Gamespot's Game of the Year 2012

There was a noticeable change of direction for the gaming industry in 2012. As many developers shifted their gaze toward the next generation, the big-budget games that would normally fill our time were in much shorter supply. Thankfully, those that did surface often delighted, intrigued, or otherwise compelled us in some way, so there was again no shortage of diverse, memorable games. Don't think for a second that fewer retail releases dampened our enthusiasm during our heated Game of the Year discussions. Downloadable games have grown immeasurably in recent years, and the wealth of quality experience gave us ample opportunity to argue endlessly in favor of those that moved us. If 2012 is the last full year of the current generation, it certainly ended in a rising crescendo worthy of the technology that's finally being put to rest.

[PirateThom]

Well deserved.

[Ezz2013]

what really strike me is that even in a year where no HUGE ps3 exclusives
a ps3 exclusive still mange to win alot of GOTY award
this only show the quality sony ps3 exclusives always bring to the table
and the damage control in GS is just incredible

[LOGICWINS]

What I find funny is how seriously people are taking this..as if Journey being Gamespot's GOTY invalidates their own personal GOTY. Too many people out there are insecure with their own opinions to the point that they break down when IGN/Gamespot don't put their games of choice on a pedestal. Quite sad.

[MikeMyers]

Nominees:

Journey
Spelunky
Guild Wars 2
Zero Escape
Mass Effect 3
Mark of the Ninja
The Walking Dead
X-Com - Enemy Unknown
Dishonored
Halo 4

Winner: Journey

What is happening more and more is the attention to smaller titles. I think with the cost of gaming that these smaller games will continue to grow and get better marketing. Services like Playstation Network, Xbox Live Arcade and Steam are great places to find these hidden gems.

[Timesplitter14]

Agreed, but my true GOTY 2012 is by far DayZ, even though it's a mod. There's nothing quite like it. You can't really understand if you havent played it.

I can't even go back to normal games anymore. DayZ is on a whole other level compared to everything else

[isarai]

@ LOGICWINS

WTF are you talking about? people are just glad to see the game get the credit it deserves

[shutUpAndTakeMyMoney]

hmm I am sure The last of us will get nominated next year. Then bam! ps4 announced with a Guerrilla Games debut..

I am suer gears spin off will win best reload time.

Ign?
https://www.youtube.com/wat...
Journey again..

my fav game next to guild wars 2.

Good to see a pc game nominated.

[MasterCornholio]

What i really like about Sony is their willingness to take risks with new ips. One of their programs that i support the most is their pub fund program because it brings to Sony consoles great new ips like Mutant Blobs, Sounds and Shapez, Journey (i believe) and many other titles from small studios.

[bessy67]

I don't get it. I thought with IGN and Spike making ridiculous choices for GOTY the gaming publications would have gotten it out of their systems and started picking real games for GOTY. Guess not...

[AKS]

Indeed. Journey was my pick as well, but I didn't expect so many to agree with me. Evidently people are not as biased against lower budget, smaller games as I thought. Journey has taken GotY from IGN and now Gamespot.

[showtimefolks]

Gamespot earned my respect when they had the balls to give GOTY to demons soul and now they just built on that. I feel like when other are only looking at big games they have actually given some respect to niche games.

Well deserved

VGA made the right choice too with waking dead

Here is hoping this extra attention helps the game sales for bth journey and walking dead

[dariux32]

100% agree with you man. You said what i wanted to, glad that there are people thinking the same. ...and my congratulations ...:)..

[AKS]

Even though I don't care much for GameSpot, I looked through their history of GotY picks, and it's a damn good list.

Their picks didn't coincide with my own choices 100% (they picked Gears 1 over Zelda: TP or Okami, for example), but a strong argument could be made for all of their selections.

[Apollosupreme]

Has anyone played Wipeout on the Vita? The graphics blew me away the first time I fired it up and the gameplay is outstanding. I feel it's underrated. Hell, I might not have ever given it a chance had it not been free to Plus members... What a gift from Sony!

[PirateThom]

I have it, yes. I actually bought it, because I am a big fan of WipEout. It was cool that if you owned WipEout HD/Fury, you could use the DLC for free in 2048.

