[EricH]

This one is one of the GDC's best. I won't say it's the best, but it's up there.

--Multiple scoring options
--mutually exclusive scoring options (or else there's some great engineering going on) in the 30-point climb and dump versus the 3-point shot
--Protection in dangerous areas, but it's only small areas
--flying objects--need I say more?

And last but not least:
--HUGE variety of robot designs. I think this is one of the biggest years for diverse robots I've seen since bumpers were optional. Sure, most pack a wheel-and-plate shooter--but somehow, every robot especially the climbers is unique at the first glance.