2020 has been a rough year and that goes for games too, i.e. Cyberpunk 2077’s console launch. However, the Game Of The Year Awards 2020 was actually quite the highlight despite being hosted virtually; it went over pretty well on all available platforms like Twitch and YouTube. 

I asked Marvin Madamba, a senior on what he thought of the event compared to years prior; he said, “The game awards felt about the same to me, basically a big ad for video games, more focused on world premiers than the awards themselves.” I can agree with that given the many ads and premiers but if you’re a hard-core gamer like myself, you were probably expecting more. 

Before we get to the awards and categories, here are the games that were announced; Evil West (PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS4/5); Tchia (PC, Stadia); Century Age Of Ashes (PC); Open Roads (PC); The Callisto Project (PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS4/5); Perfect Dark (PC, Xbox Series X/S); Season (PC, PS4/5); Evil Dead The Game ((PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS4/5, Xbox One); Ark 2 (PC, Xbox Series X/S); Untitled Mass Effect (PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS4/5). Fun fact, The Castillo project takes place in the PUBG universe and is set to release in 2022 while the other games are set for 2021 or have yet to be announced. 

Now, for those who don’t know what the Game Of The Year Awards is, it was established in 2014 in an effort to recognize the best game of each year prior to November of each year. Along with the best game of the year, which goes last, the Awards go over winners in categories such as the best action-adventure game, best sound design, and much more. This year, there was a category for best accessibility such as helping players who are partially blind, can’t play with their hands, and more.  

With that being said, here are the winners of each category; Best Game Direction, Best Narrative, Best Audio Design, Best Innovation For Accessibility, and Best Action-Adventure Game, “The Last Of Us Part II” won. And Laura Bailey won Best Performance for her portrayal of Abby from “The Last Of Us Part II.” 

Other Categories 

• Best Art Direction – “Ghost Of Tsushima”
• Best Score, Music, and Best Role-Playing Game – “Final Fantasy VII Remake”
• Best Impact (pro-social meaning or message) – “Tell Me Why”
• Best Ongoing Game (still delivers content after release) – “No Man’s Sky” 
• Best Action Game and Best Indie (not made from a major studio) Game – “Hades”
• Best Mobile Game and Best Multiplayer Game – “Among Us”
• Best Community Support – “Fall Guys”
• Best VR/AR (Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality) – “Half-Life: Alyx” 
• Best Fighting Game – “Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate”
• Best Family Game – “Animal Crossing: New Horizons”
• Best Sim/Strategy Game – “Microsoft Flight Simulator” 
• Best Sports/Racing Game – “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2.” 
• Best Debut Game – “Phasmophobia”
• Best Esports Game – “League Of Legends”

Now some categories outside of games, “League Of Legends” won for best Esports event and “G2 Esports” (A League Of Legends gamer team) won Best Esports Team. Valkyrae won Best Content Creator (streamer/Youtuber). Best Esports Athlete went to Heo “Showmaker” Su. Best Esports coach went to Danny “Zonic” Sorensen. Best Esports coach went to Eefje “Sjokz” Depoortere.  

 Last but not least, Game Of The Year went to The Last Of Us Part II. 

Yeah, that’s a lot of “The Last Of Us Part II” and I along with Madamba have some very different opinions of the results. 

For Madamaba, he said, “I thought Ghost Of Tsushima should have won because it was a masterpiece, in my opinion, it was fresh new IP that used the best elements of open-world games to make a samurai masterpiece”  

Many would say that it was the best Assassins Creed game they’ve ever seen and it’s not an Assassin’s Creed title but for a new project to have that acclaim is very fascinating. Especially compared to a sequel that either set the franchise back or served no purpose. I know, it’s a bold statement. 

Jokes aside, here is my personal list for a game of the year from first to last; Ghost Of Tsushima, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Resident Evil 3, The Last Of Us Part II, Spider-Man Miles Morales. Of course, there’s an explanation to that such as Valhalla being one of the best Assassin’s Creed games in years with its great narrative and immersion. Resident Evil 3, despite its shortcomings, delivered something for the franchise and for further remakes, the good and bad of it an example to follow.  And Miles Morales coming in as my least favorite (but still favorite) as the open-world still feels like Peter Parker’s Spider-Man’s city but it makes sense given the story. I just felt that it could’ve been written better. 

For Madamba, he said, “My personal list for the best games of the year would be what was nominated for Game Of The Year Awards, I felt they all deserve the praise but I do disagree on who won.” The ones that were nominated were Doom Eternal, Final Fantasy VII Remake, Ghost Of Tsushima, Hades, Animal Crossing: New Horizon, and The Last Of Us Part II respectively.  

Overall the Game Awards was a good experience and I cannot wait for December of next year with hopefully the games that were announced and some previously announced ones too to win awards if deemed so. Viewer discretion is advised for some of the Mature games but the event itself is geared more towards everybody, particularly teens.