2017 stands out as a landmark year for interactive entertainment, showcasing bold creativity and technical mastery across platforms. These game of the year nominees 2017 reflect diverse genres, striking art direction, and stories that resonated deeply with players worldwide.
From sprawling open worlds to tightly crafted experiences, the nominees defined a benchmark for innovation and emotional engagement. This look at the leading titles highlights why 2017 remains a benchmark in modern game design.
| Game | Developer | Primary Genre | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild | Nintendo EPD | Action Adventure | Revolutionary open-world design |
| PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds | Krafton | Battle Royale | Intense tactical survival |
| Cuphead | StudioMDHR | Run and Gun | Hand-drawn animation and jazz soundtrack |
| Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice | Ninja Theory | Action Adventure | Immersive portrayal of psychosis |
| Divinity: Original Sin 2 | Larian Studios | Role-Playing | Deep cooperative storytelling |
Exploration and Discovery
Breath of the Wild redefined exploration by encouraging curiosity and experimentation. Players climbed any surface, sailed across vast lakes, and unraveled mysteries through environmental storytelling.
The world responds to creative problem solving, turning every journey into a personal adventure. This approach influenced countless open-world designs that followed.
Competitive Multiplayer and Battle Royales
PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds brought a new level of tension to competitive multiplayer by combining realistic gunplay with a shrinking map. Each match created memorable high-stakes moments.
Its success validated the battle royale genre on PC and consoles, pushing developers to refine pacing, map design, and player progression systems.
Art Direction and Handcrafted Craft
Cuphead captivated audiences with its meticulous hand-drawn animation and vintage soundtrack. The game demands precision, turning each boss encounter into a thrilling performance.
Its bold visual style proved that stylized art could define a game's identity and leave a lasting cultural impact.
Narrative and Psychological Depth
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice used innovative audio design and intimate storytelling to explore psychosis with respect and nuance. The result is an emotionally harrowing yet empowering journey.
It highlighted how indie teams can tackle complex mental health themes while maintaining tight, engaging gameplay mechanics.
Complexity and Cooperative Role-Playing
Divinity: Original Sin 2 offered deep tactical combat and branching narratives that reward thoughtful decision making. Its cooperative systems encourage creative synergy between party members.
The game reinforced the appeal of player-driven stories and emergent moments that unfold differently in each playthrough.
Cultural Impact and Lasting Influence
These game of the year nominees 2017 shaped industry trends long after their release, inspiring mechanics, art directions, and storytelling approaches across the medium.
Their varied approaches to design, narrative, and technology continue to influence new projects and define expectations for modern titles.
- Prioritize exploration and player agency to create memorable worlds.
- Invest in distinctive art and audio to establish a strong identity.
- Balance competitive depth with accessible progression systems.
- Address complex themes with sensitivity and thoughtful design.
- Leverage cooperative mechanics to deepen social play and replay value.
FAQ
Reader questions
Which game is considered the GOTY 2017 winner by many critics?
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild frequently claimed GOTY honors, praised for its boundless exploration and transformative open-world formula.
What makes PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds stand out in 2017?
Its tense battle royale format and unpredictable matches delivered intense survival gameplay that resonated with competitive audiences.
How does Cuphead differentiate itself from other nominees? Its meticulously crafted hand-drawn animation and jazz-infused soundtrack create a distinctive style that feels both nostalgic and fresh. Why is Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice regarded as emotionally significant?
The game offers an empathetic look at psychosis, combining striking visuals and sound design to deliver a powerful narrative experience.