Grand Theft Auto VI has been the most anticipated video game for years now, and 2026 seems to be the year it finally comes out, barring any other delays. Fans are already claiming it to be the strongest contender to win Game of the Year at the Game Awards, because with years of development, polish, ambition, and expectations, it could be the biggest gaming experience ever. However, it shouldn’t take away from over a decade of flawless games.
Game of the Year is one of the biggest honors for a title, and the most popular event is Geoff Keighley’s Game Awards, which started in 2014 and has only been getting more and more well-known. That is why this list will rank every Game of the Year winner at the Game Awards from worst to best based on gameplay, narrative, art, design, originality, influence, prestige, staying power, popularity, fan opinion, and overall quality. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but these ten games in particular earned the title of the best.
12
‘Overwatch’ (2016)
Image via Blizzard Entertainment
Kicking off this list is one of the best that has aged the worst, but it is still a cultural icon that defined the 2010s: Overwatch. This arena multiplayer shooter has a multitude of modes where players select their heroes and battle it out with imaginative powers, distinct abilities and different purposes.
Some fans let modern perception influence their past thoughts because, in 2016, there wasn’t a bigger game than Overwatch. It hasn’t aged perfectly and feels stale now, but it was absolutely deserving of the title back then. Even though it is at the bottom of this list, Overwatch is still an engaging experience that revolutionized multiplayer shooters through its team-based dynamics and hero-centric characters.
11
‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’ (2025)
Image via Sandfall Entertainment
The next entry is also the most recent game of the year winner, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. The Paintress is a monolithic entity who erases a specific age from the world every year until humanity is reduced to nothing. Expeditions are sent to stop it, and while they have mostly been unsuccessful, the 33rd expedition might be the one to put an end to the madness.
It may have been the unanimous and obvious winner of 2025, but in a list of the greatest games of the past decade, the competition is too steep. Still, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a masterful combination of real-time events and turn-based combat that creates an innovative gameplay loop. Its satisfying combat, excellent voice acting, and incredible art direction made it a modern “indie” staple.
10
‘The Last of Us Part II’ (2020)
There are a handful of polarizing game of the year winners, but perhaps the most controversial is The Last of Us Part II, which divided fans and critics. After the events of the last game, Ellie and Joel are living happily, that is, until a group splits them up. Ellie now sets out back into the zombie-infested world to seek revenge on those who took everything from her.
Not everyone may agree with it winning, but The Last of Us Part II is still a masterpiece in a weak year of gaming. It wasn’t perfect, but all the games on here are fantastic, including this one. Its narrative shift was bold and daring, going in a direction that was heartbreaking, making the story more uncomfortable and harrowing yet ultimately cathartic. The Last of Us Part II is a narrative masterclass that also boasts thrilling stealth-action-based gameplay.
9
‘Astro Bot’ (2024)
Image via Team ASOBI
The platformer genre is dominated by Mario, but it has been unsuccessful in winning a game of the year award. However, 2024 changed things, with Astro Bot taking home the acclaimed award. After players crash their spaceship, they must travel around the world searching for their scattered crew and slowly rebuilding their ship to escape the world.
Astro Bot is pure fun from start to finish, delivering a game that is full of entertainment value. The haptic controls make the gameplay more engaging and immersive, but the true highlight is the perfect level design. The refined design creates a magnificent pace that teaches, tests, and challenges perfectly, providing a nice progression of skills in Astro Bot’s charming style and creative gimmicks.
8
‘Dragon Age: Inquisition’ (2014)
Image via Bioware
The Dragon Age franchise isn’t what it used to be, which is strange, because two of the titles are considered some of the best games ever, including 2014’s Dragon Age: Inquisition. When a magical tear rips the sky open and lets in a horde of abominations from the Fade, the Herald of Andraste must revive and lead the Inquisition to stop the invasion.
