We ummmed, and we aaaahd a great deal over this decision, really we did. The decision over which game we choose to be our Game of the Year isn’t something we take lightly. Ok, that’s not necessarily true; really – we usually just put a list of potential games on a board, put a blindfold on Darryn and have him throw a dart at our eventual winner. Last year, we very nearly crowned Matty as our posthumous Game of the Year, but a quick visit to the emergency room sorted that out.
We didn’t do that this year, because in our minds, there really was only one clear winner. If you thought that game would be The Witcher 3, then well, I’ve got some news for you.
You’re absolutely right. There’s nothing else this year that came close to giving us the satisfaction we got out of The Witcher 3 (though Bloodborne came really, really close!). Sure, it may not have the best, deepest combat – but it built such an incredible world in which to tell its story. It featured a wealth of side-quests (some might say there were too many) that put the actual quests in some other RPGs to shame, coupled with great writing great, voice acting and a world you could get lost in. Also, it had sex on a stuffed unicorn, so that seals the deal.
“The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is an impeccable role-playing game, and one of the finest games ever created,” we said in our 9.5 scoring review. “Whether it’s as large as tracking the Wild Hunt or as small as delivering a love letter, The Witcher 3 makes Geralt’s actions count in the most incredible ways – creating a world begging to be explored for countless hours on end. “
While the game may not be for everyone – it was our favourite this year. What else made the cut?
Believe it or not, Metal Gear Solid V was a front-runner, as was the aforementioned Bloodborne. Lara Croft’s latest adventure in Rise of the Tomb Raider was in the running too, as was a favourite among many of the staff, Ori and the Blind Forest. As for that great big post-apocalyptic RPG? It was pretty good – but not our game of the year.
Last Updated: December 15, 2015
Ryanza
December 15, 2015 at 15:32
https://pp.vk.me/c622317/v622317118/36e77/gnBYctYbixc.jpg
Ryanza
December 15, 2015 at 15:48
I don’t always play video games, but when I do, I make sure it’s a Witcher game.
RinceThis
December 15, 2015 at 15:32
Yeth!
RinceThis
December 15, 2015 at 15:33
It could have won game of the year 2016 as well if it didn’t have so many patches.
Captain JJ 4x
December 15, 2015 at 15:34
YOU’RE NITPICKING!
Alien Emperor Trevor
December 15, 2015 at 15:48
There’s still the 2nd expansion!
Ryanza
December 15, 2015 at 15:52
Seeing as Destiny DLC was up for nominations, I guess Witcher 3 2nd expansion can win game of the year 2016 again.
But Cyberpunk 2077 is going to win game of the year 2016.
Don’t Support DRM. Cyberpunk 2077 is coming.
Alien Emperor Trevor
December 15, 2015 at 15:53
It won’t be out in 2016.
Ryanza
December 15, 2015 at 15:59
you never know. but either way.
witcher 3 expansion game of the year 2016 and cyberpunk 2077 game of the year 2077 i mean 2017.
Alien Emperor Trevor
December 15, 2015 at 16:06
We will know, by the end of next year. :/
Hammersteyn
December 15, 2015 at 15:33
MGS 🙁
http://i.imgur.com/1HWQIPa.gif
Friggin Travesty
RinceThis
December 15, 2015 at 15:35
HAHAHA! One of those ‘we love it till we realize we don’t’ games.
Hammersteyn
December 15, 2015 at 15:35
NEVA
Ryanza
December 15, 2015 at 15:33
Now that that is over. I can move onto new things…
Don’t Support DRM. Cyberpunk 2077 is coming.
Captain JJ 4x
December 15, 2015 at 15:33
YES!
Hammersteyn
December 15, 2015 at 15:34
NO!
Captain JJ 4x
December 15, 2015 at 15:40
DOUBLE YES!
RinceThis
December 15, 2015 at 15:34
It could have been Bloodborn if it was an RPG too.