[finbars75]

Well deserved maybe it is a great game but what about FarCry3? Im sorry but this game has everything in a game that myself and most others want and it was even nominated.It came out before the end of the year so why isnt this game in there?Im sorry but the nominees for GOTY arent really that good at but also stale games.they need to rething there nominees next time and then you will get a different outcome.

[fabod86]

My personal GOTY. :)

[thehusbo]

Best game of this year by far.

[SoapShoes]

It's a good game but my GOTY is Twisted Metal. Loved it and was so much fun!

[Norrison]

By far, no, it's purely opinion

[goflyakite]

Right so, in his opinion, it's the best game of this year, by far.

[Norrison]

@Goflyakite
He didn't say
"By far, IMO"

[MysticStrummer]

He didn't say
"By far, IMO"

Are you suggesting he's quoting information from some other source without crediting that source? That is a serious allegation sir.

It's clearly his opinion. The main clue is his name in a larger blue font right above it.

[ritsuka666]

Just got 100% of the trophies in this game and I found it to be... kind of boring.
I played on a big LED TV with my 5.1 surround system and turned off the lights and I wasn't interrupted by anyone or anything, so I don't think there's much more I could have done.There was no emotional bond for me whatsoever, I wasn't stunned by the visuals, nothing took my breath away and I guess if that didn't happen there's nothing in the game that's left for me.

[Redempteur]

"I wasn't stunned by the visuals"

Really ?

"I wasn't interrupted by anyone or anything"

that's not the point , what matters is who you meet during your journeys...and did those meetings went

[InTheLab]

I with ya. I just don't get it.

[knifefight]

Re: "Just got 100% of the trophies in this game and I found it to be... kind of boring. "

It's not called Trophy Journey...it's just Journey.

The beauty of the game is in how it communicates to the gamer. It creates an experience like few others in gaming history, complete with emotional power and attachment that most players won't soon forget.

THAT's what Journey is. It's not something you play to run around collecting trophies like a Dudebro. If you need some electronic tone to validate what you're doing, there are other services and products for that :)

[NastyLeftHook0]

JOURNEY IS THE GAME OF THE YEAR.

[finbars75]

Sorry but FarCry3 was by far on another level to Journey.farcry3 should have easily won and runner up should easily be Dishonored.Journey is cool and neat but not that outstanding.

[OllieBoy]

Journey definitely deserves it. It's on sale right now too ($10.49, PS Plus: $7.35)

BUY if you haven't yet.

[pandehz]

Im am glad

[macalatus]

My fellow Sony gamers, a big CONGRATS to Thatgamecompany for an amazing game that could only be rightfully found on the Playstaton 3 console. Journey is a prime example that Sony sees its loyal fanbase as classy, mature, and intelligent, as only those qualities can make you understand such game of pure beauty.

The world may not have ended on Dec. 21, 2012, but the world may finally be waking up from the endless mediocrity that is mindlessly propagated by the media and 360 extremists. Tis truly a great Christmas present for Thatgame company, Sony Computer Entertainment, and the entire Sony gaming community.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, CONGRATS TO THATGAMECOMPANY, AND 3 BRIGHT FESTIVE RED LIGHTS TO THE 360 FOLKS!

Sony Gamers Lead the Way!

[Rage_S90]

Thank you based Mac.

[SonyNGP]

That's some mighty fine spaghetti you got there.

[solar]

Journey is coming to PC. You should be happy more gamers get to enjoy the game.

[PirateThom]

Journey isn't coming to PC. It's just Sony's publishing deal with Thatgamecompany has expired, so their next game likely will.

[ufo8mycat]

You put PC and GAMERS in the same sentence? LOL :D

[LOGICWINS]

Yeah, I remember my first beer too =D

[palaeomerus]

It's an hour and half long experience and not much of a game at all. Games want to be art more than games. Which is sad. And Sony wants to lead the way with yet more Dear Esther type nonsense? Pass.

[guitarded77]

LoL

But seriously, don't drink too much. You just make an ass of yourself.

On Topic: Congrats to TGC. Journey is truly a brilliant game and deserves its accolades.

[Nitrowolf2]

haha that's so funny, the last time I heard that I fell of my DINOSAUR

-Step brothers

[DigitalRaptor]

@ palaeomerus

It's a shame that you couldn't find anything meaningful from what is best described as an experience and definitely something different and original.

The sooner we stop putting labels on what is or isn't a game, the sooner the industry will mature.

