The Clayton Awards 2023

Game of the Year 2023 – Starfield

I can understand why others may not enjoy Starfield as much as I did, why they may think it dated, but for all its flaws, I still think Starfield is a pretty remarkable game and experience. It’s the kind of game that reminds me why I still love and enjoy playing video games. It’s a one of a kind experience. The kind of game that doesn’t come along very often. A game I’ve already lost myself in for 200 hours and yet, I still want to keep going. There’s a lot more space out there for me to explore. (Full Review)

Most Disappointing Game of 2023 – Sons of the Forest

What I will say in its favour is that the potential is there. It can surpass the original with the right focus and updates. But, right now, I honestly can’t recommend it in its current state. I’d say it’s best to wait for those updates. I wasn’t sure if I should score Sons, given it’s in Early Access. But if they’re selling it, I’d say it’s fair game. I will, however, update this score over time if the game does improve. Let’s hope so, because I really would like to play this again when it’s more complete. (Full Review)

Gallery: Starfield (Part 1)

Now Playing: Scorn

Scorn is a (sort of) horror, (sort of) puzzle and (sort of) action game that I picked up on sale recently. I say it’s ‘sort of’ those things because it’s a little bit of everything but it doesn’t really excel at anything. The reason why I was interested in Scorn and, frankly, why anyone probably will be, is the visuals. Clearly inspired by the art of H. R. Giger, the visuals are the only real standout feature of Scorn, although they’re also not without issue.

I like how the main menu opens immediately into the game. There’s no exposition in Scorn. No cutscenes. The ‘story’ such as it is, is told entirely through the environment and your actions. It’s a story that does leave various aspects to your own interpretation but it provides enough information for you to come away feeling satisfied by the narrative. Well, I did. Others may find it frustratingly obscure.

As you traverse the impressive looking environments you’ll come across various puzzles to solve in order to progress. These are all fine. There’s nothing particularly challenging, but there’s nothing that’s too easy, either. Some require a little trial and error to figure out, but nothing that should annoy.

You’ll also have to fight a few enemies on your way. You can avoid a lot of these, and I’d recommend you do so where you can because the most common enemy you’ll face is of the irritating ‘spit goo at you’ variety which is never fun. There’s a couple more, but nothing very interesting. I do like the weapon / tool design though and how it integrates into the experience.

Your path through the game is entirely linear which does feel like a missed opportunity. The first puzzle, for example, has a couple of different solutions. I thought all the puzzles might offer a couple of different choices on how to proceed but unfortunately not. It’s a shame because doing so might have then resulted in a different outcome or ending based on the choices you made.

But no. After the first puzzle, everything is a linear progression and there’s no alternative ending. Not that I thought the ending was bad, just that an alternative path through the game might have encouraged another play.

Because Scorn, for me, is very much a ‘one and done’ kind of game. It’s short – about 4 hours max – and it has zero replay value. The visuals are great, but the style can grow repetitive in some areas and can result in some confusion when trying to navigate identical winding paths. There’s a strong atmosphere to the world but I never really found it as imposing or intimidating as I think was intended. The puzzles are fine – what few there are – as is the combat – what little there is.

Overall, I’d have to say I did enjoy the experience and I’m glad I played it, but I’m also glad I picked it up on sale. So I would recommend checking out Scorn, but only if you can get it on the cheap. It’s a decent experience which I felt was worth my (4 hours) time.

6/10

The Clayton Awards 2023: GOTY Nominees

It’s that time of the year when everyone gets very excited about Game of the Year awards. And by everyone I mean publishers who want to slap ‘Game X won 200 GOTY awards!’ on the cover of their GOTY editions. Because there’s so damn many GOTY awards these days and all of them are as meaningless as all the rest.

For some reason people think ‘The Game Awards’ is the ‘real’ one because it calls itself ‘The Game Awards’ but the last time I watched it most of the awards were handed out off-screen whilst ads were playing or corporate mascots were dancing in the aisles.

But we all know the truth – the only GOTY award that matters is right here – The Clayton Awards – and this is the 12^th Annual Clayton Awards for the Game of the Year 2023 & The Most Disappointing Game of 2023. No other categories, because I like to keep things simple.

But given how prestigious and sought after the Clayton GOTY Award has become, it seems wrong not to generate hype and anticipation by announcing the nominees in advance. I thought about doing a public poll of which 10% of the vote would count towards the winner but that would be a lie and total nonsense so I won’t. So here they are – the Nominees for the Clayton GOTY Award 2023 -