We're ranking the best of the best! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at the Game of the Year award-winners to see which ones stand above all.
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00:00 Welcome to WatchMojo and today we're looking at the Game of the Year award winners to see
00:13 which ones stand above all.
00:15 We're including the Spike Video Game Awards as the event was also created by Jeff Keighley.
00:22 Number 10.
00:33 When it was released, few games provided as much content as Skyrim did.
00:37 The fantasy RPG broke new ground in the industry.
00:40 Gamers marveled at the number of missions and explorations at their disposal, with the
00:43 world of Skyrim being too good to resist.
00:46 While there is a primary goal to achieve, players can choose to traverse the open world
00:55 instead.
00:56 Skyrim's non-linear nature among a plethora of sidequests means that there's virtually
01:00 no end to the game.
01:02 Although open-ended titles are common now, Skyrim helped bring this evolution to the
01:06 forefront.
01:07 Thanks to a large roster of human and fantasy characters to choose from, fans can have a
01:10 brand new experience with each playthrough.
01:20 Number 9.
01:21 Bioshock
01:29 Set in an alternate history, Bioshock blends steampunk elements with a dystopian environment.
01:34 The FPS also features RPG choices that heavily impact the ending.
01:38 More than anything though, Bioshock tugs at fans' heartstrings like few games ever have.
01:43 Players can harvest the Little Sisters to gain heightened abilities, or protect them
01:46 to add complexity to the plot.
01:55 Gameplay complements the morality-based campaign, as Bioshock can be completed with a touch
01:59 of sensitivity or absolute ruthlessness.
02:02 With such a massive responsibility in our hands, the narrative hits hard.
02:06 The game is credited with normalizing compelling storylines, giving them as much importance
02:10 as gameplay.
02:11 Bioshock as a series has an enduring legacy, but the original remains a cut above the rest.
02:21 Number 8.
02:22 The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt
02:31 The third entry doesn't tweak the franchise's formula by much, yet perfects its template
02:36 instead.
02:37 Fans can enjoy a bigger, more beautiful continent while searching for Geralt of Rivia's adoptive
02:41 daughter.
02:42 Of course, the presence of a massive open world means you can do whatever you want.
02:52 Guiding Geralt around the expansive environment is a treat in itself, as the game brims with
02:57 a variety of quests.
02:58 The series' rich lore is easy to get lost in, as multi-dimensional characters show up
03:03 to progress the story.
03:04 Fans invested in Geralt's journey are kept engaged, with frequent twists and turns across
03:08 the sprawling runtime.
03:10 Previous Witcher entries might have been well-received, but Wild Hunt represents the series' peak.
03:23 Number 7.
03:24 God of War
03:32 Despite a list of acclaimed titles, the God of War series never won a Game of the Year
03:35 award.
03:36 It took a reinvention of gameplay and storytelling, but the 2018 entry finally snagged the big
03:41 one.
03:42 With an over-the-shoulder perspective, the first Nordic installment places us right into
03:45 Kratos in Atreus' shoes.
03:47 And thanks to a perpetually moving camera as a framing device, God of War feels like
03:50 a storybook brought to life.
03:59 Each realm has its own design and identity, setting them up as the backdrop for Kratos
04:03 and Atreus' constantly evolving relationship.
04:06 From Midgard to Jotunheim, it's a journey that's equal parts emotional and exhilarating.
04:19 Number 6.
04:20 Uncharted 2 - Among Thieves
04:32 A game that never stops from the word "go," Uncharted 2 is fun personified.
04:36 It's like taking charge of a blockbuster action movie that has it all.
04:40 Whether evading attack helicopters in Nepal or exploring icy caves in Tibet, Nathan Drake's
04:44 search for Shambhala never lets up.
04:55 Drake and the supporting cast also bring much needed humor to an otherwise explosive affair,
05:00 as Among Thieves carries a light atmosphere all the way through.
05:03 Frequent combat and engaging puzzle sequences prevent the game from feeling repetitive,
05:07 while the action continues to shift from one place to the next.
