Elden Ring vs. God of War Ragnarok: A Clash of Titans in the Awards Arena
Elden Ring emerged as the clear victor in the awards race, securing a staggering 331 awards compared to God of War Ragnarok’s 78. This impressive tally solidifies Elden Ring’s place as one of the most decorated video games of all time, surpassing even previous record holders.
The Battleground: Awards Season 2022-2023
The year 2022 was a phenomenal one for gaming, with two undisputed titans vying for supremacy: Elden Ring, FromSoftware’s sprawling open-world action RPG, and God of War Ragnarok, Santa Monica Studio’s epic conclusion to the Norse saga. Both games garnered critical acclaim, commercial success, and passionate fanbases. However, when it came to awards, Elden Ring ultimately proved to be the more dominant force.
While God of War Ragnarok certainly had its moments, particularly at The Game Awards 2022 where it snagged six awards, Elden Ring’s widespread appeal across various award-giving bodies led to its ultimate triumph. The disparity in awards stems from several factors, including the sheer number of “Game of the Year” awards claimed by Elden Ring.
Factors Contributing to Elden Ring’s Victory
Several key elements contributed to Elden Ring’s resounding victory in the awards arena:
- Innovation and Originality: Elden Ring offered a unique and groundbreaking open-world experience within the established “Souls-like” genre. Its vastness, challenging combat, and intricate lore captivated players and critics alike. This fresh approach resonated strongly with many award panels.
- Widespread Critical Acclaim: Elden Ring received near-universal praise from critics, earning perfect or near-perfect scores from numerous publications. This consistent high praise translated into numerous nominations and wins.
- “Game of the Year” Dominance: Elden Ring secured a record-breaking number of “Game of the Year” awards from various media outlets and gaming organizations, exceeding the previous record held by The Last of Us Part II.
- Player Choice Awards: While not as numerous as media awards, Elden Ring also garnered significant recognition from player-voted awards, demonstrating its broad appeal to the gaming community.
God of War Ragnarok’s Strengths and Limitations in the Awards Race
God of War Ragnarok, while an exceptional game in its own right, faced certain limitations in the awards race:
- Evolution, Not Revolution: While Ragnarok refined and expanded upon the foundation laid by its predecessor (2018’s God of War), it didn’t offer the same level of groundbreaking innovation as Elden Ring.
- Narrative Focus: God of War Ragnarok’s narrative-driven approach, while praised by many, may have limited its appeal to certain critics who prefer more gameplay-focused experiences.
- Genre Competition: The action-adventure genre is typically highly competitive, with numerous strong contenders vying for awards recognition.
Elden Ring’s Legacy: A New Benchmark for Game Awards
Elden Ring’s impressive awards haul has cemented its status as a modern classic and established a new benchmark for video game awards recognition. Its success highlights the importance of innovation, critical acclaim, and widespread player appeal in achieving awards dominance. The impact of gaming on learning is also being studied, and you can learn more at the Games Learning Society website.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many awards did Elden Ring win in total?
Elden Ring won a total of 331 awards, consisting of 287 from media outlets and 44 from player-voted awards.
2. How many awards did God of War Ragnarok win in total?
God of War Ragnarok won a total of 78 awards, consisting of 63 from media outlets and 15 from player-voted awards.
3. Which game won Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2022?
Elden Ring won Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2022.
4. Which game won EE Game of the Year at the BAFTA Game Awards?
God of War Ragnarok won EE Game of the Year at the BAFTA Game Awards.
5. Did Elden Ring surpass The Last of Us Part II in Game of the Year awards?
Yes, Elden Ring surpassed The Last of Us Part II to become the game with the most Game of the Year awards in history.
6. Was God of War Ragnarok a commercial success?
Yes, God of War Ragnarok was a huge commercial success, selling 11 million copies in its first three months. It was also the fastest-selling first-party PlayStation game launch in history.
7. How many copies of Elden Ring have been sold?
As of March 2023, Elden Ring had sold 20.5 million copies worldwide.
8. Which game sold better in 2022 on the PlayStation Store, Elden Ring or God of War Ragnarok?
God of War Ragnarok outsold Elden Ring on the PlayStation Store in 2022.
9. Is God of War Ragnarok the fastest-selling God of War game?
Yes, God of War Ragnarok is the fastest-selling God of War game in the franchise’s history.
10. Which game is more replayable, Elden Ring or God of War Ragnarok?
This is subjective, but many argue that Elden Ring offers more replayability due to its open-world structure, diverse character builds, and multiple endings. The narrative twist in Ragnarok, while impactful, might negatively affect some players’ desire for multiple playthroughs.
11. Why didn’t God of War Ragnarok win more Game of the Year awards?
While an excellent game, God of War Ragnarok’s lack of groundbreaking innovation compared to Elden Ring, coupled with its narrative-heavy focus and genre competition, likely contributed to it winning fewer Game of the Year awards. You can learn more about game design and related research via the GamesLearningSociety.org site.
12. Which game has the highest percentage of players who achieved the Platinum trophy on PlayStation, Elden Ring or God of War Ragnarok?
Specific numbers fluctuate over time, but Elden Ring is known to have a relatively high percentage of players who achieved the Platinum trophy compared to other AAA titles. This indicates a high level of player engagement and completion.
13. Is Elden Ring popular in Japan?
Yes, Elden Ring is incredibly popular in Japan, winning the Grand Award at the Japan Game Awards.
14. Is Elden Ring considered one of the greatest games of all time?
Elden Ring is widely considered to be one of the greatest games of all time, due to its innovative open-world design, challenging gameplay, rich lore, and critical acclaim. Its awards success further solidifies its place in gaming history.
15. What is the legacy of Elden Ring’s awards success?
Elden Ring’s awards success has set a new benchmark for video game recognition, highlighting the importance of innovation, critical acclaim, and broad player appeal. It is anticipated that the standard of game quality, especially with RPGs, is only going to go up from here.