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All Game of the Year Winners Through the Years

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Ignacio Weil

Gaming - January 25th 2025, 11:00 GMT+1

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For this list, we decided to take a trip down memory lane and review every Game Awards winner since the event's debut in 2014. The result? A comprehensive lineup of all the champions through the years. No rankings here, no “we think this one *should* have won.” Just an informative (and maybe a little nostalgic) celebration of the games that claimed the throne.

If you feel there’s a game that didn’t quite deserve its Game of the Year crown, why not share your hot takes in the comments? After all, debates about gaming are half the fun!

Dragon Age Inquisition — 2014: Dragon Age: Inquisition

Ah, 2014, the year Bioware reminded us that dragons, politics, and sprawling fantasy realms are the perfect escape from reality. *Dragon Age: Inquisition* swooped in to claim Game of the Year, like an inquisitor enforcing justice with stylish dialogue trees. With its breathtaking world of Thedas and the freedom to romance anyone your heart desired (even if it was a large bull-like Qunari), this game was the role-playing adventure we didn’t know we needed. It faced some stiff competition, though, from games like *Dark Souls II* and *Bayonetta 2*, but let’s be real – Inquisition’s mix of epic battles and endless side quests won us over. Who doesn’t love solving everyone's problems while the world burns in the background? | © Bioware

Cropped The Witcher Wild Hunt — 2015: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Enter Geralt of Rivia, the grizzled monster hunter who turned every side quest into a Shakespearean drama. In 2015, *The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt* didn’t just win Game of the Year; it claimed the hearts of gamers worldwide. With a massive open world, morally complex choices, and storytelling so good it deserved its own Emmy, this RPG became the gold standard. Sure, other nominees like *Bloodborne* and *Fallout 4* tried their best, but Geralt’s sardonic wit and endless supply of Gwent cards left them eating dust (or drinking Swallow potions). And let’s not forget the true star – Roach, the world’s glitchiest, most endearing horse. | © CD Projekt Red

2016: Overwatch

The world needed heroes, and *Overwatch* answered the call. Blizzard’s team-based shooter wasn’t just a game; it was a cultural phenomenon. In 2016, it brought gamers together with colorful characters, sharp gameplay, and lore so cryptic it kept Reddit detectives employed full-time. *Overwatch* beat out tough contenders like *Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End* and *DOOM*, proving that friendship and payloads are the keys to victory. With its endlessly meme-able cast (hi, Genji mains) and that infamous “Play of the Game” screen, it had everyone saying, “Just one more match!” (Spoiler: It’s never just one more.) | © Blizzard Entertainment

Cropped The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild — 2017: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Nintendo threw the rulebook out the window with *Breath of the Wild*, and gamers couldn’t get enough. In 2017, this masterpiece redefined open-world exploration with its sense of freedom, quirky physics, and the sheer joy of climbing literally everything. Whether you were frying dubious food or launching yourself across Hyrule with a bomb shield, it was impossible not to smile. Rivals like *Horizon Zero Dawn* and *Persona 5* were great, but Link’s quiet determination to defeat Calamity Ganon (with an arsenal of sticks and makeshift armor) sealed the deal. Let’s hear it for the hero who never speaks but always delivers. | © Nintendo

Cropped God of War — 2018: God of War

In 2018, Kratos swapped anger management issues for fatherhood and gave us a journey for the ages. *God of War* wasn’t just a soft reboot; it was a bold reimagining of the series that brought mythological storytelling to a deeply personal level. Watching Kratos and Atreus grow together (and maybe cry-fighting a little on the side) made this game unforgettable. Other nominees like *Red Dead Redemption 2* and *Marvel’s Spider-Man* were incredible, but Kratos wielding an axe that felt so satisfying you wanted to throw it in real life? That’s the stuff of legend. Boy, this game was good. | © Santa Monica Studio

Sekiro Shadows Die Twice — 2019: Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

In 2019, FromSoftware decided that dying once just wasn't enough, gifting us *Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice*. This samurai adventure had players embracing their inner masochist, facing off against foes that made *Dark Souls* look like a leisurely stroll. With its unforgiving difficulty and precise combat, it sliced through the competition, leaving nominees like *Control* and *Death Stranding* nursing their wounds. Who knew that repeatedly meeting your demise could be so... rewarding? | © FromSoftware

Cropped The Last of Us Part II — 2020: The Last of Us Part II

Naughty Dog returned in 2020 to tug at our heartstrings and then promptly shred them with *The Last of Us Part II*. This post-apocalyptic tale of revenge and redemption had us questioning our own morals while dodging clickers and debating the ethics of golf clubs. It outpaced contenders like *Ghost of Tsushima* and *Hades*, proving that emotional trauma pairs well with exceptional gameplay. Remember, it's all fun and games until someone loses a... well, everything. | © Naughty Dog

2021: It Takes Two

In 2021, Hazelight Studios reminded us that sometimes, it really does take two. *It Takes Two* was the co-op adventure that turned relationship counseling into a whimsical journey through sentient toolboxes and anthropomorphic vacuum cleaners. It charmed its way past nominees like *Deathloop* and *Metroid Dread*, proving that couples who game together, stay together – assuming they can survive the divorce-themed storyline. Who knew therapy could be this fun? | © Hazelight Studios

ELDEN RING — 2022: Elden Ring

FromSoftware struck gold again in 2022 with *Elden Ring*, the open-world epic that had players gleefully losing hours – and their sanity – in a land rife with danger and cryptic lore. Collaborating with George R.R. Martin, they created a universe where dying was just part of the charm. It left competitors like *God of War Ragnarök* and *Horizon Forbidden West* in its ethereal wake, reminding us all that nothing says "Game of the Year" like a well-timed dodge roll. | © FromSoftware

Baldurs Gate 3 — 2023: Baldur’s Gate 3

Larian Studios rolled a natural 20 in 2023 with *Baldur’s Gate 3*, bringing Dungeons & Dragons to life in a way that had both veterans and newcomers enthralled. With its deep narrative, complex characters, and the ever-looming threat of turning into a mind flayer, it charmed its way past nominees like *The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom* and *Marvel's Spider-Man 2*. Who needs reality when you can have dice rolls and dialogue trees? | © Larian Studios

Astrobot — 2024: Astro Bot

Team Asobi's *Astro Bot* danced into our hearts in 2024, proving that sometimes, the most delightful adventures come in small, robotic packages. This platformer was a love letter to gaming, filled with charm, innovation, and just the right amount of nostalgia. It outshined contenders like *Black Myth: Wukong* and *Final Fantasy VII Rebirth*, reminding us all that joy can be found in the simplest of circuits. Who knew a tiny robot could deliver such a big smile? | © Team Asobi

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The "Game of the Year" title is one of the most prestigious accolades in the gaming industry, awarded to titles that push the boundaries of creativity, storytelling, and gameplay. Over the years, countless games have captivated players worldwide, but only a select few have earned the coveted "Game of the Year" distinction.

This article takes a trip down memory lane, highlighting the remarkable games that defined their respective years and left an indelible mark on gaming history. From emotionally charged narratives to groundbreaking open-world adventures, these are the games that have stood the test of time.

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The "Game of the Year" title is one of the most prestigious accolades in the gaming industry, awarded to titles that push the boundaries of creativity, storytelling, and gameplay. Over the years, countless games have captivated players worldwide, but only a select few have earned the coveted "Game of the Year" distinction.

This article takes a trip down memory lane, highlighting the remarkable games that defined their respective years and left an indelible mark on gaming history. From emotionally charged narratives to groundbreaking open-world adventures, these are the games that have stood the test of time.