Again the story in two games (It takes two and Psychonauts) are stand out reasons why they got nominated.I mean, those games certainly have stories. Are there games that deserve to be nominated for GOTY that has less story? I mean Elden Ring and Stray is nominated this year and I GUESS those games have stories.
Re Elden Ring and Stray
1 - didn't argue that you have to have a good story to be nominated
2- because these games award nominations are partially based on number of people who played them then popular games do get in. Not saying that ER doesn't deserve it but again question marks about Sifu. I don't think there is a solve for this unless you do something similar to the bafta model.