Forget The Oscars—Here Are the Big Wins from the BAFTA Game Awards

Returnal took out the top spot and Aussie developers won big.

The BAFTA Game Awards were broadcast this morning and it was free of public violence, and full of well-deserved recognition of the best games from 2021.

Not only do the BAFTA Game Awards recognise the games in-and-of themselves, but the talent who made them—including sound designers, voice actors and artists. There’s a whole ecosystem in the gaming industry of people working hard to create incredible art.

Aussies won big at the Awards, with home-grown developers Witch Beam and Beethoven & Dinosaur taking some trophies home for Unpacking and The Artful Escape respectfully.

If you’re deciding what game to buy next, this list probably isn’t a bad place to start.

Best Game: Returnal.

Developed by Housemarque, the game that took out the top spot has been praised for its incredible visuals and combat.

Returnal is a third-person shooter game available on PlayStation 5 which follows Selene, an Astra scout who gets trapped in a time loop on the planet Atropos. It’s nightmarish, heart-pounding, brutal, and well-deserved of the award.

EE Game of the Year: Unpacking.

Put to the public, the Game of the Year was Unpacking by Aussie developers, Witch Beam.

Self-described as a “zen puzzle game about unpacking a life”, it’s a gorgeous and delightful game available on PC, Xbox and Nintendo Switch.

Credit: Unpacking

Artistic Achievement: The Artful Escape.

Another Australian win! The Artful Escape is a platform video game developed by Beethoven & Dinosaur for Microsoft.

It’s rock ‘n’ roll mixed with sci-fi and has been called “psychedelic perfection”.

The Artful Escape is one the best games I have ever played pic.twitter.com/M0fmrrL9te

— Nathan Paul Dosdos (@thehumanpanda22) April 6, 2022

Debut Game: TOEM.

Imagine making your first video game and it wins a BAFTA. And what’s more—it’s all hand-drawn, too!

TOEM was developed by Something We Made and takes you on a photographer’s expedition through the magical landscape.

Multiplayer: It Takes Two.

Beating out Call of Duty: Vanguard, the twee game by Hazelight Studios is bringing back co-op games, and people are excited about it.

If you’re wanting to chill on the couch with your best mate, interact with a zany world and take part in mini adventures, this is for you.

Finally finished the gem that is It Takes Two - what an incredible co-op experience! 🥲 please play this game with your partner or close friend, the mini games are top tier too! pic.twitter.com/4bS4MDrfrs

— Gabby Nu 💖 (@xGabbyNu) April 7, 2022

Let the BAFTA Game Awards be a reminder of the insane amount of work that goes into game design. They’re the real MVP’s!

Header Image: Returnal via PlayStation (edited).