With the 13th annual Game Awards scheduled for December 10, the shadow of Grand Theft Auto 6 looms large over the industry. Yet, its dominance is far from guaranteed. If Rockstar’s highly anticipated title faces even a minor delay, it risks missing the eligibility window entirely; even if it lands on time, the narrow gap leaves little room for the jury to thoroughly evaluate such a massive project. History shows that Rockstar isn’t invincible: God of War (2018) and The Last of Us (2013) famously upstaged Red Dead Redemption 2 and GTA 5 in the top categories. The race for Game of the Year remains wide open.
We have a firm grasp on the preferences of The Game Awards’ voting panel, a diverse group of international gaming journalists (including our own team at Polygon) supplemented by a 10% fan-vote weighting. Certain patterns define a typical contender: a Metacritic score well above 90 is virtually non-negotiable. The jury gravitates toward narrative-driven RPGs and action-adventures, often leaving multiplayer-focused titles or indie gems struggling for airtime in the top tier. Our predictive track record speaks for itself—having correctly identified previous winners like Astro Bot and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, while accurately naming all six nominees and hitting twenty category wins in 2025.
The list below highlights our top candidates for the 2026 Game of the Year. We focus exclusively on titles that are already playable or currently available for review. Unlike the film industry, where prestige projects are widely telegraphed, the video game market is volatile; shifting release schedules and unexpected gameplay quality make for a dynamic landscape. We will continuously refine these rankings throughout the year while keeping a close eye on rising stars and potential dark horses.
1
Resident Evil Requiem
The Case for Victory: The Resident Evil franchise has become a staple of The Game Awards, securing three nominations since 2019. Requiem elegantly bridges the gap between classic survival horror and the modern, polished style that defined the recent remakes. It’s a stylish, high-stakes experience with broad cultural appeal, positioning it as the frontrunner for the trophy.
The Potential Pitfalls: While critical reception has been glowing, its high-80s aggregate score might be slightly too modest to fend off a potential 95+ masterpiece from a competitor. Its ultimate success hinges on how the rest of the year’s releases shake out.
Read Giovanni Colantonio’s full review of Resident Evil Requiem.
2
Pragmata
The Case for Victory: Capcom is currently riding a wave of immense creative momentum. Pragmata arrives as a breath of fresh air, blending technical stability with a bold, original vision that defied its troubled development cycle to feel completely singular.
The Potential Pitfalls: Leaning more into pure action than narrative-heavy adventure, it misses the genre “sweet spot” often favored by jurors. Furthermore, being released under the same label as Resident Evil Requiem may cannibalize its chances.
Read Austin Manchester’s full review of Pragmata.
3
Pokémon Pokopia
The Case for Victory: Pokopia has captured hearts and dominated critical discourse with its heartwarming execution and unexpected depth. It successfully weaponizes nostalgia to deliver an experience that feels remarkably premium.
The Potential Pitfalls: The Pokémon series has historically failed to secure a GOTY nomination, largely due to a perception that it isn’t “prestige” enough for certain critical circles. Additionally, its life-sim mechanics often struggle to gain traction with the core TGA jury.
Read Giovanni Colantonio’s full review of Pokémon Pokopia.
4
Saros
The Case for Victory: Housemarque remains a darling of the industry. Saros captures the refined, punishing design loop that critics adore, while offering a more accessible entry point than their previous work. Its alignment with Sony’s prestige house style makes it a natural fit for a nomination.
The Potential Pitfalls: The jury previously overlooked Returnal in 2021, and the presence of Marvel’s Wolverine creates a crowded field for Sony. Whether this title can generate the necessary mainstream buzz to overcome its niche roots remains to be seen.
Read Giovanni Colantonio’s full review of Saros.
5
Marathon
The Case for Victory: Despite a rocky launch, Marathon has displayed remarkable staying power. Its atmospheric world-building, high-level refinement, and deep mechanical challenge have won over a devoted core of critics. It has the longevity to remain relevant deep into the awards season.
The Potential Pitfalls: Multiplayer-only titles face an uphill battle for GOTY status. Marathon’s steep barrier to entry could prove too daunting for a jury that typically favors more inclusive single-player experiences.
Read Corey Plante’s impressions of Marathon.
6
Crimson Desert
The Case for Victory: As a sprawling, high-budget action RPG, Crimson Desert fits the classic TGA mold perfectly. It has cultivated a fervent “outsider” following, similar to the path taken by Black Myth: Wukong in 2024, proving that mass-market popularity can often sway the jury.
The Potential Pitfalls: The game’s reception has been lukewarm in critical circles. With a Metascore currently sitting at 77, it lacks the required pedigree for a GOTY nomination—a threshold that has rarely, if ever, been breached by a game with similar design critiques.
Read Marloes Valentina Stella’s full review of Crimson Desert.
GOTY 2026 dark horses
Mewgenics: Edmund McMillen’s darkly comedic tactical breeding sim has been a standout success on PC. If it receives a robust console port, it could become a genuine contender.
Cairn: Eschewing complex mechanics for pure, evocative atmosphere, this mountain-climbing epic offers a grounded, focused experience that resonates with juries looking for something “different.”
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection: This title has quietly become one of the most well-reviewed RPGs of the year and remains a dark horse candidate for Capcom’s triple-threat year.
Nioh 3: While its rollout was quiet, the sheer consistency of the series’ combat mechanics earns it a place in the conversation among critics who value mechanical perfection.
Upcoming GOTY 2026 contenders
Grand Theft Auto 6: The inevitable behemoth of the year; if it survives its precarious proximity to the awards deadline, it is the presumptive favorite.
Control Resonant: Remedy Entertainment is currently batting a thousand, and after the success of Alan Wake 2, they carry immense credibility.
The Blood of Dawnwalker: Coming from the minds behind The Witcher 3, this dark fantasy project has all the hallmarks of a prestige GOTY nominee.
Fable: The reboot of this whimsical series could prove to be a massive draw if it captures the charm of its predecessor while modernizing its core loop.
Marvel’s Wolverine: Insomniac’s ability to deliver high-quality, cinematic blockbusters is second to none, even if licensed games often have to work harder to impress.
Also Keep An Eye On: Slay the Spire 2, Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave, Mixtape, The Duskbloods, Phantom Blade: Zero, Gears of War: E-day, and Forza Horizon 6.
Source: Polygon
