Games That Should Have Won Game Of The Year

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Summary

  • Even though every GOTY winner definitely deserved it, every year had at least one other game that could have also received this prestigious award instead.
  • Excellent video games that almost won, like Uncharted 4 and Bayonetta 2, are still fondly remembered to this day.
  • Each runner-up, from Bloodborne to Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, remains a modern classic, regardless of their loss.

Each year as it draws to a close, I, along with countless other gamers worldwide, eagerly tune into The Game Awards, pondering one burning question: Which game will take home the Game of the Year title (commonly known as GOTY)? There have been many remarkable games honored with this prestigious award since its inception, yet that inevitably means that a few outstanding nominees miss out on winning it.

Many outstanding video games missed out on being named Game of the Year, and here are some truly standout examples. However, it’s essential to note that the chosen Game of the Year winners were indeed deserving recipients of the award. It’s simply that these alternative choices are so remarkable that they could have also claimed the title with ease.

Bayonetta 2

Lost To Dragon Age: Inquisition In 2014

In 2014, Dragon Age: Inquisition marked a strong comeback for the Dragon Age series and rightfully earned its praise, but it was not the only outstanding game of the year. One of the top contenders for Game of the Year was Bayonetta 2, the eagerly anticipated sequel to PlatinumGames’ hack-and-slash classic that Nintendo effectively resurrected.

Bayonetta 2 offers an exhilarating adventure packed with implausible action and formidable boss battles, all set within a deep yet dynamic combat system. This game was instrumental in persuading many gamers to purchase a Wii U, as it showcased the console’s graphical prowess on par with its competitors. However, this very factor may have contributed to Bayonetta 2‘s downfall, given that its exclusivity to the Wii U limited its reach. Luckily, this situation has improved, as the initial two installments of Bayonetta are now accessible on the Nintendo Switch.

Bloodborne

Lost To The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt In 2015

It’s hard to argue against the fact that “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt” is undoubtedly one of the best role-playing games of the last decade, and it truly deserved to be named Game of the Year in 2015. However, even if “Bloodborne” had taken the title instead, players wouldn’t have been disappointed. This legendary game continues to be lauded by players even more than a decade after its original release.

Bloodborne marked the debut of From Software’s original style of gameplay similar to the Dark Souls series, but under a separate intellectual property. The game’s eerie, Lovecraftian ambiance harmoniously matched its challenging yet rewarding combat system, which is swifter and more user-friendly compared to previous games of this genre. If Sony and FromSoftware ever decide to remaster or remake Bloodborne in the future, or even better, create a sequel, there’s a chance it could win an award, given its status as a modern classic.

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End

Lost To Overwatch In 2016

The triumph of Overwatch at the Game Awards in 2016 remains a contentious topic due to its win overshadowing expectations for a single-player game victory. While Blizzard’s multiplayer first-person shooter was undeniably entertaining and gained global popularity, some players felt that a solo adventure should have taken the prize instead. This sentiment was reinforced by the shutdown of Overwatch 1’s servers in 2021.

Among the exceptional single-player video games from 2016, none deserved Game of the Year accolades more than Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, from my perspective as a fan. As the concluding chapter in this cherished series and following Naughty Dog’s masterpiece The Last of Us, I was eagerly anticipating how they would meet such high expectations – but Uncharted 4 not only met them; it exceeded them. This game offers a riveting cinematic adventure, filled with awe-inspiring set pieces, breathtaking environments, and a compelling narrative that provides a fitting conclusion to Nathan Drake’s saga in a way that leaves me feeling fully satisfied.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Lost To God Of War In 2018

In 2018, I found myself amongst countless other gamers eagerly anticipating the Game of the Year (GOTY) announcement. The debate raged on between two heavyweights: God of War and Red Dead Redemption 2. Eventually, Kratos’ Nordic journey emerged victorious (and rightfully so), but the loss of Red Dead Redemption 2 left a sour note in many of our hearts. This masterpiece from Rockstar Games is a testament to their creative prowess and remains one of the most highly regarded open-world games to date.

