Dec 10, 2020 at 6:30 PM
In a year that has completely changed our world and our way of life, the world turns more and more to technology in order to communicate, learn, and be entertained. 2020 maybe was not the best year for gaming, but it is easily one of the most pertinent, where with millions stuck at home and with an uncertain future, more people than ever before turned to gaming as an escape. As such, while the event will certainly look far different than how it has been in the past, games journalist, media impresario, and all around absolute mad lad Geoff Keighley will be bringing us the Game Awards, live from around the world, to showcase the best of the year in video games, in a year where video games were never more important.
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The awards will also feature a cavalcade of major presenters, including several huge names, such as acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight, Tenet), blockbuster actors Tom Holland (Spider-Man), Brie Larson (Captain Marvel), Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman), and John David Washington (BlacKkKlansman, Tenet), voice acting icons Nolan North and Troy Baker, sports journalism icon and purveyor of hot takes Stephen A. Smith, and three of Geoff's greatest triumphs - A Way Out Director Josef Fares, owner of one of the greatest rants in Game Awards history (F*** the Oscars!), Former Nintendo President Reggie Fils-Aime, arguably Geoff's greatest nemesis, and the Muppet Swedish Chef, who hurdy bork a hurdy gurdy hur. And then, there are the musical performances: not only will the Game Awards orchestra be making a return, but you'll also see a Persona 5 musical performance by Lyn Inaizumi live from Japan, as well as from Eddie Vedder, the legendary frontman from the equally-legendary band Pearl Jam.
But of course, the main reason people will be tuning in (besides the awards, of course) will be the announcement of several major new games, with 12-15 brand-new announcements from smaller indie games up to major AAA releases. These will include first looks at Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War's Warzone Season 1, the next expansion in The Elder Scrolls Online, a new trailer for NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139, the first game from Striking Distance Studios, headed up by Glen Schofield (Dead Space, Call of Duty WWII), and a look at the new Dragon Age coming from EA and Bioware as well as the reveal of the series' new logo. And that's just what we know about, as there's certainly many surprises planned for the show.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Nintendo) (NSW)
While it's certainly not the most action-packed or most hardcore title up for this year's biggest award, Animal Crossing: New Horizons may very well be the most important. Releasing on March 10th, right as the COVID-19 pandemic hit its worst point and the world went into quarantine, New Horizons allowed players more customization than had ever been seen before in the franchise, being able to create their own island from scratch, bringing in an array of residents, shopping for the latest fashions, celebrating holidays - in short, living one's life. And in a year of uncertainty, this innocuous game might have been exactly what was needed. And gamers responded, with the game selling over 26 million copies, already becoming the Switch's second-biggest selling title in just six months and becoming a bonafide global phenomenon. What's more, in one of the worst years in recent memory, one need only look at the comradery shown by the game's online community - inviting players over to sell turnips, sharing DIY recipes, and collaborating to make each other's islands the best they can, to show that while the world can be scary, there's still some good left in it.
Doom Eternal (Id Software/Bethesda Softworks) (PS4/XBO/PC/Stadia/NSW)
And from the game starring Isabelle, we go to her best friend, the Doom Slayer. Brought back from the dead for the first time in over a decade in 2016, Doom became one of the most well-regarded shooters of the console generation, winning several Game Awards in 2016. A sequel was all but assured, and in 2020, we got it, with Doom Eternal taking the already over-the-top violence and white-knuckle action of the original and cranking it up to 11. It wasn't all brutal violence and insane weaponry, however, as the game delved deep into the lore of the Doom Slayer, and put together a surprisingly well-told story. But of course, it was the combat that brought people to Doom Eternal, and at the Game Awards, it could reach the heights its predecessor could not by ripping and tearing all the way to Game of the Year.
