Since the state of the industry is always shifting and each release can influence those that come after it, our criteria will naturally shift over time. After all, what made a game a 10 in 2004 will have different nuances than what a 10 would be in 2024.
We also aim to score every title within its proper context.
A single-player game with a once-in-a-lifetime story like Bioshock won’t be penalized for lacking endless replayability.
Spiritual successors such as Stardew Valley will be judged by both the nostalgia they evoke and the new ideas they bring to the table.
Conversely, if a high-budget multiplayer game lacks crossplay when it feels like it should, or a survival game lacks well-established QOL features, we’re going to scratch our heads.
That being said, here are some of the many things we consider in 2025:
Vision
Every year, there are new titles that transform the way we think about games and inspire new possibilities.
Their method might be an unexplored blend of genres, a fresh take on a gameplay loop that everyone had “figured out”, or an innovative breakthrough in how a story can be told.
As abstract as these can be to describe, you know it when you play it - ultimately, how well does a game bring you into its creative intent and bring that vision to life?
Gameplay
The best games make you forget there’s a controller in your hands and immerse you with their fluid mechanics, satisfying feedback, and a gameplay loop that just feels right.
Whether you’re swinging the greatsword as a lone warrior or commanding an army from above as a god, the gameplay should fulfill and elevate that fantasy.
Games may lose points here for clunky control schemes, lack of impact at key moments (like hitting a headshot), or simply failing to make you feel in sync with your character.
Aesthetic
This category is the one that gives you goosebumps! Sometimes from awe, sometimes from fear.
It’s the distorted guitars that build while you approach a final boss. The ethereal stillness as you explore an ancient forest. Even the colors and shapes of a thoughtful menu’s UI.
It doesn’t matter if a game is 8-bit or pushing the limit of the latest graphics card - the best games have moods, sound, and style to deliver experiences no other medium can provide.
Technical
Unfortunately, even a GOTY candidate can lose its luster due to simply being unplayable.
War games designed for hundreds of units shouldn’t start lagging as armies collide. A fighting game should have a solid netcode to let its players execute combos consistently.
These frustrating moments take you out of an experience, especially if you’re playing with a developer’s recommended limits.
