Game of the Year Winners: The past decade has been transformative for the gaming industry, witnessing groundbreaking advancements in technology, storytelling, and game design. The sheer scale of visual realism, complex narratives, and the ever-growing gaming communities have made this an era of exceptional creativity and influence.
The Game Awards, founded in 2014 by Geoff Keighley, celebrates top achievements in gaming each year. Known for honouring the best games and featuring exciting announcements, it has quickly become a key industry event. Despite some criticism over its format, it remains a major occasion for uniting developers, publishers, and fans worldwide.
Each year, the coveted Game of the Year award goes to a title that not only exemplifies excellence in design and gameplay but also tells stories that resonate deeply with audiences. Here’s a look at the past decade’s winners, with an overview of each game’s legacy and impact.
Game of the Year Award: List of Titles that Received the Award from 2014
Dragon Age: Inquisition (2014)
Dragon Age: Inquisition combines strategic warfare with an uplifting narrative to immerse players in a realm of profound political intrigue and magic. As the Inquisitor, players wielded the power to unite a fractured land threatened by dark forces. Its bright open-world design and excellent storyline earned it the title of Game of the Year, demonstrating Bioware’s skill at crafting massive, character-driven stories.
BioWare is gearing up for Inquisition’s sequel’s release, Dragon Age: The Veilguard on October 31.
- Release Date: November 18, 2014
- Platforms: PlayStation 3/4, PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015)
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, a standard in open-world role-playing games, captivated players with its meticulous world-building, compelling story, and intriguing side quests. Players encountered one of the best-designed fantasy worlds in gaming while assuming the role of Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter with a moral code. The game became a lasting favourite and a genre-defining title because of its richness, dramatic storylines, and challenging combat system.
- Release Date: May 19, 2015
- Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch (2019), PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S (2022)
Overwatch (2016)
Overwatch redefined the competitive shooter genre by introducing a colourful, diverse cast of heroes with unique abilities. Its focus on team-based gameplay and strategy brought new dynamics to multiplayer shooters. The game’s success went beyond gameplay, creating a global community and impacting the resonating esports scene while popularizing “hero shooters.”
On October 3, 2022, the Overwatch servers were shut down in preparation for the beta release of its sequel, Overwatch 2, the next day.
- Release Date: May 24, 2016
- Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch (2019)
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017)
Nintendo reinvented the iconic Zelda series in Breath of the Wild, offering a huge vast open-world setting that encouraged exploration and discovery. The challenging puzzles, dynamic weather systems, and physics-based gameplay raised the bar for open-world gaming. The game was a landmark title of the decade because of its adaptability and emphasis on player agency.
- Release Date: March 3, 2017
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Wii U
God of War (2018)
God of War changed the course of the classic action franchise by incorporating Norse mythology and a more complex, mature storyline. The game, which followed Kratos and his son Atreus, featured the visceral combat that players adored while delving into themes of parenthood and redemption. This reimagining set a high bar for character development in action games.
- Release Date: April 20, 2018
- Platforms: PS4, later on PC (2022)
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (2019)
FromSoftware’s Sekiro brought a fresh perspective to the action genre with its intense, skill-based combat and stealth mechanics. Set in a reimagined Japan, the story follows a shinobi on a path of vengeance. The game’s unforgiving difficulty and unique combat system appealed to fans of challenging gameplay and set it apart as a bold, unique experience.
- Release Date: March 22, 2019
- Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Stadia (2020)
The Last of Us Part II (2020)
A masterful blend of storytelling and gameplay, The Last of Us Part II explored complex themes like revenge, redemption, and the human cost of survival. With its lifelike graphics and emotionally intense narrative, the game pushed boundaries and sparked discussions across the gaming community. This sequel enhanced its predecessor’s legacy, leaving a lasting impact.
A remastered version of the game was launched earlier this year which again received decorated acclaim from critics.
- Release Date: June 19, 2020
- Platforms: PS4, Remastered version on PS5 (2024)
It Takes Two (2021)
It Takes Two celebrated cooperative gameplay in a unique storyline about family and relationships. It was created specifically as a two-player game and distinguished itself as a creative journey for players with its captivating puzzles and inventive gameplay elements. The game was a memorable experience because of its unique level design and sincere storytelling style.
- Release Date: March 26, 2021
- Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch (2022)
Elden Ring (2022)
Elden Ring brought the signature challenge of FromSoftware’s games to a grand open-world setting, combining intense combat with an expansive world crafted in collaboration with author George R.R. Martin. Players explored a beautifully haunting landscape filled with hidden lore, creating an experience that was both punishing and rewarding, cementing the Elden Ring as a cultural phenomenon.
- Release Date: February 25, 2022
- Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Baldur’s Gate 3 (2023)
A return to the roots of classic RPGs, Baldur’s Gate 3 immersed players in a deeply interactive world with unparalleled choice and consequence. By incorporating elements from Dungeons & Dragons, it gave players the ability to influence the plot through their choices. Its status as one of the most significant role-playing games of its era has been cemented by its compelling story, deep character interactions, and vibrant world-building.
- Release Date: August 3, 2023 (PC), September 6, 2023 (PS5)
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
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