Every year I like to give out unofficial awards to the IFComp games both to say thanks to the authors for making them and to help others find things they like.
So, here we go!
*OVER*: Biggest family drama
3XXX: NAKED HUMAN BOMBS: Best censorship method
Anne of Green Cables: Best CanadaPunk Game
Backpackward: Coolest UI
The Breakup Game: Most sympathetic narrator
The Burger Meme Personality Test: Most depressingly realistic job application
By All Reasonable Knowledge: Room that most strangely reminds me of my childhood bedroom
Cart: Heaviest game
Clickbait: Favorite Surreal Game on a Train of the competition
A Conversation in a Dark Room Most chemistry between two lead characters, one of which is more than meets the eye, mostly taking place underground
Crescent Sea Story Best flashbacks
A Day in a Hell Corp Most gluttonous
Dead Sea Best afterlife
Detritus Most disturbing use case for recycling
Eight Last Signs in the Desert Most surreal
Errand Run Worst grocery store Iâve ever been to (Yelp score 1/5)
Escape the Pale Saddest realism
Fable Best chemistry between 3 leads (and a fourth wheel), one of which is more than meets the eye, taking place mostly on the ground
Fantasy Opera: Mischief at the Masquerade Absolute best opera references
Fascism - Off Topic Best non-surreal game on a train of the year
Fired: Best revenge fantasy
Frankenfingers Most optimistic game about the illicit use of dead bodies
Grove of Bones Least optimistic game about the illicit use of dead bodies
HEN AP PRAT GETS SMACKED IN THE TWAT Most unlikely threequel
High On Grief Coolest ending loop format
Hobbiton Recall Most unexpected use of toothpaste
Horse Whisperer Most implied bestiality
Imperial Throne Most bureaucratic
INPUT PROCESS Best relationship drama
The Island Of Rhynin Nice stats display
Just Two Wishes Most dialogue lines spoken by Donald Trump
The Kidnapping of a Tokyo Game Developer Best sewers
Lady Thalia and the Case of Clephan Best tag-team MCs
Let Me Play! Best game that makes you say its name
The Litchfield Mystery Best forensics
The Little Four Best homage
Monkeys and Car Keys Best slapstick
Moon Logic Best use of animal droppings
Mooncrash! Best agency
Mr. Beaver Strangest aquarium
A murder of Crows Best murder-named game with multiple not-fully human protagonists with no murder attempts
Murderworld Best murder-named game with multiple not-fully human protagonists and with murder attempts
My creation Best representation of the horror of early parenthood
Not so Happy Easter 2025 Most unusual definition of âeggâ
The Olive Tree Cleanest-looking UI
One Step Ahead Reminds me the Most of My Students Award
Operative Nine: Best hacking minigames
The Path of Totality: Best solar eclipse watch party
Penny Nichols, Troubleshooter: Best write-your-own adventure
Penthesileia: Best classic sci-fi
Pharaohsâ Heir: Most narrator shenanigans
Pharos Fidelis: Best chemistry between two characters, one of which is more than meets the eye, taking place mostly above the ground
Phobos: A Galaxy Jones Story: Best Gimmicks (translation, multiple endings, etc.)
The Promises of Mars: Best environmentalism
PURE: Most raw
Rain Check-in: Coolest lock puzzle
The Reliquary of Epiphanius Most polished
Retrograding: Most different paths
A Rockâs Tale: Most endings
Saltwrack: Greatest journey
The Secrets of Sylvan Gardens: Most healings
The Semantagicianâs Assistant: Most unusual zodiac use
Slated For Demolition: Most real
A SmörgÄsbord of Pain: Funniest foodfight
Space Mission: 2045: Most elusive
The Tempest of Baraqiel: Most cinematic-feeling (maybe it just reminds me of Arrival)
Temptation in the Village: Most Kafka-esque (can you be kafka-esque if you are kafka?)
The Transformations of Dr. Watson: Most soul transfers
Under the Sea Winds: Best nature experiences
Uninteractive Fiction 2:
Us Too: Best puzzle system
valley of glass: Strangest fruit
Violent Delight: Most layered
A Visit to the Human Resources Administration Saddest truth
Warrior Poet of Mourdrascus Most unusual fighting system
WATT Most calculus
Who Whacked Jimmy Piñata? Best car chase
whoami Least annoying Towers of Hanoi
Willyâs Manor Best box
A winter morning on the beach The Thanks for Using Bisquixe award
The Wise-Womanâs Dog: Best curses
The Witch Girls: Worst blessings
you are an ancient chinese poet at the neo-orchid pavilion Best subtle manipulation of the empireâs will through the use of poetry inspired by both nature and people and infused with the political maneuvering of those around you
You Cannot Speak Best intro
Your Very Last Words Best 3d
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