As a seasoned gamer who’s witnessed the evolution of gaming since the days of pixelated pixels and monochrome screens, I can confidently say that some games have left a profound impact on me that transcends the mere act of playing. They become etched in my memory, like cherished memories of old friends or moments of triumph, and none more so than the games listed here.
Each year, the video game industry honors exceptional titles by presenting awards, and The Game Awards stands out as the most significant annual event in this sphere.
Initially titled the Spike Video Game Awards, this ceremony has been ongoing since 2003, with the purpose of recognizing games that have captured both the praise of critics and the enthusiasm of gamers.
In our line of work, there’s often a degree of personal preference involved when assessing games. As a result, the chosen winner may not always be universally admired.
Rather than focusing on the top games of the year, let’s shine a spotlight on 10 exceptional titles that should have won Game of the Year, but ultimately missed out.
10 Mass Effect 2
Sci-fi Masterpiece
Known as a standout title within the franchise, it’s widely regarded that Mass Effect 2 ranks among the best science fiction video games ever made. This is due to BioWare crafting an exceptional Role-Playing Game (RPG) that was remarkable in every aspect.
2010 saw the continuation of Commander Shepard’s journey, but it was overshadowed by the captivating “Red Dead Redemption” from Rockstar Games, another worthy competitor that truly earned its recognition.
Yet, just as impressive today as it was back then, Mass Effect 2 continues to stand tall as the zenith of its series.
Conversely, over time, Red Dead Redemption seems to have aged significantly more so, considering that its successor surpassed it in all aspects, which, looking back, can make the former’s triumph appear somewhat unbalanced, but only slightly.
9 Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Best Prequel Ever Made
As a dedicated gamer, I’ve seen every major release of the legendary Metal Gear Solid series vying for the prestigious Game of the Year award. Yet, despite the immense acclaim that classics like Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater have garnered, they’ve all fallen short in securing this coveted title.
Generally speaking, within the gaming community, the third installment is often considered the top choice in the series. However, it wasn’t able to dethrone GTA: San Andreas as the undisputed champion.
Two decades on, Snake Eater remains one of the most captivating visual storytelling journeys conceived, boasting compelling narratives, richly developed characters, and top-notch storytelling.
Regarding its explorations of human nature and conflict, as well as the humor woven into its conclusion, this masterpiece leaves us bewildered at the fact that Hideo Kojima hasn’t received a Game of the Year award yet.
8 Metro: Last Light
An Underdog Without Proper Nomination
Although the Metro series boasts three fantastic games, it unfortunately hasn’t received the acclaim it deserves, as evident by Metro: Last Light‘s absence among the Game of the Year nominees in 2013.
It seemed fitting that Grand Theft Auto V triumphed as that year’s conqueror, yet it was peculiar how both critics and gamers seemed to disregard the deeply immersive masterpiece created by 4A Games.
Despite being a challenging contest, Metro: Last Light’s outstanding quality deserves not only a nomination but also genuine thought for the title of “Game of the Year.
7 DOOM Eternal
Perhaps The Best Shooter Of All Time
Beyond merely being the most righteous game of 2020, DOOM Eternal undoubtedly stands out as the finest shooter game of this console generation and possibly the greatest shooter game ever created.
Despite The Last of Us: Part II receiving more votes from The Game Awards’ jury and public, Naughty Dog’s masterpiece doesn’t stand on the same level as the Doom Slayer’s final adventure.
In other words, although each game on the losing list was defeated by a strong competitor, there were several excellent contenders, such as Hades, that seemed more deserving to win the award on this particular occasion.
6 Half-Life 2
Gaming Peaked In 2004
Without a shadow of a doubt, when discussing the greatest games ever made, Half-Life 2 undeniably takes center stage. It’s challenging to conceive of another video game that has had such a transformative influence on the industry. The character of Gordon Freeman has reshaped gaming for the better, not once but twice.
