Games that will not get airtime in the GB GOTY discussions

I originally thought of this post as something to try and get the GB crew to add a category that involved them championing games no one else, at least on staff, had played but realized those would probably be few and far between. So I wanted to open it up to the community: what are GB's blind spots when it comes to gaming this year. It does not have to be games that released this year but anything that became popular or found a niche audience.

I will start it out with a game I oddly have not played myself: Escape from Tarkov. My main discord crew plays a lot of military style shooters, Rainbow Six Siege and recently CoD: Warzone have been favorites. But a lot of those same people have moved to Tarkov and are playing it all the time now. The risk reward of holding onto your loot and making it out seem really compelling.

Honorable mentions: Total War: Warhammer 2 DLC, Desperados 3, Microsoft Flight Simulator (except Vinny) Paradise Killer, Crusader Kings 3, and oddly enough Death Stranding's PC release because I agree with PCgamer giving it their game of the year award, it feels oddly way more relevant than it did when it released on PS4 in 2019.

You mentioned one of them, but I'd be very surprised if these games get talked about in any significant/positive way:

• Crusader Kings III
• 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim
• Half-Life: Alyx

The last one mostly because almost nobody played it since they're away from the office VR set, and I don't think Jeff particularly loved it. 13 Sentinels was played by Jan, but I don't think he'll go to bat for it majorly, and CK3 is just absolutely not on the site's radar until they hire another editor with Austin Walker-esque taste in games.

Strategy games in general can get fucked in GB GotY most years, they only really have a shot if they're a major crossover hit.

I also have to echo Crusader Kings III.

Austin's video with Vinny and Alex where they played CKII is what got me into the series in the first place, ironically.

I kind of feel like Crusader Kings III was a big step for Paradox out of the frame of niche historical strategy games, and into something more mainstream.

Even though it doesn't seem anyone on staff gave it too much of a chance, I was thrilled to hear it make the Top 3 for Gita Jackson on Waypoint. The organic, emergent stories that come out of it are endless and hilarious and great. I was so glad to hear Gita praising that aspect of it.

I think it's one of those games that could be easily dismissed as just another strategy game, but that completely misses what makes it great. It's an excellent *role-playing game* - arguably my favourite ever.

Wasteland 3 definitely won't be getting any love. Or hate.

As you mentioned, Desperados 3. None of them would bother accompanying Rorie on the quick look.

I was just reminded of this on another site - Clubhouse: 51 Worldwide Games. Remember that coming and going? I feel the pandemic really hurt that one. Also, I would be surprised if Gears Tactics gets a mention and even more so if Chimera Squad does too.

Did Sakuna get played by anyone?

You might be surprised, but maybe the extra time will let them touch some more games.

Murder By Numbers is great if you love Picross or Phoenix Wright. As a massive fan of both it did both things so well, though the pacing of puzzles massively slowed down the investigation. So if you're not in it for both it could be awkward. Easily overlooked, but worth your time.

Paradise Killer

Ooblets

Star Renegades

Nioh 2

Valorant

Hyper Scape

Cook, Serve, Delicious 3 will not get any airtime on GB and neither will Murder By Numbers or A Total War Saga: Troy

It would be amazing if they read this thread in the beginning of the GOTY deliberations just to mention every one of these games.

Vinny might mention Factorio, but it won't win anything.

Ben mentioned on Twitter in the past month or two that he was going to try CK3, but it's still the most likely candidate for great game that won't get enough attention. Outside of a few exceptions like Civilization, strategy games like Crusader Kings just aren't in the crew's wheelhouse.

13 Sentinels also won't get as much attention as [I think] it deserves. Not sure if anyone other than Jan played any of it, and he didn't seem to be digging it all that much.

Half-Life: Alyx also won't get much attention. Jeff didn't like what he played of it, and I don't know if anyone else even had the means to try it. Abby did seem to like it quite a bit, but unfortunately, she's no longer on staff.

Trails of Cold Steel IV was also released this year, but yeah...no chance.

@chaser324: I swear I remember Jan saying 13 Sentinels might be his GOTY but I'm not 100%.

@liquiddragon: Wow. That would be great, but I don't remember him mentioning it more than once or twice outside of the QL.

That's why they invite a bunch of friends of the site to write about their favorite games to supplement the game of the year discussions.

WHAT goty discussion ?!!?! Good to see "worst songs of the 90s" is a more important topic to a gaming site than actual gaming

Lot of whining here. GOTY wouldn’t work if they tried to be comprehensive. The point is ranking games they’re genuinely passionate about.

Because we know their personalities this kind of discussion ends up being more objective than it would be if they tried to create a ranking everyone could agree with.

@deadrody: The GOTY discussions that are happening this month. They are taking place in January this year.

I can't remember if anyone actually played Resident Evil 3 besides Abby on stream so I wouldn't be surprised if that gets completely forgotten. (Though honestly while still a good game, it's disappointing, just like the original RE3 it was clearly rushed and didn't expand on the original game, in fact leaving some stuff cut, and the tacked on multiplayer was truly abysmal)

I don't they'll have much time to discuss any other games seeing as how this year's awards will just be them talking about the PC port of Death Stranding for five days.

There were a few Terror from the Deep-likes this year that I doubt anybody on staff played, Stirring Abyss and Dread Nautical.

After like 10 years in development the sequel to the underwater Descent-style franchise Aquanox was finally released in 2020 as well, aptly titled Aquanox: Deep Descent.

Not sure if any of them will remember the Ace Combat-but-with-eagles Falconeer either.

There were also two sequels to some of my favorite indie titles of the last few years, Vaporum: Lockdown and Ziggurat 2. As I recall I was the only one who even voted for the predecessors in the community GOTY, and I haven't even gotten around to picking up the sequels this time around, so I doubt they'll get any notice whatsoever this time.

They will not even mention Resident Evil 3 which is my personal favorite game from 2020.

@fisk0: Whoa, I had no clue Ziggurat 2 was a thing, will have to check that out.

I know The Pedestrian got a berth on a UPF early on, but it's disappointing that it hasn't been mentioned since. Great game, stunning presentation!

@moobaa: This years GOTY will be Brad running a RAM test on his Mister for 24 hours with no commentary.

A Monster's Expedition is one of the most well-designed puzzle games I've ever played, it's fantastic.