Hello wonderful Giant Bomb family! Alex Boniello here, excited to be back for another Game of the Year list. As always, endless shout outs to the crew who are not only hard workers, but are just great people. Congrats to you all on another fun year filled with change, transitions, and laughs.
Like most of you reading this, I’ve played a lot of amazing games this year, and I had a tougher time than usual narrowing this list down. I only wish I had more time to cross a few more of the ones I missed off my list.
I like to get a little funky with these lists, because games are just one of the art forms that help me get through the year, and it is always fun to share! So before we get to the games, here are some Not Video Game things that I loved this year.
TV of the Year: Survivor, Season 44
I should probably be punished for this because I am literally an actor, and some of the best TV of all time is being made right now and I should probably be picking a scripted series but… my god, I love “Survivor” so much, and season 44 was a real winner of a season. If you haven’t watched in a long time, this is a good one to jump back in with. The cast in particular is great, and a good cast of players basically makes the entire show work.
Album of the Year: boygenius, The Record
boygenius is my favorite “super group” in recent memory. “Not Strong Enough” is the track that jumped out most to me at first, and continues to be amazing with each subsequent listen. The three of them blend so well together and make each other better, and it’s just such a total knockout of an album beginning to end.
Theater of the Year: The Doctor
It’s not running in New York anymore, but The Doctor had me by the throat. It is a play that investigates identity (in all forms) as well as medical ethics, cancel culture, and the right to die. Heavy stuff, I know, but it completely blew me away. If you have a chance to buy a copy of the play published and read it, do so. It really was great.
Random Thing of the Year: Pokémon 151 Set
I bought my first pack of Pokémon cards this year since I was a kid. The 151 set was obviously aimed directly at people my age, in an attempt to hit us right in the nostalgia but… it worked! The set is rad, with some totally gorgeous art. I was able to get most of the set without spending too much, thankfully, barring some of the more difficult to get cards, and it was a total joy. Now if only it didn’t cost one zillion dollars to get things graded…
Games That Would Probably Be On This List if I had Finished Them
Alan Wake II
As I write this, I’m out of the country for work, and I had no great way to transport the game with me, so I couldn’t get it finished before my list was due. I had just gotten to the first Alan section, so I’m not too far in, but I can tell that I’m probably gonna dig what’s coming and the ride I’m being taken on. Just so long as the ride doesn’t get repetitive. :) I’ve had trouble finishing Remedy games in the past, and I hope this one is different. Even still, I really respect the swings being taken and am excited for more.
Sea of Stars
Unlike Alan Wake 2, I DO have a great way to play this one while out of the country! And it… rocks. I’m totally charmed, and am finding the combat system to be just fancy enough for me to want to keep engaging with it. I’m looking forward to seeing how much deeper it gets. I assume it does! I also have no idea how long this thing is, so it’s possible I start to lose steam. Also, it has gotten a few actual belly laughs out of me. I love that pirate guy who can make himself weirdly muscular outta nowhere. He rules.
Okay Time For Games