Tough Choice: Hand Picking The Best Games Of 2011
New Years Day has come and gone, but memories of my virtual adventures still linger. I’d like to make a late toast to the stream of great games I got to experience this past year in 2011.
It was tough…
The beginning of 2011 was scarce for games and i almost wrote the year off entirely in February. That’s when, out of nowhere, I was bombarded by a number of great titles, mostly new adventures from familiar faces like Asassins Creed, Battlefield, NFS, Elder Scrolls and COD but some original titles like Bastion as well. This flux totally had me breaking the bank in an effort to play them all.
…but I’ve made my choices.
In 2011 I had a controller in my hand more days than not so It was really hard to narrow down my choices for the best games of 2011 but after an all-nighter of order out chinese, cheap beer and 3 trips to the corner store for cigarettes, I’ve made my choices.
Counting Down The Best Games of 2011: The Line-Up
Batman: Arkham City (WBIE)
Ever since the wonderfully dark take on Batman in the Dark Knight, the Batman games have maintained that dark edgy tone . This game is addicting and fun. With an improved version of the first version’s stylized combat system, you can easily take on whole gangs of thugs at the same time. I’ve picked up the controller everywhere from 15 minutes to 2 hours straight. The game is pitch perfect and offers good pacing for the casual gamer. Featuring a busty, Halle Berry-esque Catwoman, Batman shows a soft spot while dropping enemies on their soft spot in this episode. Harder difficulties are offered for more experienced masked avengers.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Bethesda Softworks)
This game may just be the best game of 2011 and deserves a post on its own. I love the Bethesda company with a passion and after playing Oblivion, the Fallout Collection, the Mass Effect series and the incredibly fun Rage, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Skyrim, one of the biggest adventure games ever created. The next in the Elder Scrolls sequence. Right off the bat I realized this game was huge. Dozens of hours of playable content. Missions and equipment upgrades. Skill sets and choice based progression. This game is incredibly satisfying, i find my self to pausing here and there if only to take in the scenery.
Portal 2 (Valve)
This humorous title had me coming back for more and more. The puzzles are fun, and even when things get tough sometimes all you have to to is take a step back and try again. This game will test your ability to think outside the box, a stressful puzzle may have you at bay but a witty comment from a talking robot eye will give you a laugh and get those brain juices flowing. The witty rapport and innovative puzzles reserve a spot in my heart and list for the best games of 2011.
Bastion (WBIE)
This low production cost adventure is available from the Xbox Live Market. Bastion’s wayward underdog hero and super catchy soundtrack are enough to keep me coming back for more. This isn’t one of your little brothers flash games. Definitely earns a spot on my list of best games for 2011
L.A Noire (Rockstar Games)
5th on my list of the best games of 2011, L.A. Noire is a mystery title, with it’s fine writing, and subversive undertone and the film-like essence brought players a unique experience that recalled adventure games of the ’90s even in a thoroughly up-to-date open world making this one of the top games of 2011. This extravagant experiment from Rockstar Games and Team Bondi brought in people who don’t normally play games. They came for the noire mysteries, which take place in a sprawling Los Angeles of yore.
Saints Row: The Third (THQ)
Conveniently named, Saints Row: The Third is indeed the third installment in the Saints Row Series. The Third Street Saints plays like GTA on anabolic steroids. The dialogue is good for a laugh, especially with the addition of a new character, a method actor that was cast to play a saint and is “researching” his role. This is one of those funny games and there’s wacky action packed excitement around every corner for these urban gang members.
