Shannon Smith

Breath of the Wild revolutionized the Zelda series and sandbox gaming in general. Tears of the Kingdom evolves that revolution even further while still paying respects to it's predecessor. Two games, two masterful wonders in exploration and sandbox gaming, two masters in story.

Best MMO I've ever played, best story in gaming for me personally, and Endwalker has cemented the Hydaelyn/Zodiark epic as one of my favorite stories in any entertainment medium. Endwalker has a few story lulls, but the incredible zones, character moments, twists/turns, and highs of the story provide an overall excellent ending to this chapter of FFXIV. One that far exceeded any expectations that I had (which were high after the incredible Shadowbringers expansion). Endwalker not only managed to tell a great story in its own right, but it also elevated every expansion story before it and A Realm Reborn as well. As always, the music in Endwalker itself is a character and deserves its own recognition. Masayoshi Soken and the Sound/Music team have outdone themselves this expansion, adding even more memorable and emotional pieces to an already superb catalog.