Naughty Dog vs Sucker Punch: There Can Be Only One G.O.T.Y. FOR 2020!!!
During the “Summer of Corona”, two games held people down as we got through the upheavals of an isolated summer. Kept inside our homes only to go outside to grab supplies and various lifelines to keep ourselves safe and sane, the Summer of 2020 played out like a post-zombie apocalypse with a chaotic government hell bent on world domination (Yes, this really happened). And yet, through it all, PlayStation, God’s gift to console gaming, released 2 games on their platform to help us pass the time.
Released in June and July, both of these single player games allowed us to travel a harsh terrain filled with violence and chaos and as we lost and established friends in both real and alternate universes, one game, allowed us to make a choice to live with honor, whereas another made the choice for us to get revenge and deny it at the same time.
And now, just days away, the 2020 Game Awards are here. The only award show aimed at the interests of gamers and the industry, the VGAs are here to ensure that all games and platforms are recognized, heard and possibly accepted. This is no one sided show that encompasses hosts and voters accepting bribes or multiple-under-the-table payouts. Nope. The VGAs are here to realign the gaming atmosphere as millions of gamers voted for their games to be #1 in their perspective categories. In other words, an award show that’s for the players, by the players.
With a plethora of games and categories to choose from, the one category I’m concerned about is the Video Game of the Year V(GOTY). In my opinion, these two “quarantine companions” that millions purchased and were displayed on social media for all to see, were the highlights of the summer and year. Even as I write this, these games are just days/hours away from becoming the best of the best for 2020.
The two games that I’m talking about are:
Ghost of Tsushima by Sucker Punch & The Last of Us 2 by Naughty Dog
To date of this writing, the votes for these games are below:
With both games bringing us joy as their perspective universes led us to stop evil, fight infections and allowed us to decide whether the villain deserved to die, these games also allowed us to experience another universe as our own universes at the time was under quarantine. As many have voted on these games, let’s take a look at their stats to see what makes them contenders for GOTY 2020:
Ghost of Tsushima:
Company: Sucker Punch
Released: 7/17/2020
Story: Open-World story. Play as the protagonist, Jin Sakai and battle the Mongol invasion headed by Khotun Khan. As Jin traverses the island of Tsushima, he befriends local samurai and thieves to aid in the defeat of the Khan. Along the way, he battles his own demons as he becomes the “Ghost” which conflicts with his honor as a samurai.
Sales: 2.4 million units Worldwide in the first 3 days. Achieved 5 million unit sales in four months.
Record: The fastest selling first party original IP PlayStation 4 Title.
The Last of Us 2
Company: Naughty Dog
Released: 6/19/2020
Story: Following the events from the Last of Us, the 2020 action-adventure game follows Ellie, 5 years later as she travels from Jackson, Wyoming to Seattle, Washington to get revenge for the death of Joel by the hands of Abby, the story’s antagonist. Along the way, gamers were able to examine both characters as their lives were unexpectedly intertwined by the hands of Joel and others. Both characters are good in their own way, but end up evil through sacrifice, loss, and love.
Sales: During opening weekend, TLOU2 sold over 4 million copies worldwide. Became the fastest-selling PlayStation 4 game. Was the most downloaded PS4 game in North America.
As these two games go head to head with others, a lot of controversy has taken place in regard to both of these titles. Ghost, became the sleeper hit, while TLOU2 has been winning accolades and awards from other events followed by situations with the company. Either way, whoever wins GOTY 2020, it goes without saying that the biggest winner here is PlayStation, hands down. As the mighty PlayStation continues to provide us with exclusive experiences, nostalgic gameplay and unforgettable scenes, it is truly a shining star as records prove PlayStation is the best video game console in the world.
As for these two exclusive PlayStation titles. Ellie & Jin are on full display as their stories have created within us, an emotional bond that encompasses unique storytelling, impressive visuals and a cinematic score that motivated us to play the game until its end and beyond. And while that is unique in gaming today, we are left wondering, who will win the coveted crown of GOTY as we wrap up 2020 with a new president, a hopefully renewed stimulus package and two new consoles that will bring in 2021 with a brand new, stylized form of gaming.
As the clock below winds down to showtime, just remember, when you voted, you didn’t just vote for any game. You voted for the game that helped people (myself included) through COVID-19. You voted for a game that made people forget, for just a moment, that they were locked in their homes for months as they avoided their friends and family members who might have been infected. You voted for the game, that helped create online group chats and discussion boards that really helped create powerful conversations in gaming. In essence, you voted for a game that quite possibly saved someone’s life……
Here’s hoping that all voters choose wisely….
Salute to the VGAs GOTY 2020 !!!
Countdown To The Video Game Awards
