of Survival Horror games. Resident Evil, Silent Hill, I couldn’t get enough. Enter this new IP directed by Resident Evil creator, Shinji Mikami. The 3rd-person mind bender of a supernatural story had me hooked and desperate to share the terror with friends. The Evil Within was like a shot of nostalgia with it’s tank like controls and aversion to giving me a lot of ammo. I’ll never truly be comfortable hearing Clair de Lune now, so thanks to Tango Gameworks for that!
Runners-Up – Child of Light and Shadow of Mordor
2015
Winner – The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
My GOTY – The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The Game Awards and I were in lock-step this year. The Witcher 3 is rightly considered one of the greatest games ever made and I certainly place it high on my all-time list. The action RPG from CD Projekt Red was my introduction to Geralt of Rivia and I became immediately enamored with everything The Continent had to offer. I was hooked on the combat, wielding a steel or silver sword depending on the encounter (both are for monsters) as well as weaving in Witcher signs kept me experimenting with the combat. But the true pull of the game was the world it dragged me into and the characters that I grew desperate to spend time with (as my 1000+ hours can attest to).
Runner-Up – Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
2016
Winner – Overwatch
I had a great many people telling me how great this game was when it was released. The “hero shooter“ is apparently listed among the greatest video games of all time but it failed miserably to keep my attention. I’m not saying it’s a bad game, but it’s definitely not for me. It’s an online only, story-less shooter that, for me, was a few hours of my time here or there with friends, but otherwise I’d rather make a dent in my backlog.
My GOTY – The Witcher 3 Blood and Wine expansion
So, this might feel like cheating, but The Witcher 3 expansion Blood and Wine was what kept my Witcher obsession turned to 11. The expansion brought me to the City of Beauclair and introduced fans of the gaming series to the den of vampires that the city seemingly was, the demands and drama of the local nobility, and color. Toussaint wasn’t just another region in the depressing world of The Witcher, it was a colorful breath of fresh air for those who have spent an ungodly amount of time in muddy Velen or question mark hunting in the dangerous waters of Skellige.
Runner-Up – Final Fantasy XV
2017
Winner – The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
I hadn’t managed to finish Breath of the Wild by the end of 2017, nor really spent a solid amount of time with the open world Nintendo epic. It wasn’t until a few years later that I’d have my own Switch and could sink hours upon hours exploring Hyrule and angrily worrying about weapon durability.
My GOTY – Horizon: Zero Dawn
This year had very stiff competition and choosing one game was difficult for me. However, while I was perusing my screenshots I was reminded of why Horizon: Zero Dawn is truly my 2017 Game of the Year. While other games were enjoyable or even great, they failed to put my brain in a vice in the way that Horizon did. The action RPG made by Guerrilla Games created a huge open world filled to the absolute brim with interesting things. While I was out finding new armor or weapons for Aloy I found myself repeatedly side-tracked and endlessly fascinated by the world around me. A post-apocalyptic version of our own world, occupied by humans who have no recollection of the civilization before. All whilst trying to utilize those new found weapons to take down the increasingly aggressive robotic fauna in the middle of trying to get a good screenshot next to the dilapidated skyscrapers was an exhilarating experience that earns Zero Dawn the top spot this year.
Runners-Up – Persona 5 and Resident Evil Biohazard
2018
Winner – God of War
My GOTY – God of War
Sometimes The Game Awards just get it right. God of War, the cathartic action-adventure from Santa Monica Studios, hooked me with that awesome axe and amazing looking world, and kept me glued to my seat with the story and characters, something I wasn’t really expecting with a God of War game. Gone are the days of leaping into the air while endlessly slicing and dicing whatever happened to pass by your rage-fueled protagonist. Instead, I got an introspective Kratos saying goodbye to his wife and going on a journey with his young son to fulfill her final wish. Having just become a father myself, I could easily relate to an insanely powerful and infinitely angry God, which made all those epic battles all the more satisfying.
Runner-up – Red Dead Redemption 2
2019
Winner – Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (never played)
My GOTY – Resident Evil 2
This year had a source of nightmares that I knew I’d enjoy because I already played the hell out of the original Resident Evil 2. A remake of the 1998 Capcom classic, was right at the top of my wanted list and it was just about perfect. Now we’re over the shoulders of either Claire Redfield or rookie cop Leon S. Kennedy while they frolic amongst the recently reanimated dead of scenic mountain town, Raccoon City. Despite the shiny new horror constantly finding its way to my TV screen, I couldn’t remove the smile from my face. Resident Evil 2 was an injection of pure nostalgia with incredible graphics and no more tank controls (yay?).
Runner-Up – Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
2020
Winner – The Last of Us Part II
My GOTY – The Last of Us Part II
I tried really hard to choose a different game this year. There were several in close contention, but eventually I had to admit that The Last of Us Part II was a cut above the rest in 2020. The sequel to the 2013 masterpiece had big shoes to fill and they set out to do just that. The world was bigger, bleaker, and more unforgiving than it ever was in Joel and Ellie’s first outing. This post apocalypse world filled with fungas infested zombie-like monsters (and far worse) was always a horrifying place to imagine yourself in. But the gritty realism of the world Naughty Dog put gamers in brought out the unsettling reality that whatever monstrosities nature could throw at us, nothing is scarier than people. I struggle to call this game “fun“. It’s not exactly an enjoyable romp, but the story and characters and the peril around every tree or overgrown building is enough to keep you heavily engaged. This is one of those games, much like the original, that stays with you for a long time and can be a point of contested debate amongst fans.
