I've heard a few discussions about 2011 being the best year for gamers since 2007. While I agree that it's been a fantastic year for anyone who dabbles in the playing of videogames, I don't think that we've seen anything quite like the combo of BioShock, The Orange Box, Assassin's Creed, Halo 3, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 that devastated my social life four years ago. That being said, there were some fantastic games, and whittling this list down to five has been a challenge.
This year, the indie gaming scene jumped into the spotlight. While I may not have been as dedicated to playing and reviewing these alternatives as some of my contemporaries, I nonetheless discovered that there were quite a few indie offerings that were as polished an experience as that found in your average AAA blockbuster. While I believe there'll always be a place for the heavy hitters in the industry, this year I've learned to ignore smaller projects at my own peril.
So, without further delay, I present the five best games that I played in 2011.
5. Jamestown:
Legend of the Lost Colony
As
much a lesson as it is a game, Jamestown
taught me how to play and love shoot 'em ups. By forcing me to work through
already-completed levels on higher difficulties so that I could progress, I learned
everything from ship (and thus, weapon) selection, through to timing the use of "Vaunts". I also loved the distinctive, pixelated art style and the
unparalleled sense of achievement that came with defeating the final boss.
There may not have been much of a story, but Final Form Games got me to engage
with a genre that I haven't really touched since the arcade release of the
original Metal Slug.
WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!?
Jamestown: Legend of the Lost Colony coverage:
4. Super
Mario 3D Land
There
were times this year where I prided myself on being a contrarian: I didn't have
much love for Uncharted 3 or Batman: Arkham City when just about
every other writer couldn't get enough of those predictable, though polished
titles. I was dead certain that I was going to find fault with Mario's latest
adventure, but I was glad to be proven wrong. It may be formulaic, but it's
also perfectly suited to gaming on the go. It also serves as a competent
showcase for the 3DS' unique visual capabilities. I had a great deal of fun
with this iteration, and am still making my way through the progressively
devious special levels. I'm under-selling this actually, it's the best platformer that I've played in years. This was a great surprise, in spite of its familiarity.
What's old is new again
Super Mario 3D Land coverage:
- Letter from a concerned resident of the Mushroom Kingdom
- Super Mario 3D Land Review (3DS): Change is overrated
3. Bastion
The
first time I finished Bastion, I
cried. I lost my beloved pet Pecker when the Ura invaded the titular sanctuary,
and I was presented with my avian companion's shell before I decided the fate
of my companions at the game's conclusion. Rucks - the game's narrator and
quest giver - tried to console me, but there was no bringing that bird back.
This critter didn't have a name, and I didn't really interact with it in any
meaningful way, but I felt as though I had failed when the credits rolled. I
couldn't protect one of the few well-meaning lifeforms of post-Calamity
Caelondia... and it hurt like hell. That's just one of the things I loved about
Supergiant Games' first effort. I could go on about the soundtrack (which I
still have on rotation), the innovative use of a narrator, the whimsical art
style, or the solid Action RPG mechanics,
but you've heard that all before; and not just from me.
Bastion coverage:
- Bastion: Innovation in Narration
- Bastion Review (X360): Tell me how the world ends
- I survived the "Summer or Arcade" and all I got was this avatar shirt
2. Gears of
War 3
I'm
pretty sure that I've not written about any game (in beta or final form) more
than Gears of War 3. I've been a
devotee of this series since the first instalment, and have come to love the
hulking, foul-mouthed members of Delta squad like family. Distant family maybe,
but still, family all the same. The last chapter of their battle against the
Locust and Lambent hordes squeezed every last drop out of the Unreal 3 engine,
and sets the bar for visuals on the Xbox 360. The third person cover shooting
is as tight and enjoyable as ever, and I still go back to the campaign on
occasion in the hope of picking up a few more cheevos. The multiplayer is still
an addiction for me; though that learning curve for the cut-throat competitive
modes can be pretty steep. Even if I only leave it alone for a week, my first few
matches are usually characterised by low scores and a great deal of coarse
language. I still love it though, and I'll continue to go back for more kills,
deaths, and eviscerated torsos.
The first rule of Fight Club is...
Gears of War 3 coverage:
- Not in the face: The Gears of War 3 Beta protection prayer
- How soon is now? - Gears of War 3 Beta impressions
- This is how we do it (now, apparently)
- Wingman
- Shining Example
- In case you haven't played it: Gears of War 3 Beta Review
- Gears of War 3 Review (X360): Mad World Reimagined
- An Open Letter to the Gears of War 3 Player Community
1. Deus Ex:
Human Revolution
If
there's been one game that I've been wanting to go back to, ever since I
published my review it's Deus Ex: Human
Revolution. It took all of my favourite elements from some of the best
games released in the last ten years, and fused them into one compelling
experience that captured my imagination. I spent hours in Detroit and Hengsha
looking for every hidden alleyway, weapons cache and praxis point. I would gleefully
reload save after save until even the shortest sequence of play went exactly as
I wanted it to. I would agonize over every upgrade and wonder at what could
have been. I would complete every side quest, and even test different outcomes
to see what suited my interpretation of Adam Jensen the best.
The
freedom that I was afforded in my approach to most situations was what had me
coming back for a second playthrough. That freedom was also backed by stealth
mechanics that actually worked, satisfying gunplay and some memorable chemistry
between the lead characters. There may have been a few quirks: awkward NPC
movement, some regrettable voice acting and some painful boss fights; but upon
reflection, I loved the game because of these quirks, not in spite of them.
Let's
not forget about the art direction and cyberpunk narrative that are at the core
of this experience either. There are some genuinely-surprising (and thoroughly-predictable) twists in the main story arc, and the ambiguous morality system serves only to add to the intrigue. The issue of augmentation, and the political forces behind it gave off an X-Men-like vibe; and I found myself absorbed in this tale from beginning to end.
Plus, you have retractable blades in your elbows... if that isn't enough for this to be considered "Game of the Year", then I guess I should just stop writing about them. Deus Ex:
Human Revolution simply demands your attention, and it would be remiss for
you (or I) to ignore its call. Now excuse me while I get back to my Hard, no
alarms, non-lethal playthrough!
See that in the mirror? A winner is you!
Deus Ex: Human Revolution coverage:
- Human Revolution's path of least resistance leads right into man-mountain
- Deus Ex: Human Revolution Review (PC): Design of the Decade
What was your favourite game(s) released this year? Do you agree with any of my picks?
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