GOTY 2021 based on polling friends
I polled people on GOTY in 2021, but I didn't want to post the results publicly when it involved my real email. This is my year late compromise.
22 friends were polled. It was based on what games they played that year, not what came out. Minor votes in the comments.
22 friends were polled. It was based on what games they played that year, not what came out. Minor votes in the comments.
13 Games
35 points, (seven votes)
It couldn’t be anything else.
The success of FFXIV defies any other title on this list. If I wanted to be a stinker, I could separate the “Final Fantasy XIV” and “Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker” votes into different titles. On its own, FFXIV would earn 10 points, with two votes. Endwalker would have 25 points, with five votes. One vote had a typo. If I counted that against it, Endwalker would still be far, far ahead of the competition with 20 votes among four votes. It's a game so popular, it's basically funding all of the franchise at this juncture. It's a game so popular, people have to call their loved ones to start the game hours before they get off work, just to actually play the game in their free time instead of waiting through the lengthy waiting queue. It's a game so popular, Square Enix had to stop selling the game through storefronts because the servers were too overloaded. Endwalker became a gaming event not unlike Avengers Endgame.
I don’t understand a single thing about FFXIV, but I understand that algorithms recommended me seven hour YouTube videos titled “Endwalker made me cry.” I understand that if FFXIV made it on someone’s GOTY list, it was ALWAYS ranked first place. Not a single vote here placed it below that. Endwalker had massive expectations from its fanbase after the events of Shadowbringers, and it exploded past those expectations with ease. Out of a franchise that contains over thirty games, not including spin-off games that became new franchises, Endwalker has received nearly universal acclaim. It's been reviewed as “a landmark achievement in narrative development” and “one of the best Final Fantasy games ever made.” It changed how stories in MMOs can be told and has built one of the most passionate fanbases I’ve ever seen.
It's Final Fantasy XIV, bay-be. The one and only.
It couldn’t be anything else.
The success of FFXIV defies any other title on this list. If I wanted to be a stinker, I could separate the “Final Fantasy XIV” and “Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker” votes into different titles. On its own, FFXIV would earn 10 points, with two votes. Endwalker would have 25 points, with five votes. One vote had a typo. If I counted that against it, Endwalker would still be far, far ahead of the competition with 20 votes among four votes. It's a game so popular, it's basically funding all of the franchise at this juncture. It's a game so popular, people have to call their loved ones to start the game hours before they get off work, just to actually play the game in their free time instead of waiting through the lengthy waiting queue. It's a game so popular, Square Enix had to stop selling the game through storefronts because the servers were too overloaded. Endwalker became a gaming event not unlike Avengers Endgame.
I don’t understand a single thing about FFXIV, but I understand that algorithms recommended me seven hour YouTube videos titled “Endwalker made me cry.” I understand that if FFXIV made it on someone’s GOTY list, it was ALWAYS ranked first place. Not a single vote here placed it below that. Endwalker had massive expectations from its fanbase after the events of Shadowbringers, and it exploded past those expectations with ease. Out of a franchise that contains over thirty games, not including spin-off games that became new franchises, Endwalker has received nearly universal acclaim. It's been reviewed as “a landmark achievement in narrative development” and “one of the best Final Fantasy games ever made.” It changed how stories in MMOs can be told and has built one of the most passionate fanbases I’ve ever seen.
It's Final Fantasy XIV, bay-be. The one and only.
1
15 points (six votes)
Undertale. The game that changed gaming culture as we know it. When Toby Fox released the first chapter of Deltarune, it was impossible to avoid comparisons to its famous sibling. Even after the release of the second chapter, many reviews and forums can be found filled with theories about the truth of the game and how it does or doesn’t connect to its predecessor.
Yet more than anything, Deltarune stands on its own as an entirely different game. While it possesses similar themes and characters as Undertale, Fox’s incredible writing and charm helps the game step out of its Sans shaped shadow and present itself as a different experience. Main or secondary characters from Chapter 1 continue to grow and evolve in new directions, while new characters quickly charm audiences with some of the best writing ever found in video games. The core mechanics of Undertale and Chapter 1 also shift and alter in new ways, allowing players to form their own strategies to their own playstyle. While the game is far from finished, the world of Deltarune once again provided an unforgettable rpg experience.