[alegolo]

@ palaeomerus

I doubt you have played it, Journey HAS gameplay, its very simple gameplay but its good and well responding.
I really liked Dear Esther but it had almost no gameplay, no interaction, just movement around the island.

[Conquerbeard]

Do you actually believe the things you say? I knew console fanboyism was bad, but I didn't know it could bring people to the point of cranking up their own Goebbels-esque propaganda machines. Pace yourself is all I'm sayin'.

Whoosh.

[legendof117]

*Sniffs* I smell Japanese hardware... oh wait thats a Sony fanboy.

[BrianC6234]

It sure is funny to read some of the comments on Gamespot. Are they mostly 360 gamers on there? So many people can't believe Journey won Game of the Year. Why shouldn't it? There were a lot of good games out in 2012 but mostly a lot of sequels. Journey is a great game that is really different.

[wishingW3L]

yeah, is mostly 360 fanboys on Gamespot. Just look at this thread so full of butthurt: http://www.gamespot.com/for...

And on Youtube is all disagrees with people crying because Halo 4 didn't win: http://youtu.be/GbLIw4jJ324

[majiebeast]

All those Salty xbro's on youtube and Gamespot. Haters gonna hate.

[LOGICWINS]

It has nothing to do with there being "mostly 360 gamers" in Gamespot's comment section. Outside of the Internet, most PS3 gamers don't know what Journey is. Go to any college campus or ask someone on the street about Journey and they'll look at you like you have two heads.

You forget that mainstream gaming is dominated by whatever is advertised the most(COD, Angry Birds etc.)

[xursz]

Cool but what does 'mainstream' have to do with a goty award? Nothing.

There's good reason why Journey has gotten much praise. It's on sale right now, you should try it. Youtube videos won't do it justice believe me.

Btw the people complaining wanted an FPS to win. smh

[MikeMyers]

How sad, so many people still give way too much attention to companies like Sony or Microsoft while ignoring the actual game itself. The attention should be on the game Journey, not Sony. Do people fascinate about the record label when buying a CD or song from their favorite band?

Play the game and try something different.

[LOGICWINS]

The people leaving negative comments on Gamespot's forums are people who likely haven't played Journey and assume that its subpar simply because its a 3 hour downloadable game...hence, the mainstream.

I'm not doubting that the game is good, I'm simply trying to make people understand that these comments come from ignorance as opposed to hate. If these people actually played Journey, they might be singing a different tune. They want an FPS to win simply because thats what they're exposed to...no more no less.

[Ezz2013]

@logicwins
" most PS3 gamers don't know what Journey is."

yeah they sure don't /s
http://www.destructoid.com/...
http://blog.us.playstation....

next time atleast use google

[brew]

A lot of the people complaining are 360 owners who back pretty much everything xbox .... even DL games like Trials HD and Fez. They are just a salty bunch.

[LOGICWINS]

^^There are 70 million PS3s in the wild. To keep the figure conservative, lets say there are 50 million PS3s out there with one unique user(assuming the extra 20 million are people that own multiple PS3s).

Unless more than 25 million UNIQUE PS3 owners bought Journey, yes, most PS3 owners don't know what Journey is. Use logic next time.

Even if Journey broke 10 million downloads(which it didn't) that still wouldn't even come close to most PS3 owners. Even if we were to assume that Journey would sell 20 million copies in its lifetime(it won't) that STILL wouldn't even account for HALF of the PS3 owners out there.

@goflyakite- College students don't use N4G?

[goflyakite]

Tries to prove a point about video game website, uses college campus as evidence.

[MikeMyers]

That's not really logic, Logicwins. Most Xbox 360 owners never bought Halo 4, does that mean most Xbox 360 owners don't know about it?

http://www.destructoid.com/...

What game has sold on the PS3 to more than half of the owners? Even Gran Turismo 5 only sold to less than 25% of owners, probably closer to 15%.

The point is Logicwins, we don't know what games people know about based purely on sales. Journey deserves the attention and hopefully most PS3 owners will find out about it. It's not really a traditional game per-se. So that may persuade some not to even try it. Doesn't mean they don't know about the game.

I'm just happy some of these smaller budgeted games are trumping many of the big mass marketed games out there.

