We debated, we argued, we scuffled (actually it was a pleasant conference call), and we've come to a consensus: these are our favorite games of 2016. Every day we'll be posting a new 2016 award—as well as an individual staff pick—until we've celebrated all the best this year gave us.
As usual, we've started with our overall Game of the Year. No suspense here: the PC Gamer staff, as a whole, enjoyed Dishonored 2 the most this year. But there are many more games to celebrate, and we'll be updating this hub with each new award throughout the rest of December.
The awards
Game of the Year 2016: Dishonored 2 (opens in new tab)
Best Strategy Game: XCOM 2 (opens in new tab)
Best Puzzle Game: The Witness
(opens in new tab)Best Shortform Game: Inside (opens in new tab)
Best Racing Game: Forza Horizon 3 (opens in new tab)
Best Writing: Firewatch (opens in new tab)
Best Expansion: The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine (opens in new tab)
Best Comeback: Doom (opens in new tab)
Best RPG: Darkest Dungeon (opens in new tab)
Best Setting: Dark Souls 3 (opens in new tab)
Best Shooter: Titanfall 2 (opens in new tab)
Spirit of the PC: Stardew Valley (opens in new tab)
Best Multiplayer: Overwatch (opens in new tab)
Staff picks
These games didn't quite make it into our main awards—there can only be one 'best RPG,' after all—but they still deserve celebrating. Each of our GOTY voters has chosen one game of 2016 to highlight as their personal staff pick for the year. We'll be posting new picks throughout the rest of December along with the primary awards above.
Chris Livingston: Duskers (opens in new tab)
James Davenport: Thumper (opens in new tab)
Tom Senior: Total War: Warhammer (opens in new tab)
Wes Fenlon: Overcooked (opens in new tab)
Tim Clark: The Elder Scrolls: Legends (opens in new tab)
Tyler Wilde: Civilization 6 (opens in new tab)
Chris Thursten: Devil Daggers (opens in new tab)
Joe Donnelly: Kentucky Route Zero Act 4 (opens in new tab)
Shaun Prescott: N++ (opens in new tab)
Tom Marks: Duelyst (opens in new tab)
Samuel Roberts: Superhot (opens in new tab)
Andy Kelly: Hitman (opens in new tab)
Evan Lahti: Arma 3 Apex (opens in new tab)
Phil Savage: Watch Dogs 2 (opens in new tab)
Past awards
Game of the Year Awards 2015
Game of the Year Awards 2014
Game of the Year Awards 2013