Undertale. The game that changed gaming culture as we know it. When Toby Fox released the first chapter of Deltarune, it was impossible to avoid comparisons to its famous sibling. Even after the release of the second chapter, many reviews and forums can be found filled with theories about the truth of the game and how it does or doesn’t connect to its predecessor.
Yet more than anything, Deltarune stands on its own as an entirely different game. While it possesses similar themes and characters as Undertale, Fox’s incredible writing and charm helps the game step out of its Sans shaped shadow and present itself as a different experience. Main or secondary characters from Chapter 1 continue to grow and evolve in new directions, while new characters quickly charm audiences with some of the best writing ever found in video games. The core mechanics of Undertale and Chapter 1 also shift and alter in new ways, allowing players to form their own strategies to their own playstyle. While the game is far from finished, the world of Deltarune once again provided an unforgettable rpg experience.
2
13 points (four votes)
Metroid Fusion was released in 2002 on the Game Boy Advance. For nineteen years, the Metroid franchise has remained in a state of limbo. Games such as Metroid Prime or Other M would continue the series, but always set in-between different entries in the main timeline. Never a major cash cow for Nintendo, it appeared that Samus’ story was frozen in time, never progressing past its set point. In 2005 and 2008, the name Metroid Dread was thrown around as a potential DS game in gaming magazines. With no further information, the title became notorious as a lost game that would never see the light of day.
Yet in June 2021, Nintendo suddenly announced that an entirely new Metroid game would be released in mere months. Advertisements and marketing materials exposed a passion and love for the Metroid series from Spanish team MercuryStream. Franchise director Yoshio Sakamoto revealed that Dread would be the conclusion to the franchise’s main Metroid story arc, with the implication that the series would continue to new stories in the future.
The release of Dread confirmed that all the hopes and passions carrying the fanbase would be fully realized. The franchise’s stunning environmental storytelling was matched with new gameplay mechanics, with some benefits gained from the twenty years evolution of the Metroidvania genre. The game ambitiously tackles subjects that seemingly remained only in the franchise’s background, while offering new directions for the series to go. Within its first week of release, the game outsold the entire Metroid franchise in Japan alone. And personally, it helped me become deeply passionate about a series I always gazed on from the outside looking in. Welcoming to old fans and new, Dread scared its fans just as much as it offered hope for the first time in decades.
Metroid Fusion was released in 2002 on the Game Boy Advance. For nineteen years, the Metroid franchise has remained in a state of limbo. Games such as Metroid Prime or Other M would continue the series, but always set in-between different entries in the main timeline. Never a major cash cow for Nintendo, it appeared that Samus’ story was frozen in time, never progressing past its set point. In 2005 and 2008, the name Metroid Dread was thrown around as a potential DS game in gaming magazines. With no further information, the title became notorious as a lost game that would never see the light of day.
Yet in June 2021, Nintendo suddenly announced that an entirely new Metroid game would be released in mere months. Advertisements and marketing materials exposed a passion and love for the Metroid series from Spanish team MercuryStream. Franchise director Yoshio Sakamoto revealed that Dread would be the conclusion to the franchise’s main Metroid story arc, with the implication that the series would continue to new stories in the future.
The release of Dread confirmed that all the hopes and passions carrying the fanbase would be fully realized. The franchise’s stunning environmental storytelling was matched with new gameplay mechanics, with some benefits gained from the twenty years evolution of the Metroidvania genre. The game ambitiously tackles subjects that seemingly remained only in the franchise’s background, while offering new directions for the series to go. Within its first week of release, the game outsold the entire Metroid franchise in Japan alone. And personally, it helped me become deeply passionate about a series I always gazed on from the outside looking in. Welcoming to old fans and new, Dread scared its fans just as much as it offered hope for the first time in decades.
3
13 points (three votes)
The winner of our Best Old Game award and the GOTY for many people in 2017, it's hard to understate the success of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. The game needed to prove itself on multiple fronts. A game that could successfully sell the Switch, a game that could reinvent and revitalize the Zelda series, a game that could prove Nintendo was advancing into new game frontiers, and a game that could succeed as Nintendo’s first open world game.
