• Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.

The Game Awards 2021 Nominees

GymWolf

Gold Member
Re village and not returnal in the goty list? Ok then...

I can't even understand why since returnal rape village in terms of gameplay so much that is not even funny.

Maybe it was too hard for your average crowd...
 
Last edited:

Topher

Identifies as young
Oh, I missed it, was watching on mute. My bad.

In that case what the fuck. It's literally the highest rated new game of 2021 on Metacritic - outside of a VN with 9 reviews - and the critics aren't allowed to vote it GOTY? What?

Doesn't make sense to me. I'd love to see the vote breakdown of the top 10.

Was Psychonauts 2 that good? I was bored to tears with the trailer and Jack Black singing (please fire whoever thought that was a good idea). I'll check it out (y)

Psychonauts 2 was awesome.
 

AV

We ain't outta here in ten minutes, we won't need no rocket to fly through space
Was Psychonauts 2 that good? I was bored to tears with the trailer and Jack Black singing (please fire whoever thought that was a good idea). I'll check it out (y)

I'd go as far as to say it's better than the first, which might be unpopular - but I still have the same problem with it in that the game itself isn't that great, it's the sheer creativity of the world that makes it great.
 
GOTY nominees:

Deathloop
It Takes Two
Metroid Dread
Psychonauts 2
Ratchet and Clank A Rift Apart
Resident Evil Village

I got three right. lol
Hmm, rather interesting that Forza Horizon 5 isn't on the list. I heard some stuff earlier that it might've missed the cutoff date, but it turned out that talk was wrong.

So I wonder if there's still a stigma that it's being viewed as "just" a racing game, and I'm curious if any other racing game or vehicular-focused game has been nominated for their GOTY. Similarly, if games like Fortnite have been nominated for GOTY by TGA, but something tells me they haven't. At the very least it's a shoe-in for Racing Game of the Year title.

Also I know people are going to cling to review scores and by that metric yes FH5 should definitely be in that list, but you also can't argue about the impact of games like Dread or surprise hits like It Takes Two.

Either way, this is a pretty solid list; I'm thinking Metroid Dread is going to take it. Something else interesting to note is four of those games are platformer-types, probably first time in a long while that many have been up for GOTY in a single year. But I don't even necessarily care for the awards themselves, just really the new game reveals and footage.
 

isoRhythm

Banned
Robbed
GBQFxOr.jpg
 

RoboFu

One of the green rats
Such horrible choices … why tf is death loop in the lists at all .. nevertheless in multiple categories. 😪

I’m boycotting this circus if I don’t hear that Metroid dread won everything 😉😂
 
Last edited:
Returnal got snubbed!!! It'll probably win the two awards its up for though.

GOTY should be R&C or Metroid imo.
Ratchet and clank was just another ratchet and clank though. I've been playing the series for what? 15 years? It was a fun entry but game of the year? Not really.

Was it better than the last 5 entries? Sure but it's a formula and story we saw before. It's up there because it's highly rated.

Just give it to mwteoid so we see that a GOTY doesn't have to be a third person title.
 

Fess

Member
Oh, I missed it, was watching on mute. My bad.

In that case what the fuck. It's literally the highest rated new game of 2021 on Metacritic - outside of a VN with 9 reviews - and the critics aren't allowed to vote it GOTY? What?
Disappointing but not surprising. Correct me if I’m wrong here but I don’t think TGA has ever had a racing game nominated for the GOTY award. It’ll be on many other lists though, including mine.

It’s nice to see Metroid Dread there though! It’s my top pick 👌
 

Belthazar

Member
Oh, I missed it, was watching on mute. My bad.

In that case what the fuck. It's literally the highest rated new game of 2021 on Metacritic - outside of a VN with 9 reviews - and the critics aren't allowed to vote it GOTY? What?

They were allowed... They just didn't.
 

SlimySnake

Flashless at the Golden Globes
Fucking joke that Returnal isn’t on that list
Is it? It's a great game but GOTY material? Nah.

But then again, pretty much every game on that list isnt GOTY material. Save for maybe It Takes Two but even that game wouldnt have made the GOTY list in a year like 2020 when GoT, TLOU2, FF7, Hades and Doom Eternal made the list. Ratchet, Deathloop, Psychonauts and even Metroid Dread and RE8 are the kind of games you play and forget about in two weeks. Let alone be remembered for the end of year awards.

