The Witcher 2.
Awesome idea Hesit8
1. Batman: Arkham City blew me away. It was everything I wanted from a Batman game, and improved upon everything AA did. The only complaint I have with AC is the length. It's not a huge game and does not have the highest lifespan. Riddler trophies became tedious after a while, and some of the characters, such as Two-Face were under-developed. But these small factors did not prevent me loving every moment of the experience
2. Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception was a pleasant surprise for me, in the way that I never expected to enjoy it more than U2, but so far, I most certainly am.
3. Deus Ex: Human Revolution was just the relief I needed in a post MGS4 world. It captures some of the magic I felt when playing previous MGS games, but in a modern, more refined way.
4.Modern Warfare 3. Simply because it, to me at least, captures some of the COD4 magic lost by Black Ops and MW2, making it my favourite COD so far in the series, by refining the single player, and amping up the Multiplayer by making it a more pure, balanced experience.
5. Crysis 2 offered a comparatively huge campaign mode. It also boasted a, in my opinion, a Black ops beating multiplayer mode which kept me entertained for hours on end.
6. inFamous 2 was not a leap in quality akin to Uncharted 2 over Uncharted 1. Instead, it felt as though, when you were playing it, that the developers had made loads of tiny little changes, which added up to make a huge difference.
7. LittleBigPlanet 2 was an enchanting experience, although it kicked those inexperienced in it's wildly complicated and time consuming create mode in the backside.
8. Killzone 3. I couldn't help feel as if whilst playing the campaign that, somewhere near the end, the developers ran out of ideas meaning for me at least the last act of the game was very anti-climatic. The multiplayer however was brutal, but brilliant, and cemented itself a place on this list.
Last edited by ZombieDeadpool8; 12-31-2011 at 04:38 AM.
Skyrim
Batman Arkham City
Portal 2
Halo Anniversary
Mortal Kombat
Skyrim and MW3. I realize MW3 sucks but Call of Duty is something I'll always play.
1. Super Mario 3D Land is an amazing game, I simply adore it, it also has some of the best graphics ever seen on a Nintendo 3DS, it also has an amazing amount of replay value, even after you've completed the game for the first time, they give you another 9 world's to finish in the Special area.
2. Sonic Generations (Console Version) is also an amazing game, yet, I wouldn't recommend it unless you're a huge Sonic fan. It take's the best out of Sonic's past and allow's you to play that stage in two different ways, Classic & Modern, the Classic gameplay is pretty much Sonic 4, except it's fixed up and it makes it feel like an actual Classic game. The modern gameplay is pretty much the gameplay from Unleashed and Colors, which is awesome to play when you're playing it in Chemical Plant and Speed Highway.
3. Batman: Arkham City is also a fantastic experience, this game is also filled with Supervillians like the Joker, Riddler, Two-Face, and Mr. Freeze. They're all portrayed perfectly, I can't find a single error in any of their performances. This game has a fantastic story, and fantastic combat, you better go get this game right now.
4. Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One is just simply amazing, I have NO idea why so many Ratchet & Clank fans hate this game. It's pretty much Ratchet and Clank but with four players, and online play, which is a welcome to the series, because usually I'm playing games by myself, but with online play, it just adds alot more to the game.
5. Rayman Origins is game you'll just love, it has AMAZING, BEAUTIFUL hand-drawn art, and it is simply gorgeous. The gameplay is also amazing, it's way better than New Super Mario Bros. Wii and Donkey Kong Country for me, it's up to four players, and it's perfect for when family comes over.
My 5 nominees are: Portal 2, Batman AC, Skyrim, Zelda SS, and Saints Row 3.
My personal GOTY is: Skyrim
Best MP competitive: MW3
Best MP co-op: Portal 2
Best Open World Game: Batman AC
Best Graphics (technical): Uncharted 3
Best Graphics (art style): Rayman Origins
Best Shooter: MW3
Best Platformer: Rayman Origins
Best Score: Skyrim
Best Story: Portal 2
Best Writing: Portal 2
Best Adventure Game: Zelda SS
Best Action Game: Uncharted 3
Best Reboot: Rayman Origins
Best Fighting Game Mortal Kombat
Best Portable Game: Super Mario 3D Land
I've been thinking about this for a while (about a month or two, I normally make up my personal band/album of the year, game of the year, movie of the year etc), and I've eventually decided on my list.
