The Game Critics Awards are the annual ones from E3 that have impressed the premier North American game critics, reviewers and reporters. Publishers love them; they’re great marketing fodder and a Games Critic Awards win always looks great on a box. This year, 2K and Turtle Rock’s Evolve heads up the nominations, which is neat as it was one of our picks for the best of the show.
“Each year the Game Critics Awards present its Best of E3 Awards. These awards recognize the games that will shape the future of interactive entertainment, as demonstrated via hands-on playable form at the E3 Expo in Los Angeles, CA. This year’s E3 was held June 10-12, 2014. “
Evolve leads with six nominations, followed closely by Destiny and Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege with four nominations each. Here’s what else got nominated.
Best of Show
- Alien: Isolation (Creative Assembly/Sega)
- Batman: Arkham Knight (Rocksteady/WBIE)
- Evolve (Turtle Rock/2K Games)
- Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor (Monolith/WBIE)
- No Man’s Sky (Hello Games)
- Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege (Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft)
Best Original Game
- Destiny (Bungie/Activision)
- Evolve (Turtle Rock/2K Games)
- No Man’s Sky (Hello Games)
- Splatoon (Nintendo EAD/Nintendo)
- Sunset Overdrive (Insomniac/Microsoft Studios)
Best Console Game
- Alien: Isolation (Creative Assembly/Sega)
- Batman: Arkham Knight (Rocksteady/WBIE)
- Destiny (Bungie/Activision)
- Evolve (Turtle Rock/2K Games)
- Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor (Monolith/WBIE)
Best Handheld Game
- Murasaki Baby (Ovosonico/Sony Computer Entertainment)
- Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth (Atlus/Atlus)
- Super Smash Bros. for 3DS (Sora/Namco-Bandai/Nintendo)
- Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call (Square-Enix/Square-Enix)
Best PC Game
- Civilization: Beyond Earth (Firaxis/2K Games)
- Dragon Age: Inquisition (Bioware/EA)
- Evolve (Turtle Rock/2K Games)
- Far Cry 4 (Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft)
- Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege (Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft)
Best Hardware
- Alienware Alpha (Alienware)
- Oculus Rift (Oculus VR)
- PlayStation TV (Sony Computer Entertainment)
- Project Morpheus (Sony Computer Entertainment)
Best Action Game
- Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (Sledgehammer Games/Activision)
- Destiny (Bungie/Activision)
- Evolve (Turtle Rock/2K Games)
- Far Cry 4 (Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft)
- Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege (Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft)
Best Action/Adventure Game
- Alien: Isolation (Creative Assembly/Sega)
- Assassin’s Creed Unity (Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft)
- Batman: Arkham Knight (Rocksteady/WBIE)
- Sunset Overdrive (Insomniac/Microsoft Studios)
- The Order: 1886 (Ready at Dawn/Sony Computer Entertainment)
Best RPG
- Bloodborne (From Software/Sony Computer Entertainment)
- Dragon Age: Inquisition (Bioware/EA)
- Fable Legends (Lionhead/Microsoft Studios)
- Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor (Monolith/WBIE)
- Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth (Atlus/Atlus)
Best Fighting Game
- Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN- (Arc System Works/Aksys Games)
- Killer Instinct Season 2 (Iron Galaxy Studios/Microsoft Studios)
- Mortal Kombat X (NetherRealm Studios/WBIE)
- Persona 4 Arena Ultimax (Arc System Works/Atlus)
- Super Smash Bros Wii-U (Sora/Namco-Bandai/Nintendo)
Best Racing Game
- Driveclub (Evolution/Sony Computer Entertainment)
- Forza Horizon 2 (Playground Games/Microsoft Studios)
- The Crew (Ivory Tower/Reflections/Ubisoft)
Best Sports Game
- FIFA 15 (EA Canada/EA Sports)
- NHL 15 (EA Canada/EA Sports)
- Madden NFL 15 (Tiburon/EA Sports)
Best Strategy Game
- Civilization: Beyond Earth (Firaxis/2K Games)
- Grey Goo (Petroglyph/Grey Box)
Best Social/Casual
- Disney Infinity 2.0: Marvel Super Heroes (Avalanche/Disney Interactive)
- Fantasia: Music Evolved (Harmonix/Disney Interactive)
- Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham (TT Games/WBIE)
- Mario Maker (Nintendo EAD/Nintendo)
- Yoshi’s Woolly World (Good-Feel/Nintendo)
Best Online Multiplayer
- Battlefield: Hardline (Visceral/EA)
- Destiny (Bungie/Activision)
- Evolve (Turtle Rock/2K Games)
- Splatoon (Nintendo EAD/Nintendo)
- Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege (Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft)
Best Indie
- Axiom Verge (Tom Happ)
- CounterSpy (Dynamighty)
- Below (Capy Games)
- No Man’s Sky (Hello Games)
- Ori and the Blind Forest (Moon Game Studio)
What do you think of the choices? What games do you think were the best shown at E3? Winners will be announced on July 1. Marketing and PR staff are already excited.
