Did Hollow Knight Win Game of the Year?
The 2017 Game Awards saw some of the most anticipated games of the year take home top honors. Among the winners was Hollow Knight, an indie action-adventure game developed by Team Cherry. But did it truly win Game of the Year? In this article, we’ll delve into the game’s achievements and examine the competition to answer this question.
The Competition
Before we dive into Hollow Knight’s accomplishments, let’s take a look at the other nominees for Game of the Year. The 2017 Game Awards featured a diverse range of titles, including:
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Nintendo Switch, Wii U)
- Super Mario Odyssey (Nintendo Switch)
- PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PC, Xbox One)
- What Remains of Edith Finch (PC, PS4)
- Cuphead (PC, Xbox One, PS4)
Each of these games received widespread critical acclaim and commercial success. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, in particular, was a major contender, having received widespread critical acclaim and winning numerous Game of the Year awards prior to the 2017 Game Awards.
Hollow Knight’s Achievements
So, what did Hollow Knight do to win Game of the Year? Here are some of its notable achievements:
- Critical Acclaim: Hollow Knight received widespread critical acclaim, with many praising its atmospheric soundtrack, challenging gameplay, and stunning hand-drawn art style. The game holds a 92% critic score on Steam and a 88% critic score on Metacritic.
- Commercial Success: Despite being an indie game, Hollow Knight sold over 2 million copies worldwide, making it a commercial success.
- Awards and Nominations: In addition to winning Game of the Year at the 2017 Game Awards, Hollow Knight was nominated for Best Art Direction, Best Score/Music, and Best Independent Game.
Why Did Hollow Knight Win Game of the Year?
So, why did Hollow Knight win Game of the Year despite being an indie game up against some of the biggest titles in the industry? Here are a few reasons:
- Originality: Hollow Knight’s unique art style, atmospheric soundtrack, and challenging gameplay set it apart from other games in the industry. Its originality and creativity resonated with players and critics alike.
- Innovation: The game’s use of a non-linear narrative and procedurally generated world added a layer of depth and replayability that many other games couldn’t match.
- Indie Spirit: Hollow Knight’s success as an indie game, developed by a small team of developers, resonated with players who appreciated the game’s underdog story.
Comparison to Other Nominees
So, how did Hollow Knight stack up against the other nominees? Here’s a brief comparison:
| Game | Critical Score | Commercial Success | Awards and Nominations |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild | 94% | 50 million copies sold | Game of the Year at numerous awards |
| Super Mario Odyssey | 97% | 10 million copies sold | Best Family Game at the 2017 Game Awards |
| PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds | 81% | over 40 million copies sold | Best Multiplayer Game at the 2017 Game Awards |
| What Remains of Edith Finch | 89% | 100,000 copies sold | Best Narrative at the 2017 Game Awards |
| Cuphead | 88% | 1 million copies sold | Best Art Direction at the 2017 Game Awards |
As you can see, each of the other nominees had its own strengths and weaknesses. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was a massive commercial success, while Super Mario Odyssey received widespread critical acclaim. PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds was a cultural phenomenon, while What Remains of Edith Finch and Cuphead received critical acclaim for their storytelling and art direction.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Hollow Knight may not have been the most commercially successful game of the year, its critical acclaim, commercial success, and innovative gameplay made it a worthy winner of Game of the Year at the 2017 Game Awards. Its originality, innovation, and indie spirit resonated with players and critics alike, making it a standout title in a year filled with great games.
Additional Reading
- Hollow Knight’s Soundtrack: The game’s atmospheric soundtrack was praised by critics and players alike. Learn more about the game’s music and how it was created.
- Hollow Knight’s Art Style: The game’s hand-drawn art style was a major talking point among critics and players. Learn more about the game’s art style and how it was created.
- Hollow Knight’s Development: Learn more about the game’s development process and how the team at Team Cherry created such a critically acclaimed game.