1. Batman Arkham City. The quote on the box says everything - "Makes the original look like a test run" - We all remember how incredible the first was, so that was a very bold statement. But it delivered, it improved most (if not all) parts of the game. The story was incredible and the amount of sidequests it offered was very nice. It had everything a Batman fan could want. The amount of Easter Eggs were good too, as well as the Riddler challenges. I also love how they portrayed the characters, especially Calendar Man. He's not exactly the most interesting villain, but the fact that you have to visit him on a a certain holiday and witness something new was a really good way to show the character.
2. Deus Ex: Human Revolution. This was the very first Deus Ex game I played (yeah, yeah) and I was really impressed with how deep it was. The developers had successfully built the world and immersed me in it, to the point where I sat up for an hour to SPOILER: Choose which option at the end, having never played the others, I wasn't sure which (if any), would be canonical.
3. L.A. Noire. I really enjoyed this game the first time I played it. It really offered something new. A chance to be on the other side of the fence, to solve crimes rather than cause them. The concept had me even before I'd played the game. Admittedly it had it's faults (I occasionally pick something up and twist it about in my hands and say "not relevant" before setting it down again) but it was an overall very impressive game.
My most disappointing game of the year, is Skyrim (PS3 version). Not because it's a bad game, but purely because it's unplayable (for me at least.) I honestly cannot go an hour of playing it without it blowing up. It astounds me Bethesda gets away with this. I know they are good developers, I know they can create an immersive world and let me lose myself in it, but when the biggest fear of the player isn't the flying, death-dealing dragon and is instead when the game will freeze next, then you know you have a really big problem.
It is indeed a precious gift to understand the forces that guide oneself.
1. Deus Ex: Human Revolution Easily the best game I played this year. The soundtrack and artstyle are moody, and the environments are interesting and fun to explore. Combat can be taken either stealthily or guns-ablazing, and between story missions you're able to explore the large cities and complete fun and well thought-out side quests. The story is great in some parts and kind of meh in others, but regardless this is a game that everyone should play.
2. The Binding of Isaac My surprise hit of 2011. Spending fifteen minutes with Isaac should tell you that this game is something special. Combining a wacky and disturbing art style with a killer soundtrack and addictive rougelike gameplay, Isaac really has unlimited replayablity. Every dungeon floor, every enemy, every item, and every boss is randomly generated, meaning when you're "done" with Isaac, you're not.
3. Infamous 2 Never thought I'd like the sequel this much. Basically everything from the first game is improved: soundtrack, story, graphics, powers, repetitive missions are gone, and new content has been added, like dynamic bosses that actually feel like bosses, user-created content, and more. The voice acting still varies, from great to decent to poor, but like I said, everything else is improved and this is what the first game should have been.
4. Assassin's Creed Revelations Even though when compared to the other AC games it's not great, it's still a good game. Not since the original AC has Ubisoft managed to make me WANT to explore the entire city. I don't know if I prefer the architecture found in AC1/ACR, but I actually want to explore every nook and cranny. The story is the weakest link, which is surprising for an AC title, as is the disappointing soundtrack by Jesper Kyd. On the flipside, combat continues to feel improved, and the inclusions of more fleshed-out Assassin recruits and tower defense mini games are pluses.
5. Mortal Kombat Never before have I liked a fighting game. Somehow, this one manages to pull me in. I'm not going to praise the story (it's awful), or the voice acting (cheese at its finest), or the soundtrack (very forgettable), but I am going to say that's it's just fun. Pure, mindless fun.
My most disappointing game of the year is definitely Dragon Age II. They changed everything I loved about the original, plus took out all the original characters except Anders.
100% agree.
I actually missed a lot of games this year. The only ones I played that could be considered Game of the Year were Skyrim and Gears of War 3, and I never finished Skyrim and I'm still playing Gears of War 3. Although Ocarina of Time 3D is pretty incredible.
So clearly, by default, my Game of the Year is Skylanders.
