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
Best Strategy Game: XCOM 2
Best Puzzle Game: The Witness
Best Shortform Game: Inside
Best Racing Game: Forza Horizon 3
Best Writing: Firewatch
Best Expansion: The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine
Best Comeback: Doom
Best RPG: Darkest Dungeon
Best Setting: Dark Souls 3
Best Shooter: Titanfall 2
Spirit of the PC: Stardew Valley
Best Multiplayer: Overwatch
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
James Davenport: Thumper
Tom Senior: Total War: Warhammer
Wes Fenlon: Overcooked
Tim Clark: The Elder Scrolls: Legends
Tyler Wilde: Civilization 6
Chris Thursten: Devil Daggers
Joe Donnelly: Kentucky Route Zero Act 4
Shaun Prescott: N++
Tom Marks: Duelyst
Samuel Roberts: Superhot
Andy Kelly: Hitman
Evan Lahti: Arma 3 Apex
Phil Savage: Watch Dogs 2
Past awards
Game of the Year Awards 2015
Game of the Year Awards 2014
Game of the Year Awards 2013
