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Archive: 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007

Current standings:

Dragon Age: Inquisition - 9
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor - 5
Alien: Isolation - 4
Destiny - 2
Mario Kart 8 - 2
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U - 2
80 Days - 1
Bayonetta 2 - 1
Dark Souls II - 1
South Park: The Stick of Truth - 1
Transistor - 1
Valiant Hearts: The Great War - 1

[IOS] 80 Days

Time

80 Days is less about gameplay subversion than stylish, thoughtful immersion, employing a beloved genre -- interactive fiction -- to set you loose in a reimagined, politically contemplative rendering of Jules Verne's novel Around the World in 80 Days. Here be mechanical golems, underseas trains and steam-powered creatures as you traverse a game world (designed by a British-Indian woman) that doubles as trenchant commentary on the nature of colonialism.

[360][XB1][PS3][PS4][PC] Alien: Isolation

New Statesman

Alien: Isolation represents a bold departure in the design of big budget games. It is a legitimately tough game to complete, plus it is scary in the right ways - you hide in lockers, enemies don’t leap out of them. It is an uncomfortable game to play with many elements of its interface, such as the save system, made purposefully unfriendly to increase the difficulty. It is a game in which the worst of the violence on offer is directed squarely at the player character.

PC Gamer

Finally, someone made an Alien game based on the right film. The Creative Assembly obsessively broke Ridley Scott’s 1979 original down and used its component parts – one terrifying creature, a struggle for survival, a dark, claustrophobic setting – to make the best Alien game ever, and one of the best horror games ever. It’s probably the bravest, most subversive ‘AAA’ game of the year, and I’m really glad Sega took a gamble on it.

Pocket-lint

Alien: Isolation is one of the scariest, clever horror survival games we've played in years that is not only a great homage to Ridley Scott's original Alien, but possibly the greatest videogaming example of the use of "nothing".

Stuff

With many first-person shooters now little more than fish-in-a-barrel sims, it’s refreshing to play a game with a much deeper barrel. Oh, and 
a xenomorphic fish that has a nasty habit of sneaking up on you and turning your internal organs into external ones. Alien: Isolation is the gaming equivalent of walking blindfolded across a tightrope over a pool of gnashing piranhas – the danger might not always be visible, but you know it’s just under the surface. Extra-terrestrial stand-offs and unforgiving gameplay mean it’s not for everyone, but for its truly terrifying atmosphere, one of the greatest inventions of sci-fi cinema finally 
has a game worthy of the Alien name.

[NWU] Bayonetta 2

Edge

[360][XB1][PS3][PS4][PC] Dark Souls II

WatchMojo

[360][XB1][PS3][PS4] Destiny

Cheat Code Central

Those who’ve actually spent some real time with this groundbreaking title will find it hard to remain skeptical regarding its revolutionary importance. It doesn’t so much try to reinvent the wheel of the shooter genre, but rather makes for a more individualized experience amongst players. The level of customization and integration of special powers ensures that no encounters are ever the same, with each user able to find their own identity.

GamesRadar

[360][XB1][PS3][PS4][PC] Dragon Age: Inquisition

ABC Good Game

Deep with lore and sparkling dialogue, the main plot and companion side-stories are artfully woven together, providing you countless tough decisions. Add to that the rich, tactical top-down combat, challenging rifts, and epic dragons! Inquisition stands as one of the most interesting, multi-layered RPGs ever made.

Associated Press

BioWare's overstuffed role-playing epic has everything you could want in a fantasy saga: war, magic, exploration, romance and, yes, dragons. I've spent 200 hours in its lush, frightening world and there are still huge areas I've barely visited. I can't wait to get back.

The Citizen

I'm still trying to find the time just for November's "Inquisition." The third entry in Bioware's fantasy series has more than enough missions to complete, lore to thumb and companions to woo to overwhelm even the most ambitious marathon player. That largesse is one reason "Inquisition" was my favorite game to play this year, and yes, a weak field was another. But most of all, I was won over by the masterful way everything about Thedas coheres into one unified experience of unyielding, escapist fun.

Electric Playground

Gadget Review

Dragon Age Inquisition, the third installment in the fantasy RPG series, won both best video game at the VGAs (Video Game Awards) and a spot on this top 10 video games list with its enormous world filled with lore and action-oriented combat. There’s a multiplayer, but most of the game takes place in a rich single player landscape filled with magic, elves, and of course, dragons. This is a Bioware game, which means an emphasis on story-making decisions and character development.

