For ten straight years, The Game Awards have turned the gaming world upside down with their annual GOTY showdown. This award isn't just some random trophy—it's the Oscars of gaming, decided by experts and players alike. Sure, the choices always spark heated debates faster than a Call of Duty lobby argument, but that's what makes it legendary. Looking back from our 2025 perspective, it's time to revisit every winner since 2015 and rank them from least to most deserving. Buckle up, gamers—this ride's gonna get spicy! 🎮💥

11. Overwatch

Man, this one hurts. Overwatch revolutionized multiplayer with its vibrant style and Team Fortress vibes—but let's keep it 💯, it's literally unplayable now. Blizzard straight-up nuked it for Overwatch 2, leaving OG fans high and dry. The author remembers grinding those legendary late-night sessions, but today? It's a ghost town. While its impact on hero shooters is undeniable, a GOTY winner should stand the test of time. This one? Epic fail. 😩

10. It Takes Two

Playing this with your BFF or significant other? Absolute magic—the creativity in gameplay mechanics had me grinning like an idiot. But solo? Oof, it’s rough. The story feels like a cheesy rom-com, and pacing drags harder than a Elden Ring boss fight. Honestly, Hazelight's earlier gem A Way Out packed more emotional punch. Props for spotlighting co-op innovation, but as a GOTY? Nah, it’s a B-tier pick at best. ¯_(ツ)_/¯

9. God of War (2018)

Respect to Santa Monica for rebooting Kratos into a daddy-icon—the storytelling here hits harder than Leviathan Axe throws. But replaying it now? Combat gets repetitive AF, enemy variety is slim pickings, and that semi-open world feels half-baked. Ragnarök fixed all this and then some, making the 2018 version feel like a beta test. It’s like eating cake without frosting—good but incomplete. Total missed opportunity for the franchise’s usual god-tier polish. 😤

8. The Last of Us Part 2

Hot take: This beats the original by miles! The gameplay? Chef's kiss 🤌—sneaky kills and emotional gut-punches hit different. But holy pacing issues, Batman! Switching perspectives mid-story felt as jarring as lag spikes during a ranked match. Still, Naughty Dog’s audacity to go dark and divisive in AAA territory? Mad respect. Not my personal GOTY pick, but damn, it earned that trophy for sheer bravery alone. #ControversyWins

7. Astro Bot

This lil' bot came outta nowhere and stole hearts! Pure platforming joy with PS5 tech flexes—haptic feedback had me feeling every jump. Nostalgia overload for PlayStation stans, but even newbies got hooked. The author low-key hopes Sony takes notes: less grimdark cinema, more playful innovation like this. Best. Platformer. Since. Mario. Period. 🥹🙌

6. Dragon Age: Inquisition

Back in the day, this RPG slapped harder than a dragon’s tail. Epic storytelling? Check. Jaw-dropping environments? Double-check. Combat felt like chess with swords and magic—strategic heaven. But replaying it in 2025? Oof, the fetch quests aged like milk. Still, it defined an era for RPGs, proving BioWare could mix depth with mainstream appeal. Total game-changer, no cap. 🏰✨

5. Baldur’s Gate 3

Larian Studios didn’t just drop a game—they unleashed a D&D revolution. Every choice feels weighty, companions have more layers than a Tolkien novel, and replayability? Infinite! This win mattered BIG time—it proved players crave deep, complex RPGs over microtransaction trash. Personal highlight? Accidentally romancing a bear. 🐻❤️ Peak gaming absurdity that’ll live rent-free in my head forever. #GOATMaterial

4. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Geralt’s masterpiece ruined other RPGs for me—seriously, nothing compares. Even in 2025, its world oozes more life than most AAA releases. Side quests? Mini-novels. Gwent? Better than actual poker. That Bloody Baron arc? Still hits harder than whiskey on a Monday. Only flaw? Roach’s parkour fails. 🐴💀 This isn’t just a game; it’s a cultural artifact that redefined immersion. CD Projekt, take a bow!

3. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

FromSoftware’s magnum opus—fighting here isn’t gameplay, it’s art. Parrying feels like a deadly dance where one slip means game over. The author died more times than he’d admit (thanks, Guardian Ape 🦍), but each defeat taught Zen-like focus. Visually? Stunning. Soundtrack? Eargasm. No fluff, no filler—just pure, unadulterated skill-based ecstasy. It’s so flawless, it makes other action games look like amateur hour. Mic drop. 🎤⬇️

2. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Hyrule never felt so alive—climbing mountains just to glide into sunset? Chef’s kiss. This game didn’t just raise the bar; it yeeted it into orbit. Physics-based chaos (bombing bokoblins never gets old), emergent storytelling, and that sweet, sweet exploration freedom. Sure, Korok hunting was soul-crushing, but everything else? Absolute dynamite. Nintendo proved open worlds could feel magical, not just massive. Game-changer? More like game-reinventor. 👑

So here we are—a decade of gaming glory laid bare. From Overwatch's ghost town to Breath of the Wild's boundless wonder, these GOTY winners reflect our industry's wild evolution. Some aged like fine wine, others like forgotten bananas 🍌—but each left its mark. As we charge into 2025's gaming frontier, one truth remains: great games aren’t just played; they’re felt. And that? That’s what makes this award eternally lit. 🔥