Top 10 Game of the Year Winners of All Time

WatchMojo

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.

Transcript

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.

10:50 Did you enjoy this video?

10:52 Check out these other clips from WatchMojo, and be sure to subscribe and ring the bell

10:56 to be notified about our latest videos.

10:58 See you next time!

11:08 (upbeat music)

Category

Transcript

Recommended