[LOGICWINS]

Its possible. My friend didn't know that Halo 4 was out until I told him about it..and he owns a 360, Vita, and Superslim PS3. We'll never know what goes on in these peoples heads...all we can do is use sales figures as an estimation.

"The point is Logicwins, we don't know what games people know about based purely on sales."

You made my point for me. We will never "know", but we can use factors like sales as a statistical barometer for estimation. With sales numbers, we can agree that theres a damn good chance that more PS3 owners know of the COD franchise than any other franchise on the console.

Do I want Journey to succeed? Thats a different argument, but to sum it up, of course! We need more games like that to shake up this oversaturated shooter market.

[rainslacker]

I'm pretty sure Journey was on Sony's front page of their store for a couple months, remained in their "What's Hot" section for a couple more. It also received quite a bit of critical acclaim from the press, and it was discussed a lot by gamers of all systems, whether good or bad. It was also the quickest selling game on PSN ever, selling enough to warrant a retail release, something that doesn't typically happen with digital only games.

I'm pretty sure quite a few of those supposed PS3 owners you mention have heard of it, and likely many of them would have played it, or at least looked it up.

Your argument doesn't make much sense...because obviously the people commenting on it on GameSpot do have access to the internet, and probably know about it.

[FanMan]

you could use the same logic with halo too. halo 4 didnt sell half of its install base. not even close. so that argument doesn't really work.

[Ezz2013]

@LOGICFAIL

halo gears call of duty GT etc.
no one knows about them
because they didn't sell to 70m owner?!

think before you type

[MysticStrummer]

By that "logic" most gamers don't know about any game. It took you many words to say nothing useful. Are you a politician by any chance?

[ufo8mycat]

Most PS3 gamers don't know what PS3 exclusives are.

I guess thats why they sell so badly.

[nevin1]

@BrianC6234

"Are they mostly 360 gamers on there? So many people can't believe Journey won Game of the Year."

Their mad that a 2 hr game won GOTY. lol

[TongkatAli]

You can spend 100 hours on Cod or Wow. Length shouldn't be the deciding factor for Game Of The Year.

[aquamala]

Or other gamers think there are far better games this year than this turd

Yes I've played it, feel free to check my trophies

[PirateThom]

Didn't play it then?

Sorry about that.

[trouble_bubble]

@aquamala
You've got exactly ONE trophy in Journey, under your perfectsil tag http://psnprofiles.com/perf... .

One, surrounded by another umpteen dozen games with zero trophies . Your fave games of 2012 with the most trophies include Resident Evil 6 and Medal of Honor: Warfighter. Not sure if serious...

[aquamala]

^^^ so? That trophy showed I finished the game , I could care less about collecting things or replaying it to get trophies

[trouble_bubble]

It also shows what kinda player you are, like what games you take more seriously. In the case of Journey, that you didn't really play in co-op as intended, you never explored and you never tried it more than once.

Trophies say you played most of the game solo since you didn't get the 'play most of the game with a partner' trophy.

You didn't get the trophy for meeting 10 unique people which is almost impossible not to get.

You didn't get the trophy for crossing the finish line with a friend, sitting down with them, or playing a week later.

You never went off the beaten path as you never found things like the Flower, the cloth creatures, the creature from Flow.

Speedrun? Yet you grinded out around 90 trophies combined in three of the lowest rated, most disappointing games of the year in RE6, MOH and Game of Thrones. Not surprised you wouldn't like Journey. Different tastes I guess.

[aquamala]

^^^ no I didn't play the game solo or played the game "wrong". why can't you just accept that I played the game and didn't like it, I'm not one of these trolls that comment on consoles/games they never played.

why would I replay the game again, to solve the same puzzles?

[El_Jibarit0_PR]

Well said Gamespot. I couldn't agree more with the feeling of sadness whenever this random character that looked like me disappears, or this weird feeling of happiness when I could see him or her again in the distance. It is an unique experience.

[turgore]

Dissapointing.

15 dollars for a 3 hour experience with zero replay value, just because it is "artistic".

Gaming just died.

[wenaldy]

1. The game is over 3 hours in first playthrough
2. It has replay value because of online Feature and lots of hidden collectibles
3. Gaming is pretty much alive
4. Buy PS3 first
5. Your comment is dissapointing

[Riderz1337]

Basing a games quality on it's length and value?

Gamers just died.

[DOMination-]

90% of N4G users do just that with games like Call of Duty

Congratulations TGC for the award.

