The Game Awards 2021 is fast approaching, and stands be one of the biggest gaming events of the year. There are six titles competing for the Game of the Year crown, and there are always plenty of reveals and announcements expected to follow.
With the Game Awards nearly here who is the the frontrunner?
The front runner this year is Deathloop which received eight nominations across all the categories; yet there is always a chance that it will win in none of them. The biggest surprise for some is the nomination of Cyberpunk 2077 which received a few nominations, most notable best RPG, which may show that early ire for the title has waned off.
The Game Awards not only allow us a voice for our favourite games of the year, but are also full of world premieres, announcements and reveals for upcoming titles. There is always an array of special guests and surprises; so even if you aren’t interested in the awards themselves, there is a myriad of reasons to tune in.
Below we have noted the nominees for The Game Awards 2021 as well as details on when and where to watch.
The Game Awards 2021 takes place on December 9 at 8pm ET / 5pm PT (or December 10 at 1am GMT / 12pm AEDT) at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. You’ll be able to watch live on a variety of platforms including Twitch and YouTube.
Game of the Year 2021
Game of the Year is the one that everyone keeps an eye out for. It’s the shining example of what was the perfect game in both the eyes of the fans and judges, over the past 12 months.
One of the most difficult categories to predict before proceedings get under way, once the awards start coming through it can be an absolute wash for any one particular game.
The nominees are:
- Deathloop
- It Takes Two
- Metroid Dread
- Psychonauts 2
- Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
- Resident Evil Village
Any one of these six titles could easily take the title home, all receiving universal praise and ridiculously high critical review scores. Will the fresh nature of Metroid Dread help it win over the pack? Or was the revival of a loved duo in Ratchet & Clank too endearing to ignore?
This is the category to watch for.
Best Game Direction
This is a hard category to differentiate from Game of the Year. Typically we see the winner of this category also take out game of the year. A sneaky entry here is Returnal, which wowed PS5 fans with it’s unique style and deeply entrancing gameplay.
The nominees are:
- Deathloop
- It Takes Two
- Returnal
- Psychonauts 2
- Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
This one could definitely be an early sign of who will take out the top title, but we never know exactly what to expect.
Best Narrative
What game from this year had the best narrative?
Some interesting contenders here, and another category that Deathloop has a chance of winning in. This is a tough one though, as all the other nominees were incredibly well thought out and developed stories. Psychonauts 2 in particular being lauded for it’s deep and thoughtful narrative.
- Deathloop
- It Takes Two
- Life Is Strange: True Colors
- Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy
- Psychonauts 2
Best Art Direction
Are Video Games Art? The simple answer is a resounding yes. These are the games that really stood up artistically as a masterpiece of art design and direction.
- The Artful Escape
- Deathloop
- Kena: Bridge of Spirits
- Psychonauts 2
- Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart
Best Score and Music
Were it not for the late emergence of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy this may have been an easier one to call. Nier reminded everyone of the power of JRPG music experiences, but the Score and Music in Cyberpunk 2077 was too good to ignore. Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy brought a powerful rocking soundtrack to the dance and really made itself known.
- The Artful Escape
- Cyberpunk 2077
- Deathloop
- Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy
- Nier Replicant VER.1.22474487139
Best Audio Design
Audio design differs from score and music as it is about judging the immersive feel of a game’s audio.
This can be as simple as making the guns in the game sound distinctly different when shooting in a room compared to an open field. The rev of an engine and tyres on dirt compared to asphalt. It’s about making the audio feel so real you can’t imagine it not being so.
- Deathloop
- Forza Horizon 5
- Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
- Resident Evil Village
- Returnal
Games for Impact
Games for Impact are titles that are designed to make you think. Designed to provoke thought and really get under your skin. These can be hard games to play, but also great emotional journeys to embark on. A list of must plays, and an incredibly difficult category to pick a winner for.
One to watch for sure.
- Before Your Eyes
- Boyfriend Dungeon
- Chicory: A Colorful Tale
- Life Is Strange: True Colors
- No Longer Home
Best Ongoing Game
These games won’t have released this year, but the developers have been providing new content and updates that keep the experience as fresh as when it originally launched.
This one may seem pretty clear cut as a victory for Final Fantasy XIV Online, after a huge surge in popularity this year and a mammoth expansion just releasing; but you can never underestimate the power of the Battle Royale community.
- Apex Legends
- Final Fantasy XIV Online
- Fortnite
- Genshin Impact
- Call of Duty: Warzone
Best Indie Game
- 12 Minutes
- Death’s Door
- Inscryption
- Kena: Bridge of Spirits
- Loop Hero
Best Mobile Game
With Fantasian being Nobuo Uematsu’s potential final scored game, will we see a heartfelt award for the unique title, or will the power of Genshin Impact be too much for it beat out?
- Fantasian
- Genshin Impact
- League of Legends: Wild Rift
- Marvel Future Revolution
- Pokemon Unite
Best VR / AR Game
- Hitman 3
- I Expect You To Die 2
- Lone Echo 2
- Resident Evil 4
- Sniper Elite VR
Best Action Game
- Back 4 Blood
- Chivalry 2
- Deathloop
- Far Cry 6
- Returnal
Best Action/Adventure Game
Perhaps what is shaping up to be one of the hardest categories to call, the Best Action/Adventure Game is an incredibly strong group this year. All these games were outstanding in the genre and picking one as the best is going to be close to impossible. Definitely one to really look out for.
- Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy
- Metroid Dread
- Psychonauts 2
- Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
- Resident Evil Village
Best RPG
Our personal favourite here, is the Best RPG category. With Cyberpunk 2077 receiving as many nominations as it has, and CD Projekt Red forever working away perhaps it’s time for Cyberpunk 2077 to finally get the love it was seeking.
A tough line up overall, Tales of Arise is easily the best Tales game we’ve seen in a long time and will be a hard one to beat.
- Cyberpunk 2077
- Monster Hunter Rise
- Scarlet Nexus
- Shin Megami Tensei V
- Tales of Arise
Best Fighting Game
- Demon Slayer -Kimetsu No Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles
- Guilty Gear -Strive-
- Melty Blood: Type Lumina
- Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl
- Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown
Best Family Game
- It Takes Two
- Mario Party Superstars
- New Pokemon Snap
- Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury
- Warioware: Get It Together!
Best Sim/Strategy Game
- Age of Empires IV
- Evil Genius 2: World Domination
- Humankind
- Inscryption
- Microsoft Flight Simulator
Best Sports/Racing Game
- F1 2021
- FIFA 22
- Forza Horizon 5
- Hot Wheels Unleashed
- Riders Republic
Best Multiplayer Game
- Back 4 Blood
- Knockout City
- It Takes Two
- Monster Hunter Rise
- New World
- Valheim
Most Anticipated Game
Lastly, we have the category that looks towards gaming’s future and honors a title that isn’t out yet but that fans are incredibly excited for.
Elden Ring took out this one last year, and it is seemingly on track to win again. Previous winners of this category: The Last of Us 2 and Breath of the Wild, went on to win Game of The Year in their respective years. Winning this one generally is a good idea of who to expect will win the big title in the year of its release.
- Elden Ring
- God of War Ragnarok
- Horizon Forbidden West
- The Sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- Starfield
What are your expectations for this year? Who do you think will be the biggest winner overall; and can anyone stop Deathloop from sweeping the field?