Hammersteyn
December 15, 2015 at 15:35
Could have been Ori if it was like COD
RinceThis
December 15, 2015 at 15:35
Could have been MGSV if it had a story.
Hammersteyn
December 15, 2015 at 15:36
Could have been Battlefront if it had more than one hours gameplay
RinceThis
December 15, 2015 at 15:37
Could have been Helldivers if it wasn’t fun.
Umar
December 15, 2015 at 15:36
Could’ve been The Order 1886 if ….. Naa, no saving that piece of kak.
RinceThis
December 15, 2015 at 15:37
lol
Umar
December 15, 2015 at 15:35
W3 deserves that title, even if the game is really basic.
RinceThis
December 15, 2015 at 15:36
http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view6/2078500/brillaint-tissues-o.gif
Hammersteyn
December 15, 2015 at 15:37
The hype carried it all the way.
Umar
December 15, 2015 at 15:40
All the journos were paid to give it high scores too.
The Grand Admiral Chief
December 15, 2015 at 15:37
Just because it doesn’t have the pretty colours doesn’t mean it is basic
Umar
December 15, 2015 at 15:38
Well it had Unicorn sex, so….I guess this game can win the GOTY award.
RinceThis
December 15, 2015 at 15:39
Typical!
Umar
December 15, 2015 at 15:39
Dead or Alive Xtreme GOTY 2016~!
RinceThis
December 15, 2015 at 15:40
We can only hope! Though the female ‘fighters’ look too old.
HvR
December 15, 2015 at 15:47
Definitely going to win best Driving Game
Captain JJ 4x
December 15, 2015 at 15:48
*grinding
HvR
December 15, 2015 at 15:48
Sure there will be a pay option
Captain JJ 4x
December 15, 2015 at 15:49
XD
Pieter Kruger
December 15, 2015 at 15:49
built just for you.
HvR
December 15, 2015 at 15:50
Nah all that jiggling in VR is going to pay havock on my motion sickness.
Umar
December 15, 2015 at 17:21
Motorboat racing will make a triumphant return.
Gavin Mannion
December 15, 2015 at 17:31
hmmm motorboating…. damnit, December brain
Alien Emperor Trevor
December 15, 2015 at 15:49
Best eSports game 2016!
Captain JJ 4x
December 15, 2015 at 15:50
I bet Japan already has a gameshow like it.
Only not so PG.
HvR
December 15, 2015 at 15:51
Remember the penis guessing Japanese game show DSTV accidentally broadcast during family time.
Captain JJ 4x
December 15, 2015 at 15:52
Why do I not know this?!
Must have been hilarious…and shocking.
HvR
December 15, 2015 at 15:54
http://www.channel24.co.za/TV/News/DStv-fined-R10k-for-penis-mistake-20120424
Pieter Kruger
December 15, 2015 at 15:53
No.
The Grand Admiral Chief
December 15, 2015 at 15:36
Good
Hammersteyn
December 15, 2015 at 15:37
http://www.asicentral.com/images/blogs/grumpy-good.jpg
Pieter Kruger
December 15, 2015 at 15:36
News24 readers seem to disagree.
Hammersteyn
December 15, 2015 at 15:38
What’s News24?
RinceThis
December 15, 2015 at 15:38
That site that used to host that kak gamer site, lazygamer or something?
Hammersteyn
December 15, 2015 at 15:39
I bet it’s still hosting a kak site
Alien Emperor Trevor
December 15, 2015 at 15:41
Mweb Gaming?
Captain JJ 4x
December 15, 2015 at 15:41
No. He said a GAMING site.
RinceThis
December 15, 2015 at 15:41
Fudge.
Enigma
December 15, 2015 at 16:00
It’s called GameZone or something, lulz, a joke.
Pieter Kruger
December 15, 2015 at 15:40
Ask the Admiral, he is still there writing articles.
Captain JJ 4x
December 15, 2015 at 15:41
News24 is where the dirt and gunk gathers.
Sometimes they write things about the country too.
