The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) has announced the winners of the 25th Annual D.I.C.E. (Design, Innovate, Communicate, Entertain) Awards for best games of 2021.

It Takes Two, a cooperative platforming journey where players control a couple going through a divorce that takes a fantastical turn, was named the Game of the Year at a ceremony held in Las Vegas

The Academy membership voted awards in 23 categories. Rachet & Clank: Rift Apart led the field, winning four awards.

The night honored multiple industry leaders, including Ed Boon (NetherRealm Studios), who was the 2022 Hall of Fame inductee, and Phil Spencer (Microsoft Gaming), who received the Lifetime Achievement Award. 

The complete list of winners is below:

GAME OF THE YEAR

• It Takes Two 

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN GAME DIRECTION

• Deathloop 

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN GAME DESIGN

• It Takes Two 

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN ANIMATION

• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart 

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN ART DIRECTION

• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart 

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN CHARACTER

• Resident Evil Village – Lady Dimitrescu 

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN ORIGINAL MUSIC COMPOSITION

• Returnal 

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN AUDIO DESIGN

• Returnal 

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN STORY

• Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy 

OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT

• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart 

ACTION GAME OF THE YEAR

• Halo Infinite 

ADVENTURE GAME OF THE YEAR

• Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy 

FAMILY GAME OF THE YEAR

• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart 

FIGHTING GAME OF THE YEAR

• GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE- 

RACING GAME OF THE YEAR

• Forza Horizon 5 

ROLE-PLAYING GAME OF THE YEAR

• Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker 

SPORTS GAME OF THE YEAR

• Mario Golf: Super Rush 

STRATEGY/SIMULATION GAME OF THE YEAR

• Age of Empires IV 

ONLINE GAME OF THE YEAR

• Halo Infinite 

IMMERSIVE REALITY TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT

• Lone Echo II 

IMMERSIVE REALITY GAME OF THE YEAR

• Lone Echo II 

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT FOR AN INDEPENDENT GAME 

• Unpacking 

MOBILE GAME OF THE YEAR

• Pokémon UNITE