Returnal is lacking high production values when it comes to story and storytelling. Its story feels like one of those PC indie games like Ethan Carter. Like dude, spend some time and effort on proper cutscenes. You are charging $70 for this game. The gameplay is good but man it felt like Uncharted Drake's Fortune. A good first try but a lot of room for improvement. It's also far too limited in scope. Thats not the kind of game that wins GOTY unless you really go above and beyond with the storytelling and completely nail the gameplay loop like Hades did last year.

Every game on this list feels like its missing something. Either not epic enough. Or too samey. Or just plain forgettable. Even if Metroid or Deathloop win GOTY, no one would dare compare them to previous winners like TLOU2, GOW, Witcher 3 and BOTW. Horizon 2 is that game. Massive in scope, epic setting, a true big budget blockbuster that also gets critical acclaim. Sucks they didnt make it this year. They wouldve won by default.
 
Last edited:

Evil Calvin

Afraid of Boobs
Game of the Year:

DEATHLOOP
It Takes Two
Metroid Dread
Psychonauts 2
Ratchet & Clank
Resident Evil Village

Best Game Direction:

DEATHLOOP
It Takes Two
Returnal
Psychonauts 2
Ratchet & Clank

Best Narrative:

DEATHLOOP
It Takes Two
Life is Strange: True Colors
Guardians of the Galaxy
Psychonauts 2

Best Indie:

12 Minutes
Death's Door
Kena
Inscryption
Loop Hero

Best Action:

Back 4 Blood
Chivalry 2
Deathloop
Far Cry 6
Returnal

Best Action/Adventure:

Guardians of the Galaxy
Metroid Dread
Ratchet & Clank
Resident Evil Village
Psychonauts 2
Not a Forza anywhere? Huh?
 

reksveks

Member
My predictions
Game of the Year:
DEATHLOOP
Best Game Direction:
Psychonauts 2
Best Narrative:
Life is Strange: True Colors
Best Indie:
Inscryption
Best Action:
Returnal
Best Action/Adventure:
Metroid Dread
 

