Game Awards 2026 GOTY Race Lacks Strong Contenders
A Polygon analysis finds the 2026 Game of the Year field is historically weak, with only Resident Evil Requiem a lock for a nomination as potential
The race for the 2026 Game of the Year award at The Game Awards is shaping up to be the weakest in years. Only Resident Evil Requiem is considered a solid nominee, with other hopefuls failing to generate critical momentum.
Several highly anticipated games have not met the high-quality bar expected of a GOTY front-runner. The looming release of Grand Theft Auto 6 has overshadowed the year, but the competition for other nomination slots has been surprisingly lackluster. A parade of games has stopped just short of widespread critical acclaim.
The Disappointing Front-Runners
Polygon expected the vampire RPG The Blood of Dawnwalker to be a major contender. Developed by veterans from The Witcher 3 team, it had the right genre and narrative ambition. The wider games media, however, has been lukewarm. It holds an 83 Metacritic score, which may not be enough for a nomination. Player reception on Steam English reviews is merely "mostly positive."
Two other recent releases, Onimusha: Way of the Sword and the co-op indie game Orbitals, were also received with mild approval. They have failed to emerge as dark horses in the competition.
The High-Score Hurdle
Very few 2026 games have achieved the magic 90-plus Metacritic scores that typically signal a GOTY nominee. The handful that have face other significant obstacles to recognition. The analysis presents them in a table.
| Game | Metacritic Score (Implied) | Nomination Hurdle |
|---|---|---|
| Big Walk | 90+ | Indie multiplayer game, best with friends. |
| Forza Horizon 6 | 90+ | Racing game genre bias; predecessor missed nomination. |
| Mina the Hollower | 90+ | Cult appeal, not widely played. |
Even below the 90-score threshold, the field is problematic. Crimson Desert is "outright hated by many critics." The jury does not take Pokémon or life sims seriously, hurting Pokopia's chances. While 007 First Light looks strong, licensed games are typically looked down upon by voters.
The Waiting Game for Fall Releases
The traditional fall surge of contenders has yet to materialize. Several major titles are scheduled for release in the coming weeks before the GTA 6 cutoff. These include Marvel's Wolverine, Gears of War: E-Day, Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave, Phantom Blade Zero, and Control Resonant. Currently, none appear destined for universal 90-plus scores. A remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time could achieve that acclaim, but its release before the deadline is uncertain, and remakes face a disadvantage.
Polygon cites several factors for the weak field, including instability in AAA production and the slow return of mid-sized games. The report concludes that the industry, critics, and players seem to be collectively waiting for Grand Theft Auto 6. The author notes that while its win seems foregone, Rockstar has been beaten before, as in 2013 and 2018. They express a desire for just one game to step up and challenge.
