The race for Game of the Year in 2026 is shaping up to be one of the weakest in recent memory, with many potential contenders falling short of critical expectations, even as Grand Theft Auto 6 remains the presumptive frontrunner. Early in the year, Resident Evil Requiem held the top spot as a potential award winner, a position it still maintains, but the overall field has been surprisingly anemic.
This unusual landscape is partly attributed to the overwhelming shadow cast by Grand Theft Auto 6. While its release is still anticipated, its presence has seemingly suppressed the enthusiasm and critical reception for other potential candidates. The current slate of games has often met the quality bar for awards contention but stopped just short, or has faced challenges due to genre or franchise limitations. This has led to a notable lack of strong competition for second place.
Titles like The Blood of Dawnwalker, a vampire RPG developed by a team that previously contributed to the GOTY-winning The Witcher 3, initially appeared poised for critical success. Despite its pedigree and narrative ambition, the game has garnered a lukewarm reception from the broader games media, reflected in a Metacritic score of 83 and "mostly positive" Steam reviews. This level of acclaim may not be enough to secure a nomination at The Game Awards.
Similarly, Onimusha: Way of the Sword and Orbitals, an indie co-op game in the vein of It Takes Two, have also received mild approval, failing to emerge as significant dark horses. The consistent theme across these titles is the elusive nature of the 90-plus Metacritic scores that typically signal a strong Game of the Year nominee. Those that have approached this benchmark face other obstacles; Big Walk, an indie multiplayer title, and Forza Horizon 6, a racing game, are up against genre biases. Mina the Hollower, despite its cult following, is not widely played.
Even games scoring below the 90 mark have presented issues. Crimson Desert has faced considerable criticism, while Pokopia is unlikely to gain traction with a jury that often overlooks Pokémon titles and life sims. 007 First Light appears stronger but is a licensed game, a category the jury typically regards with less favor. As a result, Resident Evil Requiem remains the sole sure-bet for a nomination by September.
The latter half of the year traditionally brings a surge of contenders, and this year is no exception, with titles such as Marvel's Wolverine, Gears of War: E-Day, Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave, Phantom Blade Zero, and Control Resonant on the horizon. However, none are currently projected to achieve universal acclaim. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake is a strong candidate, but its release before the cutoff date is uncertain, and remakes themselves face a disadvantage.
Several factors contribute to this situation, including a slowdown in AAA game production and a cautious return of mid-sized titles. The industry, critics, and players alike appear to be in a holding pattern, awaiting Grand Theft Auto 6. While its victory may seem predetermined, history shows that Rockstar's games can be beaten, as demonstrated by The Last of Us in 2013 and God of War in 2018. The current climate leaves a desire for a game to emerge and truly challenge for the year's top prize.