05:10 There were many similar games at the time of its release.
05:13 However, Uncharted 2 combines the genre's best elements for an entry that's perfect
05:17 in almost every way.
05:24 Number 5.
05:25 Baldur's Gate 3
05:33 No Dungeons & Dragons video game quite captures its atmosphere as accurately as this one.
05:38 Along with an in-depth playthrough of its primary plot, Baldur's Gate 3 lets fans do
05:41 just about anything they want.
05:44 The interface, camera style, and options between single and online are also up to individual
05:49 preference.
05:58 The story is curated according to the player, as different decisions lead to consequences
06:01 unique to each choice made.
06:03 This includes a deep set of characters who go far beyond their traits and attributes.
06:07 Baldur's Gate 3 truly shows what a role-playing game entails, as players get the full experience
06:12 from start to finish.
06:14 Open-world games might be the norm in today's landscape, but Baldur's Gate 3 exemplifies
06:18 what it means to have complete freedom.
06:26 Number 4.
06:27 The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild
06:36 The Legend of Zelda series ups the ante with each entry, and Breath of the Wild is no exception.
06:41 A visually stunning adventure awaits fans, who control protagonist Link in the kingdom
06:45 of Hyrule.
06:46 It isn't the most combat-heavy game, but quality platforming, thought-provoking puzzle sequences,
06:51 and seamless free-roam gameplay make up for it.
06:57 There's a particular focus on immersion, as the vast landscape can be explored in many
07:05 ways.
07:06 With few limitations in store, players can spend hours figuring out the intricacies behind
07:10 Hyrule.
07:11 Breath of the Wild has the required balance between story-based and hard-hitting gameplay,
07:15 delivering on all fronts and then some.
07:24 Number 3.
07:25 Grand Theft Auto V
07:37 Those who thought they'd seen it all with GTA IV were in for a pleasant surprise with
07:41 its follow-up.
07:42 GTA V builds on its acclaimed predecessor to be an absolute masterpiece.
07:46 Michael, Trevor, and Franklin share top billing, but controlling the three protagonists is
07:50 entirely unique.
07:52 Los Santos lives and breathes with content, which has since become seemingly endless thanks
07:56 to GTA Online.
08:04 Even as a single player, GTA V bursts with quality.
08:07 Players can go on heists, battle crime syndicates, or just wreak havoc.
08:11 Side missions add an extra flavor, popping up at every turn to keep fans busy.
08:15 Its layered style of play was a global hit, becoming the second-highest-selling game of
08:19 all time, along with bagging the Game of the Year award.
08:29 Number 2.
08:30 Resident Evil 4
08:38 The impact that Resident Evil 4 made is still felt long after its release, as franchises
08:43 like Uncharted, God of War, Gears of War, and more owe their success to this game.
08:48 It laid the platform for the over-the-shoulder view that most third-person games employ today.
08:53 Ingenious combat mechanics and inventory storage systems provide multifaceted gameplay, allowing
08:57 players to do so much at once.
09:05 The dynamic camera was another element that Resident Evil 4 revolutionized, making it
09:09 far easier for players to control the action.
09:12 The franchise has had its ups and downs, and Resident Evil 4 remains the highest it's ever
09:16 climbed.
09:39 Number 1.
09:40 Elden Ring
09:50 Who would have guessed that combining the Dark Souls formula with an open-world setting
09:53 would be such a triumph?
09:54 Yes, it's as punishing as can be, and yet, it's a pleasure to get lost in its magical
09:59 backdrop as the lands between are as rewarding as they are demanding.
10:11 The gorgeous environment brings with it numerous quests that can be completed at any pace.
10:16 With a huge backstory hidden in its environment and characters, the game's narrative absorbs
10:20 fans into the journey to become the Elden Lord.
10:22 The customization, variety of weaponry, intricacies of boss fights, all of it is beyond the pale
10:28 of epic.
10:29 Never doubt FromSoftware.
10:39 Which game of the year did you think was the pick of the bunch?
10:42 Let us know in the comments.
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11:08 (upbeat music)