Game of the Year
Ongoing coverage on Game of the Year.
Latest coverage
A remake of a 20-year-old cult JRPG is now the best-rated game of 2026, pushing aside Resident Evil Requiem, Pokemon…
A remake of the 20-year-old cult JRPG, Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter, has become the best-rated game of 2026, surpassing major releases like Resident Evil Requiem and Pokemon Pokopia. The game has achieved high scores on Metacritic and OpenCritic, highlighting the growing popularity of Nihon Falcom's Trails series.
Morning Esports and Competitions
The review strategy for Grand Theft Auto 6 could significantly impact the Game of the Year race at The Game Awards. Early reviews and their timing may influence public perception and voting.
We’re halfway through 2026: Here are our contenders for Game of the Year so far
This article presents a list of contenders for Game of the Year for the first half of 2026. It highlights games that have made a significant impact in the first six months of the year.
Looks like there's no firm favourite for 2026's GOTY just yet, though there are two standouts
As 2026 progresses, the race for Game of the Year is still wide open, with no clear frontrunner among players. Resident Evil Requiem and Crimson Desert are currently the top two contenders based on a reader poll, though many participants felt none of the provided options were their definitive choice. The article highlights various other games receiving votes, including 007 First Light, Slay the Spire 2, and Marathon.
Poll: What's Your PS5 Game of the Year for 2026 So Far?
This article discusses the strong first half of 2026 for PlayStation 5 games and solicits reader input for their Game of the Year so far. It notes the abundance of quality titles from various developers and publishers, suggesting the final Game of the Year vote will be highly competitive, unless Grand Theft Auto 6 dominates the discussion.
Sunday Esports and Competitions
The article discusses how Summer Game Fest has made significant changes that will impact the 2026 Game of the Year race. These changes are expected to influence the competitive landscape and how games are perceived for the award.
Zelda: Ocarina Of Time remake is going to beat GTA 6 for Game of the Year - Reader’s Feature
A reader suggests that the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time could contend for Game of the Year, potentially rivaling Grand Theft Auto 6. The article speculates on the remake's graphical potential and its release window, positioning it as a major holiday title that Nintendo will release regardless of other major game launches.
Poll: Vote for Your PS5 Game of the Month (May 2026)
Push Square is holding its Game of the Month poll for May 2026, asking readers to vote for their favorite PlayStation 5 release. Notable titles from the month include 007 First Light and LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, alongside smaller, well-received games like Mixtape and Mina the Hollower.
PS5 Players Can Now Try 2026 GOTY Contender for Free
PlayStation 5 players can now try the survival horror game Resident Evil Requiem for free through a newly released demo. The demo, available on the PlayStation Store without requiring PlayStation Plus, features a portion of the game's opening with playable characters Grace Ashcroft and Leon S. Kennedy. Resident Evil Requiem has been a strong performer since its release, selling millions of copies and positioning itself as a Game of the Year contender.
New PS5 Action Game Gets Stellar Reviews, Enters GOTY Discussion
The new PlayStation 5 action game 007 First Light, developed by IO Interactive, has launched to critical acclaim with an average score of 89 on OpenCritic. Critics praise its masterful translation of the James Bond fantasy into a 14-hour globetrotting epic, with some calling it the best James Bond game ever made. The game follows a young James Bond's rise through MI6 and is considered a strong contender for Game of the Year.
Morning Esports and Competitions
South of Midnight was the big winner at the Canadian Game Awards 2026, taking home numerous accolades including Game of the Year. The article also touches on broader esports and competition news.
Issues and Activism
The game Mixtape is being discussed as a potential Game of the Year contender, but concerns about its toxic content may hinder its chances at The Game Awards. The article explores whether the game's mature themes and potentially offensive elements disqualify it from major awards.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 lead "was crossing fingers" the RPG wouldn't win Game of the Year because he was rooting for other "super creative games" instead
Tom Guillermin, co-founder of Sandfall Interactive and CTO of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, expressed that he was rooting for other games to win Game of the Year awards. He hoped to celebrate the creative and unique work of other developers. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 went on to win multiple awards, including Game of the Year at the Game Developers Choice Awards and Best Game at the BAFTA Awards.
Game of the Month: Pragmata (April 2026)
Capcom's Pragmata has been voted PlayStation 5 Game of the Month for April 2026 by Push Square readers, securing 47% of the vote. The sci-fi action-adventure title garnered significant praise and sold over two million copies shortly after its release. Other notable games in contention included Saros, Starfield, Hades 2, and MOUSE: P.I. for Hire.
Poll: One Year Later, Did Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Deserve All the Praise?
This article discusses whether Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, an RPG from developer Sandfall Interactive, truly deserved the overwhelming praise and numerous Game of the Year awards it received one year after its release. It examines the initial hype, critical reception, and the emergence of some dissenting opinions following its launch.
Saros Review Sparks Early Game of the Year Buzz Among PS5 Players
The PlayStation 5 exclusive game Saros is generating significant early buzz, with players and critics discussing it as a potential Game of the Year contender. The game is praised for its rich narrative experience, compelling world-building, and ability to engage players with its story and characters, potentially becoming a defining exclusive for the console.
PS5 Exclusive Shooter Gets Stellar Reviews, Is GOTY Contender
The PlayStation 5 exclusive shooter Saros, developed by Housemarque, is receiving stellar reviews and is considered a Game of the Year contender. The game, set to release on April 30, 2026, currently holds an 89 rating on OpenCritic. Critics praise its mechanics, improved roguelite formula, and engaging narrative set on the alien planet Carcosa.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 sells another 3 million copies during its undisputed GOTY sweep as total sales top 8 million
Sandfall Interactive announced that its debut title, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, has surpassed eight million copies sold in its first year. The developer also celebrated the game's first anniversary with a stealth patch. The game is being considered a strong contender for Game of the Year.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 completes its Infinity Gauntlet by collecting the final GOTY award
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has secured its final major Game of the Year award, a BAFTA for Best Game, completing its impressive collection. The game also won a BAFTA for Best Performer in a Lead Role for Jennifer English. This indie title has received widespread critical acclaim, including awards from The Game Awards, D.I.C.E. Awards, and Golden Joysticks, solidifying its status as a standout JRPG.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 follows Baldur's Gate 3 to become the second game ever to win all five major GOTY…
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has achieved a rare feat by winning all five major Game of the Year awards, including the BAFTA for Best Game. This makes it the second game ever, after Baldur's Gate 3, to accomplish this sweep. The title from Sandfall Interactive also won awards for Best Debut Game and Best Performer.