Dragon Age: Origins is widely considered to be the better title, but Dragon Age: Inquisition still has its charms and highlights that earned it the honor of winning the very first Game of the Year award. The characters are compelling, the combat is thrilling, and the visuals are often cinematic. Yet, it’s the complex and lore-rich storyline that has made Inquisition stand the test of time. This immersive RPG has a massive scale and a deep emphasis on its party dynamics, which defined the genre for the time, becoming one of the best video games of the 2010s.
7
‘Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice’ (2019)
Image via FromSoftware
FromSoftware is one of the best gaming studios out there, earning two entries on this list, starting with Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Set in Sengoku-era Japan, players control a samurai who must protect his young lord in a deeply corrupted political system. Meanwhile, he must also seek revenge for his murdered clan.
Sekiro is a fighting game masterpiece that boasts some of the best gameplay and combat in the soulslike genre. The high-tension sword fighting creates a need for precision, skill, and constant learning, where every battle becomes a dance of combat. The competitive and challenging gameplay becomes satisfying and rewarding when mastered, proving Sekiro is a masterclass of combat.
6
‘It Takes Two’ (2021)
Image via Hazelight Studios
It is rare that an indie game will win game of the year since they can’t compete with the massive budget, scale, and time put into AAA blockbusters. However, in 2021, It Takes Two defied the odds and won the award. When a couple on the verge of divorce are turned into toys, they must navigate a fantastical version of their home to turn back to normal.
Most of the games on this list are open-world single-player games, but It Takes Two is a co-op masterclass that gives each player agency with unique roles. The inventive design shifts through gimmicks and mechanics that are all thematically relevant, but also spice up the gameplay with fun moments. It Takes Two builds a sense of cooperation that other games lack, creating a genuine connection between players, which is what video games should represent.
5
‘The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt’ (2015)
Image via CD Projekt Red
Everyone thought Cyberpunk 2077 was going to easily win the game of the year award, but its rocky launch said otherwise. CD Projekt Red at least has one Game of the Year winner in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. In it, Geralt must put aside his usual monster-hunting business to find Ciri and protect her from the Wild Hunt, an espectral cavalcade that wants to use her vast powers for evil.
Somewhere along the line, video games became a storytelling medium, and for the better, because titles such as The Witcher 3 could display their narrative prowess through unique methods baked into their gameplay, mechanics, and design. The main story and campaign are compelling, but the side quests are the highlight, delivering a deep and complex experience that results in one of the best fantasy video games of all time.
4
‘God of War’ (2018)
Image via Sony Interactive Entertainment
Not everyone agrees with the Game of the Year winners, but 2018 was a difficult choice between God of War and Red Dead Redemption 2. Much to the annoyance of many, the former won. After the death of his wife, Kratos travels around the Norse world alongside his son to spread her ashes. However, the gods have other plans for them, wanting Atreus for mysterious reasons.
Red Dead Redemption 2 has had a kinder legacy, but it’s hard to say whether it was more deserving than God of War. Either way, both games deserve praise, but only God of War walked away with the award. Through narrative excellence that is seen in every aspect, this game creates an intimate portrait of fatherhood. On the ever-important action side, God of War also has cathartic combat where players can use their strength to obliterate enemies and solve puzzles.
3
‘Elden Ring’ (2022)
Image via Bandai Namco Entertainment
As mentioned, FromSoftware is a prolific game studio with two Game of the Year awards, and their magnum opus is Elden Ring. After the titular object shatters, the children of Queen Marika collect the pieces. Now, the Tarnished must travel around the Lands Between to defeat the demigods, collect the broken pieces, restore the ring, and become the Elden Lord.
With FromSoftware’s challenging and compelling soulslike combat and George R.R. Martin’s expert worldbuilding and lore, Elden Ring is a complete fantasy adventure game. Through its satisfying combat and a gameplay system that rewards exploration, Elden Ring is a flawless game that excels in all aspects. It refuses to hold the player’s hand, thrusting them into a world full of danger, intrigue, and lore. However, that’s exactly the main appeal, as it makes the adventure seem all the more dangerous and immersive.
