The Game of the Year That Eluded Tsushima: Unpacking the Award Season
The Last of Us Part II is the game that beat Ghost of Tsushima for Game of the Year at The Game Awards in 2020. While Ghost of Tsushima garnered critical acclaim and passionate fan support, ultimately, it was Naughty Dog’s controversial yet highly lauded sequel that took home the coveted prize. This outcome sparked debate within the gaming community, considering the widespread love for Sucker Punch’s samurai epic, and is worth exploring in depth.
The Awards Landscape in 2020
The year 2020 was a standout year for gaming, marked by a slew of highly anticipated releases. Ghost of Tsushima, with its stunning open world and captivating samurai action, was a strong contender for many Game of the Year awards. Its artistic beauty, fluid combat system, and engaging story resonated with a large audience. Simultaneously, The Last of Us Part II pushed narrative and technical boundaries, dividing opinions with its bold storytelling choices and character arcs. It’s important to note that while The Last of Us Part II took home the Game of the Year award, Ghost of Tsushima received a lot of love as well. It’s no overstatement that both games represented the pinnacle of gaming, but each stood on different pillars of excellence.
The Developer-Picked Nominations
Interestingly, before The Game Awards, the developer-picked nominations showed a three-way tie between Ghost of Tsushima, Hades, and The Last of Us Part II, each with six nominations. Half-Life: Alyx followed closely behind with five nominations. This initial consensus among game developers highlights the broad appeal and respected craft behind Ghost of Tsushima. It suggests that many in the industry saw it as a potential victor, putting it on a level playing field with two critically adored games. This makes the ultimate Game of the Year result even more debatable.
Why The Last of Us Part II Won
The Last of Us Part II’s victory can be attributed to a combination of factors. First, its narrative ambition and technical achievements were undeniable. Despite the divisive nature of its story, the game’s writing, acting, and presentation were hailed as groundbreaking. Second, its developer pedigree played a role. Naughty Dog is a studio known for its cinematic and technically advanced games, and The Last of Us Part II was no exception. This prestige certainly carried weight with the voting panel, in the end.
The Impact of Controversy
While The Last of Us Part II achieved critical praise, it also faced heavy criticism for its narrative choices and character development, specifically the departure from the first game’s character relationships, which contributed to a polarizing reception. This divisiveness, while seemingly a disadvantage, created a lot of discussion and gave the game a certain notoriety that likely factored into its success. It remained at the forefront of discussions, making it more visible than other very successful games in the market. It could be argued that the sheer volume of dialogue, even if negative, kept the game in the spotlight, contributing to its Game of the Year victory. The sheer scale of the conversations kept it top of mind.
The Lasting Legacy of Ghost of Tsushima
Despite missing out on the Game of the Year award, Ghost of Tsushima has cemented its legacy as a remarkable title. Its vibrant open world, engaging gameplay loop, and heartfelt story resonated strongly with players. The game’s popularity translated into substantial sales, demonstrating its commercial success and cultural impact. Many consider it the best game they have ever played, demonstrating its quality and replayability. This speaks to the power of a game with a strong identity and engaging gameplay loop, regardless of whether it won major awards.
The Impact on Sucker Punch
Ghost of Tsushima’s success has elevated Sucker Punch Productions to a new level of recognition within the gaming industry. The developer has gained accolades and a lot of respect, with fans eagerly anticipating any news or updates regarding a sequel. Ghost of Tsushima 2 is being eagerly awaited by the fan base, ensuring that the game’s success will continue to have ramifications in the industry.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Was Ghost of Tsushima nominated for Game of the Year?
Yes, Ghost of Tsushima was nominated for Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2020 alongside The Last of Us Part II, Hades, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
2. What year does Ghost of Tsushima take place?
Ghost of Tsushima takes place in the year 1274 during the Mongol invasion of Japan.
3. Why is Jin Sakai considered a traitor?
Jin Sakai is seen as a traitor because he breaks traditional samurai codes by adopting unconventional “ghost” tactics. This uniting of the lower class to reject the established power system was seen as treason by mainland Japan.
4. Can you beat Khotun Khan at the beginning of Ghost of Tsushima?
No, you cannot beat Khotun Khan in the initial encounter. The game forces a cutscene to progress the story regardless of how well you perform in the fight.
5. Who is the hardest boss in Ghost of Tsushima?
The hardest bosses in Ghost of Tsushima, as generally regarded are:
- Lord Shimura
- Khotun Khan
- The Eagle (from the Iki Island DLC)
6. Should you 100% Ghost of Tsushima?
Completing 100% of Ghost of Tsushima is not necessary for story progression or obtaining any special rewards. It’s purely for personal satisfaction. There is no special armor, cutscene, story point, or extra reward for completing it all.
7. Is there going to be a Ghost of Tsushima 2?
While no release date is set, Ghost of Tsushima 2 is highly anticipated and is currently in development by Sucker Punch Productions.
8. Is Ghost of Tsushima considered a rare game?
Ghost of Tsushima is considered rare in the sense that its gameplay mechanics are perfectly tailored to the narrative, making the experience feel deeply connected to Jin’s journey.
9. Did Sekiro win Game of the Year?
Yes, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice won Game of the Year at The Game Awards in 2019, not 2020.
10. Was Ghost of Tsushima a commercial success?
Yes, Ghost of Tsushima was a commercial success, selling over 9.73 million copies by July 2022.
11. Who is the most powerful character in Ghost of Tsushima?
Based on the character’s strength in game, Lord Shimura and Khotun Khan are considered to be the most powerful characters.
12. What happens if you 100% complete Ghost of Tsushima?
If you complete everything in Ghost of Tsushima, you will have 110 spare Ghost Flowers at the end.
13. Can you become evil in Ghost of Tsushima?
No, there is no morality system. The story will play out the same way regardless of your play style.
14. What is the “bad” ending in Ghost of Tsushima?
The ending in which Jin kills his uncle, Lord Shimura, is considered by some to be the “bad” ending.
15. Is the Hero of Tsushima armor good?
The Hero of Tsushima armor is mainly for aesthetic purposes and cannot be upgraded, making it less effective compared to other sets for in game combat.
Conclusion
While Ghost of Tsushima did not win the Game of the Year award, its impact on the gaming world is undeniable. It stands as a testament to great game design, beautiful world-building, and engaging storytelling. The game’s legacy will continue to inspire and entertain gamers for years to come. Its exclusion from the top prize highlights the competitive nature of the industry. It also reinforces that a game’s cultural impact and legacy go far beyond a single award. The debates that arose around the Game of the Year award in 2020 prove that both The Last of Us Part II and Ghost of Tsushima pushed boundaries, even if in different ways, leaving the gaming community richer for it.