Nonetheless, similar to Snake Eater, Half-Life 2 fell under the sway of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas’s groundbreaking open world, a genre which was incredibly innovative and fresh during that era. It was so captivating that anything Rockstar released seemed like a shoo-in for Game of the Year.
It’s surprising that a game split opinion so much didn’t take home the Game of the Year award, but considering the ongoing debate about how visionary Half-Life 2 was even in 2024, it isn’t entirely unexpected.
5 Deathloop
Underrated Greatness
Arkane Studios, like Hideo Kojima, produces exhilarating experiences within their respective genres, yet have not been awarded Game of the Year.
In the latest contest of 2021, Deathloop didn’t win over It Takes Two. This may be due to the fact that Deathloop wasn’t as noticed by players, even though it received similar or perhaps even superior critical acclaim.
In a year that lacked notable highlights, It Takes Two and Deathloop both emerged as exceptional titles, although Deathloop didn’t receive the recognition it deserved. Regrettably, this is surprising given that Deathloop is among the top-tier shooter games available on Game Pass.
4 Assassin’s Creed 2
Ezio’s Prime
When considering what makes a sequel excellent, all one need do is examine the qualities of Assassin’s Creed 2 for guidance.
After so many years, Ezio’s debut remains the most striking instance where a sequel surpasses its original in every conceivable aspect.
Assassin’s Creed II reached its zenith within the series, however, it couldn’t outshine Uncharted 2. This comparison refers to elements such as storyline, characters, gameplay mechanics, graphics, and overall experience.
It could be said that there’s a point of comparison between Uncharted 2 and Assassin’s Creed 2, but it’s important to note that the initial Assassin’s Creed was more polished than the first Uncharted. This consistent development in both series has kept them on roughly equal ground.
3 Dark Souls 3
A Rare Loss For FromSoft
Among the many outstanding game titles from a remarkable year in gaming, it’s hard to forget Dark Souls 3, which truly shines as a standout choice.
Fun fact: Neither the title nor the winner from that year is called Overwatch. In fact, 2016’s Game Awards are remembered as one of the most contentious editions due to several popular games being overshadowed by a multiplayer game that has since ceased to exist.
During this period, Dark Souls 3 served as a fitting conclusion to a series that significantly shaped the gaming world, yet it failed to receive a nomination. It was an unusual 12 months, marked by both greatness and peculiarity.
2 Dishonored
The Unexpected Stealth King
2012’s Game of the Year title went to “The Walking Dead: A Telltale Game Series,” instead of the highly acclaimed game, “Dishonored.
Apart from debating which game truly deserved the award, it’s worth noting that no stealth game has ever taken home the prize so far. Looking back, it seems like Dishonored was the prime chance for stealth games to shine brightly, and now, regrettably, the genre appears to be gradually dwindling.
The game boasted a compelling narrative, captivating game mechanics, stunning visuals, and an outstanding sound design; however, despite being masterfully crafted by Arkane Studios, it failed to capture widespread acclaim.
1 Red Dead Redemption 2
People’s Winner
It was clear to everyone, including poor Arthur, that there was no contest when it came to choosing the Game of the Year. However, despite its deserving nature, Red Dead Redemption 2 sadly missed out on winning the GOTY award.
Despite Santa Monica Studio’s valiant attempts to refine the God of War series following the success of Ragnarok, it’s challenging to overlook just how much more exceptional Rockstar’s masterpiece outshines in comparison.
In contrast, although Kratos’ backstory is raw and deeply rooted in Norse culture, it remains relatively new; however, Arthur’s adventure offers an incredibly immersive experience that comes exceptionally close to being the ideal blend of an open-world setting, a western theme, and gaming all at once.
Despite not winning at The Game Awards, Red Dead Redemption 2 continues to stand out as one of the most acclaimed games ever made, an accolade that remains significant yet unshakeable.
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2024-10-16 22:09