Every GOTY Of The Last Decade, Ranked

Over the last ten years, The Game Awards have honored exceptional video games across different categories annually.

On the other hand, the highly sought-after award is the “Game of the Year,” given to the top game as determined by a group of professionals and a section of the gaming community.

Despite ongoing debate, everyone eagerly waits to discover which games have been chosen for the award due to the significant reach and influence of the organization.

Consequently, let’s take a look back at history, recall the champions, and create a ranking – from least impressive to most outstanding – of each Game of the Year (GOTY) for the past ten years.

This list highlights only the victors, disregarding the specifics of their selection process compared to other potential candidates, when designating them as Game of the Year.

11. Overwatch

A Dead Revolution

Although I acknowledge the points made regarding Overwatch’s influence on contemporary multiplayer games, I find it to be the Game of the Year that is virtually unplayable for me, which seems to carry excessive importance in this discussion.

After being replaced by Overwatch 2, Blizzard’s hero shooter game was removed from both digital and physical stores, making the original version of the game inaccessible for everyone.

Instead of building upon what Team Fortress 2 pioneered years ago in a remarkably unique way, its strong visual and audio aesthetic, and the general refinement of its concept, I wouldn’t say it stands out exceptionally.

Influential as it was in shaping the digital gaming world, I’m not sure if it had a wholly positive impact. While its impact is indisputable, it doesn’t necessarily make it the standout choice among all games.

10. It Takes Two

Charming Co-op For Couples

One of the standout cooperative games from recent times, It Takes Two, offers a unique twist on puzzle-platforming that feels both innovative and inviting for various types of gamers.

Despite its appealing qualities, I found some significant flaws when playing it together with a good friend, which made me question its suitability as a collaborative game.

Instead of claiming it as their finest work, I’d argue that this game doesn’t quite reach the heights set by some of Hazelight’s other productions, due to its forgettable narrative, uneven pacing across its extended playtime, and chapters that seem disorganized because of a focus on quantity over quality.

It’s great that The Game Awards aimed to recognize a unique category of video games beyond the mainstream blockbusters. However, I believe there were other, more suitable contenders besides “It Takes Two,” for this particular honor.

9. God of War

A Potential Not Yet Fulfilled

I truly respect Santa Monica Studio for the remarkable game they’ve created with God of War. To take an already popular series and completely revamp it takes courage and skill, a quality that never fails to impress me.

To put it simply, the true potential of the 2018 God of War wasn’t fully realized until God of War: Ragnarök. This sequel outshines its precursor in every aspect it showcases.

Alternatively, the original title of the Nordic series encounters several issues in terms of design and gameplay, such as repetitive enemies, limited combat variety, a confusing user interface, and a half-open world that isn’t fully functional.

I find it hard to acknowledge this, given how much I love the original series, but unfortunately, God of War seems to fall short when it comes to the finesse and overall caliber usually associated with the franchise. Despite its promising concepts, it seems that the execution could use some refinement.

8. The Last of Us Part 2

Among the Greatest Sequels

Generally speaking, most people consider The Last of Us to be the top game in the series. However, I personally prefer The Last of Us Part 2 a great deal more.

As a dedicated gamer, I must say that while it lacks some streamlined elements and has a few pacing hiccups here and there, this new installment truly outshines its predecessor in every aspect. It’s an impressive sequel, indeed!

The Last of Us Part 2 represents the pinnacle of the unique style Naughty Dog has honed over recent years. While I consider Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End as their absolute masterwork, The Last of Us Part 2 is a very close runner-up.

As a passionate gaming enthusiast, I might not have personally chosen it as Game of the Year, but acknowledging its status underscores the courage it took to stand out in the AAA gaming scene. Therefore, I wholeheartedly applaud and support this selection.

7. Astro Bot

Controversial But Deserved

Although the platformer genre is often overshadowed in the gaming industry, Astro Bot emerged to showcase the exceptional caliber that such games are capable of delivering.

In praising both PlayStation as a brand and platforming as a gaming style, the work of Team ASOBI stands out remarkably in nearly every aspect.

As a gaming enthusiast, I can’t help but rave about Astro Bot – a truly captivating journey that tugs at my heartstrings of nostalgia while showcasing its brilliance through top-notch design and creative flair. This game effortlessly utilizes the console’s features to create an immersive experience like no other!

I’d prefer to believe that this moment marks a shift for Sony, guiding them back towards their original brand image by reducing the focus on third-person cinematic games. Their studios are more than capable of achieving this goal due to their exceptional talent.