Last Updated: June 25, 2014
Liquid Kaz (Umar)
June 25, 2014 at 14:02
Best RPG
Persona Q
Hell yes!!!
But….Not Xenoblade Chronicles X but Fable Legends (Lionhead/Microsoft Studios)???……..Sad
Admiral Chief Cyber Commando
June 25, 2014 at 14:03
I’m hoping Evolve does well. Really seems like a kickass game!
UNLEASH THE KRAKEN!!!
Kensei Seraph
June 25, 2014 at 14:07
I am disappointed that only 2 games were nominated for Best Strategy Game.
oVg FX
June 25, 2014 at 15:04
Too much brain power in an instant gratification gaming age.
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 25, 2014 at 14:07
At the risk of sounding biased… no Witcher 3 anywhere? O_O
Kensei Seraph
June 25, 2014 at 14:08
It’s not fair on the other games if Witcher 3 wins everything.
Admiral Chief Cyber Commando
June 25, 2014 at 14:08
XDXDXD
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 25, 2014 at 14:21
I understand now, they’re all getting participation medals.
Admiral Chief Cyber Commando
June 25, 2014 at 14:24
Console-a-tion prizes
😛
Kensei Seraph
June 25, 2014 at 14:34
Heh. 🙂
Admiral Chief Cyber Commando
June 25, 2014 at 14:09
Now that you mention it….
Although Kensei hit the nail on the head below
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
June 25, 2014 at 14:58
Only playable games are considered.
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 25, 2014 at 15:10
Ah okay.
FoxOneZA
June 25, 2014 at 16:19
Gameplay shown off only behind closed doors shouldn’t be considered.
Brian Murphy
June 25, 2014 at 16:26
If we’re talking about Gamescom then I agree, but E3 is closed to the public anyway, so there’s no reason to expect everything shown to the critics/reviewers/bloggers will be made available to the public (who don’t vote in this case either). If the event’s open to the public though (ala Gamescom) and the voting is done by the public, then only games that the public had access to should be applicable.
Viking Of GabeN
June 25, 2014 at 14:10
So how much does one of these awards cost this year? Seems 2K has a lot of money laying around after GTAV…
Also…. with Only a teaser and nothing else for Bloodborne, is it even clear that it IS an rpg?
Brian Murphy
June 25, 2014 at 14:55
There was a demo at E3, the public only saw the trailer. The critics, reviewers etc… got to see it.
Ryanza
June 25, 2014 at 14:26
Best of Show – The Witcher 3. Close second Batman AK
Best Original Game – The Witcher 3. Close second Destiny
Best Console Game – The Witcher 3. Close second Batman AK
Best PC Game – The Witcher 3. Close second none.
Best Action Game – The Witcher 3. Close second Far Cry 4
Best Action/Adventure Game – The Witcher 3. Close second Batman AK
Best RPG – The Witcher 3. Close second Bloodborne
Best Fighting Game – The Witcher 3. Close second Mortal Kombat X
Best Racing Game – The Witcher 3 horse racing. Close second Forza
Best Strategy Game – The Witcher 3. Close second Civilization
Best Social/Casual Game – The Witcher 3. Close second Lego Batman
Best Indie game – The Witcher 3, Close second Ori and the Blind Forest
So it looks like The Witcher 3 won.
