The Horizon Forbidden West all have a strong argument for deserving the prize.
The matter of which games received the most nominations across different categories is a different question entirely though, and one game from this year has come out the clear winner. These are the games that earned themselves nominations across the board for their quality.
11 Tunic - 3 Nominations
Standing as one of the strongest indie games of 2022, Legend of Zelda inspirations on its sleeve.
While its nominations in the Best Indie and Best Indie Debut categories are impressive on their own given it released all the way back in March, it's perhaps its nomination in the Best Action/Adventure category, where it will be up against some of this year's biggest titles, that's the biggest surprise. Fans of the simple but effective indie title will know it's more than deserved, however.
10 Sifu - 3 Nominations
Though a system where dying actually matters, with satisfying action to great effect.
Unsurprisingly, it features in a Best Indie game category that looks fiercely competitive this year but it also vies for a prize in the Best Fighting and Best Action game categories where it will have to beat games like Bayonetta 3 in order to be in with a chance.
9 Neon White - 3 Nominations
Whilst AAA games compete to outdo each other in of scale and ambition, some of the most interesting new ideas can be found in the indie game world. Neon White is the intriguing debut title from the studio Angel Matrix and its gameplay is centered on using playing cards as weapons and to perform special moves whilst completing levels as fast as possible.
What results is a unique cross between a run-and-gun FPS and a puzzle-based platformer, which earned it a nomination in the Best Action category where it truly stands out from the field. It also competes for a prize in the Best Indie and Best Debut Indie categories.
8 Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 - 3 Nominations
The Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 as it has been receiving generally favorable reviews from critics whilst breaking sales records for the franchise.
Thanks to it following the series formula of short but well-executed story campaigns alongside a ton of multiplayer modes, the game has nominations in the Best Action and Best Multiplayer categories. It rounds out its nominations with Best Audio Design, an area that has always been a strength for a series grounded in engrossing combat.
7 Immortality - 3 Nominations
Sam Barlow continues to be a completely unique voice in the indie game genre and Immortality is perhaps his most stunning interactive movie yet. Centered on the mysterious disappearance of movie star Marissa Marcel whose only three films went unreleased, it's up to the player to examine the footage and unwrap exactly what happened.
Anyone unfamiliar with Barlow's work wondering why the game earned so many nominations need look no further than the categories it was nominated in to understand the appeal. Appearing in the Best Game Direction and Best Narrative categories, it's the storytelling that elevates Immortality. Manon Gage's portrayal of the central character isn't overlooked either, earning a Best Performance nomination.
6 Xenoblade Chronicles 3 - 3 Nominations
Showcasing Xenoblade Chronicles 3 delivered on the sweeping narrative and compelling characters that fans have come to expect whilst improving the gameplay in ways that didn't go unnoticed by critics. If not for some stiff competition from the likes of Elden Ring this year, it may have dominated the Best Role-Playing category this year.
It also competes against the FromSoft title in the Game of the Year category but, with the least nominations of any game vying for the top prize, it looks to be a dark horse at best. Of course, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 isn't just a beautiful game, it's one with an amazing soundtrack too, which is why lead composer Yasunori Mitsuda appears in the Best Score and Music category.
5 A Plague Tale: Requiem - 5 Nominations
Aside from A Plague Tale: Innocence, the game updates and expands on the gameplay while deepening the central relationship between Hugo and Amicia more than ever before.
That's helped in no small part by Charlotte McBurney's portrayal of the latter, which earned a nomination in the Best Performance category, and a darkly engrossing story that earns it one for Best Narrative. Composer Olivier Deriviere also appears in the Best Score and Music category whilst its achievements are rounded off by a Best Action/Adventure nomination.
4 Stray - 6 Nominations
It's fair to call Stray the surprise hit of 2022 after its unique concept that sees the player controlling a cat as they navigate and explore a strange dystopian world immediately caught the attention of the world this summer. Though many were impressed by its creativity and the game's attention to detail, 6 nominations is still an outstanding achievement.
It managed to do this by being the only game to appear in both the Game of the Year category and both indie game categories thanks to being the debut title of the French studio BlueTwelve. Stray also features in the Best Action/Adventure category while its direction and cyberpunk art design earned the game its two final nominations.
3 Horizon Forbidden West - 7 Nominations
Though God of War Ragnarök is naturally getting more attention as its massive release is still fresh in the minds of many fans, there was another huge PlayStation exclusive out this year that hasn't been neglected by the Game Awards. With a larger map and more varied quests than its predecessor, Horizon Forbidden West wowed critics and fans alike.
It's a visually stunning game and that's reflected in its nominations in the Best Game Direction and Best Art Direction categories whilst its audio design didn't let it down either. It might not win in fiercely competitive categories like Best Narrative, Best Action/Adventure, and the grand prize but Ashly Burch seems like a strong choice in Best Performance after once again killing it as Aloy.
2 Elden Ring - 7 Nominations
Though many still think FromSoft's massive action RPG from the minds of veteran Hidetaka Miyazaki and fantasy writer George R. R. Martin is a shoo-in for Game of the Year after it more than lived up to the hype, it might not necessarily sweep the Game Awards as much as some may have predicted, with only 7 nominations.
Unsurprisingly, its deep and notoriously difficult gameplay means a nomination in the Best Role-Playing category but it also earns nominations for its expert game direction, its sparsely-told narrative, its sound design, and its breathtaking art direction. Composer Tsukasa Saitoh picks up Elden Ring's final nomination in the Score and Music category.