Almost instantly, the game managed to achieve this and more. While the open world genre wasn’t fading by any degree, Breath of the Wild demonstrated again and again how the best open world games reward exploration. Every nook and cranny of the world provides something to discover, whether it's a Shrine, a korok seed, or a landmark. An average playthrough could triple the length of an average Zelda game, yet never feels padded or repetitive. At the same time, speedruns can end within twenty five minutes and the game is clearly designed to allow this type of gameplay. The game abandons linear stories for the sake of the freedom and player choice found in early Zelda games. The world is your oyster and how you engage with it is up to you.
The winner of our Best Old Game award and the GOTY for many people in 2017, it's hard to understate the success of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. The game needed to prove itself on multiple fronts. A game that could successfully sell the Switch, a game that could reinvent and revitalize the Zelda series, a game that could prove Nintendo was advancing into new game frontiers, and a game that could succeed as Nintendo’s first open world game.
Almost instantly, the game managed to achieve this and more. While the open world genre wasn’t fading by any degree, Breath of the Wild demonstrated again and again how the best open world games reward exploration. Every nook and cranny of the world provides something to discover, whether it's a Shrine, a korok seed, or a landmark. An average playthrough could triple the length of an average Zelda game, yet never feels padded or repetitive. At the same time, speedruns can end within twenty five minutes and the game is clearly designed to allow this type of gameplay. The game abandons linear stories for the sake of the freedom and player choice found in early Zelda games. The world is your oyster and how you engage with it is up to you.
4
12 points (three votes)
Supergiant Games already held massive acclaim for critical successes such as Bastion or Transistor. Yet that popularity would skyrocket with the stunningly well-crafted roguelike Hades. The son of Hades, Zagreus, aims to finally escape the Underworld and see the world beyond. Released in Early Access in 2018, Hades offers one of the most well-realized roguelike experiences ever developed. Each run allows you to slowly improve your abilities and gear, creating a powerful fighter to fight off gods and monsters alike. The game also rewards you with nectar, allowing you to converse with its wide cast of characters and form bonds. Romance some death gods! Fight monsters! Pet Cerberus! The possibilities are endless.
Supergiant Games already held massive acclaim for critical successes such as Bastion or Transistor. Yet that popularity would skyrocket with the stunningly well-crafted roguelike Hades. The son of Hades, Zagreus, aims to finally escape the Underworld and see the world beyond. Released in Early Access in 2018, Hades offers one of the most well-realized roguelike experiences ever developed. Each run allows you to slowly improve your abilities and gear, creating a powerful fighter to fight off gods and monsters alike. The game also rewards you with nectar, allowing you to converse with its wide cast of characters and form bonds. Romance some death gods! Fight monsters! Pet Cerberus! The possibilities are endless.
5
11 points (four votes)
The Resident Evil franchise has gone through many strange phases. From a gothic mansion adventure to a city zombie fiasco to a fun campy action movie to a vaguely racist action movie to… I actually don’t know what happens in 6, but it doesn’t sound great. The celebrated franchise had lost its reputation and was buried deep in the dirt.
But of course, the dead don’t stay buried for long.
Following the success of Resident Evil 7, Resident Evil Village continues the story of Ethan Winters, a normal working joe who once again finds himself drawn into the violent, dangerous world of mad science and monsters. Village presents its players with a veritable Monster Squad of Hammer Horror-style villains, all vibing in their gothical horror aesthetics. The game’s willingness to once again experiment with campy, action fun proves that 7’s success wasn’t a fluke and that Resident Evil is once again a franchise worth paying attention to.
With that, we enter the top five!
The Resident Evil franchise has gone through many strange phases. From a gothic mansion adventure to a city zombie fiasco to a fun campy action movie to a vaguely racist action movie to… I actually don’t know what happens in 6, but it doesn’t sound great. The celebrated franchise had lost its reputation and was buried deep in the dirt.
But of course, the dead don’t stay buried for long.
Following the success of Resident Evil 7, Resident Evil Village continues the story of Ethan Winters, a normal working joe who once again finds himself drawn into the violent, dangerous world of mad science and monsters. Village presents its players with a veritable Monster Squad of Hammer Horror-style villains, all vibing in their gothical horror aesthetics. The game’s willingness to once again experiment with campy, action fun proves that 7’s success wasn’t a fluke and that Resident Evil is once again a franchise worth paying attention to.
