Game Of The Year 2017 The Winner Revealed: The Ultimate Triumph And The Runners-Up
The Game Awards 2017 crowned The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild as the definitive Game of the Year, a decision validated by near-universal critical acclaim and industry impact. This comprehensive analysis dissects the award ceremony, the monumental influence of Breath of the Wild, and the strong contention posed by other titans of the 2017 landscape. From acceptance speeches to market dominance, the narrative of 2017 gaming is defined by a singular masterpiece that redefined open-world design.
The path to the winner began at The Game Awards 2017 ceremony, a star-studded event hosted by Geoff Keighley that blended industry reverence with high-production spectacle. The evening served as a final summing up of a year defined by technical innovation and emotionally resonant storytelling, setting the stage for the announcement that would crystallize the year's best. As the envelope was opened and the iconic logo appeared, the industry and fans alike recognized a consensus choice that had been building for months.
The ascendancy of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was not a sudden occurrence but the culmination of years of development and a radical reimagining of the franchise. Its Game of the Year victories spanned multiple major award shows throughout the holiday season, reflecting a deep and widespread admiration.
The game’s core innovation was its unparalleled sense of player freedom. Unlike previous Zelda titles with their more guided paths, Breath of the Wild presented a near-complete wilderness where curiosity was the primary engine for progression. This systemic approach to gameplay meant that every player’s journey was unique, defined by their own interactions with the world.
* **Revolutionary Physics and Chemistry Engine:** The game’s intricate layer of simulation allowed for emergent gameplay solutions that developers and journalists had only begun to uncover by launch. Players could manipulate the environment and its rules in ways that created memorable, unscripted moments.
* **Critical Acclaim and Aggregate Scores:** Upon release, the game achieved near-perfect scores from major outlets, with praise directed at its scale, beauty, and inventive design. Publications like IGN and Polygon revised their scoring systems to adequately rate the experience.
* **Commercial Success and Longevity:** The game sold tens of millions of copies, proving that a premium, non-linear experience could achieve blockbuster status in the modern market. Its longevity, with hundreds of hours of main and side content, offered exceptional value.
While The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild dominated the top spot, the competition for Game of the Year in 2017 was fierce and represented the high watermark of narrative and action design. Titles like PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds redefined multiplayer interaction through a battle royale format, while What Remains of Edith Finch offered a poignant, anthology-style exploration of family history.
Super Mario Odyssey captured the vibrant, experimental spirit of platforming, taking players on a globetrotting adventure that was both nostalgic and fresh. PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds sparked the explosive global phenomenon of the battle royale genre, creating an intense, high-stakes experience from a foundation of military simulation mechanics.
The narrative powerhouses of the year also put up a significant challenge. Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice tackled mental health with unprecedented nuance and respect, earning praise from advocacy groups and players alike for its portrayal of psychosis. What Remains of Edith Finch delivered a series of heartbreaking vignettes that explored tragedy and legacy through interactive storytelling, solidifying its place as an artistic triumph.
The industry impact of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild extended far beyond the trophy case, influencing development philosophies across the board. Its success demonstrated the viability of games as vast, systemic playgrounds where players are trusted to find their own solutions. This philosophy has been echoed in subsequent open-world titles and service games seeking to recapture a fraction of its magic.
Developers and industry veterans frequently cite the game as a benchmark for world design and player empowerment. The game’s director, Aonuma, and its team were celebrated for pushing the boundaries of what an interactive world could be. The game’s Director's Commentary, a deep-dive featurette, provided unprecedented insight into the "why" behind the game's design, further cementing its status as a masterwork of game design.
As the statistics and critical reviews were tallied, the conclusion was inescapable. The Game of the Year for 2017 was a game that was both a commercial juggernaut and a critical darling, a rare synthesis of artistic vision and mass appeal. It was a title that players and critics could agree upon, a singular achievement in a year full of memorable experiences. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild didn't just win an award; it defined the landscape of gaming for the year and will be remembered as one of the defining titles of a generation.