6. Dragon Age: Inquisition

BioWare’s Gem

It wasn’t until the eighth-generation gaming consoles were well established that Dragon Age: Inquisition finally came out, making me truly sense the shift in eras.

In my opinion, alongside Mass Effect 2, I believe this is the finest game that BioWare has ever produced. It excels in every area it endeavors to tackle, leaving no stone unturned.

In terms of its exceptional gameplay, stunning artwork, ingenious level layout, compelling narrative, and well-crafted advancement, it stood as the pinnacle among Role Playing Games during that period.

Many games have built upon the foundation laid by Dragon Age: Inquisition, yet its exceptional status as a captivating role-playing game remains unchanged. Even today, it continues to delight and captivate in a truly magical way.

5. Baldur’s Gate 3

A Necessary GOTY

At times, the video game industry experiences phases when specific types of games or aesthetics become popular, pushing innovation to the background in favor of exploiting market opportunities.

As a devoted fan, I can confidently say that Baldur’s Gate 3 isn’t just a stellar role-playing game, but it’s also setting some remarkable standards for future ventures in this genre.

In 2023, Larian Studios stayed true to their long-standing creative vision, capturing the affection of countless individuals worldwide by delivering an unadulterated rendition of their signature gameplay style.

Baldur’s Gate 3 stands as one of the greatest role-playing games, offering limitless opportunities for both gameplay and storytelling. These elements have left an indelible mark on me, making it a historic reference that I will always remember.

4. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Unique and Unmatched

For some gamers, particular video games make such an impact that they alter your perspective on the genre forever. For me, this transformation occurred when I encountered “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt”.

Since experiencing the game crafted by CD Projekt RED, my expectations for RPGs have soared to unprecedented heights, making it challenging for me to find genuine delight in another RPG title.

Beyond just being easy to grasp, the richness and detail of its immersive world remains unrivaled, even years following the debut of The Witcher 3.

The elements such as characters, missions, unpredictability, background stories, and potential scenarios create an extraordinary journey that varies for each player. Geralt of Rivia mirrors the complexity of the game he’s from, a masterpiece that deserves recognition among the finest games in history.

3. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Perfection Achieved

Among independent games, only Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice has left me feeling that a video game was absolutely flawless – an exceptional accomplishment in the course of my writing career.

In terms of indie games, it’s just Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice that has earned my praise for being perfectly executed, which is quite rare in my experience as a writer.

Regarding the gameplay, storyline, graphics, and audio, I can’t pinpoint any issues at all in FromSoftware’s masterpiece. It achieves an uncommon degree of perfection that is rarely seen in games of such scale.

In terms of boasting a superior battle system and unmatched gameplay replay value, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice stands as an interactive landmark that I find hard to envision being surpassed in the immediate gaming landscape.

Absolutely, mastering a particular genre doesn’t automatically mean you’re better than other genres’ classics, as personal preference plays a role too. However, such mastery often signifies a level of excellence that few works can attain.

2. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

The Turning Point of Open Worlds

2017 stands out as an exceptional year for gaming for numerous individuals, and it’s hard to overlook the significant role that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild played in making it so memorable.

It wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to claim this is the greatest video game ever made by Nintendo, as it offers an unprecedented, transformative gaming experience that significantly alters one’s perspective on interactive media.

Without being an ardent follower of The Legend of Zelda series, I still find myself mesmerized by the immersion and beauty of its universe. It’s an exceptional journey, and it’s unlikely that any game in the genre will surpass its monumental influence for a considerable period.

Besides the Korok Seeds, which I find rather tedious, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild stands out as a timeless video game that beautifully showcases Nintendo’s brilliance.

Apart from the Korok Seeds, which are a bit dull for my taste, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a classic game that truly demonstrates Nintendo’s greatness.

1. Elden Ring

The Journey of a Lifetime

Throughout my gaming years, no other title has evoked the same emotional response as Elden Ring does for me. Regardless of whether they were superior or inferior, more original or less extraordinary, none have managed to resonate with me in the way this game does.

Despite having more flaws than “Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice” and drawing inspiration from “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild”, this journey is what keeps me convinced that video games can, without a doubt, be universally recognized as works of art.

The intensity of emotions stirred within me during my journey through The Lands Between, independent of Shadow of the Erdtree, serves as a foundation for lifelong commitment, and it’s this dedication that I shall bestow upon FromSoftware.

For the past ten years, I’ve been absolutely convinced that no game would take home the Game of the Year award quite like Elden Ring does. Its dominance over most other games is simply unmatched, making it an extraordinary experience that I consider to be a must-play adventure of a lifetime.

2025-01-13 19:11