I was quite surprised to see E33 get as honored as it did. At this rate it will likely end up having the highest consensus for GotY since Elden Ring (and maybe even surpass that mark).

The cynic in me thinks the media got wrapped up in the studio's narrative, and, yes, it is a nice story in a very anxious time for the industry. But I'm not used to seeing games this unpolished get Game of the Year awards. Much of the UI is barely out of the prototype stage, and the story's issues late in the game are clearly the product of a first-time director and scenarist. I do think Sandfall's next game will do a lot better in these areas in their next game; I just have a hard time believing this is the best product the industry had to offer this year.