So normally about this time of year, we start seeing various outlets releasing their “Game of the Year” awards. Most of them don’t matter, because they were either bought by the publisher, or the outlet is otherwise biased in some manner.
In short, don’t believe the hype.
But there is one outlet that, for some strange reason, is given some manner of respect to their annual awards, and that is “The Game Awards”, which happen to be being presented later this week. The Game Awards have been blatantly biased for years, pretty much an outlet to advertise upcoming games (I sure hope the next DLC for “Starfield” gets shown off on the broadcast!), and I suspect that many of the ‘winners’ had their awards bought by their publishers.
So why does anyone give a damn what this show has to say? Well, apparently if Geoff Keighley announces your game is a winner, then by Gawd, it’s a winner!
But that’s neither here nor there.
Anyway, the lineup of nominees for “Game of the Year” on The Game Awards is actually fairly solid this time. They are…
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
- Donkey Kong Bananza
- Hades II
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
Every single game that was nominated this year was a breakout smash hit. Every one of them has won a lot of praise from critics and fans alike. They are all deserving of this award, in their own ways.
… and I haven’t played a single one of them. Not yet, anyway. I suspect I’ll pick up “Hades II” when I get around to it. I’m still spending way too much time playing “Baldur’s Gate 3”, “Avowed”, “Starfield” (as usual), and “Brotato”. But I liked “Hades”, so I’ll probably pick up the sequel. Eventually.
The point here is, I’m actually rather surprised by the solid lineup of nominees this year. In my experience, there are usually a couple of indie darlings on the list, one or two hits that fans enjoyed, then a clear Ringer that almost always wins the award. That’s how it seems to me, anyway.
But this year, it isn’t like that at all! There are a couple of indie darlings, some fan favorites to be sure, but no standout Ringers on the list. If I had to say that there was a Ringer on the list, that absolutely will win, it would be “Clair Obscur”, but one could argue for any of the others, as well.
Just watch “Death Stranding 2” win, just to spite me. Or “Hollow Knight”, because Reasons.
Why do I give a damn about this award again? Oh year, Geoff Keighley. I almost forgot.