With that, we enter the top five!
6
11 points (four votes)
What can be said about Animal Crossing New Horizons that hasn’t been said by experts in the gaming sphere? A game that evolves the series to new creative heights, with greater customization than ever seen before in the franchise. Improved online functionalities, making it easier for players to visit islands and towns. There’s a twink cat. All this would make it a beloved game on its own.
However, it's also undeniable that Animal Crossing became a cultural touchstone in the past two years. The ability to easily visit the homes of friends and family, to build on islands, to develop new styles and trends, the stability of a new daily routine … It's a game that helped craft positive memories through a very difficult time in many people’s lives.
What can be said about Animal Crossing New Horizons that hasn’t been said by experts in the gaming sphere? A game that evolves the series to new creative heights, with greater customization than ever seen before in the franchise. Improved online functionalities, making it easier for players to visit islands and towns. There’s a twink cat. All this would make it a beloved game on its own.
However, it's also undeniable that Animal Crossing became a cultural touchstone in the past two years. The ability to easily visit the homes of friends and family, to build on islands, to develop new styles and trends, the stability of a new daily routine … It's a game that helped craft positive memories through a very difficult time in many people’s lives.
7
10 points (three votes)
The Drakengard series is infamous for its unusual, depressing storytelling and its incredibly obtuse gameplay. Many game reviewers were particularly critical of its 2010 spin-off NieR, voicing their frustration with its gameplay and baffling story. While the game wasn’t a financial bomb, it failed to engage with a larger audience and would seemingly be another forgotten game in the PS3 Xbox 360 generation. With its failure, studio Cavia was shuttered. Yet in an oddly prescient statement, a Eurogamer retrospective five years after the release described the title as “the rare game that gets better with age.”
The success of 2017’s NieR Automata led to a greater reexamination of NieR. Suddenly, it became a classic game that everyone had missed. That success allowed for a grand remaster in the form of NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139. Within three months, the game sold one million copies, double the sales of the original version. Through updated gameplay, updated story, and lots of funding, Nier Replicant was able to reach a wider audience and demonstrate the emotional highs and lows that helped it gain such a devoted fanbase. With endearing, flawed characters, engaging storylines, and a devastating tale of humanity and sacrifice, Replicant survived what appeared to be the end of its world and wormed its way into more hearts around the gaming sphere.
The Drakengard series is infamous for its unusual, depressing storytelling and its incredibly obtuse gameplay. Many game reviewers were particularly critical of its 2010 spin-off NieR, voicing their frustration with its gameplay and baffling story. While the game wasn’t a financial bomb, it failed to engage with a larger audience and would seemingly be another forgotten game in the PS3 Xbox 360 generation. With its failure, studio Cavia was shuttered. Yet in an oddly prescient statement, a Eurogamer retrospective five years after the release described the title as “the rare game that gets better with age.”
The success of 2017’s NieR Automata led to a greater reexamination of NieR. Suddenly, it became a classic game that everyone had missed. That success allowed for a grand remaster in the form of NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139. Within three months, the game sold one million copies, double the sales of the original version. Through updated gameplay, updated story, and lots of funding, Nier Replicant was able to reach a wider audience and demonstrate the emotional highs and lows that helped it gain such a devoted fanbase. With endearing, flawed characters, engaging storylines, and a devastating tale of humanity and sacrifice, Replicant survived what appeared to be the end of its world and wormed its way into more hearts around the gaming sphere.
8
9 points (three votes)
You find yourself in a dark, mysterious cabin, the captive of a dark, mysterious creature. He demands you play a card game with him in order to win your survival. Sit down, pull up a chair, and play… Inscryption.
To say anything else would spoil the experience of Inscryption. The game was created by Daniel Mullins, known for subversive genre-defying games such as Pony Island and The Hex. The joy comes from experiencing the swerves yourself and unraveling the different rules to the card game you’ve been given. Dripping with atmosphere and bizarre characters, see how far you can survive when the odds are stacked against you.
You find yourself in a dark, mysterious cabin, the captive of a dark, mysterious creature. He demands you play a card game with him in order to win your survival. Sit down, pull up a chair, and play… Inscryption.