Runners-Up – Ghost of Tsushima and Final Fantasy VII Remake
2021
Winner – It Takes Two
It Takes Two is a charming and undeniably fun co-op platformer by Hazelight Studios. The forced cooperative play can lead to hilarious tests of friendships (and marriages…) and overcoming the innovative mechanics over split-screen and yelling is very satisfying. It doesn’t reach that top tier for 2021 for me though. I did have a lot of fun playing it, but I needed constant breaks due to the intense interractions with my friend and his impressively bad play (all his fault…). I could never really settle into the story or the conflict between the characters because I was waiting for the next infuriating and eventually hilarious co-op puzzle.
My GOTY – Resident Evil Village
Yet another Survival Horror graces the winner circle for met his year. Resident Evil Village brings back the first person perspective from Resident Evil Biohazard as well as protagonist Ethan Winters. This time you’re traipsing around an Eastern European castle hamlet seemingly overflowing with horrific beasts straight out of a gritty retelling of childhood fairy tales. Obviously, I loved it. The RE Engine helped keep the gun play tight and the movement responsive, but it was the atmosphere that kept drawing me in. The dark landscape and gothic backdrop added to the tension of every new area poor Ethan explored.
Runner-Up – Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy
2022
Winner – Elden Ring
As I mentioned, I’m not one to enjoy the punishment of crushingly difficult games as much as I used to. In my short window to play games I prefer to make some progress and relax and enjoy my time. Elden Ring did not provide me that. To be fair, I had a lot of fun running through areas in the open world that I had no right to be in, screaming while trying to find something that can help me achieve some sort of comfort or confidence that I’d survive the next enemy encounter. However, once my armor, weapon, pride, and will to live was all shoved viciously down my throat for an embarrassingly number of times, I had to admit that this FromSoftware game was just not for me. For my inability to “Git Gud“ I am to remain maidenless.
My GOTY – God of War: Ragnarok
Ragnarok took what 2018 God of War did and just amped it up and gave me more of it, which is enough to be a great game and a very enjoyable sequel. What pushed this game into my personal Game of the Year was, like the previous entry in this Cory Barlog led series, the story. It remains the most personally impactful game of my adult life and the fact that I get to do battle with Thor (!) puts the Norse frosting on this action-adventure cake.
Runner-Up – Horizon: Forbidden West
2023
Winner – Baldur’s Gate 3
My GOTY – Baldur’s Gate 3
There was no denying Baldur’s Gate 3 its much deserved GOTY award this year. Larian Studios created a masterpiece of player agency with their RPG taking place in the Forgotten Realms of Dungeons & Dragons fame and letting players freely roam through its expansive world, affecting all sorts of chaos and hijinks along the way. The turn-based combat is complex but allows, like every aspect of the game, incredible freedom in crafting your playstyle. A testament to the game’s design is the fact that it seems with every playthrough I find different things. Not just MY playthroughs, by the way, but my friend’s too. Even the ones we’ve played together (multiplayer!) have yielded wildly different paths and outcomes and conversations, even after our combined 1000s of hours played. This game stays permanently installed.
Runners-Up – Final Fantasy XVI and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
2024
Winner – Astro Bot
Team Asobi made a wonderful and addictively fun platformer in Astro Bot, not to mention an charming mascot for PlayStation. The game is gorgeous and challenging without being too frustrating, and acts as a perfect love letter to PlayStation fans. The competition this year was just too much for Astro to handle this year.
My GOTY – Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth
Final Fantasy VII is many people’s first foray into the long running series, and possibly their first JRPG in general. Square Enix hoped to recapture the wonder players felt when they first left the suffocating city of Midgar (explored in FF7 Remake as well) and perhaps it’s those ever-present nostalgia colored glasses, but when I stepped out into the wide open world I was shocked. My jaw rarely receded from the floor as I explored the expansive landscapes that somehow felt as familiar as the original despite being fully 3D and highly detailed. The hybrid action combat paired with the Active Time Battle system of the original makes every battle exciting and satisfying. Rebirth can offer new fans a chance to explore one of the most beloved worlds ever created while giving old heads (like me) a chance to see their childhood the same way they imagined it looked back in their youth.
Runners-Up – Astro Bot and Metaphor: ReFantazio
2025
Winner – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
My GOTY – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Yeah, I know, “yawn, boring, lame“ but I can’t help it! I’m currently listening to the soundtrack right now. Art from the Expedition 33 adorns my phone’s background and my living room wall. The characters and world, the story and the choices, these are all reasons why Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 sits atop my 2025 GOTY list and why it continues to climb higher on my all-time list as well. The turn-based combat is strategic but not inactive, as there is plenty of opportunity to fail a dodge or parry and come face to face with the “Expedition Failed“ screen. There’s loads of customization, not just of the characters, but with the builds you can create. Exploration is a joy as you traverse a smaller scale but gorgeous, vibrant overworld map. I know it’s increasingly exhausting hearing about how great Sandfall Interactive’s RPG is, but for me, it clears that bar and gets better with every playthrough.
Runners-Up – Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter and Lunar Remastered Collection
How wrong was I? Who do you have winning Game of the Year each year? Let us know in the comments! And hey, give yourself an award for reading all of this! You’re a legend!
