Hey everyone, it's your veteran gamer here, diving deep into one of the most legendary Game of the Year showdowns in history—Elden Ring versus God of War Ragnarök. Back in 2022, the gaming world held its breath as these two titans clashed at The Game Awards. Four years later, as I'm writing this in 2026, the debate still rages on in subreddits and Discord servers. Was the right game chosen? Let's break it down with the passion and pettiness only a true gamer can muster!
First off, remember the nominees? Stray, Horizon Forbidden West, Xenoblade Chronicles 3, A Plague Tale: Requiem... but all eyes were on the two frontrunners. The pre-release hype alone was palpable. Fans had already drawn battle lines before either title even launched. Now, with the wisdom of hindsight plus thousands of hours sunk into both, let's revisit the key arguments pulled straight from the community.
🗡️ Team Elden Ring: Why It Deserved the Crown
Accessibility and Platform Reach
Let's be real—Elden Ring was everywhere. PlayStation, Xbox, PC, even last-gen consoles. Meanwhile, Ragnarök was locked behind a PS4/PS5 wall. A huge chunk of gamers simply couldn't touch Kratos' latest adventure. This multi-platform dominance meant more players, more votes, and a massive public voice. As Redditor wspartan put it, "I think Elden Ring will take it simply because it is multi-plat, so it will get more of the public vote." And they weren't wrong.
Sheer Amount of Content
I personally logged over 1000 hours in the Lands Between, and I still stumble upon new catacombs or hidden quests. Compare that to Ragnarök, which even 100% completionists wrapped up in about 85 hours. No NG+ at launch? Oof. Elden Ring delivered endless replayability with its multiple endings, PvP, co-op, and that sweet, sweet NG+ cycle. MattTheBold nailed it: "GOW doesn't even have ng+ so I don't have a reason to jump back in."
Freshness and Innovation
Ragnarök is a direct sequel—a glorious one—but it inherits 2018's combat and structure. Elden Ring, however, took the Souls formula and blew it wide open into a sprawling open world. Even FromSoft veterans felt they were playing something new. Redditor duckyduckster2 commented, "2018's was the real game-changer... Elden Ring feels like something special." The sense of discovery, the sheer terror of Caelid, the majesty of Liurnia—it felt revolutionary.
Bringing New Souls to FromSoftware
I've talked to countless gamers who bounced off Dark Souls but fell in love with Elden Ring. It lowered the barrier without sacrificing depth. Doyoulikemyjorts said it perfectly: "They took every element of ER's predecessors and improved upon them." It created a new generation of tarnished. Ragnarök, amazing as it is, mainly pleased existing God of War enthusiasts.
Hype Longevity
Elden Ring dropped in February and dominated the conversation for months. Every other nominee besides Ragnarök kind of came and went. Agent-Vermont observed, "There was a solid 2-3 months where Elden Ring was THE game." That sustained buzz is rare and speaks to how deeply it embedded itself in gamer culture.
🪓 Team Ragnarök: The Case for the Norse Saga
Surpassing Predecessors
Many argue Elden Ring, while incredible, doesn't top Bloodborne or Sekiro. Ragnarök, on the other hand, is widely seen as the pinnacle of its franchise. Emergency-Garage-179's hot take: "GoWR deserves more because it is much better than the previous ones in every way." From setpieces to emotional gut-punches, Ragnarök delivered an experience that left 2018 in the dust.
Organized and Straightforward Quest Design
Look, I love Elden Ring, but tracking quests without a guide is a nightmare. Blind playthroughs? Hope you enjoy missing 80% of NPC storylines. mattv82211 vented, "I had to watch multiple youtube videos to figure out what the heck is going on." Ragnarök respects your time with clear objectives and a journal. No external Wikis required.
Overall Masterful Experience
GOTY isn't just about gameplay—it's about the feeling. Ragnarök's story, performances, and pacing stick with you. SirSwishSteam said, "Not only is it an excellent game, it's a masterful story and overall experience. It will stick with you after completing it." That emotional resonance? Through the roof.
Pacing That Feels Like a Blockbuster
2018's God of War had its slow moments. Ragnarök? A continuous flow of narrative and setpieces. KristyPlatypus described it as "all the side missions kind of line up with the story, and the puzzles just glide into the next scene." It's a perfectly paced journey through the Nine Realms, never overstaying its welcome.
Normal People Can Actually Play It
Elden Ring's sales were massive, but so was its abandonment rate. Many casual gamers bought the hype, got stomped by Margit, and never returned. oopseyecrappedmypants pointed out, "Many people bought ER and got extremely frustrated and put it down." Ragnarök offers difficulty options and a more guided narrative, making it accessible to a broader audience without losing depth.
⚖️ The Verdict from 2026
Looking back, Elden Ring took home the GOTY trophy in 2022, and honestly, I think it was the right call. Not because Ragnarök isn't a masterpiece—it absolutely is—but because Elden Ring represented a leap forward for its genre. It redefined what souls-likes could be and pulled in millions of new fans. Ragnarök perfected the formula, but Elden Ring rewrote it.
However, the true winner was us, the players. We got two of the greatest games of all time in a single year. The debate will rage on, and that's the beauty of this community. Whether you're still exploring the Lands Between or reliving Fimbulwinter, these games have cemented their legacy. What do you think, fellow tarnished and Spartans? Drop your hot takes below—I'll be here, ready to dive into the chaos.
Data and quotes sourced from community discussions on Reddit and SRcdn archives, reflecting the passionate discourse surrounding the 2022 Game Awards.