This year was so great for gaming, just not for meI did not play most of the AAA titles this year but here are my top 3:
1. Dark Souls - 10/10
2. Dragon Age II - 9/10
3. Gears of War 3 - 9/10
Dark Souls is a really really awesome game, I wish it got the same mainstream attention as Skyrim did in the Western countries. It's a huge hit back home in Japan but here it does not seem to be as popular. Such a shame, it's probably the best game I've played this generation of video games![]()
Sorry A-Beast-Of-Art, I'm gonna steal your format.
My personal GOTY is: Saints Row: The Third
Best MP competitive: Battlefield 3
Best MP co-op: Portal 2
Best Open World Game: Saints Row: The Third
Best Graphics (technical): Crysis 2
Best Graphics (art style): Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Best Shooter: Battlefield 3
Best Platformer: Sonic Generations
Best Score: Sonic Generations, (I'm sorry but playing City Escape again with the remixed music brought tears to my eyes.)
Best Story: Portal 2
Most Underated Game of the Year: Catherine, (seriously overlooked, even though it was an excellent display of art, music, and gameplay.)
Best RPG: FUS RO DAH (Thats Skyrim for those who are confused)
Most Compelling Character: Wheatly (Portal 2)
Biggest Dissapointment of the Year: Modern Warfare 3, (I'm sorry, I'm just tired of playing the exact same game over and over agian.)
Best Writing: Portal 2
Best Action Game: Uncharted 3
Best Reboot: Rayman Origins (about time Rayman went back to 2D.)
Best Fighting Game: Mortal Kombat
Best Indie Game: Nitronic Rush
I know that many people had a problem with the game, but I thought it was amazing. Both this and the original, while they are so different, still incredible games. There were a few things I didn't like (limited enemy variety, reused caves) but the story was interesting, the companions were fun, and you felt like the ultimate badass near the end-gameit was a great experience overall, but I didn't play any of the DLC packs yet. I can only assume a packet with all the add ons will be released in the near future like they have with Mass Effect and origins.
This was played on PC btw, so the pause and play combat from Origins carried over much in the same way. I couldn't imagine playing the game as a hack-n-slash (which I think was one of the biggest complaints) on the consoles :s
What did you think of the game yourself?
Last edited by Patches; 12-31-2011 at 10:57 AM.
I really did not like it. I didn't play the whole game but what I did play didn't leave a good impression. I felt like it was really dumbed down compared to Origins. I didn't play the game on PC though, so that may factor into it.
I also really disliked that it wasn't really a sequel to the second one. None of the characters except Anders return and Anders had some strange personality change.
I will however say that the Mass Effect-style dialogue system is an improvement, as is the full voice acting for your characters and it's a much better game graphically. Speaking of Mass Effect, did you like those games? One of my favorite series.
#01 | Dark Souls - Dark Souls and Demon's Souls before it brought something back from the retro years of gaming. A real sense of difficulty. The kind that requires actual skill and quick reflexes. The kind that would test you at your best, and ultimately punish you at your most careless, kicking you while you're down and not letting up. And yet, it rarely feels cheap or unfair, and you'll almost always be able to use your death as a lesson in how to better fight your killer, his patterns, weaknesses, etc. Add on to this a tight, responsive control system, a tensely atmospheric world and some of the best boss fights of the current generation, and you have my personal game of the year.
#02 | Skyward Sword
#03 | Catherine
#04 | Alice: Madness Returns
#05 | Team ICO Collection
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Best Artstyle | Alice: Madness Returns / Skyward Sword
Best Audio Design | Battlefield 3
Best Graphics | RAGE
Best Multiplayer | Assassin's Creed: Revelations
Best Soundtrack | Skyward Sword
Best Story | Catherine
Best Voice Acting | Portal 2
Most Underrated Game | Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky
Most Overrated Game | Skyrim / Uncharted 3
Best Game That Didn't Release This Year | Persona 4
Best Adventure Game | Skyward Sword
Best Fighting Game | Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy
Best Platforming Game | Rayman Origins
Best Puzzle Game | Catherine
Best Racing Game | Forza Motorsport 4
Best Role-Playing Game | Dark Souls
Best PC Game | The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings
Best PlayStation 3 Game | Team ICO Collection
Best Portable Game | Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky
Best Wii Game | Skyward Sword
Best Xbox 360 Game | Forza Motorsport 4