The Game Awards

Leviathyn

Dragon Age: Inquisiton is another masterful work out of Canadian-based developer, Bioware. Throughout your 70+ hour journey in Thedas, you will form relationships with a colorful cast of characters, whom I found myself thoroughly missing after the credits had rolled. Inquisition takes place in a huge open world, albeit sectioned off, which is a major improvement from the previous two titles in the series. With so much to do and see, you will find yourself lost in its world and lore, and the amount of decisions that Bioware allows you to make here only makes it that more immersive. Dragon Age: Inquisiton is not only the best game to release this year – but is one of the best RPG titles to be released in recent years.

Press Play TV

Dragon Age: Inquisition has already won its share of awards over the last five days, but in the end we just couldn’t let it walk away without the big one. We mused during our deliberations that this one could have been a contender for ‘Biggest Surprise’ as well, considering the huge leap in quality and content from the series’ somewhat dubious previous entry. There’s not much more we can say without retreading the same praises we’ve already sung, but mostly this game thrust us into a world we simply didn’t want to leave. We’ll be thinking about this one well into 2015, and we can’t wait to see what Bioware does next. For pulling the Dragon Age series from the depths and offering us dozens of hours of fun, Dragon Age: Inquisition is our Game of the Year for 2014!

What Culture

Bioware have forever been the twin-masters of western RPG game design alongside Bethesda, and although they had quite the monumental trip n’ floor-splat with Mass Effect 3, Inquisition sees them doubling down on what they know they can do better than anyone else. That means hugely expansive areas that snake off in a million different directions, more side-quests than there are characters in the whole game, interesting lore to soak up and a constantly-rewarding system of loot that’ll give you something to carry forward regardless of whether you play for 30 minutes or 30 hours.

[NWU] Mario Kart 8

Amazon (UK)

Mario Kart is a system seller. It's the perfect title for families or friends to gather round and have a laugh.

The New Yorker

Gamers are familiar with the law of diminishing returns—more even than Hollywood’s most sequel-ready film franchises, video games inspire iteration. Yet Nintendo’s latest update to its twenty-two-year-old racing series is a revelation undiminished by familiarity. The additions to the template may be broadly inconsequential (TV-style race replays, tracks with sections that rise into the air and twirl, drivers’ pigtails that flap in the wind), but the execution is unrivalled—the humorous animations, the high-contrast vistas, the nimiety of customization options. Video games have been this detailed before, but rarely to such unwaveringly joyous effect.

[360][XB1][PS3][PS4][PC] Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor

GameSpot

What makes Shadow of Mordor special, however, is how it improves on that stealth-action-parkour formula while simultaneously introducing its own unique element: the nemesis system. The mechanic is the one from 2014 most likely to influence systems-driven games in the years to come. In Shadow of Mordor, your enemies aren’t just the ones the game tells you about, but the ones you make on your own as you hack and slash your way through the game’s parched environments. The Uruk that got away will remember your face. His facial scars will be a roadmap of the brutality you forced him to endure. And when you next meet, he will bellow his displeasure before unleashing vengeance.

International Business Times

If you’re obsessed with the “Lord of the Rings” universe like we are, “Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor” is a must-have game. The action role-playing title reached the PC, Xbox One and PlayStation 4 in October, with the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions launching in November. It’s a bit darker than the PG-13 rated films, and it takes place between the events of author J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” and the first installment of “The Lord of the Rings.”

As in the films and books, Sauron has created an Orc army that is wreaking havoc on Middle-earth. Players control a ranger named Talion, who has wraith-like abilities. Talion is customizable and, as the game progresses, can accrue enemies. Maybe an Orc a player harms in the first part of the game will want revenge later. This is one of the best parts of the game, as is the landscape. Being able to explore Mordor in a game setting is awesome, and elements and characters from the books make it into the game as well.

The Koalition

When Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor was first announced, many people were skeptical about this title and what value it could bring to J.R.R. Tolkien’s famous Lord of the Rings franchise. Much to our surprise, this game proved to be even better than advertised and resonated strongly with most of us.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Shadow of Mordor" took notes from successful open-world action games and added its novel nemesis system to the recipe. Every orc enemy has its own name, strengths, weaknesses, fears and goals. Personifying each enemy brings purpose to every battle. Plus, a combat system similar to the "Batman: Arkham" franchise makes the fights fun and satisfying. Liking or knowing the "Lord of the Rings" universe isn't a prerequisite. Anyone who likes games is in for a treat in "Shadow of Mordor."

