2015 is over for another year, and what a show it’s been. As we pack our bags and head back home, we’re left with a tough decision: which games deserve our coveted awards this year?
Winner: Unravel
This charming surprise during EA’s press conference charmed our hearts when we saw its adorable star Yarny exploring the stunning variety of environments around him. Amidst EA’s usual bombastic and aggressive lineup of action and sports, Unravel stood out with its slow but gorgeous trailer filled with sweeping piano and orchestral music. One can’t help but feel warm joy while watching Yarny smoothly hop, slide, fly, and swing as he re-connects people to their loving memories.
Unravel’s creative director Martin Sahlin arrived on-stage, carrying a real-life Yarny he made to help himself conceptualize the game while on a family trip. The massive screens usually reserved for explosive violence or virtual athletic feats now showed pictures Sahlin took while playing with Yarny in the forest two summers ago.
During the presentation, Unravel’s creator was visibly shaking with nervousness while standing in front of the thousands watching around the world. We couldn’t help but be taken in by his genuine passion and sincerity while he explained the puzzle-platformer’s origins and creative goals.
"We [game developers] should try to do more than just entertain. Unravel was created in that spirit. It was born out of the need to make something more personal, something with a heart."
Unravel looks to be a beautiful and emotional journey we absolutely cannot wait to embark on.
Honorable mention: Ratchet & Clank