News | The Game Awards 2018

 My Personal GAME OF THE YEAR Category (Dragon Quest XI)

Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Square Enix / Square Enix
God of War - Sony Santa Monica / SIE
Monster Hunter: World - Capcom
Octopath Traveler - Square Enix / Acquire / Nintendo
Red Dead Redemption 2 - Rockstar Games

This is one hell of a year! It's great time to be a gamer. Also, it is the worst time to hunt for platinum trophies with so many games out. My eyes hurt. Anyway, personal category is mix of some bellow, what gave the best in this year. Each of the games is a winner on its own and its a must play for everyone. I miss Yakuza Kiwami 2 but since it's a remake it is not on the list. I give the best of the best to Dragon Quest XI which is jRPG of the year and i'm a big addict to the series plus genre in general. But it is not poorly judged, the game is actually really really great.

GAME OF THE YEAR Category (God of War)

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey - Ubisoft Quebec / Ubisoft
Celeste - Matt Makes Games
God of War - Sony Santa Monica / SIE
Marvel’s Spider-Man - Insomniac Games / SIE
Monster Hunter: World - Capcom
Red Dead Redemption 2 - Rockstar Games

I must admit, this is very hard choice. I had 300 Hours in Monster Hunter enjoying myself with friends and just solo-ing it. RDR 2 is by far the most complete game that was ever developed, leaving almost 0 space for future games to create game with more details that it has...But, i must admin, God of War was breath taking and a real come-back for the series. I'm just really sad that in here we don't have Dragon Quest XI because that would be my choice no doubt.

BEST GAME DIRECTION Category (Red Dead Redemption 2)

A Way Out - Hazelight Studios / EA
Detroit: Become Human - Quantic Dream / SIE
God of War - Sony Santa Monica / SIE
Marvel’s Spider-Man - Insomniac Games / SIE
Red Dead Redemption 2 - Rockstar Games

I want many games go in direction RDR2 went. So many details and as less bugs as possible (Fallout 76 for example). Second would be A Way Out for innovative and fun direction that is what games should be in the first place.

BEST NARRATIVE Category (Red Dead Redemption 2)
For outstanding storytelling and narrative development in a game.

Detroit: Become Human - Quantic Dream / SIE
God of War - Sony Santa Monica / SIE
Life is Strange 2: Episode 1 - Dotnod Entertainment / Square Enix
Marvel’s Spider-Man - Insomniac Games / SIE
Red Dead Redemption 2 - Rockstar Games

Because they created one of the best characters lately, Arthur from RDR 2, i vote for that. It's a hard choice but Chapter 6 in the game was mind-blowing and very intense experience. Next would be GOW.

BEST ART DIRECTION Category (Octopath Traveler)
For outstanding creative and/or technical achievement in artistic design and animation.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey - Ubisoft Quebec / Ubisoft
God of War - Sony Santa Monica / SIE
Octopath Traveler - Square Enix / Acquire / Nintendo
Red Dead Redemption 2 - Rockstar Games
Return of the Obra Dinn - 3909 LLC

The nostalgic eye candy graphics which was more art then anything is definitely Octopath Traveler.

BEST SCORE/MUSIC - PRESENTED BY SPOTIFY Category (Octopath Traveler)
For outstanding music, inclusive of score, original song and/or licensed soundtrack.

Celeste - Lena Raine
God of War - Bear McCreary
Marvel’s Spider-Man - John Paesano
Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom - Joe Hisaishi
Octopath Traveler - Yasunori Nishiki
Red Dead Redemption 2 - Woody Jackson / Daniel Lanois

I just love jRPG's. But all aside, Octopath has that nostalgic deep melancholic music. I really like it and i vote for that. From all the choices it definitely has the biggest impact on me.

BEST AUDIO DESIGN - PRESENTED BY DOLBY (Red Dead Redemption)
Recognizing the best in-game audio and sound design.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 - Treyarch / Activision
Forza Horizon 4 - Playground Games / Turn 10 Studios / Microsoft Studios
God of War - Sony Santa Monica / SIE
Marvel’s Spider-Man - Insomniac Games / SIE
Red Dead Redemption 2 - Rockstar Games

So many details! Rockstar nailed this one with so many different "angles" of audio during the game. 

BEST PERFORMANCE Category (Roger Clark)
Awarded to an individual for voice-over acting, motion and/or performance capture.

Bryan Dechart as Connor, Detroit: Become Human
Christopher Judge as Kratos, God of War
Melissanthi Mahut as Kassandra, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
Roger Clark as Arthur Morgan, Red Dead Redemption II
Yuri Lowenthal as Peter Parker, Marvel’s Spider-Man

Easy one, RDR 2 and Arthus Morgan.

BEST ACTION/ADVENTURE GAME Category (God of War)
For the best action/adventure game, combining combat with traversal and puzzle solving.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey - Ubisoft Quebec / Ubisoft
God of War - Sony Santa Monica / SIE
Marvel’s Spider-Man - Insomniac Games / SIE
Red Dead Redemption 2 - Rockstar Games
Shadow of the Tomb Raider - Eidos Montreal / Crystal Dynamics / Square Enix

Definitely best action is in GOW. Although, when i compare to previous ones, this lacks boss fights and epic stuff, but still, best from the listed.

BEST ROLE PLAYING GAME Category (Dragon Quest XI)
For the best game designed with rich player character customization and progression, including massively multiplayer experiences.

Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Square Enix / Square Enix
Monster Hunter: World - Capcom
Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom - Level 5 / BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment
Octopath Traveler - Square Enix / Acquire / Nintendo
Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire - Obsidian Entertainment / Versus Evil

Finally, DQXI category. I gave all the good ones for this one. It's blend of old school and new stuff packed into something worth playing more then once. Very close is the MHW and then Octopath. Ni No Kuni is the poor version of the first game unfortunately.

BEST MULTIPLAYER GAME (Monster Hunter World)
For outstanding online multiplayer gameplay and design, including co-op and massively multiplayer experiences, irrespective of game genre.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 - Treyarch / Activision
Destiny 2: Forsaken - Bungie / Activision
Fortnite - Epic Games
Monster Hunter: World - Capcom
Sea of Thieves - Rare / Microsoft Studios

Well, MHW. It's so much fun, i really miss playing it. Nothing from the list here makes my blood boil except MHW. I want another one.

That would be it! What a year...Next one is just about to begin and there is so many titles just waiting for us. Can't wait!