Chorus' 2016 GOTY Awards Nominations

With the end of 2016 quickly approaching now is a good a time as any to start putting together our own little awards ceremony dedicated to the wonderful year that was in gaming.

This will be our nominations thread and I will compile all of the nominations in their respective categories into a strawpoll that will run until this Saturday (12/31 at midnight). Award voting will work with each of us choosing 3 candidates in any given category, with the winner and two runner ups being the three most popular nominations.

However, Game of the Year voting will be a bit more involved, still nominating three, but we'll be taking a top 10 and follow up with a ranked voting list to determine an overall list.

In terms of eligible titles, anything released in the year 2016 that is not a remaster or port.
Significant DLC content such as The Witcher III's Blood and Wine/Heart of Stone will count as eligible. Titles in early access will not be eligible.

The categories are as follows. Feel free to nominate as many titles as you want for each category.

2016's Best Old Game
This Category is dedicated to the best game you played this year (for the first time) that wasn't released in 2016, it can range from Pong to Rainbow Six: Siege

Best Indie Game

Simple as the title, the best independent studio produced title of this year.

Examples include: Owlboy, Stardew Valley, Enter The Gungeon and Darkest Dungeon

Best Style

A game that is confident in what it is, carrying a large bravado and singular image. A tour de force in all departments and elements (From HUD design, to sound and music) merging into a unique, defining look.

Examples include: DOOM, Watch_Dogs 2, Thumper.

Best Story

A game that made you laugh, a game that made you cry... but most importantly a game that kept you engaged with it's story.

Examples include: Uncharted 4, Firewatch, The Last Guardian.

Best Writing

Clever dialogue, witty retorts, flavorful quest text and item descriptions, interesting characters are all exemplative of this category. Good writing can lift a game from mediocre to excellent and deserves to be recognized.

Examples Include: The Witcher III, Super Hot, Uncharted 4

Best Sound

Combat queues, blips and boops, the sound of rain pattering on the ground or guts falling from disemboweled enemies, the shells falling from a freshly fired gun, the sound emitted from hovering over various menu options... all of these sounds add up to evoke a certain atmosphere that can be critical to the enjoyment of a game. Any sound produced within, that doesn't fall within the realm of music.

Examples Include: Overwatch, DOOM, Thumper

Best Music

Soaring scores, oppressive dissonance, rampaging guitars. Any game with which it's score or soundtrack left you in awe, tense or cackling in enjoyment.

Examples Include: No Man's Sky, Doom, Final Fantasy XV

Best Looking Game

Beautiful vistas, color splashes and glorious mud detailing (Looking at you Battlefield 1), any game impressed you either due to high visual fidelity or art direction.

Examples Include: Inside, Firewatch, Battlefield 1

Best Debut

Any game that isn't a remake or numbered sequel, aka any new IP released this year.

Examples Include: Stardew Valley, Hyperlight Drifter, The Witness

Best New Character

Any new character that brought you delight this year.

Examples Include: BT (Titanfall 2), Samuel Hayden (DOOM), Henry (Firewatch)

Most Addictive Game

The game you just couldn't put down and quickly enveloped all of your time... 8PM quickly turned into 2AM didn't it?

Examples Include: Overwatch, CIV VI, XCOM 2

Best Console Exclusive

As simple as the title is... A game deserving of being called a console exclusive. (XBOX's crossplay titles are eligible)

Best Shooter

Best RPG

Best Strategy Game

Best Action Adventure

Best Puzzle Game


Best Multiplayer

From couch co-op to AAA matchmaking any game whose multiplayer you couldn't get enough of.

Examples Include: Overcooked, Titanfall 2, Overwatch


...and finally


Game of the Year

A symbol of excellence in a great year, winning this honor is no small feat in the year that was 2016 in gaming. A game that genuinely moved you, a game that you couldn't stop playing, a game that quite simply.... is better than the rest.

Examples Include: Whatever you consider to be the top tier title of 2016.