Support NON DRM games.
Rince&exhale
June 25, 2014 at 14:29
So what you are saying is you want Witcher 3 to be a DRM exclusive with day 1 15 gig patch? Why bro? WHY?
Ryanza
June 25, 2014 at 14:31
Well only to those planning on buying the game off of Steam.
oVg FX
June 25, 2014 at 14:29
Just goes to show how out of touch I am with my hobby, because the most exciting news to me was that we are getting a new Tomb Raider after the big budget prequel barley broke even. A master piece at that.
Also it was the first time in gaming history that we saw CGI quality in-game graphics running real time in Uncharted 4.
Kensei Seraph
June 25, 2014 at 14:33
Barley?
http://www.bible-study-lessons.com/images/Barley-1.jpg
oVg FX
June 25, 2014 at 14:34
lol
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 25, 2014 at 14:34
Wow, I’ve trolled him a bit today, but that might just be the last straw.
oVg FX
June 25, 2014 at 14:35
Shhh or Ill give you an earful 😛
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 25, 2014 at 14:37
HAY!
Rince&exhale
June 25, 2014 at 14:52
Poor camel.
oVg FX
June 25, 2014 at 15:03
hump day
Hammersteyn
June 25, 2014 at 14:35
I’m not far behind you in regards with our hobby, luckily booze never changes
oVg FX
June 25, 2014 at 14:38
I always thought that the reason E3 made us all giddy in the 90s was because we knew there would be bomb shells. NEW game reveals. Now its updates on how well the games are doing in their 3-5 year development.
Hammersteyn
June 25, 2014 at 14:40
That’s where COD is clever. Three studios ensures a three year dev cycle ensuring a game every year.
oVg FX
June 25, 2014 at 14:45
2007 will always be the best. Mass Effect, Bioshock, Gears of War, Deadspace, Mirrors Edge, Even COD MW, Project Gotham Racing, Dead or Alive, Final Fantasy Verus XIII LOL
So many new IPs that blew our minds. Is was all about new games.
Kensei Seraph
June 25, 2014 at 14:48
Has FF Versus XII even been released yet?
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 25, 2014 at 14:55
What? All those boring shooters ZZZzzzzZZZzzz
oVg FX
June 25, 2014 at 15:02
Mass Effect had a NEW speech wheel, Gears of War had a new reload and cover system, DEADSPACE had a new HUDless screen, PGR had new car interiors for the first time, Mirrors Edge was FRESH, Dead or Alive was the first 60fps game, COD MW was not a Second World war shooter, Final Fantasy…
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 25, 2014 at 15:07
…
oVg FX
June 25, 2014 at 15:23
…
Hammersteyn
June 25, 2014 at 15:06
XD
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 25, 2014 at 14:43
They revealed practically everything in the run up to the event. Was rather odd I thought. It’s like they don’t have enough confidence in their products that an unexpected reveal will surprise people positively.
oVg FX
June 25, 2014 at 14:47
I think E3 has dated in the age of instant internet information. I would defend it if the public were allowed to get more hands on, but its all for the share holders.
DarthZA
June 25, 2014 at 14:37
Some of those categories, every single game that was at E3 that fills it, is in that category.
HvR - Still dislikes Random.or
June 25, 2014 at 15:17
Looks like winning “Best Strategy Game” award is the same as winning “Most Improved” award in school.
ToshZA
June 25, 2014 at 16:01
Best Sports Game
FIFA 15 (EA Canada/EA Sports)
NHL 15 (EA Canada/EA Sports)
Madden NFL 15 (Tiburon/EA Sports)
Well at least we all know what the problem with sports games is.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
June 25, 2014 at 16:26
I don’t care.. Call of Duty should have won all the categories! (Classic Trolling) lolololololololololol
Brian Murphy
June 25, 2014 at 16:27
I’m kind of bummed that No Man’s Sky didn’t rank higher, I really liked their E3 presentation. The game looks great.