Draugoth

Gold Member
FULL LIST
  • Best Performance
    • Erika Mori (Life is Strange: True Colors)
    • Giancarlo Esposito (Far Cry 6)
    • Jason Kelley ("Deathloop")
    • Maggie Robertson (Resident Evil: Village)
    • Ozioma Akagha ("Deathloop")
  • Best Multiplayer
    • Back 4 Blood
    • Knockout City
    • Monster Hunter: Rise
    • New World
    • It Takes Two
    • Valheim
  • Best Ongoing Game
    • Apex Legends
    • Call of Duty: Warzone
    • Final Fantasy XIV
    • Genshin Impact
    • Fortnite
  • Best Art Direction
    • "Deathloop"
    • Kena: Bridge of Spirits
    • Psychonauts 2
    • Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
    • The Artful Escape
  • Best Score & Music
    • Cyberpunk 2077
    • "Deathloop"
    • NieR Replicant ver. 1.22474487139
    • Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy
    • The Artful Escape
  • Best Audio Design
    • "Deathloop"
    • Forza Horizon 5
    • Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
    • Resident Evil: Village
    • Returnal
  • Innovation in Accessiblity
    • Far Cry 6
    • Forza Horizon 5
    • Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy
    • Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
    • The Vale: Shadow of the Crown
  • Best Narrative
    • "Deathloop"
    • It Takes Two
    • Life is Strange: True Colors
    • Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy
    • Psychonauts 2
  • Games for Impact
    • Before Your Eyes
    • Boyfriend Dungeon
    • Chicory: A Colorful Tale
    • Life is Strange: True Colors
    • No Longer Home
  • Best Independent Game
    • 12 Minutes
    • Death's Door
    • Kena: Bridge of Spirits
    • Inscryption
    • Loop Hero
  • Best Mobile Game
    • Fantasian
    • Genshin Impact
    • League of Legends: Wild Rift
    • Marvel: Future Revolution
    • Pokemon UNITE
  • Best Community Support
    • Apex Legends
    • Destiny 2
    • Final Fantasy XIV
    • Fortnite
    • No Man's Sky
  • Best Debut Indie Game
    • Kena: Bridge of Spirits
    • Sable
    • The Artful Escape
    • The Forgotten City
    • Valheim
  • Best VR/AR Game
    • Hitman III
    • I Expect You to Die 2: The Spy and the Liar
    • Lone Echo 2
    • Resident Evil 4
    • Sniper Elite VR
  • Content Creator of the Year
    • Dream
    • Fuslie
    • Gaules
    • Ibai
    • The Grefg
  • Best Action Game
    • Back 4 Blood
    • Chivalry II
    • "Deathloop"
    • Far Cry 6
    • Returnal
  • Best Action/Adventure Game
    • Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy
    • Metroid Dread
    • Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
    • Resident Evil: Village
    • Psychonauts 2
  • Best Role Playing Game
    • Cyberpunk 2077
    • Monster Hunter: Rise
    • Scarlet Nexus
    • Shin Megami Tensei V
    • Tales of Arise
  • Most Anticipated Game
    • Elden Ring
    • God of War: Ragnarok
    • Horizon: Forbidden West
    • The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild 2
    • Starfield
  • Best Fighting Game
    • Demon Slayer: The Hinokami Chronicles
    • Guilty Gear: Strive
    • Melty Blood: Type Lumina
    • Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl
    • Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown
  • Best Family Game
    • It Takes Two
    • Mario Party Superstars
    • New Pokemon Snap
    • Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury
    • Wario Ware: Get It Together!
  • Best Sim/Strategy Game
    • Age of Empires IV
    • Evil Genius 2: World Domination
    • Humankind
    • Inscryption
    • Microsoft Flight Simulator
  • Best Sports/Racing Game
    • F1: 2021 The Official Videogame
    • FIFA 22
    • Hot Wheels Unleashed
    • Forza Horizon 5
    • Riders Republic
  • Best Esports Game
    • Call of Duty
    • CS GO
    • DOTA 2
    • League of Legends
    • Valorant
  • Best Esports Athlete
    • Collapse
    • S1MPLE
    • Showmaker
    • Tenz
    • Simp
  • Best Esports Team
    • Atlanta Faze (Call of Duty)
    • DWG (League of Legends)
    • Navi (CS GO)
    • Team Spirit (DOTA 2)
    • Sentinels (Valorant)
  • Best Esports Coach
    • B1AD3
    • Crowder
    • Engh
    • Kkoma
    • Silent
  • Best Esports Event
    • The International DOTA 2 Championships
    • 2021 League of Legends World Championship
    • Valorant Champions Tour Stage 2: Masters
    • PGL Major: Stockholm 2021
    • PUBG Mobile Global Championship
 

skit_data

Member
Deathloop is gonna be GotY, to make fanboys from all sides feel equally happy.
I still don’t see the appeal of that game, though.

Returnal got Best Audio and Best Direction nominations at least. The sound design of that game deserves an award. It is my personal GotY but I can’t say I’m surprised it wasn’t nominated for Best Game.

BTW, didn’t Flight Simulator win simulation last year? Is it the console version that’s nominated?
 
Last edited:

Varteras

Member
I know critical reception doesn't mean that much, but the fact that Forza Horizon 5 was the highest rated game of 2021 and clearly has a lot of people playing and it didn't get a nomination for GOTY makes me question the criteria. Returnal was also deserving of a nomination. A great game that generated a lot of conversation, took many by surprise, and was a significant step up for a smaller Finnish studio that had only really done twin-stick arcade shooters. I feel like Resident Evil Village wouldn't have received nearly as much attention had it not been for that fat titty cock blood sucker everyone got a boner over.

That said, with this list I'd have to give it to Metroid Dread. I loved Ratchet & Clank and I'm glad it was nominated but Dread was such a pleasant surprise. Seeing a 2D Metroid do so well from a studio that a lot of people were hard on for some of their previous foul ups made me happy for them and the series. I'm sorry but if Deathloop wins that's just going to confirm to me that these journalists are hell bent on making a bigger deal out of that game than it deserves.
 
Top Bottom