The Game Awards 2020 was an exciting night filled with surprises, accolades, and recognition for the best games of the year. From the highly anticipated releases to the sleeper hits, this year's awards ceremony was one for the books. With a plethora of new titles that have taken the gaming world by storm, it is no wonder that some of the biggest names in the industry were awarded for their outstanding achievements. In this comprehensive overview, we will take a look at some of the winners of The Game Awards 2020, and why they earned the recognition.
The Game Awards 2020 Winners
were announced on December 10th, and featured a wide range of categories recognizing the best of the best in the gaming industry.From Best Action/Adventure Game to Best Esports Event, this year's awards had something for everyone to enjoy. Here is an in-depth overview of the winners and nominees for each category.
Best Game
was awarded to The Last of Us Part II. This critically acclaimed title from developer Naughty Dog and publisher Sony Interactive Entertainment was praised for its gripping story, beautiful visuals, and immersive gameplay. The Last of Us Part II was also nominated for Best Narrative, Best Direction, and Best Audio Design.Other nominees for Best Game included Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Hades, Final Fantasy VII Remake, and Ghost of Tsushima.
Best Independent Game
went to Hades by Supergiant Games. This action rogue-like title is set in the world of Greek mythology and tasks players with escaping the underworld. It was praised for its engaging combat, unique story, and replayability. Other nominees included Among Us, Spiritfarer, Kentucky Route Zero, and Carrion.Best Action/Adventure Game
was awarded to Ghost of Tsushima by Sucker Punch Productions and Sony Interactive Entertainment.This open-world title was praised for its captivating visuals, engaging combat, and gripping story set during Japan's feudal era. Other nominees included Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, and The Last of Us Part II.
Best Role-Playing Game
went to Final Fantasy VII Remake by Square Enix. This remake of the beloved 1997 classic was lauded for its captivating story, improved combat system, and stunning visuals. Other nominees included Genshin Impact, Persona 5 Royal, Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition, and Yakuza: Like a Dragon.Best Fighting Game
was awarded to Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate by NetherRealm Studios and Warner Bros.Interactive Entertainment. This installment in the storied fighting game franchise was praised for its robust roster of characters, engaging mechanics, and stunning visuals. Other nominees included Granblue Fantasy Versus, One Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows, Samurai Shodown, and Tekken 7.
Best Racing/Sports Game
went to Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 by Vicarious Visions and Activision. This remaster of the classic skateboarding games was lauded for its improved visuals and gameplay, as well as its nostalgic soundtrack.Other nominees included Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled, F1 2020, NASCAR Heat 5, and NBA 2K21.
Best Multiplayer Game
was awarded to Among Us by Innersloth. This online social deduction game was praised for its simple yet engaging gameplay and its ability to bring people together from around the world. Other nominees included Call of Duty: Warzone, Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout, Valorant, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons.Best Family Game
went to Animal Crossing: New Horizons by Nintendo. This life sim game was praised for its charming art style, relaxing gameplay loop, and ability to bring people together virtually.Other nominees included Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit, Minecraft Dungeons, Paper Mario: The Origami King, and Wii Sports Club.
The Impact of The Game Awards 2020 Winners
The winners of The Game Awards 2020 have had a huge impact on the gaming industry. Each game brought something new to the table that changed the way we play games today. For example, The Last of Us Part II revolutionized storytelling in video games with its gripping narrative and emotionally charged moments. Hades brought a unique twist to the action rogue-like genre with its engaging combat system and vivid worldbuilding.And Animal Crossing: New Horizons provided a way for people to stay connected through its online features even during these difficult times. Some awards also sparked controversy due to certain titles not being nominated or winning awards that they were expected to win. For example, many were surprised that Cyberpunk 2077 wasn't nominated for any awards despite being one of the most highly anticipated games of 2020. Additionally, some fans were disappointed that Hideo Kojima's Death Stranding didn't win any awards despite being widely praised for its innovative gameplay mechanics.
Best Game
The Best Game award is one of the most prestigious awards handed out at The Game Awards 2020. This award recognizes the game of the year, with the winner being considered the best of the best in the gaming industry.The nominees for this award were Hades by Supergiant Games, Animal Crossing: New Horizons by Nintendo, The Last of Us Part II by Naughty Dog, and Ghost of Tsushima by Sucker Punch Productions. Ultimately, it was Hades that won the Best Game award for 2020. Hades is a roguelike action role-playing game from Supergiant Games, and it received universal acclaim when it released. It was praised for its visuals, story, voice acting, and overall gameplay. Hades won numerous awards throughout the year, and it was an obvious choice for The Game Awards 2020.
Best Indie Game
The Best Indie Game category at The Game Awards 2020 celebrated the most innovative, unique, and creative indie games of the year.There were seven nominated titles, each one representing a unique genre and style of game. The nominees for Best Indie Game were Hades (Supergiant Games), Among Us (InnerSloth), Spiritfarer (Thunder Lotus Games), Celeste (Matt Makes Games), Kentucky Route Zero: TV Edition (Cardboard Computer), Spelunky 2 (Mossmouth), and Minit (Kitty Calis, Jukio Kallio, and Dominik Johann).The winner of Best Indie Game at The Game Awards 2020 was Hades by Supergiant Games. This action-adventure roguelike title has players take on the role of Zagreus, son of Hades, as he attempts to escape the underworld. Hades was lauded for its tight gameplay mechanics, engrossing narrative, and beautiful visuals. The nominees for Best Indie Game represent a diverse range of genres, from traditional roguelikes to rhythm-based platformers.
Each game was nominated for its own unique merits, showing the breadth and depth of creativity that exists in the indie game industry.
Game of the Year
The Game of the Year category at The Game Awards 2020 was one of the most highly anticipated awards of the night. This award is given to the game that stands out above all others and sets a new standard for gaming excellence. It is a prestigious honor that celebrates the best games of the past year. The nominees for this year's Game of the Year were Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Final Fantasy VII Remake, Hades, The Last of Us Part II, and Ghost of Tsushima.After a highly competitive race, it was The Last of Us Part II that ultimately took home the award. It was praised for its technical accomplishments, powerful storytelling, and strong voice acting. The Last of Us Part II stands as a testament to what video games can achieve and is sure to be remembered for years to come. It truly embodies the spirit of this award and is a worthy recipient. The Game Awards 2020 showcased a range of gaming achievements across multiple categories. Popular games such as Hades, The Last of Us Part II, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons took home awards for Best Game, Best Independent Game, and Game of the Year respectively.
These awards have highlighted a shift towards indie games and away from major blockbuster titles, with Hades and The Last of Us Part II being the only AAA games to win any awards this year. This may be indicative of a growing trend towards indie games in the industry, as developers focus on creating innovative experiences with smaller budgets. The success of these titles may also have implications for game development in the future. Developers may be encouraged to explore new genres and ideas, as well as focus on creating well-crafted and innovative stories that can stand out in a crowded marketplace.
