Bookend Game Awards: Best Game Direction

So, how is game direction different from just being the best game? Like, could a game be game of the year with poor direction? Could the game that wins best direction not be in at least the top 5? Why would the game with the best direction not be the game of the year? Whatever, I’ve taken it to mean a game that does something truly noteworthy in the way it’s been presented or put together, even if it may be lacking too much in other areas to by “Game of the Year” by normal metrics, so this list may be a little out there.

• ICEY – Doing the Stanley parable meets the beginners guide with an action game is a pretty interesting idea, one that I don’t always think works, but it’s an interesting take from a Chinese studio.
• Inside – Really well presented second game from the limbo devs, some unexpected turns in this puzzler for sure.
• Killer7 – Madness incarnate, nobody has ever made a shooter quite like this before, and for good reason. If this was anyone other than SUDA51 this game would be a bizarre footnote of how not to make a game, but they manage to make it all come together. Hard to get into, but once you do, it’s an experience you won’t soon forget.
• OneShot – It does some interesting things, not unique by any means, but it works damn well in the package presented. Can’t really elaborate without spoilers unfortunately.
• Superhot – If it isn’t the most innovative shooter of 2016... But let’s be honest, the whole thing with the bullets moving when you do is still pretty genius.

And the winner is...

                Superhot

A unique concept, sublimely executed. I’m late on the train, but the game deserves some recognition in these lists.

Now we’ve just left with the actual game of the year to announce, but first, and interlude I think...

Bookend Game Awards: Games for Impact

What’s this supposed to mean? Like, I think I know when I see a game that would get “Games for impact” as an award. But I hate what a nebulous concept it is. Something progressive? Something that raises awareness? Is it impact on the game industry? The playerbase? Society as a whole? Could a game that has had a horrible impact still be considered a “Game for Impact”? Eh, to me it seems like an excuse to talk about games that look good to nominate, but are unlikely to win by merit in any other category. I’ll try not to be too much of a troll with my nominations.

• Lone Survivor – Lonlyness, depression, survival. Lone survivor is more like Silent Hill 2 than modern Silent Hill’s.
• Inside – I feel like there is something here to do with experiments, exploitation, being hunted. I dunno. There’s something here, but I played it so early in the year I'm fuzzy on the details...
• Killer7 – You play as a man in a wheelchair, in an abusive relationship with a schoolgirl/Maid, who is an assassin, and is probably insane. Of the other Killer7 you play a black guy, a Mexican, an albino, a blind boy, a self harming woman and a Luchadore. And there’s a gimp. Diverse. As. Fuck.
• OneShot – Cute little cat child tries to save a world full of robots struggling with sentience and organic people trying to hang onto what’s left of their decaying world, and you, the person sitting at the computer,  are basically a character and god. It’s something.
• Overwatch – The cast line up is more diverse than a UN meeting. And not a single one I wouldn’t bang. But I have a special place for my bae Roadhog <3

And the winner is:

                Lone Survivor

Jasper Byrne always deserves more love for this game, plus this and OneShot were pretty much the only non Joke answers, quite hard to pick between them though, but overall I feel Lone Survivor is dealing with more relatable themes so it wins this in my opinion questionable category. I’m 50/50 on if I was joking about Killer7. 

Join me next time for Best Performance!

I’ll level with you, this will be another mostly joke category for me.