Last of Us 2 leads Bafta Games Awards nominations

  • Published
Related Topics
Joel in The Last of Us 2Image source, Sony
Image caption,

Last of Us 2 has been nominated for a number of awards including best game

With a record-breaking 13 nominations, The Last of Us 2 leads the field at the Bafta Games Awards.

It's the most nominations any game has received in the awards' history, beating last year's record of 11 by two titles: Control and Death Stranding.

Ghost of Tsushima, an action-adventure game, also received 10 nominations, including for best game and multiplayer.

The winners will be announced on 25 March.

The awards will again be held online, a year on from being the first major awards to be held virtually.

This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post by BAFTA Games

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post by BAFTA Games

In addition to its 13 nominations, The Last of Us 2 is also up for a new award - EE Game of the Year, which is the only category to be voted for by the public.

The Bafta Games Awards has been recognising achievements in the gaming industry for more than a decade.

And while there might not be a traditional red carpet, champagne reception or live audience, organisers will be hoping to retain some of the magic of a live event.

Analysis by Steffan Powell, Newsbeat's gaming reporter

On paper it might be a surprise that a game set in the midst of a world altering global pandemic became so successful in 2020. Not much escapism in that.

It's less of a surprise to anyone who's played The Last of Us Part 2.

The shock would have been if the game did not dominate the BAFTA nominations.

It's already won big at the 2020 Game awards and was crowned BBC Sounds podcast Press X to Continue's game of 2020.

Despite controversies over its depiction of violence, divisive plot twists and character portrayals (dancing very carefully around spoilers here) the title had an overwhelmingly positive reaction from players and critics.

The praise for its storytelling, diverse cast and sheer jaw-dropping emotional moments have also clearly won the BAFTA nominations panel over.

Usually a place where independent games thrive - this year the awards look like they could be dominated by PlayStation exclusives made by big studios.

Not only does The Last of Us Part 2 have the most nominations for in history, but other PS only titles like Ghost of Tsushima (10), Spiderman: Miles Morales (7) and Dreams (6) have landed a hatful of nominations too.

Bafta has announced the show will be a 90-minute online live stream, hosted by presenter and journalist Elle Osili-Wood.

See the full list of nominees here, external.

Follow Newsbeat on Instagram, external, Facebook, external, Twitter, external and YouTube, external.

Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here.

Related Topics