Shin Megami Tensei V, Tales of Arise, and FFXIV among RPG nominees for The Game Awards 2021

The nominees for The Game Awards 2021 have been revealed, including the titles contending for the best RPG of the year. Games distinctly falling into the genre and other more RPG-adjacent titles also made the cut in multiple categories. 

This year's ceremony once again includes the all-encompassing Best Roleplaying category, described as an award for "the best game designed with rich player character customization and progression, including massively multiplayer experiences." Five games are up for the award: Cyberpunk 2077, Monster Hunter Rise, Scarlet Nexus, Shin Megami Tensei V, and Tales of Arise. Last year, Final Fantasy VII Remake won the title. 

RPGs saw nominations in other areas, too. Keiichi Okabe and his work revisiting the score for Nier Replicant ver.1.22474487139 landed the remaster a nomination for Best Score and Music. Considering the titles in its library, perhaps it's no surprise Nier wasn't the only Square Enix Game up for awards either as Final Fantasy XIV fights for Best Ongoing Game and Best Community Support. Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy is also recognized for Best Score and Music, Narrative, and Action-Adventure Game. 

In some of the ceremony's most important presentations, The Game Awards saw two RPGs make the list for Innovation in Accessibility. Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy picked up another nomination here, while The Vale: Shadow of the Crown—an action-adventure experience designed to be fully blind accessible—will also compete for the honor. In the Games For Impact category, games like Chicory: A Colorful Tale and Boyfriend Dungeon are included. 

Other beloved titles from the year like Fantasian, Sable, and Genshin Impact also saw nominations, but perhaps one of the biggest surprises of 2021 is where the genre didn't see further recognition. There are a couple of games we could argue and stretch for, but overall, games that are distinctly RPG experiences are noticeably absent from awards for direction, narrative, art, audio design, voice-over performance, and—the most sought after—game of the year. 

Voting is open now, and you can make your choices via the official site for The Game Awards 2021. The show will take place on December 9, streaming on Twitch and YouTube. Even if you aren't keen on seeing the winners, the broadcast typically hosts some pretty big announcements, including last year's new trailer for the next Mass Effect game.