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[R6Rider]

A little late on this one, but nevertheless!

For me it goes to Crimson Desert. This game has been fantastic and I'm still early on.

 

[StoopKidz]

Requiem. I imagine Saros and GTA could dethrone, but I'm pretty confident it will be a nominee for GOTY at most publications / events.

 

[Nankatsu]

Crimson Desert.

Requiem is pretty good, but what Crimson Desert manages to achieve is truly remarkable, not only gameplay wise, but also business wise (because they could easily milk more money with the game, let's be honest).

I would also had Pragmata into the list.

 

[MagiusNecros]

Crimson Desert. Easily.

 

[Gate Locker]

None of these deserve GOTY.

 

[adamsapple]

I mean is there even a competition?

 

[R6Rider]

None of these deserve GOTY.

 

[Zacfoldor]

I voted for Requiem but regret it and should have voted Crimson Desert.

That said, I'm loving Pragmata and will double dip when Hades 2 dropped on PS5 a few days ago.

Just Hades 2, Pragmata, Crimson Desert, Nioh 3, and Requiem have made this a really solid year so far and kept me well satisfied.

That said, I have a feeling our goty 2026 is still yet to come.

 

[R6Rider]

I voted for Requiem but regret it and should have voted Crimson Desert.

You can change your vote.

 

[touchfuzzy]

First vote in for Pokopia. I don't imagine it will be a hugely popular choice on GAF but it's fantastic and I expect will get attention at actual year-end awards.

 

[ssringo]

REquiem though it's not a solid choice just yet (DLC could help). Crimson Desert might get it in the long run but for now I've put it on hold to see how much else they add/change.

 

[Zacfoldor]

None of these deserve GOTY.

GotY is relative to the competition of that year. Even a shit game can deserve goty if it is the only game that comes out.

 

[Topher]

I voted for Requiem but regret it and should have voted Crimson Desert.

 

[Bartski]

It's Requiem but then I haven't played CD yet

 

[Gonzito]

I love Requiem so much but my vote goes to Crimson Desert even though its a flawed game in some ways, I think its a amazing achievement

 

[Danjin44]

 

[Zacfoldor]

You can change your vote.

There is now 1 more vote for CD and one less for Requiem!

 

[Gaiff]

Nioh 3, but it kind of wins by default. Haven't played many 2026 releases.

 

[Bonfires Down]

Haven't played any but I really like this list. Mostly underdog games and quirky titles and a lot of them seem really cool.

 

[manfestival]

Marathon is better than Clair Obscur Expedition 33

 

[owandeseis]

 

[Guardian Monkey]

At the end of the year it probably won't matter, as Grand Turd Auto 6 will take away all the major nominations since the majority gamers play crap.

 

[SlimySnake]

Sorry Requiem but Crimson has my heart and my soul.

 

[StueyDuck]

Woof thats the roughest start to the year weve had for a while, thank goodness we have Saros around the corner.

Requiem is great but its not like oh my goty great.

 

[Gamer_By_Proxy]

Not having anonymous voting while listing Marathon for GOTY is dirty work.

 

[bender]

1. Pathologic 3
2. Caves of Qud
3. Tomodachi Life: Living The Dream (still really early into it)

Want to try: Pragmata, Romeo is a Dead Man, Cairn

Most overrated: Crimson Desert, Requiem, Pokopia

 

[Valt7786]

I really wish it could be Requiem, but they dropped the ball on so many things that I just can't give it to it, so Crimson Desert gets my vote so far. Unless Pragmata really pulls it out the bag, that could inch its way in.

 

[Branded]

Marathon is better than Clair Obscur Expedition 33

This is actually true lol. What an absolute snoozefest E33 was. No idea why people hold it in such high regard. It's basically a movieslop game with insufferable characters.

But yeah otherwise it's gotta be Pragmata. Ez.