[aquamala]

A 2 hour long "game" that consists of you walking to next objective and solving trivial puzzles, how is this goty? Yes I've played it

[VsAssassin]

Good for you then. Well to explain it: This game is Gamespot's GoTY. To each his own. Personally, I liked this game. It's a breath of fresh air in that it conveys emotions without words and the artistic design, plus technical graphics are outstanding. So for me it's GoTY material too.

In a world were FPS and shooting stuff become the norm, a ray of light in the form of games like Journey surely clinches the heart of longing gamers. Longing for simplicity and purity in gaming.

[PirateThom]

Halo 4, a game where you walk to the next objective shooting the same enemies over and over again.

Borderlands 2, a game where you walk to the next objective, shooting the same enemies over and over again.

Black Op 2, a game where you walk to the next objective, shooting the same enemies over and over again.

Mass Effect 3, a game where you walk to the next objective, shooting the same enemies over and over again.

Journey is GOTY.

[Bebedora]

My feeling when experiencing Heavy Rain. Much like the youtube I have seen of Journey. A lovely game and atmosphere. Music is brilliant. A joy to even just watch it being played by someone.

Too bad it gets eaten by all FPS's, just like a sack of peanuts for a starving elephant..
I personally am glad they made it and am hoping for David Cage's next one (Name?).

[Riderz1337]

So what do you do in FPS? Walk to cover shoot..blow shit up...walk to cover...cut scene...shoot...blow shit up...walk to cover...shoot...cut scene...

INNOVATION.

[kwiksilver99]

it's just gamespot's opinion my friend.just as you have one.there are reasons for for it being proclaimed as 'their' goty, just as you may have your own reasons why it shouldn't be.
for you ,game length,plot complexity and gameplay mechanics might be mandatory requirements for even being considered as goty material.
JUST not so for gamespot.
personally i thought the game was GREAT and really enjoyed the unique online mode.

[Thatguy-310]

Think gaming has reached the same medium that films are in. Journey is a well spent 15$ that gives you the same length a movie will for the same price. Many ppl can choose to criticize it for the "lack" of gameplay but gaming isnt about only gameplay. Its only one of the factors that make a game. Wonder how many gamers will be like if they were gaming when it had just started. Games have evolve and we should appreciate the artistic and emotional approach the developers brought to this title.

[Anthonyii]

Journey is a decent game. It is actually quite inspiring that a game like that could win a GOTY award. It is different than most games.When I was depressed the game actually took me out of my depression.I also have to say that my other personal favorite this year is Hitman:Absolution.

[Neo-Axl]

Didn't sony & the God of War developers start the whole 'HD Remaster / HD Collection' trend? as well as create the genre 'Play, Create, Share' with Media Molecule?

Giving the inspiration of change is vital for me to keep my PS3 going, the constant surprise of new & incredible games keeps millions of us coming back for more & more, Journey is an example of recent.. the FPS trend is beginning to die out, maybe.. just maybe we'll start to see a PS2 like gen game wise for the next generation.

[JasonKCK]

did any of these people play borderlands 2?

[Riderz1337]

Yes but unfortunately for you, they also played Journey and it triumphed over the competition. Better luck next year.

[JasonKCK]

i think journey is a good game and i had a good time playing it but i think borderlands 2 is better. u shouldnt assume.

[goflyakite]

Like you assumed these people hadn't played Borderlands 2 because they think Journey is GOTY?

[JasonKCK]

mine was a question. journey has had its share in the sun. borderlands 2 has gone overlooked. i have seen journey halo 4 walking dead ac3 even darksiders 2 but no borderlands 2. its overlooked and deserves much more.

[rainslacker]

The thing about GOTY awards is that they are all opinions, and one sites GOTY may not be another sites GOTY. All that should matter is what you like, and it's up to you to figure out what YOUR GOTY should be. If you think Borderlands is a good and fun game, then don't let anyone take that away from you.

[PirateThom]

I think all you whiners need to accept the fact that people are willing to hand awards to an innovative and interesting title rather than the same tired shooters that are released every year.

This is a good thing. It means a small indie company can reoease a game that can take out the very best of other developers and publishers. It means people are bored and they want something new, not a new coat of paint on the same ideas.