In your list include your nominations under a bolded category, thanks


Timetable

Category nominations: Close 12/31 at 12:00AM
Polls will run from: 1/1 at 6:00PM to 1/5 at 12:00AM
GOTY Ranked Poll: 1/5 at 6:00PM to 1/7 at 12:00AM

Will be accepting write ups for games that end up in the final 3 of any category and any game that makes the top 10!

 

Will do this shortly.

 

Whoa, lots of categories. Gonna get on this and get some lists done tonight.

 

How do we feel about remasters with new content (aka can I nominate Rez Infinite under Best Style)

 

2016's Best Old Game

Portal 2
Tabletop Simulator
Papers Please

Best Indie Game

Stardew Valley
Firewatch
The Witness

Best Style

Superhot
DOOM
Headlander

Best Story

Firewatch
Inside
Uncharted 4

Best Writing

Hitman
DOOM
Firewatch


Best Sound

DOOM
Stardew Valley
Overwatch


Best Music

No Man's Sky
DOOM
Forza Horizon 3

Best Looking Game

Firewatch
The Witness
Stardew Valley


Best Debut

Stardew Valley
Overwatch
Inside


Best New Character

Samuel "Sam" Drake (Uncharted 4)
BT (Titanfall 2)
Henry (Firewatch)

Most Addictive Game

XCOM 2
Overwatch

Best Console Exclusive

Uncharted 4
Forza Horizon 3
Best Shooter

DOOM
Overwatch

Best RPG

Best Strategy Game

XCOM 2

Best Action Adventure

Uncharted 4

Best Puzzle Game

The Witness
Inside

Best Multiplayer

Overwatch
Forza Horizon 3

Game of the Year

DOOM
Inside
Uncharted 4

 

I'd say that's allowed!

 

2016's Best Old Game
Any game we played or just any game we played for the first time? If any game..

Until Dawn
Super Metroid
Rise of the Tomb Raider

Best Indie Game

Inside?

Best Style

Dark Souls 3
Pokemon Sun/Moon
Overwatch

Best Story

The Last Guardian
Dark Souls 3
Uncharted 4

Best Writing

Dark Souls 3
Uncharted 4
The Last Guardian

Best Sound

Dark Souls 3
The Last Guardian
Uncharted 4

Best Music

Final Fantasy XV
Dark Souls 3

Best Looking Game

The Last Guardian
Dark Souls 3
Inside

Best Debut

The Last Guardian
Overwatch
Inside

Best New Character

Trico

Most Addictive Game

Dark Souls 3
Pokemon Sun/Moon
Overwatch

Best Console Exclusive

The Last Guardian

Best Shooter

Overwatch

Best RPG

Dark Souls 3

Best Strategy Game

Fire Emblem: Fates

Best Action Adventure

Uncharted 4

Best Puzzle Game

The Witness

Best Multiplayer

Overwatch

Game of the Year

The Last Guardian
Dark Souls 3
Uncharted 4

 

For the first time was my intent for that category. Sort of a missed a game in 2015 or a category for remasters you are playing for the first time type of deal.

Edited the OP.

 

Ok, edited.

 

2016's Best Old Game

Shadow of the Colossus
Yakuza 4
Yakuza 5

Best Indie Game

Inside
The Witness
Kentucky Route Zero Act 4

Best Style

Rez Infinite
Super Hot
Kentucky Route Zero Act 4

Best Story

The Last Guardian
Kentucky Route Zero Act 4
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II

Best Writing

Uncharted 4
Kentucky Route Zero Act 4
Firewatch

Best Sound

Overwatch
The Last Guardian
DOOM

Best Music

Final Fantasy XV
DOOM
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II

Best Looking Game

Firewatch
The Witness
Uncharted 4

Best Debut
Overwatch
The Witness
Inside

Best New Character
Duvalie (The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II)
Trico (The Last Guardian)
BT (Titanfall 2)