Although released over eight years following its precursor, this western-themed open world game exceeded all predictions by becoming an immersive cowboy experience. The map is expansive and offers a multitude of enjoyable activities, not forgetting that every character, animal, flora, and object exudes intricate detail. However, the standout feature of “Red Dead Redemption 2” is undoubtedly its compelling narrative. Arthur Morgan’s harrowing odyssey is captivating, intense, and evokes strong emotions, and it provides a backdrop for John Marston’s story in “Red Dead Redemption 1”.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Lost To Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice In 2019

2019 marked the first time FromSoftware clinched the Game of the Year title, with the exceptional “Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice” taking the award. However, while “Sekiro” is undeniably one of FromSoftware’s finest creations, it faced stiff competition from “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.” This was indeed the ultimate “Smash Bros” game that fans had long anticipated, and it lived up to every bit of expectation.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate serves as an exceptional tribute to not just Nintendo, but the entire gaming community. Beloved figures such as Mario, Link, Pikachu, Sonic, Pac-Man, Mega Man, Solid Snake, Ryu, Ken, Cloud, Simon Belmont, and many more gather in this delightful, frenetic, gratifying fighting game that becomes even more enjoyable with others. The players can immerse themselves in a plethora of stages, items, modes, bosses, and much more, providing Nintendo Switch users with countless hours of entertainment, and remaining popular among regular gamers to this day.

Ghost of Tsushima

Lost To The Last Of Us Part 2 In 2020

2020 proved to be a peculiar yet influential year for gaming, primarily due to the global COVID-19 pandemic causing people to work and socialize from home more frequently. Consequently, many individuals found themselves spending more time on video games. Although The Last of Us Part 2, selected as the Game of the Year in 2020, is an exceptional game featuring a gripping narrative, its victory was met with dissatisfaction by some gamers. Furthermore, this year witnessed the introduction of numerous top-tier single-player gaming experiences.

2020 saw Sony Interactive Entertainment take home the top prize, with The Last of Us Part 2 being just one of the outstanding PlayStation 4 exclusives they released during that period. Another standout title was Ghost of Tsushima, a masterfully crafted open-world game by Sucker Punch featuring samurai themes, which really showcased the capabilities of the console. With its stunning landscapes, a compelling narrative reminiscent of classic samurai films, and realistic combat system, Ghost of Tsushima was an unexpected hit in 2020. And it appears that its forthcoming sequel, Ghost of Yotei, is poised to surpass these achievements.

Metroid Dread

Lost To It Takes Two In 2021

The triumph of “It Takes Two” at the Game Awards brought a welcome dose of freshness for its fans, demonstrating that even smaller and more experimental titles could snag the prestigious GOTY title, not just the grandiose AAA projects. However, 2021 was a year filled with impressive GOTY contenders. Had “It Takes Two” not been released that year, it’s likely that “Metroid Dread” would have taken home the award instead.

The long-awaited return of Metroid Dread, after being in development for nearly two decades, surprised many, and it certainly delivered on its promises. After the achievement of Metroid: Samus Returns, developer Mercury Steam created a captivating 2.5D action-adventure platformer, featuring an extensive map and some of the most thrilling boss battles in the series. Yet, what truly set Metroid Dread apart was its numerous E.M.M.I segments, which transformed the game into a tense stealth/horror experience that never becomes frustrating or irritating.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Lost To Baldur’s Gate 3 In 2023

In 2023, it was a year filled with anticipation and uncertainty about which game would take home the Game of the Year award. Contenders like “Alan Wake 2,” “Marvel’s Spider-Man 2,” the “Resident Evil 4 Remake,” and “Baldur’s Gate 3” were all strong contenders. However, Larian Studios’ masterpiece ultimately claimed the title. Interestingly, “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom” could have just as easily taken the prize on that night.

Following a six-year wait, enthusiasts of the Legend of Zelda series were overjoyed to receive a complete sequel to the 2017 Game of the Year winner, Breath of the Wild. The new game, titled Tears of the Kingdom, surpassed its predecessor in quality and delivered an engaging time-travel narrative that featured a compelling portrayal of the renowned villain Ganondorf.

The game boasted a colossal open world with three distinct layers, and it reintroduced the traditional Zelda dungeon formula. However, what truly set Tears of the Kingdom apart was its groundbreaking Ultrahand feature, enabling players to combine various objects to craft an array of vehicles and machines limited only by their imagination.

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2025-09-03 14:50