[DigitalAnalog]

Sadly, this is one of times where the "opinion" matter doesn't count on their side. These same "whiners" who will defend the likes of said opinion when it only favors their side to deliver their tripe.

Journey is an amazing game and despite it's humor winning GOTY (since no indie game has done so in the past), the fact that it did from 2 of the biggest gaming sites must really hit their ego harder than a bullet train.

[M1chl]

Indie game? Like multi-milion contract with Sony and help from Sony Santa Monica, makes this game an indie title? I don't know... Don't saying anything about the quality, I love this game...

[DigitalAnalog]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the multi-million contract with SONY was that it should span 3 games on the PS3. This would be Flow, Flower and Journey.

[Anthonyii]

2012 seemed like a dead year for gaming in my opinion. There were just too many quality shooting games. Journey was big break from that. Though the year in general seemed like it was trying to be 2008 all over again.

[StrawberryDiesel420]

I would have given it to Max Payne 3, loved that game.

[Conquerbeard]

My vote would've went to The Walking Dead first or, barring that, Borderlands 2. Don't own a PS3, so I can't vote for Journey - I've heard great things, though. Played through Halo 4 and enjoyed it, but I don't understand any GOTY hype. Dishonored would probably have been my third choice.

[Conquerbeard]

Hm. Can't tell if I received disagrees because of the Halo or Journey. Hopefully, it's just because two people didn't think TWD was worth it.

[iistuii]

You got disagree cause you mentioned you don't have a PS3, or maybe because you played through Halo4, this is N4G's remember.

[Hicken]

Wow at the number of disagrees everybody's getting. I don't recall so many for The Walking Dead getting GOTY.

I wonder what the difference is.

Could it be because Journey is press forward and you win(completely untrue)?

Could it be because it's all about the pretty graphics(also untrue)?

What's the reason people seem to be so against this game winning awards?

I wonder how many of these people have even played it. Or have they, like Irishguy95, watched some videos on Youtube and decided they knew the game well enough?

Journey is a great game, worthy of GOTY accolades, and current frontrunner for my game of the generation. I don't expect that everyone will have the same experience I have with it, but does it deserved being called "crappy?"

[goldwyncq]

There were much MORE who were against The Walking Dead winning GOTY compared to this game. And no, Journey definitely isn't crappy, but it's so far the overrated territory with statements like "Best game ever created" or "Best game of this generation". And for the record, The Walking dead is my personal GOTY.

[TongkatAli]

Persona 4 Golden should of won :D for reals

Come on it got these types of scores http://www.metacritic.com/g...

and it isn't nominated ? X really

[MultiConsoleGamer]

Definitely at the top of my list.

[memphis2]

i don't get it why this game is GOTY from all major game and independent sites!

[TheCagyDies]

My GOTY is Peace Walker.
Here's a summary of my gotys
2004 - MGS3
2005 - MGS3
2006 - MGS3
2007 - MGS3
2008 - MGS4
2009 - MGS4
2010 - Peace Walker
2011 - Peace Walker HD
2012 - Peace Walker HD
2013 - Ground Zeroes
2014 - Ground Zeroes
2015 - MGS5
2026 - Half Life 3

Oh yeah, Journey... Just brought the collection that came with Flower and ?Flow?, going to try out those games after the work week.

[Knushwood Butt]

Peace Walker is an astounding game, no doubt about that.

Played it an absolute ton this year.

Was overlooked at the time simply because it was a PSP game.

Is there a portable game out there better than Peace Walker?

Also, Tactics Ogre on PSP is another outstanding PSP game that was overlooked.

[Acquiesc3]

Thank you. My faith in game journalism has been restored (for the time being).

[urwifeminder]

Well i will never play it so goodluck to the 20 or so who got it.

[GamersRulz]

it is the best selling PSN game ever.

[TongkatAli]

Owned XD

[younghavok]

The fact that Xenoblade isnt even being mentioned on these lists bugs me and leads me to invest very little into them. I cant say Journey doesnt deserve it as Ive never played it or heard of it before today. But Xenoblade came out this year (NA) and was an amazingly deep experience with perhaps the biggest world in the 7th generation of consoles. What Monolith pulled off on such underpowered hardware should be applauded and acknowledged. But visuals aside the gameplay was something new for its genre and the whole thing just made the jrpg feel fresh again. Plus for your money you got plenty of content and it was a new IP. Wtf is wrong with this industry where they could ignore a title like that???