Most Addictive Game

Overwatch
Final Fantasy XV
Civilization VI

Best Console Exclusive

The Last Guardian
Uncharted 4
Ratchet and Clank

Best Shooter
DOOM
Overwatch
Titanfall 2

Best RPG
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II
Final Fantasy XV
Dragon Quest VII

Best Strategy Game

Civilization VI

Best Action Adventure
Hitman
Uncharted 4
Dishonored 2

Best Puzzle Game

The Witness

Best Multiplayer

Overwatch
Titanfall 2
Street Fighter V*

Game of the Year

The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II
DOOM
Kentucky Route Zero Act 4


This post is already long enough but a few perhaps unnecessary notes because I like to talk about games:

- I sort of cheated by including two Yakuza games in my old games list but both were played for the first time this year and the series is fantastic so WHATEVER
- I included Kentucky Route Zero Act 4 because the episodes come out infrequently enough that I consider each its own separate thing. Also it's phenomenal so I wanted to give it its due.
- Trails of Cold Steel II is part of the best JRPG series running. I don't think there's much if any of a fanbase of the series here but I had to nominate it often even though it won't make any of the final Chorus lists.
-An asterisk next to Street Fighter V in that it's a complete mess in its rollout and the online play is still iffy but the core fighting mechanics are wonderful and I've had some incredible local experiences with the game.
-I recently mentioned this in the general gaming thread but I haven't played Blood and Wine yet despite adoring Witcher 3. It didn't feel right nominating it for anything but I'm almost positive that if I had given it any time, it would have been a lock for best RPG, writing and perhaps even a character or story.

 

2016's Best Old Game

Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past
Undertale
Grim Fandango Remastered

Best Indie Game

Inside
Pony Island
Firewatch

Best Style

Overwatch
Darkest Dungeon
Dishonored 2

Best Story

Uncharted 4: A Thief's End
Final Fantasy XV
Oxenfree

Best Writing

Dark Souls III
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End
Oxenfree

Best Sound

Overwatch
DOOM
Dark Souls III

Best Music

Final Fantasy XV
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End
Destiny: Rise of Iron

Best Looking Game

Overwatch
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End
Final Fantasy XV

Best Debut

Overwatch
Tom Clancy's The Division
Quantum Break

Best New Character

Sam Drake (Uncharted 4: A Thief's End)
Noctis Lucis Caelum (Final Fantasy XV)
Trico (The Last Guardian)

Most Addictive Game

Overwatch
Dark Souls III
Pokemon Sun/Moon

Best Console Exclusive

Uncharted 4: A Thief's End (PS4)
Gears of War 4 (Xbox One)
Pokemon Sun/Moon (3DS)

Best Shooter

Overwatch
DOOM
Titanfall 2

Best RPG

Dark Souls III
Final Fantasy XV
Pokemon Sun/Moon

Best Strategy Game

XCOM 2
Civilization VI

Best Action Adventure

Uncharted 4: A Thief's End
Dishonored 2
Batman: A Telltale Series

Best Puzzle Game

The Turing Test

Best Multiplayer

Overwatch
Titanfall 2
Gears of War 4

Game of the Year
1. Dark Souls III
2. Overwatch
3. Final Fantasy XV

 

Disclaimer: I still have Doom, Mafia 3 and Bioshock Collection in their cases. Haven't had the time

Best Old Game

Rise of the Tomb Raider
Life Is Strange
Beyond: Two Souls

Best Indie Game

Firewatch
The Witness
Tricky Towers

Best Style

Battlefield 1
Hitman
Ratchet and Clank

Best Story

Uncharted 4
Firewatch
Batman

Best Writing

Uncharted 4
Firewatch
Battlefield 1

Best Sound

Battlefield 1
Ratchet and Clank
NHL 17

Best Music

Firewatch
Uncharted 4
Battlefield 1

Best Looking Game

Battlefield 1
Uncharted 4
Firewatch

Best Debut

The Witness

Best New Character

Henry (Firewatch)
Nadine Ross (Uncharted 4)
Samuel Drake (Uncharted 4)

Most Addictive Game

NHL 17
Hitman
Battlefield 1

Best Console Exclusive

Uncharted 4

Best Shooter

Battlefield 1

Best Action-Adventure

Uncharted 4
Hitman
Firewatch

Best Puzzle Game

The Witness
Tricky Towers

Best Multiplayer

Battlefield 1
Uncharted 4
NHL 17

GOTY

Uncharted 4
Hitman
Firewatch

 

Started doing this then I realized I didn't play many games from this year.