To say anything else would spoil the experience of Inscryption. The game was created by Daniel Mullins, known for subversive genre-defying games such as Pony Island and The Hex. The joy comes from experiencing the swerves yourself and unraveling the different rules to the card game you’ve been given. Dripping with atmosphere and bizarre characters, see how far you can survive when the odds are stacked against you.
9
9 points (two votes)
Spinning off from the main Final Fantasy franchise, the World of Mana series took a strange detour from its established formula with Legend of Mana. The game revolves around a series of vignettes. As the player, you’re sent to travel through the land, helping various people in need. Through this free-reign sandbox, you’ll encounter numerous melancholy moments in people’s life, doing your best to make things better. The game requires a willingness to explore the game’s world at your own direction, uncovering the deeper truths for yourself. Even then, reaching an ending requires the player to complete one of several story arcs that the player must discover on their own. More of a slice-of-life dungeon crawler than a traditional rpg, Legend of Mana is a bold and sometimes controversial entry in the series. Love it or hate it, the game’s art and soundtrack captures a sense of beauty and wonder that can’t be denied.
A full remaster was released with new HD 2D backgrounds and an updated soundtrack, along with various quality of life features such as autosaving and the option to turn off enemy encounters. A classic video game that is unambiguously itself above all else.
Spinning off from the main Final Fantasy franchise, the World of Mana series took a strange detour from its established formula with Legend of Mana. The game revolves around a series of vignettes. As the player, you’re sent to travel through the land, helping various people in need. Through this free-reign sandbox, you’ll encounter numerous melancholy moments in people’s life, doing your best to make things better. The game requires a willingness to explore the game’s world at your own direction, uncovering the deeper truths for yourself. Even then, reaching an ending requires the player to complete one of several story arcs that the player must discover on their own. More of a slice-of-life dungeon crawler than a traditional rpg, Legend of Mana is a bold and sometimes controversial entry in the series. Love it or hate it, the game’s art and soundtrack captures a sense of beauty and wonder that can’t be denied.
A full remaster was released with new HD 2D backgrounds and an updated soundtrack, along with various quality of life features such as autosaving and the option to turn off enemy encounters. A classic video game that is unambiguously itself above all else.
10
8 points (two votes each)
The Forgotten City began as a Skyrim mod created by Nick Pearce. The dev worked primarily as a corporate lawyer, yet enjoyed creating mods for large open world games in his free time. After 1700 hours of development, the mod was released to the public in 2015, four years after the release of Skyrim. Pearce soon quit his job and opened a game studio to transform the Forgotten City into a standalone game. The game’s script was overhauled and doubled from 35,000 words to 80,000.
The game itself centers on an unnamed protagonist finding themselves in a mysterious Roman city. Should one person commit a sin in the Forgotten City, the entire community will be destroyed. But what counts as a sin? Who is judging this city and why? And who has the right to determine what laws are fair and just? Determine your own answers to these questions and end this cycle of suffering and judgment… for good.
The Forgotten City began as a Skyrim mod created by Nick Pearce. The dev worked primarily as a corporate lawyer, yet enjoyed creating mods for large open world games in his free time. After 1700 hours of development, the mod was released to the public in 2015, four years after the release of Skyrim. Pearce soon quit his job and opened a game studio to transform the Forgotten City into a standalone game. The game’s script was overhauled and doubled from 35,000 words to 80,000.
The game itself centers on an unnamed protagonist finding themselves in a mysterious Roman city. Should one person commit a sin in the Forgotten City, the entire community will be destroyed. But what counts as a sin? Who is judging this city and why? And who has the right to determine what laws are fair and just? Determine your own answers to these questions and end this cycle of suffering and judgment… for good.
11
8 points (two votes each)
Set merely hours after the end of the first game, Psychonauts 2 was released by Double Fine sixteen years after the release of the original Psychonauts. The sequel had a high bar to clear. The first game maintains a reputation to this day as a cult classic and financial failure. With a Microsoft buyout and a long crowd-funding campaign eventually led to the long-awaited sequel. Balancing humor and empathy, Psychonauts 2 advances the ideas of the first game into more concrete ground as its hero attempts to understand and help the people around him with their various personal issues. A visual treat written with love and care.
