Featured Image Credit: Pearl Abyss/Dovetail Games/The Pokémon Company
Topics: Crimson Desert, Pokemon, Xbox, PlayStation, PC, The Game Awards
Topics: Crimson Desert, Pokemon, Xbox, PlayStation, PC, The Game Awards
Crimson Desert is already being hailed as a potential Game of the Year winner, as is Pokémon Pokopia.
But how can either of these games be considered for this year’s Game Awards when neither of them were the best game to release in March?
Both games are excellent in their own regard, with Crimson Desert being an open-world marvel that could rival The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on a good day. Then we have Pokemon Pokopia, a spin-off that’s taken over lives whilst proving variety really is the spice of life when it comes to tried and tested franchises.
In a way it’s a shame to see such a brilliant pair pushed to the side by a superior title, but like a bullet train going at top speed, Thomas & Friends: Wonders Of Sodor just can’t be stopped.
Gamers looking for an open-world worth exploring shouldn’t be looking at Crimson Desert’s Pywel, they should be looking at Sodor instead.
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Featuring several iconic locations from the Thomas & Friends TV series, players can spend over 100 hours racing up and down the tracks as their favourite engines.
Sure the game’s roster doesn’t beat Pokemon Pokopia’s 300+ Pokemon but quantity doesn’t always equal quality, and unlike Pokopia all of your options are available from the start. You wouldn’t catch a train like Thomas hiding in a bush looking for a place to stay, because he already lives in a train shed.
Perhaps you’ll now argue that Crimson Desert lets you ride a dragon when getting from A to B, but could a dragon beat an engine like Gordon in a race? Doubtful.
Thomas & Friends: Wonders Of Sodor also boasts a variety of modes for players to occupy their time with.
You can relive some of the classic tales told in the TV series, choose from a wide variety of timetables belonging to different trains, or take the fun to free roam and explore at your pace. You can even hop off your current train and wander around on foot, which you’ll need to do to find the game’s many collectibles.
All of this takes place on the wonderful island of Sodor, which has been lovingly and gorgeously recreated with modern-day graphics. There’s even dynamic weather to keep every train ride interesting.
Why subject yourself to the tense affairs of continental war, or the monumental task of building a bustling Pokémon civilisation when you can instead just kick back, haul some carriages and take in some scenic sights.
Thomas & Friends: Wonders of Sodor is leagues ahead of both Crimson Desert and Pokemon Pokopia, and is the only game worth considering for Game of the Year 2026.