 

2016's Best Old Game

Wolfenstein: The New Order
Tony Hawk's American Sk8land
Rune Factory 4

Best Indie Game

Firewatch

Best Style

BoxBoxBoy!
Firewatch
Tokyo Mirage Sessions

Best Story

Tokyo Mirage Sessions (because weird)
Fire Emblem Fates
Mafia 3
Firewatch

Best Writing

Dishonored 2
Firewatch
Mafia 3
Fire Emblem Fates

Best Sound

Battlefield 1

Best Music

Tokyo Mirage Sessions
Pokemon Sun/Moon
Firewatch

Best Looking Game

Gears of War 4
Firewatch
Pokemon Sun/Moon
Steep
Battlefield 1

Best Debut

Tokyo Mirage Sessions
Steep
Firewatch

Best New Character

Azura (Fire Emblem Fates)
Hau (Pokemon Sun/Moon)
Kait (Gears Of War 4)
Father James (Mafia 3)
Emily (Dishonored 2)

Most Addictive Game

Fire Emblem Fates

Best Console Exclusive

Fire Emblem Fates
Pokemon Sun/Moon
Gears Of War 4
Tokyo Mirage Sessions

Best Shooter

Gears Of War 4
Battlefield 1

Best RPG

Tokyo Mirage Sessions
Fire Emblem Fates
Pokemon Sun/Moon
Dragon Quest 7 3DS

Best Strategy Game

Fire Emblem Fates

Best Action Adventure

Dishonored 2
Mafia 3

Best Puzzle Game

BoxBoxBoy!

Best Multiplayer

Battlefield 1
Gears Of War 4
Pokemon Sun/Moon

Game of the Year

1. Mafia 3
2. Tokyo Mirage Sessions
3. Fire Emblem Fates
4. Pokemon Sun/Moon
5. Gears Of War 4

 

Haven't played nearly as many 2016 titles that I've wanted to but Overwatch takes most of these categories for me

 

Yo.

 

I'd prefer each category nomination to be 3 with up to 5 if you really can't choose.

Just don't want the polls to be overflowing.

...and hi Lightning!

 

Best 2016 old game:

Resident Evil 4

Best Indie:

Bound

Best style:

Bound

Best Story:

Uncharted 4

Best Writing:

Uncharted 4

Best Sound:

Battlefield 1

Best Music:

Doom

Best Looking Game:

Uncharted 4

Best Debut:

Overwatch

Best New Character:

Trico(The Last Gaurdian)

Most Addictive:

Overwatch

Best Exclusive:

Uncharted 4

Best Shooter:

Doom

Best RPG:

Dark Souls 3

Strategy:

X-Com 2(PS4 this year)

Action Adventure:

Uncharted 4

Best Puzzle:

The Last Guardian

Best MP:

Overwatch

Game of the Year:

Overwatch

 

I changed my post accordingly.

 

Putting together these polls now. Adding additional nominations that seemed like glaring omissions

 

Sorry for being too late, I've not been feeling well. I can only think of a few and I wanted to include them

Best indie
Firewatch

Best multiplayer
Overwatch

Best music
FF XV
Watch dogs 2

Most addictive
Overwatch

Best new character
Noctis Lucis Caelum (FF XV)
Li-Ming (Heroes of the Storm)


I haven't played most of what's been mentioned here xD

 

I ended up adding WD2 to a few categories. will edit Li-Ming into best new character.

Edit: Poll may not let me edit her in, lemme know if you can vote for her or not.