Wow 24/7 (UK)

Rarely has a third-person sandbox game been this rewarding. Never mind the fact that Monolith’s magnificent treat spliced the best of Assassin’s Creed with the Arkham games’ thrilling combat. Never mind that it managed to craft real depth and variety out of the gritty Mordor landscape. No, the real key to Shadow Of Mordor’s success was its deservedly lauded Nemesis System: a rare spark of invention and broken-ground in this year’s Triple A sphere. Sure to be emulated far and wide, it ensured that each and every player went away with exciting, interesting and unique tales of the foes they’d clashed with and the power-struggles they’d won. Here was a game that thrilled, and gripped, but also brought a huge smile to your face.

[360][PS3][PC] South Park: The Stick of Truth

The Gazette

“Stick of Truth” was the most logical choice. It features creative gameplay and somehow conquered one of the gaming industries biggest problems – taking a popular franchise from one medium and making it successful in another. That’s quite a feat. Congrats “South Park: Stick of Truth!” Eric Cartman will be pleased to know that a free bucket of KFC comes with this honor.

[NWU] Super Smash Bros. for Wii U

CraveOnline

At release, it shook the world, bringing families and friends together in the living room to battle it out using one of more than three dozen characters. Equipped with a variety of game modes, items, levels, as well as the series' famously high skill ceiling, it is a game that has won of the attention of gamers. Many will remain committed to mastering its gameplay, using their skill to down any foes who challenge them. Meanwhile, others will regard it as the best go-to game for casual local multiplayer where Super Smash Bros. shines as bright as any game in history.

Reno Gazette-Journal

Nintendo's crazy fighting game returns with its Wii U debut, bringing laughs, screams and bonding moments to living rooms everywhere. There really is quite nothing like assembling a group of friends and family to smack each other around with classic Nintendo characters and guests. Add excellent polish, solid mechanics and addicting gameplay to its near universal appeal and Super Smash Bros. gets my nod for best game this year.

[PS4][PC] Transistor

Tom's Guide

It's just a girl and her sword. From the moment you hear the protagonist's lilting voice in the opening credits, you're captivated. The spell is strengthened by the jaw-dropping art style, with its myriad blues, reds and greens. Set in a futuristic world on the brink of ruin, players step into the shoes of Red, a singer whose voice was stolen by the very weapon she wields -- the Transistor. Using strategy-laden attacks, Red fights to take vengeance for everything she's lost against a backdrop of soulful music and beautiful destruction. It's a must-play for gamers tired of sepia-toned shooters with little to no story, and it's our pick for the top title of 2014.

[360][XB1][PS3][PS4][PC][IOS][AND] Valiant Hearts: The Great War

Gameblog (France)

 

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[Cheesemeister]

Added GOTYs from The Game Awards and The New Yorker. Somehow, I don't think there'll be a big frontrunner this year.

 

[theprodigy]

how exactly do you determine what counts as a "media pick"?

 

[Camp Lo]

Today is the first time I've ever heard of 80 Days.

 

[GamerJM]

Added GOTYs from The Game Awards and The New Yorker. Somehow, I don't think there'll be a big frontrunner this year.

I got my money on Dragon Age: Inquisition. It has the review scores, the budget/coverage, and (supposedly, I haven't played it) the quality to justify it. It's also probably the most significant game for gaming as an interactive medium this year, which is usually what tends to be the frontrunner.

 

[Cheesemeister]

how exactly do you determine what counts as a "media pick"?

A domain name, broadcast outlet, or distributed print media is required.

 

[cosmicblizzard]

Come on Kotaku, do the right thing and give it to Danganronpa!

 

[LX_Theo]

Come on Kotaku, do the right thing and give it to Danganronpa!

*Sigh*

It deserves so many, but I doubt it'll get one.

 

[Santiako]

Gamesradar named Destiny their goty

 

[Corgi]

Well destiny just got one.

 

[QaaQer]

Today is the first time I've ever heard of 80 Days.

Amazing game. Well worth your time and money.