[Mister_G]

Yes, I agreed it's VERY good and unique, but sadly it's also very short.

It's not an epic journey, more like a trip to the local shops :)

[frankboy2012]

As i was walking down the street reading this article on my phone I had to re read the heading of this article 3 times in disbelief, legs shaking palms sweating I couldn't believe what I saw a ps3 title gamespot and game of the year in the same sentence.Gamespot have finally managed to eject their beef lollipops outta Microsoft's bumflaps :)

[iistuii]

Sorry I personally would not give ANY game GOTY which can be completed in under 90 mins.

[alegolo]

the lenght of a game is different from its quality, Journey was made to be completed in one playthrough. If it was a 17 hour long game it would have been boring and it would have lost it sense of ''being on a Journey with others'' by starting in the middle after loading your game.

also Journey is 1-2 hour long game full of innovation at 15 dollars, there are other blockbusters out there that are 5-6 hours of copy-paste cover shooter that cost 60-70 dollars.

the price sounds right.

[Run_bare]

It doesn't have to be long, it touch the heart and I personally feel more satisfy than big budget games out there.

[Kos-Mos]

It's not a game, it's a poem, a bad one that is.

[Sizzon]

Well deserved, Journey is just outstanding!

[MuhammadJA]

@ LOGICWINS

Agreed! And the disagrees you got proves it.

[creepjack]

Oh, i get it. this is the year of rebellion. The year where everyone picks things that are barely even games as GOTY. People, if "games" like Journey are the future of gaming, then this is only the beginning of a very quick end.

[ayabrea93]

I don't get why short length games can't win game of the year according to some people? surely it's the content of the game, the way it makes you feel and interact with that environment. journey really immersed me and a lot of other people as well so I don't get why game spot can't have this as their personal goty :/

[P_Bomb]

Going by the video review, the editors there seem a bit older. Old enough to remember the NES back in the day where classics could be finished in a couple hours (Metroid/Castlevania/KidIcarus ) or less (Mario/NinjaGaiden/TMNT Arcade.

Length means nothing if the journey (no pun intened) is worth taking. Contra, the Godfather of co-op alien shooters has a cheevo on XBLA for beating it in less than 12 minutes.

[FATAL1TY]

IGN & Gamespot GOTY = JOURNEY

PS3 wins, Fatality!

[NastyLeftHook0]

yes, yes it does :)

[Marceles]

Goes to show that games can't win awards off of the reputation of their name alone. "Mass Effect wins because...it's Mass Effect! Halo because it's Halo! COD because...."

[LAWSON72]

Good for them, my goty is halo 4

[isyourhouseonfire]

Looks like there must've been a massive marketing advertisement payment made to Gamespot at the end of the year..

Gamespot just lost ALL credibility

[P_Bomb]

I think you're confusing Journey with some other games' Doritos/Mountain Dew/credit card blitzes. No double XP under the cap here.

[Jessika_S]

It's funny to me that all it takes is for one show to give a game The Game Of the Year, and then everyone follows I played Journey great game but just because it got nominated for a Grammy it does not make it game of the year.

[ZBlacktt]

Another year of the PS3.

[DevilishSix]

My GOTY list in no particular order is:

Mark of the Ninja - made sthealth fun again
Journey - brilliant experience I never expected
Halo 4 - best single player experience of series
Far Cry 3 - Skyrim with guns
Dishonored - brave new ip late in generation proving all big wig executives wrong.

That about covers it for me happy new year and happy gaming.

[P_Bomb]

Disappointing to see some of the responses out there in general. From saying its barely a game and accusations of a pay off (you do *realise* the game already has a 92 meta average and Grammy nod?), to various colloquialisms on sexual preference.

Seems that for some, games should just be NRA endorsements.
Gun porn. IE: headshots, camping, no-scope ranting. Blood, bromances and babes. I guess I can see then why some peep are proclaiming the next mayan apocalypse here. What else is there when you're too young to drink?

In the meantime, downloadables (Walking Dead, Journey, Mark of the Ninja, Fez, Trials) rule the roost. For everyone else, the next AAAA multiplat' brofisters come out in but a few months. Peeps'll be stealing cars and virtua-cartelling on their console of preference in no time.

[Nac]

I agree with this.