Final Fantasy VII Remake (Square-Enix) (PS4)
A re-imagining of one of the most highly-regarded games of all-time as well as the title that made JRPGs one of the premiere genres of the 1990s, Final Fantasy VII Remake was many years in the making and even longer being speculated upon, but the wait ended this year, and for most, was absolutely worth it. While the game only covers what amounts to the first few hours of the PS1 classic, it expands on the tale of Cloud Strife and company with new characters and scenarios while also fleshing out characters who were no more than bit players in the original. However, many of the most iconic scenes and moments are still here, now in full HD glory, coupled with an incredible re-orchestrated soundtrack from the illustrious composer of the original, Nobuo Uematsu, alongside a new real-time battle system, doing away with the turn-based combat of old, but still allowing for heavy customization for both action aficionados and those who prefer to play more tactically. While it certainly wasn't the full remake fans were hoping for, FFVII Remake was one heck of a start, and it may very well be recognized for it at the Game Awards.
Ghost of Tsushima (Sucker Punch/Sony Interactive Entertainment) (PS4)
While it certainly risked being overshadowed by the OTHER cinematic AAA action-adventure Sony released this year (we'll get to that) and the numerous other open-world stealth action games set in some semblance of feudal Japan, Ghost of Tsushima was able to stand on its own thanks to its attention to detail and realistic approach to the subject matter. Set on Tsushima Island during the Mongol invasion of 1274, players take on the role of Jin Sakai as he battles to reclaim his home while being torn between the code of his clan and the need to protect his people. Thus begins an intricate tale with absolutely gorgeous visuals and stunning locales, as well as a wide variety of missions and tons of options in combat, whether playing as the honorable Samurai or as the dishonorable Ninja-esque Ghost. What's more, developer Sucker Punch has kept the content steadily rolling in, including adding a new Legends multiplayer mode, for the low low price of free. Ghost of Tsushima has been compared to classic chanbara cinema, most notably the works of award-winning filmmaker Akira Kurosawa; like Kurosawa before them, could Ghost of Tsushima come away with a coveted award of its own?
Hades (Supergiant Games) (NSW/PC)
The Game Awards usually have a representative from the wide array of independent games released over the last 12 months nominated for Game of the Year, though none yet have won the top prize. That may change this year, as Hades is the most lauded game yet to come from developer Supergiant Games - and given the developer's previous work on classics like Bastion, Transistor, and Pyre, that's saying something. Telling the story of Zagreus, son of the titular God of the underworld, as he tries to escape the, well, titular underworld, Hades is a masterclass of the roguelike genre, with branching paths and non-linear story sequences, weaving a tale featuring all of the participants in the Greek pantheon in moments ranging from laugh-out-loud hilarious to incredibly heartbreaking. Meanwhile, Hades also checks every box that Supergiant is known for, including excellent voice acting, tight controls, and an absolutely phenomenal soundtrack, but tacks on brutally glorious combat as well. In a game where death is seemingly the only fate, could Hades be fated to be the first indie title to bring home Game of the Year?
The Last of Us Part II (Naughty Dog/Sony Interactive Entertainment) (PS4)
Much as was the case with Death Stranding last year, The Game Awards nominations came and went pretty much as expected, with The Last of Us Part II nominated for more awards than any other (11), and stands as perhaps the odds-on favorite to take home Game of the Year. And for good reason, as the game continues developer Naughty Dog's penchant as being perhaps the best storytellers in the industry, crafting a tale of deceit, heartbreak, hatred, and death as players take on the role of Ellie as she returns to battle against the infected hordes and, perhaps more dangerously, other survivors, using only her wits, platforming skills, and ability to craft weapons and items and upgrade her abilities. However, the game was not without its fair share of controversy, from its presentation of a Transgender character, to allegations of crunch, to Naughty Dog themselves striking back at journalists criticizing the game. The Last of Us Part II is certainly the most divisive choice to win Game of the Year, but it is also very much the least surprising.