HvR
December 15, 2015 at 15:43
COPY&PASTE24 WRITING SOMETHING!!!!
LOL!!!!!
Captain JJ 4x
December 15, 2015 at 15:40
News24 still exists?
This is new.
miaau
December 15, 2015 at 15:54
Well, what did they say then?
Alien Emperor Trevor
December 15, 2015 at 15:55
I’m guessing Halo 5.
miaau
December 15, 2015 at 15:56
Anybody got the strength to, actually, you know, go and look?
I am busy. trying to work. Last day. And all.
Captain JJ 4x
December 15, 2015 at 15:56
No. I’ll just believe Trevor.
Enigma
December 15, 2015 at 16:00
News24 readers no longer have opinions.
Francois Knoetze
December 15, 2015 at 15:42
and I own ALL OF THEM!! MUAHAHAHAH!! (see how the wife leaves me after my little Star Wars rant and a gaming binge tomorrow…)
Alien Emperor Trevor
December 15, 2015 at 15:47
LIKE A WITCHER BOSS!
Alien Emperor Trevor
December 15, 2015 at 15:50
See, Geoff even grew a Geralt beard in honour of W3. Good man.
Captain JJ 4x
December 15, 2015 at 15:51
He doesn’t just play the Witcher. He becomes the Witcher.
I tried the scar, got close-ish. Tried the grey hair too, but it’s taking so damn long.
Jan Prins
December 15, 2015 at 15:53
But we both know Geoff’s the better man.
Ryanza
December 15, 2015 at 15:57
To all those who haven’t played The Witcher 3, go and buy it and play it It’s really fucking good.
And to all the Witcher 3 fans go to raru.co.za and buy a Witcher 3 t-shirt.
http://raru.co.za/search/witcher+
http://static.raru.co.za/cover/2015/12/09/4165655-l.jpg?v=1449615600
Pieter Kruger
December 15, 2015 at 15:59
Please dont advertise on this site.
Ryanza
December 15, 2015 at 16:01
I’ll do what I want. and who ever has a problem with it will have a problem with it.
Free speech.
HvR
December 15, 2015 at 16:03
Do not think Lagz will have a problem
But your understanding of free speech is incorrect.
Ryanza
December 15, 2015 at 16:06
I do what I want I am Ryanza.
Support Free Speech. Cyperpunk 2077 is coming.
Ryanza
December 15, 2015 at 16:08
and the troll is back. God.
Alien Emperor Trevor
December 15, 2015 at 16:06
FIRE! BOMB!
Captain JJ 4x
December 15, 2015 at 16:07
This has been a really special day.
Alien Emperor Trevor
December 15, 2015 at 16:08
It’s thanks to Rince. He makes every day a special day.
Captain JJ 4x
December 15, 2015 at 16:08
😀
Ryanza
December 15, 2015 at 16:07
my one comment had two different thing but you had to add them together. i wonder why internet people always do the frame over a comment. like someone can’t think and believe outside of that comment.
Pieter Kruger
December 15, 2015 at 16:10
Xbox is life. Xbox is love.
Enigma
December 15, 2015 at 16:00
I think Just Cause 3 also deserves a mention.
Pieter Kruger
December 15, 2015 at 16:09
No surprise here, well deserved!????
Ryanza
December 15, 2015 at 16:12
Is the non registered pieter kruger you or that troll?
Geoffrey Tim
December 15, 2015 at 16:13
Different people. Actual Xbox One-directioner Pieter has a properly registered account.
HvR
December 15, 2015 at 16:37
Lol, Xbox One-directioner
Gavin Mannion
December 15, 2015 at 16:19
Just to let it be known. I voted for Rocket League for Game of the year… I actually voted for RL in every category… stupid democracy
Timmy_The_Good_Troll
December 15, 2015 at 16:23
I really enjoyed Dying Light this year. Looking forward to The Following DLC for it next year, and of course Xcom 2.
MakeItLegal
December 15, 2015 at 17:03
will pick this up then