Alan Wake 2
This has been an insane year for game releases, and a horrible year for predictions, as I keep trying to figure out what’s going to win or even be nominated for GOTY, and I keep having to erase the entire chalkboard and start over again.
Earlier in the year, I defiantly declared that obviously The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom was going to win GOTY with its ultra-high critic scores and brilliant physics puzzles. But then a new favorite bowled over all its competition, Baldur’s Gate 3, one of the most elaborate, intricate, engaging RPGs of all time, and then it seemed like a clear favorite.
Recently we had Super Mario Wonder and Spider-Man 2, likely nominees, but I wouldn’t say winners. But now? One last time folks (I think), we have Alan Wake 2, a Dark (Place) Horse that could come along and win it all.
Again, we have to remind ourselves that when it comes to the “big” awards like The Game Awards, the voters are critics, game developers and other industry figures. This is why I think Baldur’s had a big advantage even if it was a somewhat niche genre compared to something more bombastic and accessible like Spider-Man 2. Or even Tears (though obviously yes, a ton of people have also been playing it).
But now? I am hearing critic after critic say that Alan Wake 2 is likely their game of the year, and developers are saying they wish they could work something as wild and revolutionary as what Remedy has done here, a blend of TV, books and video games that combines into a final product that’s instantly iconic and unlike anything else out there.
Alan Wake 2
At this point, I don’t think it can be ruled out as a serious GOTY contender. In addition to all the praise, recency bias is a thing, and it has that going for it as what is likely to be the last big GOTY contender before the end of the year (sorry Modern Warfare 3).
That said, Alan Wake could win other awards that are not GOTY, best direction, performances, narrative, lord knows it would probably deserver any of them, but a lot of those can be linked together with the actual GOTY winner.
What is clear is that there are going to be games that in any other year, might have won GOTY themselves, and in 2023 they might not even be nominated or win a single award. So to rise to the top you have to be the best of the best and I think only a few games are landing in that stratosphere right now. Before it was Tears and Baldur’s. Now, I do think we have to include Alan Wake 2 in the conversation, even if that means shoving down more games that absolutely deserve consideration.
Alan Wake 2 doesn’t even have the highest metascore around this year at 88, with a bunch of games at 90+. But the innovation it brings and the types of people who like it make me believe that a few points under 90 isn’t going to matter when it comes to nominations and the eventual winner. My gut still says that Baldur’s Gate 3 is going to take it all, but Alan Wake 2 is a contender I can’t say I saw coming to this degree.
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