Did Gears of War 5 Win Game of the Year? A Comprehensive Analysis
In 2020, the gaming world witnessed one of the most intense and thrilling showdowns in the history of gaming awards when game of the year nominees took home top honors. Among the countless contenders, one game that made tremendous waves was Gears 5. Developed by The Coalition and published by Xbox Game Studios, Gears 5 was the fifth main game in the beloved Gears of War series. The question on everyone’s minds: did Gears 5 win game of the year?
Let’s dive right in!
As a precursor, Gears 5 was a behemoth of a game, boasting impressive technical specifications, a mesmerizing visual experience, engaging storyline, and heartpumping multiplayer game modes. But did this cocktail of excellence make it the true Game of the Year?
The Nominees
Below is a list of the Game Awards 2020 nominees for Game of the Year:
• The Outer Worlds
• Bright Memory: Infinite
• Kentucky Route Zero: Telegraph Line
• Final Fantasy VII Remake
• Gears 5
• Resident Evil 2: Ghost Survivors
• Hades
• The Last of Us Part II: Grounded
The Case for Gears 5 being Game of the Year
Advocates for Gears 5 claim that its incredible craftsmanship, coupled with an emotional storyline and an array of thrilling playstyles, solidified its spot amongst the best games of the year.
**Immersive Storyline**: Gears 5's narrative took significant strides in exploring the emotional depths of character development, making it more relateable and engaging than ever.
**Technical Brilliance**: Featuring an **enhanced Smart Delivered Rendering** visual system, Gears 5 transformed the visuals of the series, pushing limitations with **dynamic lighting** effects <https://www.polygon.com/2020/6/24/21303223/gears-5-visuals-performance-performance-testing>, **enhanced animations**, and **dramatical terrain** rendering.
**Mind-Blowing Multiplayer Capabilities**: Gears 5 provided a diverse array of multiplayer game modes - including the popular **Escape Campaign**, **Versus Maps**, and **Arcade **. Players enjoyed **Competitive Events**, **Social Events, PvP** battles, and even a 4-player **Coordinated Campaign** experience!
Did Gears 5 Win? Not Exactly…
Although highly acclaimed, Gears 5 wouldn’t win the Game of the Year award itself. Instead, The Last of Us Part II would hold the crown. This wasn’t unjust, as the game showcased profound emotional depth, storywise.
Why Not an Easy Win?
A contributing factor to Gears 5′ non-win was its reputation for being an excellent sequel (https://www.gamesradar.com/gears-5-review-some-what-of-a-return-fans-will-appreciate/) but merely that – a sequel. Fans wanted more innovative storytelling and less nostalgia-fueled gameplay. Some said Gears 5 evolved, but not necessarily redefined the series.
This year’s nominees represented both groundbreaking innovation and timeless, yet perfected, gameplay experiences. Perhaps, the true strength rests not in a single title’s individual brilliance but in the overall standard it set for the industry as it pushes the boundaries.
Before We Go…
Let your voices be heard! If game awards don’t necessarily cater to individual opinions, then which top-notch games do you believe warrant Game of the Year consideration (not just in Gears of War 5 but broadly speaking)?
What Next?
For more exploration, analysis, and reviews of games at their finest, visit the corresponding page below for other insights concerning this and other award titles.