The Game Awards are just a few weeks away, and in the wake of this week’s nominees announcement, a lot of conversations are happening around games that were excellent, but for whatever reason, did not receive a nomination. But so far, I’ve yet to hear anyone mention one of the biggest snubs this year: Sword of the Sea.
Created by Journey art director Matt Nava’s Giant Squid Studios (ABZÛ, The Pathless), Sword of the Sea earned acclaim from players and critics alike after its launch in August. It’s got an 88 metascore and an 8.5 user score on Metacritic, and player reviews have it sitting at a “very positive” rating on Steam. Sword of the Sea is an emotional, dreamlike adventure with stunning environments, satisfying movement mechanics on par with that of the Skate franchise, a well-designed New Game Plus mode, and yet another breathtaking soundtrack by Austin Wintory (more on that in a bit). But somehow, it wasn’t nominated for a single category at The Game Awards.
When the game launched, there was quite a lot of talk about its jaw-droppingly beautiful environments and stunning visuals. But alas, no nomination for Best Art Direction, Best Score & Music, Best Action/Adventure Game, or for Best Independent Game. And honestly, I think I know why: Hollow Knight: Silksong.
The long-awaited Hollow Knight sequel’s surprise launch was announced on Aug. 21, just days after Sword of the Sea‘s Aug. 19 launch date. Understandably, the internet collectively lost its mind, and suddenly, all anyone could talk about was Silksong. Team Cherry’s sequel has secured nominations for all of the previously mentioned categories and Game of the Year.
I’ll admit I’m not a big Hollow Knight person. I see the appeal, but it’s just not for me. There are only five or six nominees per category at The Game Awards, and the bottom line is that there just isn’t room for every game to get a nomination, no matter how much it deserves one. Still, it’s hard not to feel like Sword of the Sea was robbed, especially when it comes to the Best Art Direction and Best Score & Music. Like Sword of the Sea, Silksong is a beautiful game with an impressive soundtrack. And both are atmospheric adventures that can send players into a flow state. Yet Silksong has enjoyed far more press coverage than Sword of the Sea, so it’s easy to see how members of The Game Awards’ voting body might have simply forgotten about Giant Squid’s beautiful game given all the attention surrounding Silksong.
But at the end of the day, Sword of the Sea has something Silksong doesn’t: a Grammy nomination. Obviously, the Grammys and The Game Awards are two very different awards shows, but I still find it bizarre (and more than a little disappointing) that Sword of the Sea’s ethereal-yet-catchy music is being recognized more outside of the gaming world than within it.
