The annual, and let’s be honest—rather blandly named, The Game Awards were recently held, and winners handed their trophies. Which in turn means it is time to compare and contrast my thoughts and picks for the year against the actual recipients after the dust has settled. As is my tradition, I focus on a few select categories of particular interest with the sub proviso of having been able to play what I could up to this point. So let’s dive in, shall we, starting with as always the main event and working down:

Game of The Year

My pick: The Outer Worlds

Winner: Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

2019 in my opinion was a better year overall vs. 2018, which in theory made this choice for the best a difficult one. The Resident Evil 2 Remake was my top contender for most of the year, until…The Outer Worlds dropped and Obsidian delighted me in revitalizing the genre, showcasing what a great studio can do in their area of expertise without outside meddling/influence. RE2 remains a very strong second, and at this point is probably the best remake/remaster of beloved classic game. Control would be a solid third, as Remedy delivered a really well done story in an intriguing world with fun gameplay to boot, and I’ve recognized it for such numerous times below. Death Stranding for its pedigree coming from an industry veteran and true auteur was indeed an interesting experiment from an academic standpoint, nevertheless I claim it doesn’t have quite enough going for it to warrant the number one spot, and instead stands as more of an honorable mention. The Outer Worlds just had everything I enjoy about a game from a trusted stalwart developer and so while perhaps biased, is still my choice. Sekiro actually taking it is a little of a surprise, even it seems within the other industry punditry, but I’m not hugely against it, so congrats to FromSoftware for taking the top prize.

Best Game Direction

My pick: Control

Winner: Death Stranding

To me this one was a three-way standoff between Sekiro, Control and RE2. Death Stranding, as divisive as it also might’ve been, was per above unmistakably Kojima’s vision from start to finish, but again that doesn’t equate an auto-win here (at least for me.) RE2 as mentioned is indeed a brilliant remake, but via the fact that it is such somewhat disqualifies it for me, as the original template was mostly already in place. Sekiro advanced the formula codified by FromSoftware and retains their core identity while branching out a bit from the more familiar areas. Control though had excellent world-building married with strong thematic elements that translated very well into the overall direction, and is my choice for this one. TGA disagreed though and did give it to Death Stranding, which as I said is fair, as the game was certainly the creator’s vision realized and Kojima being allowed to make his game his way is something to be celebrated in the current climate.   

Best Narrative

My pick: A Plague Tale: Innocence

Winner: Disco Elysium

Strong contenders here, and as always I look most closely at the narrative component of games more than anything else. Given that, and my glaring caveat regarding having been unable to play Disco Elysium, (although I very much wanted to and am anxiously awaiting the console port next year) I would thus hand this one to Plague Tale, largely due to it being a relatively under the radar title from the AA sphere and wanting to recognize the work being done there in the face of AAAssholery. I think it is the closest in recent memory to creating the gripping melding of story and gameplay that God of War achieved last year, making one actually care about the characters involved and wanting to see their journey through. It is a tale most worth experiencing. The others are no slouches though, and I would (obviously) give an easy second place to Outer Worlds. Death Stranding is strange and distinct in the way only Hideo Kojima can be, but again that doesn’t necessarily translate into the best (or most coherent) narrative. In an alternate universe Disco may have won out had I gotten to it, but Plague Tale is where I stand. In this world, Disco did take it, which only really makes me to play it all the more.

Best Art Direction

My pick: The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening

Winner: Control

This was also an excellent year for visually appealing games, with top-notch world-building being a noticeable thread throughout. With that, the redesign of Link’s Awakening is so striking that I think it’s almost a no contest. I may have brushed it off in other categories for its remake status, but here is where it shines and I will give it all due credit. Runner up would be Sekiro for its light-fantasy feudal Japanese stylings, followed by Control, although I think Control’s merits were as mentioned more noticeable elsewhere in other areas. TGA kindly disagrees again though, but in this case I’m more than happy to see it given to Control, since I do want it to be recognized more for its creativity.

Best Score/Music

My pick: Devil May Cry 5

Winner: Death Stranding

I only “heard” a few of the titles in this particular category, so I can’t speak to many. Death Stranding’s subdued and ethereal country-esque soundtrack did technically accompany the desolate and picturesque landscapes fairly well, but was also sort of forgettable after the fact. Cadence of Hyrule, being essentially a rhythm game, ostensibly has a cool soundtrack, but again didn’t actually play it. From what I did, I would’ve given this to DMC5, with its over the top rock-gothic bombast matching perfectly to the frantic and (ahem) devil may care style of action that was always a joy to hear blaring while slicing up demons and hellhounds with panache and flair. Death Stranding sweeps in again up though, and despite some small cries of favoritism, (as it is well-known TGA producer Geoff Keighley is good friends with Kojima) I’ll reluctantly say it’s acceptable enough here.  

