Hey everyone, can you believe it's already 2026? Time flies, but the echoes of some legendary game releases still resonate, especially when we look back at award seasons. Today, I'm diving deep into that one BAFTA Games Awards ceremony that truly made history. Remember the year The Last of Us Part II absolutely shattered records? It wasn't just a win; it was a statement. The game received a staggering thirteen BAFTA nominations, the most any game had ever received in the history of the awards! Now, that's what I call setting the bar.

And get this, Sony's dominance was simply unreal. It wasn't just Naughty Dog's masterpiece stealing the show. Look at the lineup: Ghost of Tsushima with ten nominations, Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales with seven, Dreams with six, and even Sackboy: A Big Adventure grabbed four. It felt like a Sony exclusive showcase, honestly. The ceremony, hosted by the awesome Elle Osili-Wood, was streamed live, and the energy was electric knowing we were witnessing a record-breaking moment. The previous record holders, Control and Death Stranding with eleven nods, were officially dethroned. This year also introduced the EE Game of the Year Award, voted entirely by us, the players! The nominees were a powerhouse list: Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Call of Duty: Warzone, Ghost of Tsushima, Hades, The Last of Us Part II, and Valorant. How cool is it that our votes directly decided one of the biggest awards?

Let's break down some of the key categories and the fierce competition, shall we?

🏆 The Battle for Best Game

This category was stacked with absolute bangers. The nominees alone are a who's who of modern classics:

  • Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Nintendo) - Our pandemic sanctuary!

  • Ghost of Tsushima (Sucker Punch) - A breathtaking samurai epic.

  • Hades (Supergiant Games) - The rogue-like that perfected its formula.

  • Half-Life: Alyx (Valve) - VR gaming redefined.

  • Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales (Insomniac) - Swinging with style and heart.

  • The Last of Us Part II (Naughty Dog) - The record-breaking contender.

Talk about an impossible choice! Each game brought something unique to the table, from cozy life simulation to groundbreaking virtual reality.

🎨 Artistic & Technical Mastery

When it came to visuals and tech, the competition was just as intense.

Artistic Achievement saw the stunning world of Ghost of Tsushima face off against the atmospheric Hades, the ambitious Cyberpunk 2077, and the creative sandbox of Dreams. And of course, The Last of Us Part II's meticulously crafted, post-apocalyptic detail was in the mix.

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The haunting beauty of Seattle in The Last of Us Part II was a nominee for Artistic Achievement.

Technical Achievement was another battlefield. We had the flawless next-gen remake of Demon's Souls, the relentless optimization of Doom Eternal, the incredible creation engine of Dreams, the mind-blowing realism of Microsoft Flight Simulator, and the seamless NYC traversal in Spider-Man: Miles Morales. Pitting these engineering marvels against each other? Brutal!

🎭 Performance & Narrative Powerhouses

The acting categories were fire! The Leading Role category was a clash of titans:

Performer Role (Game)
Ashley Johnson Ellie (The Last of Us Part II)
Cherami Leigh Female V (Cyberpunk 2077)
Cody Christian Cloud Strife (FFVII Remake)
Daisuke Tsuji Jin Sakai (Ghost of Tsushima)
Laura Bailey Abby (The Last of Us Part II)
Nadji Jeter Miles Morales (Spider-Man: Miles Morales)

And the Supporting Role category? Don't even get me started! Logan Cunningham voicing like half the cast of Hades, Troy Baker returning as Joel, and Jeffrey Pierce as Tommy... the talent was overflowing.

For Narrative, games like Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Cyberpunk 2077, and Kentucky Route Zero brought their complex stories, but they were up against the deeply personal journeys in Ghost of Tsushima, Hades, and The Last of Us Part II. Writing in games has never been better.

🇬🇧 Celebrating British Talent

I love that BAFTA has a dedicated British Game category. It's awesome to see homegrown talent shine:

  • Dreams (Media Molecule) - A universe of player creativity.

  • F1 2020 (Codemasters) - Peak racing simulation.

  • Fall Guys (Mediatonic) - Chaotic, colorful fun for everyone.

  • Röki (Polygon Treehouse) - A beautiful narrative adventure.

  • Sackboy: A Big Adventure (Sumo Digital) - Charming 3D platforming.

  • The Last Campfire (Hello Games) - A poignant, puzzle-filled quest.

🎵 Music to Our Ears

The Music category was a straight-up concert. You had the epic, sweeping scores of Ghost of Tsushima and The Last of Us Part II, the funky, energetic beats of Spider-Man: Miles Morales, the magical themes of Ori and the Will of the Wisps, and the atmospheric, godly tunes of Hades. Each soundtrack is an absolute masterpiece on its own.

🎮 The People's Choice: EE Game of the Year

This was the wildcard! Chosen by a panel but decided by public vote, this award truly belonged to the community. The shortlist had something for everyone:

  • 🏝️ Animal Crossing: New Horizons - The ultimate social sim.

  • 🔫 Call of Duty: Warzone - The battle royale phenomenon.

  • ⚔️ Ghost of Tsushima - The critical darling.

  • ⚡ Hades - The indie superstar.

  • 🧟 The Last of Us Part II - The narrative heavyweight.

  • 💥 Valorant - The tactical shooter sensation.

Which one did you vote for? This category proved that player love doesn't always align with critical acclaim, and that's what makes it so exciting!

Looking back from 2026, that BAFTA ceremony really was a snapshot of an incredible era in gaming. It celebrated technical prowess, artistic vision, powerful storytelling, and pure fun. Sony's first-party studios were operating at their peak, and indies like Hades stood tall among giants. It makes you wonder, what will the next record-breaking game be? Until then, we'll always have these legendary nominees to look back on and replay. What was your favorite game from that legendary lineup? Let me know in the comments! 👇