 

[shingonation]

ABC Good Game : Dragon Age: Inquisition

Associated Press : Dragon Age: Inquisition

Cheat Code Central : Destiny

Gadget Review : Dragon Age: Inquisition

IBTimes: Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor

IT News Africa : Dragon Age: Inquisition

O2 Pocket-lint Gadget Awards : Alien: Isolation

Press Play TV : Dragon Age: Inquisition

Stuff Gadget Awards : Alien: Isolation

TheCelebrityCafe.com Magazine : Super Smash Bros. for Wii U

Tom's Guide : Transistor

WhatCulture : Dragon Age: Inquisition

WOW247: Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor

 

[Phamit]

stuff.tv named Alien Isolation their game of the year

 

[LX_Theo]

I'm surprised SSB hasn't got any (or many?). Not that I like it that much, but it sure seems to be a darling game for many.

 

[Gonzo The Great]

ABC Good Game : Dragon Age: Inquisition
http://www.abc.net.au/tv/goodgame/stories/s4145322.htm

Associated Press : Dragon Age: Inquisition
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/dragon-age-tops-ap-critics-best-games-2014-27608948

Cheat Code Central (US) : Destiny
http://www.cheatcc.com/extra/2014codyawards/gameoftheyear_winner.html

Gadget Review : Dragon Age: Inquisition
http://www.gadgetreview.com/2014/12/10-of-the-best-video-games-2014

IBTimes: Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor
http://www.ibtimes.com/top-5-video-games-2014-our-favorite-ps4-xbox-one-wii-u-games-year-1758614

IT News Africa : Dragon Age: Inquisition
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/dragon-age-tops-ap-critics-best-games-2014-27608948

O2 Pocket-lint Gadget Awards : Alien: Isolation
http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/131...ket-lint-gadget-awards-2014-winners-announced

Press Play TV : Dragon Age: Inquisition
www.pressplaytv.com/game-year-2014-part-5

Stuff Gadget Awards : Alien: Isolation
http://www.stuff.tv/gadget-awards-2014/stuff-gadget-awards-2014-vote-game-year/feature

The Citizen Auburn : Dragon Age: Inquisition
http://auburnpub.com/entertainment/...cle_05221f14-3c47-5ef9-a2a2-4a57f7f51a88.html

Tom's Guide : Transistor
http://www.tomsguide.com/us/best-games-of-2014,review-2547.html

WhatCulture : Dragon Age: Inquisition
http://whatculture.com/gaming/20-best-video-games-2014.php/21

WOW247: Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor
http://www.wow247.co.uk/blog/2014/12/09/best-20-games-of-2014/

So are all of these outlets latching onto Dragon Age: Inquisition because it won GOTY at the Game Awards, or is Bayonetta 2 getting snubbed?

stuff.tv named Alien Isolation their game of the year

>Watchdogs
>Destiny
>Titanfall
>no Bayonetta 2

Welp, that answers that.

 

[Jachaos]

I'm surprised SSB hasn't got any (or many?). Not that I like it that much, but it sure seems to be a darling game for many.

True, pretty weird. It's getting mine in any case (with both Danganronpa games right after it and getting my 3pts spots).

 

[Afrocious]

So are all of these outlets latching onto Dragon Age: Inquisition because it won GOTY at the Game Awards, or is Bayonetta 2 getting snubbed?



>Watchdogs
>Destiny
>Titanfall
>no Bayonetta 2

Welp, that answers that.

Snubbed. Besides Bayonetta 2, I imagine, could be too risky for game journos to pick unfortunately. I find DA:I to be a safer bet along with it being more accessible.

 

[Jeels]

Snubbed. Besides Bayonetta 2, I imagine, could be too risky for game journos to pick unfortunately. I find DA:I to be a safer bet along with it being more accessible.

Being safe doesnt make it the better game though.

 

[Phediuk]

Already a bunch listed here:

http://gotypicks.blogspot.ca/

 

[ViewtifulJC]

I called Dragon Age winning most of these months ago. Its an accessible AAA western game with a 90 metacritic and big focus on storytelling. You look back on the history of these things you find that's where they tend to lean(The Last of Us, Skyrim, Red Dead Redemption/Mass Effect 2, Uncharted 2, Fallout 3, Bioshock, etc). Its a safe, consensus choice.

 

[Cartman86]

A lot of people.

A. Haven't played Bayonetta 2.
B. Don't like its style/art.
C. Don't like that kind of gameplay.

There is a reason you don't see action games like that win many GOTY awards anymore. I stopped loving them after God of War 2. DMC was probably the last one I at least had some fun with.

