6 Games That Got Robbed Of The Game Of The Year Award

Everyone loves annual gaming events like The Game Awards, GDC, BAFTA, DICE, and others, but you don’t always get what you expect going into these ceremonies. If you’re a gamer just like me, I’m sure there are Game of the Year award winners out there that you don’t really agree with.

I decided to put together a list of such titles that were easy GOTY winners but ended up getting outclassed by another entry, unrightfully so. Whether it was the choice of the critics or just not enough fan approval, you decide why these titles couldn’t make it to the very top, even when they had everything else going for them. 

Amazing Games That Should’ve Won Game Of The Year Instead

In case you feel other games could be added to the list, feel free to comment down below and share your thoughts.

1. Ghost Of Tsushima 

Sucker Punch’s Ghost of Tsushima may have its fair share of shortcomings, but the pros here outweigh the cons by a far mile, and there’s no question about it. Offering one of the grandest action-adventure experiences in a good while, the title in question boasts an impeccable design, entertaining combat, and a near-perfect storyline with an abundance of side content in between.

Unluckily, Ghost of Tsushima fell prey to the dominance of Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us franchise, getting sidestepped by the second major iteration in the post-apocalyptic zombie-driven series. 

2. Red Dead Redemption 2

Rockstar Games’ Red Dead Redemption 2 is yet another masterpiece in the genre of open-world games, telling a carefully structured story with flawless free-roam design, coupled with amazing voice acting and sensational characters.

I’m honestly not too gutted that the award went to God of War in 2018 because that title is fantastic in its own right just as well, but with the level of detail exhibited in Red Dead Redemption 2, it was a clear favorite by miles and a breakthrough on multiple levels.

Perhaps when Rockstar finally pushes out the much-awaited 60 FPS patch for the game, everyone will have an excuse for revisiting the third-person shooter. 

3. Devil May Cry 5

The Devil May Cry franchise seamlessly peaked with the onset of Devil May Cry 5, the fifth mainline rendition in the series, featuring mindblowing visuals, a gameplay system that’s as refined as ever, and a fairly enticing story as well. Rest assured though, because DMC 5 did not go home empty-handed from 2019’s The Game Awards, getting crowned the “Best Action Game” of the year.

However, it did come second to Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice that year, one of FromSoftware’s greats and a fine action title in its own right. As for Devil May Cry 5, however, the hack-and-slash burst of thrill put out by this game still quenches my thirst for adrenaline years later, and there’s no questioning how.

4. Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End 

Let me tell you this: Blizzard’s Overwatch, a multiplayer-focused hero shooter, had no business winning the prized Game of the Year award in 2016 when there were already the likes of Uncharted 4 in line. I easily refer to it as one of the biggest robberies in gaming, simply due to the caliber of the title at hand which is one of the best action games ever made.

Not just Uncharted 4, but the award could’ve also gone to Titanfall 2 or even Doom, but not Overwatch. I mean, that couldn’t even age properly. Blizzard binned the shooter in favor of its sequel, so technically it doesn’t even exist anymore. 

5. God Of War Ragnarok 

I wouldn’t call this one a robbery, to be honest, because the game God of War Ragnarok was up against in 2022 wasn’t a slouch either. However, I will say that a title like Elden Ring isn’t for everyone, being one of the toughest AAA games in the world.

Sure, it’s got massive replayability value, amazing fights, and great build variety, but Ragnarok is special in its own way, one that makes me put it above Elden Ring any day of the week.

With stupefying attention to detail, and a sensational storyline that has you going through acts of both bravery and betrayal, God of War Ragnarok makes Kratos’ story come to a fascinating close for the time being, crowning him as the “People’s Champion” where the Ghost of Sparta finally tries to move on from his traumatic past. 

In eXputer’s 4.5/5.0 review of the game, author Huzaifah Durrani remarks, 

God Of War Ragnarok is exceptional in almost every single way, whether it’s the bone-chilling soundtrack, heartfelt yet gut-punching storytelling, or the extremely satisfying combat.” 

6. Fallout: New Vegas

Finally, fans of the iconic Fallout franchise are of the heavy belief that if there’s any Fallout game that should’ve won Game of the Year, it’s New Vegas and not Fallout 4. Quite ironically, the game was not praised as much when it came out, with critics pointing out a lot of issues pertaining to the shooter that seemed fitting to do so at the time of its release. 

However, years later when people were able to re-evaluate New Vegas for the gem that it is, the title shot up in popularity, essentially becoming the best Fallout iteration.

fallout new vegas is still the bestest
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