 

[Zacfoldor]

Marathon is better than Clair Obscur Expedition 33

 

[kpopSuperstar]

None of these are at that level, I would probably lean Crimson Desert.

Pragmata and Cairn should be on the list.

There will be several major games in fall/winter that will eclipse these titles.

 

[Arachnid]

I voted for RE9, but for the first time, I don't think it's GOTY worthy. The second half just doesn't have the quality the first half does. Meanwhile RE2make and 4make were obvious and easy votes for me.

It shouldn't be Pokopia. I love the game and it's been fun, but not GOTY fun. Nioh 3 is a good contender, but 2 is better so idk about it being deserving.

I haven't played Crimson Desert yet, so maybe that's the better contender. Maybe Hades 2 or Mewgenics? So far, this year doesn't have any obvious personal choices for me. At least I've got Black Flag Remake and a new Metro on the way.

Not that any of this discussion even matters. GTA6 is out this year.

 

[Eesha]

My man, love me creating abominations beyond human comprehension.

 

[Guardian Monkey]

To be fair I like it more than E33. But I like Crimson Desert more as well.

 

[HRK69]

Phenomenal experience

 

[geary]

Soulmask...

 

[bender]

Phenomenal experience

I'm waiting for a sale, but I'm pretty excited for it after Jusant and craving a more grounded experience.

 

[pudel]

1. Pathologic 3
2. Caves of Qud
3. Tomodachi Life: Living The Dream (still really early into it)

Caves of Qud:

The award-winning sandbox roguelike & RPG full of robots, deep lore, and sentient plants.

 

[Draugoth]

 

[Represent.]

Thought it would be Crimson, but it never grabbed me. im simply not a fan of having to guess and watch videos on how every every single system in the fucking game works.
Havent played RE9 yet. Will do that sooner than later - will probably get my vote.

 

[R6Rider]

I didn't include as it's still Early Access.

 

[Arsic]

Definitely RE9.

 

[bender]

Caves of Qud:

 

[Gamer_By_Proxy]

I'm waiting for a sale, but I'm pretty excited for it after Jusant and craving a more grounded experience.

There's a time trial for it I believe on ps+ premium. If you got that.
I tried the time trial and it just annoyed me after 20min. Not my kinda game. Felt the same about Baby Steps.

More people should give romeo is a deadman a go though. That game is a breath of fresh air while being at least someone more grounded than his usual work.

 

[bender]

There's a time trial for it I believe on ps+ premium. If you got that.
I tried the time trial and it just annoyed me after 20min. Not my kinda game. Felt the same about Baby Steps.

More people should give romeo is a deadman a go though. That game is a breath of fresh air while being at least someone more grounded than his usual work.

Thanks for the heads up. I'm waiting for a deep discount on Romeo too, but I'm excited to try it.

 

[Diseased Yak]

Crimson Desert by a country mile. Requiem was great, and I'm firing up Pragmata tonight, but I don't see it dethroning CD at all. I'm 104 hours into it and am just getting started.

 

[Spooky Scary Skeleton]

I voted for RE9, but for the first time, I don't think it's GOTY worthy. The second half just doesn't have the quality the first half does. Meanwhile RE2make and 4make were obvious and easy votes for me.

So much this. RE Requiem falls flat the moment the game shifts from Rhodes Hill level. The entire Raccoon City gameplay was subpar. The Ark was just flat out boring as fuck.

 

[Gamer_By_Proxy]

Thanks for the heads up. I'm waiting for a deep discount on Romeo too, but I'm excited to try it.

Just be sure to embrace the bastards system. Bastards are basically 4 abilities on cool down timers. Really needed for boss fights.

 

[Hawk The Slayer]

Resident Evil Requiem easily so far but Tides of Annihilation or Dawn of War 4 has a good chance of taking the spot if Half Life 3 and GTA VI doesn't come.

 

[Polaris]

That's some depressing GOTY contenders.

 

[falling into hell]

Crimson Desert the only game I played from that list.