Dragon Age is the "safe" choice in that it's a AAA game. If there are unsafe choices they would be mobile or really strange and (Kentucky Route Zero). I don't believe that the choices are made with safety in mind though. Group lists are made through consensus and who has played what. Safe to say most people would have played a game like Dragon Age.

 

[brandonh83]

I called Dragon Age winning most of these months ago. Its an accessible AAA western game with a 90 metacritic and big focus on storytelling. You look back on the history of these things you find that's where they tend to lean(The Last of Us, Skyrim, Red Dead Redemption/Mass Effect 2, Uncharted 2, Fallout 3, Bioshock, etc). Its a safe, consensus choice.

Exactly, and to the point. There is literally no reason to argue with this.

 

[FloweryMarston]

I think dragon age will be the one that will get the most amount of goty awards. Would love to see some nintendo love too though, they delivered more than anyone this year in my opinion.

 

[Jachaos]

Already a bunch listed here:

http://gotypicks.blogspot.ca/

Huh, Transistor, Persona Q, Papers Please with a win each already, and SSBU with three. Well I'm happy about that.

 

[cleveridea]

Wow at Destiny, I actually like the game but GOTY?

And where is sunset overdrive?

 

[shinobi602]

I called Dragon Age winning most of these months ago. Its an accessible AAA western game with a 90 metacritic and big focus on storytelling. You look back on the history of these things you find that's where they tend to lean(The Last of Us, Skyrim, Red Dead Redemption/Mass Effect 2, Uncharted 2, Fallout 3, Bioshock, etc). Its a safe, consensus choice.

They're also absolutely fantastic games and easily worthy of the title, in my opinion

 

[Anth0ny]

I called Dragon Age winning most of these months ago. Its an accessible AAA western game with a 90 metacritic and big focus on storytelling. You look back on the history of these things you find that's where they tend to lean(The Last of Us, Skyrim, Red Dead Redemption/Mass Effect 2, Uncharted 2, Fallout 3, Bioshock, etc). Its a safe, consensus choice.

Yup. Dragon Age and Mordor are going to clean up this year.

 

[LX_Theo]

They're also absolutely fantastic games and easily worthy of the title, in my opinion

Any game being nominated better be.

 

[Vanillalite]

IGN's 2014's Game of the Year Nominees Revealed: IGN YouTube

 

[ViewtifulJC]

Not making any judgements on those games or anything, but there's clearly a bias towards that specific brand of single player AAA western story-heavy games, compared to Japanese games, "gamey" games, or multiplayer games, or mid-tier productions or indie games, or practically anything else, lol. The one exception being 2012 where they lacked that big safe choice to latch on to with Mass Effect 3 backlash in full-effect, and UbiSoft games being too "UbiSoft Game" to ever win much consensus admiration.

So they went with...the smaller single player western story-heavy game The Walking Dead, lol. Or Journey, which is a similar kind of experience.

 

[Bronetta]

Bayonetta 2 and Tropical Freeze getting robbed.

 

[brandonh83]

Bayonetta 2 and Tropical Freeze getting robbed.

Yeah but they don't entrance gamers with unforgettable, sprawling EPICS

 

[Jarmel]

Front runner is definitely Dragon Age this year.

Good job Bioware. Now bring me dat Mass Effect.

 

[RespectThySole]

IGN's 2014's Game of the Year Nominees Revealed: IGN YouTube

Sunset made IGN's list, nice!

 

[FTF]

South Park will deserve more love, but it will be forgotten and overlooked :/

 

[Mauricio_Magus]

Bayo 2 not getting many picks is sad, but expected.

 

[LX_Theo]

South Park will deserve more love, but it will be forgotten and overlooked :/

Its easy to forget it came out this year. Keeps feeling like a 2013 release to me.

 

[Bronetta]

Yeah but they don't entrance gamers with unforgettable, sprawling EPICS

#2gamey4me

 

[Servbot24]

Bayo 2 not getting many picks is sad, but expected.

Just too niche I'm afraid.

My GOTY (dark souls ii) will be snubbed due to falling short of dark souls i.

 

[Cheesemeister]

Somehow, I don't think there'll be a big frontrunner this year.

Yeah, forget what I said...

 

[JB-the-Hunter]

The lack of Smash hurts my soul.