Back in the swing of the holidays, The Game Awards have just released the nominees for this year and there couldn’t be more excited! The winners will be picked on December 6th, 2018 live from California. One of the best parts about the voting system (which we all hope you are voting) is the ability to vote once every 24 hours. So get to the voting already! Below is a list of what my thoughts are on who I think should win this year.
Game of the Year: God Of War
Although all of the games have been wonderful this year and this category is always a difficult choice, if there is one that seems to keep making an appearance, the choice should be God of War.
Best Ongoing Game: Overwatch
Possibly a little bias for this choice, Overwatch is still a great ongoing game that doesn’t need a lot of additions to keep the game fun and competitive, but keeps adding more heroes and locations.
Best Game direction: A Way Out
This was a tough category to choose from. Detroit: Become Human is a great game in general but A Way Out has it beat with the co-op play, the storyline and just the mechanic of using two characters at once.
Best Narrative: God of War
Storytelling is such a key factor when making a game and everyone on this list has done a good job. The best narrative, however, should probably go to God of War. The story just keeps you playing to find out what will happen.
Best Art Direction: Red Dead Redemption 2
Between Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, God of War and Red Dead Redemption 2, the winner here in my mind at least, should be Red Dead. I feel that Red Dead has some of the best screens to look at. Everything is just amazing!
Best Score/Music: Octopath Traveler
As one of my least favorite categories, most of the games here were popular but I never seem to really remember the music. With that said, with choices laid out, I’ll give my vote to Octopath Traveler. Not only is the game addicting but the music sticks out the most to me.
Best Audio Design: Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
When sound really plays a big part in the game you’re playing one little mistake or misspoken line can kill the atmosphere. For this category, I can’t think of a better audio set up than Call of Duty: Black Ops 4. You can’t possibly make this game work without the appropriate sound design.
Best Performance: Christopher Judge ( Kratos from God of War)
This is one of the best categories within the Game Awards, because you actually get to vote for the people behind the characters. Christopher Judge voice Kratos and I think all the votes should go to him. He has done an astounding job bringing a new personality straight to the God of War. Kratos becomes an actual person, not just a caricature.
Game for Impact: The Missing: JJ Macfield and the Island of Memories
The game is a little strange and the mechanic of putting your body back makes me squirm. But once you start figuring out what this game is actually about, I dare you not to cry.
Best Independent Game: Dead Cells
For the longest time, all I was hearing about was Dead Cells. Then I played it and could think of nothing else. This game grabs a hold of you, and then makes you return to it over and over again.
Best Mobile Game: Reigns: Game of Thrones
The Reigns game also had a simple mechanic that allowed you to kill some time. With the connection to GoT, the game only got better. You might think you know how things are going to play out, but you know nothing.
Best VR game: Beat Saber
Not only is Beat Saber a fun interactive game, but it should win solely on the popularity the game has brought to people that are interested in VR.
Best Action Game: Mega Man 11
Might seem like a surprise choice, but action games should get you heart pounding and sweat forming as you play. Mega Man 11 did this on the first level and never let up.
Best Action Adventure: Spider-Man
While most games on this list gave you a huge land to traverse, Spider-Man was just one city. If you ever felt that you were boxed in and there was nothing to do, you were obviously playing a different game.
Best RPG: Monster Hunter World
I don’t play RPGs, they just have never been my thing. The fact that I spent hours hunting and crafting weapons in this world shows that it will convert those who never play this type of games
Best Fighting Game: Dragon Ball Fighterz
The game that made the premier fighting anime become the best and fastest game of this year. Every fighter game was put on notice that they had to step it up to compete with Goku and friends.
Best Family Game: Super Mario Party
This franchise has been going strong and is perfect for all members of the family. We would have said Overcooked 2, but the stress might make you say some things you will regret.
Best Strategy Game: Frostpunk
A game that puts all the choices in your hands. Will you let a thief live or die? Hard choices in a world that is now covered in ice.
Best sport/racing game: Forza Horizon 4
The racing game continues to impress. However, if there was the ability for a write in we would say WWE2K19. Major changes brought this game back to glory.
Best Multiplayer: Monster Hunter World
Multiplayer should have a big impact on the game you are playing. There were just some Monsters that could not be brought down unless you had the right team and the right strategy.
Best Student Game: Jera
One of the hardest category since these games are not readily available to play. There is just something about Jera that makes me think the creator might have a bright future ahead.
Best Debut Indie Game: Florence
A game about everyday life and the challenges we face. Go into this game knowing nothing about it and be prepared to to experience plenty of real feels.
Best Esports Game: Overwatch
The game that makes every elimination and kill feel like a football or basketball game. One of those few games that make the people watching it feel like anyone can win at any time.
Best Esports Player: Sonic Fox
A four-time Evo Champion who seems to pick up fighting games like a fish picks up swimming. With the ability to brush off loses and come back stronger, Dominique “SonicFox“ McLean is a true champion.
Best Esport Team: London Spitfire
The team that never knew when to quit. Facing a tough season, The London Spitfire made their way through the playoffs and ended up winning the whole thing.
Best Esport Coach: Jakob Mebdi
Of all the e-sports out there, the hardest one to coach would be League of Legends. That is why Jakob Mebdi gets the nod for his success with Team Vitality.
Best Esports Events: EVO
If you think you are good at fighting games, there is only place to prove it. With a wide range of different games, this is where the masters come to play.
Esports HOST: Eefje “Sjokz” Depoortere
If you want to know what is going on in European League of Legends, there is only one person to get the info from. Her knowledge of the game truly brings some insight to it.
Best sport moment: SonicFox Side Switch Against Go1 in DBZ
We always had that one friend who said that one side of the fighting game was his or her’s lucky side. Leave it to SonicFox to prove it in a moment where people didn’t even know if the request was legal at first.
Content Creator of the Year: NINJA
The new face of gaming, there was hardly a time where NINJA was not dominating headlines. The best part is that he has not let it go to his head, staying humble and the same guy as when he started.
These are my choices, but what are yours? Go to https://thegameawards.com/awards/ to cast your vote.
