It has literally nothing to do with graphics. They aren't even that good, Cyberpunk has RE8 beat in that regard without a doubt.
But RE8 is a really fun good game, with excellent gameplay, cool monsters and bosses, an interesting mystery, a satisfying ending, and no bugs or controversies. Just excellent all around.
I enjoyed Cyberpunk, but it definitely had its issues. I would've voted Metroid Dread for game of the year though, out of the few new games I played last year.
Well it did seem a bit snarky what you said about RE:8, or at least it came across as that with the "clunkiest gameplay" and "but I guess the graphics are nice so GOTY..."
I'm simply genuinely surprised at how many people are gushing for it, I tried playing both of them and they just weren't for me (bare in mind I love the series but ever since they changed to Ethan I simply cannot get back into them).
I came into the new series after playing Alien Isolation, and I expected something similar, what I personally got was some very basic shooting mechanics with really loose mouse aiming and input lag, barely existing survival mechanics and gameplay surrounding them, don't even get me started on the puzzles and a lot of set pieces, all the boss encounters are following a basic design based on a linear set of scripts...
Sure I can see why people like it, it's fun under a certain mind frame and especially if you're not delving deep into survival horror genre and just tippy toeing, this is definitely a decent romp.
As a parallel to relay my thoughts clearer, I find Resident Evil 2 remake a much, much more compelling game all around and I don't recall it winning GOTY left and right or people going nuts over it either (perhaps my memory is failing me).
And like I said, the story... you can't seriously argue that it makes any sense, under any circumstances.
The fact that it was even nominated for story goes to show how poorly this year has done when it comes to heavy hitters.
On a final note, I absolutely loved Halo: Infinite but I cannot get behind it winning any awards, it just doesn't feel complete in any department, similar argument here.
Hope that clears it up, and excuse the snark it's just part of my character, love or hate.
And to be fair, CP77 has some clunky elements too, such as its UI.
Heck to the yeah it does, CDPR are masters of AAA eurojank, but I find the free form gameplay to be simply sublime, it's incredibly fun and I find myself doing similar moves as I was in the new Doom games, wish there was a grapple hook, it's amazing in Halo as well.