Best Performance

My pick: Matthew Porretta as Dr. Casper Darling, Control

Winner: Mads Mikkelsen as Cliff, Death Stranding

I adored pretty much every performance on the list, with all of the nominees turning in some great roles. Death Stranding double killed with two nods from high profile actors not normally known for game acting, and portraying two very different characters in the same game. Meanwhile Courtney Hope and Ashly Burch were wonderfully charming playing their respective characters, some of their best work yet and it’s tough to pass them over. Even so, I think Matthew Porretta absolutely owned the role of the unsettlingly enthusiastic and enigmatic paranormal scientist Dr. Darling in Control, and as I’m always a fan of the unsung underdog, his performance takes the crown in my eyes here. That leaves me feeling ok-ish about Mads for Death Stranding winning again. I will say that I do believe his performance was more impactful than Norman Reedus’ in the game, so it’s still fine I suppose, but I stand by Mathew deserving a piece of the limelight for an underrated role.

Best Independent Game

My pick: Disco Elysium

Winner: Disco Elysium

Kind of had to take a total mulligan on this one, as I technically didn’t play of the titles, although am familiar with all. I saw a friend’s daughter play Goose at a party, and while amusing, I don’t think anything beyond its fundamental novelty/meme generating factor is enough to say it’s the best indie game. Katana ZERO is the kind of retro-style title I’m usually into, but exclusivity reared its annoying visage again and it was only on PC and Switch. What I will say is from among these, Disco Elysium is the title that is most in line with my tastes, and having read a bit about its development and the team involved prior, is on paper (and by default in practice) snagging the win. So due to that, if only by de facto, TGA and I are on the same page and I’m glad to see an indie game that’s up my alley taking the third of its four total awards (the fourth was relatedly Fresh Indie which I haven’t covered.)

Best Action Game

My pick: Metro Exodus

Winner: Devil May Cry 5

ApexLeg and COD are automatically disqualified in my book for this, so sorry if you’re a fan of either, but they don’t count for me. Gears 5 was good, but not great. That then basically leaves a battle between DMC5 and Metro Exodus, but I think Metro wins out for having a bit more substance to it. DMC5 has a fantastic style and is a great amusement park ride (more traditionally “action-y”) but Exodus has more going for it in terms of overall presentation and depth, and is the best in the series to date, so for those reasons gets the win from me. DMC5 being declared the winner is perfectly kosher, as I said it was a close second, and I think it does deserve attention for being perhaps the best title in its own series, even if I felt Metro was slightly better suited.

Best Action/Adventure Game

My pick: Control

Winner: Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

It still grates on me and I continue to harp on that the fact that there are distinct categories for this one and the above, but that’s the world we live in I suppose. Therefore I gave myself some tunnel vision glasses and attempted to judge this one by what I consider a pure “action/adventure” title, although for sure every game in contention here could have easily had a shot. In that light and for sheer entertainment/fun value, Borderlands 3 delivered a bounty, and was a blast to play from start to finish without diminishing what put the series on the map and made it enjoyable in the first place. RE2 absolutely raised the bar for remakes and was simply a great game unto itself, one that I have a long and cherished history with. The same is true of Link’s Awakening, and if I had a Switch I would’ve 100% checked that out too. But with both being technically remakes, I like to award originality, so that said, in the end I went with Control. Remedy reliably creates another unique and eerily quirky world to discover and journey through with empowering character abilities. Sekiro taking it here from TGA is perhaps a signal for it also winning GOTY in retrospect, yet I’ll more staunchly stand by Control being what should have won.   

Best RPG

My pick: The Outer Worlds

Winner: Disco Elysium

Ran into a bit of a speedbump here, insofar as I mentioned that while I heard amazing things about Disco Elysium, and it popped up and ending winning other categories, I didn’t get a chance to experience it firsthand, so unfortunately was unable to comment on it personally. Monster Hunter: World won last year, however it’s just not my thing. The same goes double for FFXIV and KHIII, I’m sure fans enjoy them, but I was always going to pass on them. I would also add that I think GreedFall was snubbed, as it’s a fantastic new/original IP in the genre, and one which I’ll gladly tout given a chance. From the list though, and on the crest of my my overall enthusiasm for Outer Worlds combined with already handing it GOTY, I’ll have to cop-out just a little and award it the spot here too. Disco grabs it in actuality here, yet another reason for my enthusiasm in awaiting the port next year to get my hands on it and see whether I may retroactively change my opinion.

There you have it, The Game Awards vs. my personal picks from the select categories above for 2019. Overall I disagreed more on average than other years and my biggest takeaway is that The Outer Worlds and RE2 got big time snubs by not winning a single category. That’s why I suppose I’m writing this here and not on the board of judges. In any case, stay tuned to the channel as the GDC awards will follow, and of course we’ll be doing our own lists on the show after the new year. Until then, thanks for choosing Spacer’s Choice, it’s not the best choice, but TLS is. Cheers!