It seems just last year we proclaimed “this was the best
year for games in ages!”
365 days later, we’re inclined to say it again.
Though it started off a bit slow, 2011 ended as loudly as
you could want. Critically-acclaimed sequels to nearly every major game
franchise hit shelves, creating a glut of blockbusters and absolutely
decimating the wallets of those crazy enough to try to play them all. From
glorious indie downloads like Bastion to big, brash noisemakers like Modern
Warfare 3, we were never at a loss for an exceptional game experience.
Here is my list, counted down in order, of my 10 favorite games of 2011.
10. Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception
A fitting finale for Nathan Drake and his adventures, "Uncharted 3:
Drake's Deception" wraps up the historical adventure franchise with
possibly his greatest treasure yet. Not only does the story take a look
back and reveal how Drake got started on his quests, but it also tied up
many loose plot lines very well.The game feels like an Indiana Jones adventure, and Drake keeps a wry sense of humor throughout the most trying times. The designers did their research to showcase several incredible environments, historical references and lost treasures. Players will come away feeling like they've been on a grand adventure, which they have.
9. Driver: San Fransisco
The once-proud Driver series
finally got back on track thanks to the innovative Driver: San
Francisco. Boasting the coolest racing game mechanic in years – the
ability to warp into any car in San Fran at the blink of an eye – it was
exactly the kind of crazy, off the rails design twist we love to see.8. La Noire
LA Noire puts the story to the forefront in a daring attempt to be
different. Action is dictated by the narrative and the characters and
not by a ploy to get the plot moving. It looks and feels like a
1940s-style detective thriller with some great voice acting and motion
capture animation. It emphasizes storytelling without forcing dialogue
or plot. Expect to see more games like this in the future.7. Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Deus Ex: Human Revolution" allows players to experiment with different
augmentations to enhance their human character. Creatively building and
upgrading, gamers will discover new ways to complete missions even
during replays. The atmosphere of the not-so-far-away future is one of
hope and despair. The story is well-crafted and keeps players involved
with little downtime or boredom. 6. Saints Row: The Third
Some games create atmospheric worlds that attempt to draw you in with
moving stories about characters seeking a second chance, or cast you as
troubled superheroes who push themselves to the limit to fight evil.
Saints Row: The Third is not like those games. Rather, it's the kind of
game that gives you weapons called apocafists with which you can punch
people, instantly making them explode in a bloody mess. The Third won't
impress you with knockout visuals, move you with an absorbing story, or
engage you with challenging combat. What it does, better than just about
any game before, is embrace the idea of an open world as a place for
play, constantly giving you access to awesome new toys and providing you
with no shortage of exciting opportunities to use them.5. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim" is an open-world, role-playing game that
literally has more than 100 quests to complete. Your character can be
trained in any skill at any time, thus assuring that the game is
personal to each player.
Sure, there are some minor bugs in it, but they are more amusing than
frustrating. And any game that lets me stand at the top of a mountain
while more than a dozen dragons fill the sky is a big winner in my book.
It is enthralling, addictive and satisfying. 4. Modern Warfare 3
3. NBA 2K12
How do you top Michael Jordan?
Grab about 15 of his closest Hall of Fame pals. That’s what 2K Sports
did with this excellent follow-up to last year’s hit NBA 2K11, and it
paid off big time. The inclusion of more of the NBA's greatest players from the past lets
you pit superstars from different eras against each other. And the "My
Player" mode lets you get drafted, work your way up the depth chart and
learn to face the harsh glow of the media during press conferences.2. FIFA 12
Distilling the world's most popular sport into a video game isn't an
easy task. Aside from capturing the atmosphere of the game--the
satisfying thump of boot on football, the on-pitch dramas created
between player and referee, and the ferocious roar of the crowd as the
ball sails into the back of the net--there are other considerations too.
Some players want to manage their teams. Others want to live out their
dreams of football stardom. Still others want to put their skills to the
test against the best in the world, all the while clamouring for as
realistic an experience as possible. FIFA 12 lets you do all of these
things and more. A new tactical defending system, player impact engine,
and head-to-head seasons are just some of the excellent new features it
offers. But it's the new EA Sports Football Club that's the real draw,
bringing with it an addictive levelling system that pits you against the
world's players, keeping track of your own progress and that of your
favourite team too. Not only is FIFA 12 the best game in the series,
it's also one of the most exciting, accurate, and complete sports games
around.
