What a journey for game developer Josef Fares. After infamously dropping f-bombs and middle-fingers at The Game Awards 2017, the outspoken, energetic developer gave the final winning speech this year after his game, It Takes Two, won Game of the Year.
It was a triumphant moment for Fares and his talented Swedish studio, Hazelight, who have become known for creating compelling, co-op focused games such as 2018’s A Way Out.
It Takes Two tells the story of a separated couple planning divorce, who are magically transformed into dolls due to their daughter unwilling to accept it. The two embark on a journey of discovery using their limited abilities, and must work together to survive.
It Takes Two also one Best Family Game and Best Multiplayer.
Other big winners include Kena: Bridge of Spirits nabbing Best Indie and Best Debut Indie for animation studio Ember Lab. Arkane’s Deathloop won Best Game Direction and Art Direction, while Forza Horizon 5 earned Best Sports/Racing and Innovation in Accessibility.
Of the six Game of the Year nominees, Psychonauts 2 and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart were completely snubbed, despite multiple nominations for each. Metroid Dread won Best Action Adventure and Resident Evil earned a win for Maggie Robertson’s Best Performance as fan-favorite Lady Dimitrescu.
This year’s award show felt bloated, however. With COVID sending many of last year’s big announcements still to come, the new trailers were less thrilling, and the entire show ran for over three hours. It included musical performances by Sting and Imagine Dragons, and several film trailers, including Matrix Resurrection and Sonic the Hedgehog 2.
It Takes Two is available on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. It’s rated T for Teen.
