The year is winding down. Most AAA, indie, second and third party games have released. Probably small ones on the side coming out under the radar still. But regardless, I look back on what I played this year to decide my choice of Game of the Year. Unfortunately I've played just three new games this year. But I've played a total of 15, breaking last years record of 12. Several were games I've already seen on Youtube but hadn't played yet, namely on my new PS 4 Slim - The Last of Us and Uncharted 1-4. Others were new, or replayed on my Xbox.
I enjoyed a great experimental title from Ninja Theory I read about in GameInformer earler this year - Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice. Started and have over 20 hours in Middle Earth: Shadow of War. But the real deal was a game that blew me away. I heard about it last E3 and as it approached launch on February 28th, I didn't think much of it. It was when Polygon.com gave it a 9.5/10 my interest grew. Horizon Zero Dawn took me by total surprise. Its not the greatest game I've ever played but I tie it with Skyrim as the 6th best game I've ever played, and best action RPG I've experienced. I even give it higher rating - also a 9.5/10. I fell in love with Aloy; she's such a great character. Now one of my favorites, on a list including the Uncharted crew, Ellie and Joel from The Last of Us and my favorite game character - Master Chief.
I'm really happy to see The Game Awards nominate Horizon Zero Dawn and Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice across several categories. So my vote for Game of the Year is easily HZD. A amazingly fascinating story with a surprising amount of lore, some of the best art design and graphics I've ever seen, an emotional journey of discovery that made me cry at the end, a stunningly beautiful musical score and fantastic combat mechanics sway me. I gave it five votes - Best Narrative, Best Art Direction, Best Game Direction, Best Action Adventure, and Game of the Year. Hellblade got four- Best Sound Design, Best Indie, Most Scially Impactful, and Best Performance. That last one was hard to chose, but Melina Juergens was phenomenal for someone with no prior acting experience. Combined with the brilliant use of real time cinematography, she brought a depth of grit and raw emotional power I've rarely seen. Huge props to Guerilla Games and Ninja Theory for their work!
With that, what's your Game of the Year? What did you most enjoy, even if it didn't make the Game Awards list?
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