Within the online game trade, it is custom to have a good time the medium by awarding the perfect titles on the finish of every yr, with The Recreation Awards being essentially the most outstanding celebration.
Previously often known as the Spike Video Recreation Awards, this gala has been round since 2003, meaning to acknowledge these works that stole the hearts of critics and gamers alike.
Nevertheless, our trade strongly connects to subjectivity when evaluating a sport, so the winner just isn’t at all times unanimously cherished.
As a substitute, there have been circumstances the place some nice titles obtained left behind, and now it is time to honor them with this listing of 10 video games that deserved GOTY however misplaced.
10
Mass Impact 2
Sci-fi Masterpiece
Typically referred to as the perfect of the collection, Mass Impact 2 is likely one of the biggest sci-fi video video games of all time, as BioWare created an excellent RPG that was phenomenal in each sense.
Launched in 2010, the second journey of Commander Shepard misplaced to Rockstar’s chic Crimson Lifeless Redemption, additionally an amazing contender that deserved the popularity.
Nevertheless, Mass Impact 2 has not solely withstood the passage of time, wanting as nice at present because it regarded then, nevertheless it stays the height of its franchise.
Then again, Crimson Lifeless Redemption has aged way more, particularly after its sequel was an improve in each facet, making its victory really feel, in hindsight, a bit of unfair. Just a bit.
Greatest Prequel Ever Made
Because the creation of the awards, every primary Metallic Gear Strong entry has been nominated for Recreation of the 12 months, and each has failed to attain it, even the mighty Metallic Gear Strong 3: Snake Eater.
For essentially the most half, the gaming group considers the third entry to be the perfect within the franchise, however even that title did not permit them to steal the victory from GTA: San Andreas.
Even 20 years later, Snake Eater is likely one of the finest cinematographic experiences ever crafted, with enthralling tales, deep characters, and wonderful narrative.
From its reflections on human id or struggle to even its joke endings, it is a pleasant murals that reminds us how inexplicable it’s that Hideo Kojima has by no means gained a GOTY.
8
Metro: Final Gentle
An Underdog With out Correct Nomination
Regardless of having three superb video games, the Metro franchise hasn’t gotten the popularity it deserves, as proven by the absence of Metro: Final Gentle among the many nominees for GOTY in 2013.
That yr’s conqueror, GTA 5, was a good alternative, nevertheless it felt unusual that the judges and the gamers ignored the immersive masterpiece of 4A Video games.
It was a tricky competitors, however Metro: Final Gentle’s total distinctive high quality ought to have earned it a nomination and an trustworthy consideration to be Recreation of the 12 months.
7
DOOM Everlasting
Maybe The Greatest Shooter Of All Time
Extra than simply the righteous finest sport of 2020, DOOM Everlasting is definitely the perfect shooter of the technology and doubtless the perfect shooter of all time.
Although The Recreation Awards’ jury and public believed that The Final of Us: Half II deserved it extra, Naughty Canine’s masterpiece would not play in the identical league because the Doom Slayer’s final journey.
It isn’t wrongful per se, as each sport that misplaced on this listing misplaced to a really competent sport in its personal proper, nevertheless it’s a kind of events the place a number of contenders, together with the likes of Hades, felt like a greater different for the award.
6
Half-Life 2
Gaming Peaked In 2004
If we speak about the perfect video games of all time, there is no such thing as a debate concerning the crucial presence of Half-Life 2. It is exhausting to think about one other online game with the identical revolutionary influence, as Gordon Freeman modified the sport for good (twice).
But, like Snake Eater, Half-Life 2 succumbed to the additionally revolutionary open world of San Andreas, a style that was so contemporary and new on the time that something Rockstar produced appeared to win GOTY at a canter.
It is actually odd that such a schism within the trade did not win the title of Recreation of the 12 months, however I suppose it is smart since, even in 2024, we’re nonetheless making an attempt to unravel how forward of its time Half-Life 2 actually was.
5
Deathloop
Underrated Greatness
Arkane Studios shares the identical destiny as Hideo Kojima: they create a number of the most thrilling experiences of their respective genres however fail to win a Recreation of the 12 months award.
In the latest case, Deathloop misplaced towards It Takes Two in 2021, seemingly as a result of it went low on the gamers’ radar regardless of getting the identical (if not higher) crucial reward.
In a yr when there wasn’t a lot to brag about, It Takes Two got here up as one thing particular, however Deathloop did, too, simply with out the credit score it deserved. It is an actual disgrace, contemplating it is one of many finest shooters on Recreation Move.
4
Murderer’s Creed 2
Ezio’s Prime
Every time folks consider what a sequel must be good, the one factor they need to do to search out the reply is to have a look at Murderer’s Creed 2.
In any case these years, Ezio’s first look remains to be essentially the most outstanding instance of a sequel being vastly superior to its predecessor in each single method.
Historical past, characters, narrative, map, exploration, fight, development, HUD, stealth, lore, secondary content material, graphics, themes… You identify it. Murderer’s Creed 2 was the height of the franchise, however that wasn’t sufficient to beat Uncharted 2.
There’s an argument to be made about Uncharted 2 doing the identical as Murderer’s Creed 2. Nevertheless, the primary Murderer’s Creed was extra refined than the primary Uncharted, so the parallel development stored each collection on the identical distance.
3
Darkish Souls 3
A Uncommon Loss For FromSoft
Titanfall 2, Dishonored 2, DOOM, Uncharted 4, INSIDE… There are a number of names to be recalled from among the finest years in gaming, however Darkish Souls 3 stands out essentially the most.
Curiously sufficient, neither of them is the identify of that yr’s winner: Overwatch. The group remembers 2016 as essentially the most controversial version of The Recreation Awards, with many titles forgotten in favor of a multiplayer that now not exists.
In the meantime, Darkish Souls 3 was the right ending for a trilogy that marked the online game as an entire, and it wasn’t even nominated. An ideal however unusual 12 months throughout.
2
Dishonored
The Sudden Stealth King
Dishonored, a worthy candidate for the perfect sport within the historical past of its style, misplaced the 2012 Recreation of the 12 months award to The Strolling Lifeless: A Telltale Recreation Collection.
Moreover arguing over which title deserved it extra, the reality is that no stealth sport has ever gained the prize. A few years later, it feels greater than ever that Dishonored was the perfect alternative for stealth to shine, whereas now the style is slowly fading away.
It had every thing to win: an amazing story, magnificent gameplay, stunning artwork, and a tremendous soundtrack. Arkane Studios developed an outstanding expertise that delighted everybody who tried it, nevertheless it wasn’t meant to be.
1
Crimson Lifeless Redemption 2
Individuals’s Winner
At this level, you knew it, I knew it, and even my doomed Arthur knew it. In relation to video games that deserved the GOTY award however did not get it, there is not any extra widespread reply than Crimson Lifeless Redemption 2.
As a lot as Santa Monica’s effort to revamp God of Warfare is appreciated, particularly after Ragnarök improved on the formulation, it is exhausting to disclaim how significantly superior Rockstar’s magnum opus is.
Whereas Kratos’ Nordic, emotional, and profound origins are contemporary however tough across the edges, Arthur’s journey is the closest we have gotten to an ideal open world, western, and online game concurrently.
Nonetheless, Crimson Lifeless Redemption 2 stays one of many most award-winning video games of all time, although not profitable at The Recreation Awards is a burden that can by no means go away.