THE REST OF THE AWARDS
Best Game Direction
- Final Fantasy VII Remake – Square Enix
- Ghosts of Tsushima – Sucker Punch
- Hades – Supergiant Games
- Half-Life Alyx – Valve
- The Last of Us Part II – Naughty Dog
- Elden Ring – From Software/Bandai Namco
- Halo Infinite – 343/Xbox Game Studios
- Horizon Forbidden West – Guerrilla Games/SIE
- God of War Sequel – SIE Santa Monica/SIE
- Resident Evil Village – Capcom
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Sequel – Nintendo
- 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim
- Final Fantasy VII Remake
- Ghosts of Tsushima
- Hades
- The Last of Us Part II
- Final Fantasy VII Remake
- Ghosts of Tsushima
- Hades
- Ori and the Will of the Wisps
- The Last of Us Part II
- Doom Eternal
- Final Fantasy VII Remake
- Hades
- Ori and the Will of the Wisps
- The Last of Us Part II
- Doom Eternal
- Half-Life: Alyx
- Ghosts of Tsushima
- Resident Evil 3
- The Last of Us Part II
- Ashley Johnson – Ellie, The Last of Us Part II
- Laura Bailey – Abby, The Last of Us Part II
- Daisuke Tsuji – Jin, Ghost of Tsushima
- Logan Cunningham – Hades, Hades
- Nadji Jeterm – Miles Morales, Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales
- If Found…
- Kentucky Route Zero: TV Edition
- Spiritfarer
- Tell Me Why
- Through Darkest of Times
- Apex Legends
- Destiny 2
- Call of Duty: Warzone
- Fortnite
- No Man's Sky
- Carrion
- Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout
- Hades
- Spelunky 2
- Spiritfarer
- Carrion
- Mortal Shell
- Raji: An Acient Epic
- Roki
- Phasmophobia
- Among Us
- Call of Duty Mobile
- Genshin Impact
- Legends of Runeterra
- Pokémon Cafe Mix
- Apex Legends
- Destiny 2
- Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout
- Fortnite
- No Man's Sky
- Valorant
- Dreams
- Half-Life: Alyx
- Marvel's Iron Man VR
- Star Wars: Squadrons
- The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners
- Assassin's Creed Valhalla
- Grounded
- Hyperdot
- The Last of Us Part II
- Watch Dogs Legion
- Doom Eternal
- Hades
- Half-Life: Alyx
- Nioh 2
- Streets of Rage 4
- Assassin's Creed Valhalla
- Ghosts of Tsushima
- Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales
- Ori and the Will of the Wisps
- Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
- The Last of Us Part II
- Final Fantasy VII Remake
- Genshin Impact
- Persona 5 Royal
- Wasteland 3
- Yakuza: Like a Dragon
- Granblue Fantasy: Versus
- Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate
- Street Fighter V: Champion Edition
- One Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows
- Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[cl-r]
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons
- Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time
- Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout
- Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit
- Minecraft Dungeons
- Paper Mario: The Origami King
- Crusader Kings 3
- Desperados 3
- Gear Tactics
- Microsoft Flight Simulator
- XCOM: Chimera Squad
- Dirt 5
- F1 2020
- FIFA 21
- NBA 2K21
- Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons
- Among Us
- Call of Duty: Warzone
- Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout
- Valorant
- Alanah Pearce
- Jay Ann Lopez
- Nickmercs
- TimTheTatman
- Valkyrae
- Ian "Crimsix" Porter
- Heo "Showmaker" Su
- Kim "Canyon" Geon-Bu
- Anthony "Shotzzy" Cuevas-Castro
- Matthieu "Zywoo" Herbaut
- Danny "Zonic" Sorensen
- Dae-Hee "Crusty" Park
- Fabian "Grabbz" Lohmann
- Lee "Zefa" Jae-Min
- Raymond "Rambo" Lussier
- Blast Premier: Spring 2020 European Finals
- Call of Duty League Championship 2020
- IEM Katowice 2020
- League of Legends World Championship 2020
- Overwatch League Grand Finals 2020
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
- Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
- Fortnite
- League of Legends
- Valorant
- Alex "Goldenboy" Mendez
- Alex "Machine" Richardson
- Eefje "Sjokz" Depoortere
- James "Dash" Patterson
- Jorien "Sheever" Van der Heijden
- Damwon Gaming
- Dallas Empire
- G2 Esports
- San Francisco Shock
- Team Secret
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