Set merely hours after the end of the first game, Psychonauts 2 was released by Double Fine sixteen years after the release of the original Psychonauts. The sequel had a high bar to clear. The first game maintains a reputation to this day as a cult classic and financial failure. With a Microsoft buyout and a long crowd-funding campaign eventually led to the long-awaited sequel. Balancing humor and empathy, Psychonauts 2 advances the ideas of the first game into more concrete ground as its hero attempts to understand and help the people around him with their various personal issues. A visual treat written with love and care.
12
7 points (three votes)
The seventeenth game in the long-running rpg franchise, Tales of Arise features another plucky band of heroes looking at a grossly unethical magical society and going “well let’s go fix that.” In this adventure, an amnesiac man named Alphen tries to survive on the planet Dahna, which is occupied by the advanced Renan Empire. He’s lost the ability to feel any pain. He partners with the Renan noblewoman Shionne, who’s cursed to bring pain to anyone that touches her. Mayhaps they’ll enjoy a budding romance while tearing apart a corrupt government with their bare hands…?
The seventeenth game in the long-running rpg franchise, Tales of Arise features another plucky band of heroes looking at a grossly unethical magical society and going “well let’s go fix that.” In this adventure, an amnesiac man named Alphen tries to survive on the planet Dahna, which is occupied by the advanced Renan Empire. He’s lost the ability to feel any pain. He partners with the Renan noblewoman Shionne, who’s cursed to bring pain to anyone that touches her. Mayhaps they’ll enjoy a budding romance while tearing apart a corrupt government with their bare hands…?
13
4 Comments
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfFbKxsPfC7eC-cfpBOaqnAvP5lkozXWCYJnsOVcy8pV1xHew/viewform oh, here's the form for 2022 if people want to vote!
Caligula Effect 2 ROBBED
I believe that specific voter had:
1st place: 13 Sentinels (5 points)
2nd: Blue Reflection Second Light (4 points)
3rd: Caligula Effect 2
4th: Atelier
5th: Fate/GO?
Stiff anime competition
1st place: 13 Sentinels (5 points)
2nd: Blue Reflection Second Light (4 points)
3rd: Caligula Effect 2
4th: Atelier
5th: Fate/GO?
Stiff anime competition
Nerdietalk
1 year ago
Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance
Nick All Stars
Monster Rancher
Doom Eternal
Super Smash Brothers Ultimate
Cookie Clicker
Among Us
Gorogoa
Monster Hunter Rise
Fate/GO
Monster Hunter Stories 2
Arcade Spirits
Dusk
2 Points:
Atelier Sophie The Alchemist of the Mysterious Book DX
Beat Saber
Dark Souls Remastered
Dragon Age Inquisition
Jackbox Party Pack 8
Lobotomy Corp
Loop Hero
Sherlock Holmes Chapter 1
SMT Devil Survivor
Sky: Children of Light
Super Mario Party
Trails of Cold Steel IV
What Remains of Edith Finch
Ys VIII
In addition, Persona 4 Golden also had 2 points, gained from two separate fifth place votes. One was labeled as “Council of Gregs Edition,” the other was labeled “Watching my friend play Persona 4 Golden.” Those submitting their votes made it clear that this distinction was important compared to the vanilla P4 experience.
3 Points
Binding of Isaac Rebirth (Repentance DLC)
Blood Fresh Supply
The Caligula Effect 2
Jackbox Party Pack 7
New Pokemon Snap
Petal Crash
Shin Megami Tensei V
Signs of Sojourner
Slay the Spire
Spider-Man
4 Points
Blue Reflection Second Light
CrossCode
Disco Elysium
Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Kind Words
Max Gentleman
Persona 5 Royal
Prey
SINoALICE
WarioWare Get It Together
Super Robot Wars 30 also gained 4 points, from two different fourth place votes.
And finally of the first round, people’s personal favorites!
5 Points
13 Sentinels
An Airport for Aliens Run by Dogs
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity
Library of Ruina
Pokemon Shield
Red Dead Redemption 2
Spiritfarer
Unsighted
There were two games in this round that also received five points, but had multiple votes. The Great Ace Attorney and Neo: The World Ends With You both had two votes!