The Game Awards has just announced its nominations for various categories, and of course, what Vietnamese fans are most curious about is the Game of the Year award – where the competition includes Black Myth: Wukong alongside five other standout games of the year.
With six candidates vying for a single prestigious title, many Vietnamese gamers have already identified the most promising contender, and much of this speculation stems from a process of “elimination.”
Sadly, Black Myth: Wukong appears to be the first name with almost no chance of winning.
According to analyses from gamers, despite possessing numerous strengths such as a captivating storyline, stunning graphics, impressive music, and spectacular combat sequences, the Game Science title also has many drawbacks. The most notable issues include its storytelling approach, average gameplay, and map design. Disjointed dialogues with characters who are scarcely introduced make it challenging for anyone unfamiliar with the classic tale of Journey to the West to fully grasp the game.
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree and Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth were initially considered strong contenders; however, they share a commonality as they are just remakes, rebirths, or DLCs. While Shadow of the Erdtree could be considered a fairly strong candidate, it still has notable weaknesses such as an expansive yet sparse map and a controversial storyline. On the other hand, Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth doesn’t differ much from its predecessor. The indie game Balatro seems to be included in the nominations merely for fun, as it is highly unlikely to win.
Thus, the only two remaining contenders are Astro Bot and Metaphor: Refantazio. It’s undeniable that Astro Bot is an excellent game, delivering a pure gaming experience with high entertainment value, but that’s about all it offers. With its gameplay strength but lacking in other areas, Astro Bot also struggles to secure the award. Ultimately, this leaves us with just one strong candidate: Metaphor: Refantazio. While it may not be a flawless masterpiece like previous Game of the Year winners, Metaphor: Refantazio has “fewer weaknesses” compared to the current nominees.