The Game Awards, held annually to honor outstanding achievements in the video game industry, has once again sparked controversy ahead of its 10th anniversary show. This time, the debate revolves around whether remakes are eligible for the prestigious Game of the Year (GOTY) award.
Resident Evil 4 Remake’s nomination started the debate
The beginning of this discussion was the inclusion of Resident Evil 4 Remake, which was released in early 2023 and received great acclaim, among the GOTY candidates.
Critics argue that Resident Evil 4 being a remake puts it at a disadvantage compared to other original games, calling it the weakest candidate among the six nominees.
This has raised questions about GOTY criteria and whether remakes that inherently rehash existing game content should be considered on the same level as completely new versions.
The debate is further complicated by some pointing out that this is not the first time The Game Awards has nominated a remake for the top award. For example, Final Fantasy VII Remake received a GOTY nomination at the previous awards ceremony and was generally accepted without any significant reaction.
Maybe a hot take but I don't think remakes should be nominated for GotY. I thought RE4 was a 5/5 game but it's weird to me that a remake takes priority for a nomination over a new game.
— FightinCowboy (@Fightincowboy) November 13, 2023
This recognition indicates a certain level of acceptance by the gaming community that remakes, when made with significant improvements, can be candidates for the industry’s highest awards.
One perspective arguing that remakes are suitable for GOTY claims that these games offer “new content,” although not entirely “new” in the broad sense. In the case of Capcom’s Resident Evil 4 Remake and Square Enix’s Final Fantasy VII Remake, the improvements go beyond visual updates. Because the developers have added important new elements to their games, such as expanded story, improved game mechanics and enriched character development.
For example, the remake of Resident Evil 4 beefed up the action scenes, added breakable items like knives, and gave characters like Ashley more depth. Similarly, Final Fantasy VII Remake reimagined the iconic Midgar setting, offering players an entirely new way to explore the city and interact with its events. Both the critical and commercial success of these remakes shows that audiences appreciate the effort put into reviving classic games.
Ultimately, the question of whether The Game Awards made a mistake by including a remake in the GOTY category is a subjective one, depending on individual perspectives and interpretations of intent. What is your opinion? Please don’t forget to share your thoughts with us in the comments.
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