A list of my favourite games from 2011 released in the UK. With a few extra games I've yet to play, but would likely feature if one had the requisite time and money to do so. (Some description have been annexed from other lists because I'm lazy)
The best game of 2011 bar none. Unbelievable detail and beauty is on display for those of you with the hardware for it, but oh boy, Geralt lives in a lush world, full of political intrigue, sex, violence...what's not to love? As it is, TW2 is a great game; engrossing story, interesting characters, proper choices, loot, even the combat was fun (with a controller at least). I just wish we could see a Dragon Age, or a KOTOR in such masterly designs as this.
Of all the JRPGs I've ever played, Xenoblade has delivered the best experience. An imaginative and gorgeous semi-open world, characters who are actually likeable, a unique and robust battle system, and a great range of customisation options are a but a few of the features in this master-class of game design. For the longest time this was going to be my number one, but the ending somewhat soured the narrative, which had for the most part, been pretty interesting.
"This game clearly has some control and camera issues, but nonetheless is an atmospheric RPG masterclass. Unique online features, a good character customization system and offering a real challange and great satisfaction for those with the requisite patience. A great advert for games without compromise."
That's what I said about Demon's Souls, and this is no different. Utterly, utterly brilliant.
For all the poor textures, dodgy camera and abrupt loading screens, Alice was so delightful to play and experience that I felt like a much younger gamer when playing it. A celebration of the mind in all its beauty and all its horror. The game is sometimes as messed up as Alice herself, but it is also equally imaginative and beautiful.
Aside from some odd story elements, I found it hard to find fault in Rocksteady's second Batman game. Looks great, plays great, and the addition of the larger city allowed for a proper exploitation of all the Dark Knight's gadgets and gizmos. It also says something for the game that after I had finished the main story, I didn't get bored in doing all the side missions I didn't do earlier.
Despite it's level best to frustrate me with motion controls (however good), Skyward Sword possessed all the charm and adventure I desire from a Zelda game. And while it doesn't scale the heights of its older siblings, it remains a fantastic action adventure.
Looks and plays better than its predecessors, this is Gears refined to the nth degree. More colour, more variety, and packing so much content in its many co-op and competitive multiplayer modes.
If it has plot holes, I must confess to not having noticed them. What I do remember is the feeling of excitement as I arrived at the scene of the crime and the great atmosphere of post-war L.A. I loved the characters, however flawed, and I loved the impressive voice acting and facial animations, giving life to these largely well formed and developed individuals. Although the mechanics were somewhat limited, L.A. Noire was utterly engrossing for me, and a big surprise given my doubts before playing it.
I have never been a fan of MMOs yet SWOTOR somehow managed to get me to buy it, get a subscription, play it for hours and hours on end, and not have left me utterly bored. Excellent UI, polished gameplay with good production values, and with the VO making the world feel more alive, I have no regrets over finally taking the plunge into the genre. Even my lack of friends didn't hinder my enjoyment.
A divisive game, but one which I thoroughly enjoyed. Great dark and oppressive atmosphere, and some of the tightest, most visceral combat seen in any video game. Watching Yuki as she bites into another enemy, and watching as the blood flies always gave me delightful pleasure. Great for getting your hands sweaty.
The perfect puzzle game; teaches you the mechanics well, and creates a set of challenges which properly test your understanding. Never too easy or hard, the pacing was excellent in Valve's funny and charming sequel. Co-op is a blast too, with the design again being spot on in getting you to use your brain, yet not getting you angry at some obscure solution. Oh, and the VO is some of the best there is.
I loved my time with Skyrim, 100 hours of adventure which was all worth it. Lots of content, lush open world, lots to do...it was very enjoyable, but it wasn't particularly "special". Having played all Bethesda's RPGs up to now, Skyrim felt all too similar at times, and it was that along with a lack of compelling narrative which keeps it from placing higher. Make no mistake though, Skyrim is a great game, just one which for me, lacked the magic which something like Obsidian's Fallout: New Vegas had, which in my very humble opinion, is the better game.
This rather ignored adventure game turned into something of a revelation for me. With an intriguing tale of two very different people, Gray Matter manages to make its sometimes theme park idea of Oxfordshire work. Boasting an excellent soundtrack and some lovely backgrounds, Jane Jensen's story of lost love, magic, and brain science was a refreshingly pleasant one. The only bigger revelation, was that it came out on the 360, which was the version I played.
With great aesthetics, interesting set-up, and with the prospect of multiple paths to completing missions, Human Revolution could have been utterly amazing. As it turned out for me, you can do a lot to break immersion with crappy VO and animations. Adam Jensen is the biggest problem here, with his irritating growl protruding itself over a very good game, but with a rather dull and poorly told central story. Mechanics wise, the game was very accomplished and lived up to it's multiple route promises, with the out of place boss battles being the only major issue for me. A great stepping stone for a potential sequel.
Demonstrating the power of great writing and atmosphere. A great point and click adventure game.
Bioware seemingly tried everything to put me off; poor graphics and textures, a reduction of customisation options, tedious and repetitive environments (that fucking cave -_-), and a general air of do-it-on-the-cheapness. Despite all that, I enjoyed DA2; some great characters and some great story moments did their level best to hold my interest in Hawke's story. However, that "some" needs to be "lots of" by the time Dragon Age 3 comes out.
If you enjoy the battle system, MK is nigh on perfect. A slew of single player content, lots of good online modes and options, and a ton of characters to choose from. It also happened to be pretty gorgeous, with some nice and gory attacks and fatalities to admire.
Not being the biggest fan of racing games, Dirt 3 managed to thrust it's excellence past my doubts and deliver a wonderful experience. Smooth and precise handling, many different events and modes, with the gymkhana events being a particular highlight.
The stupidity and silliness does a good job at masking the relative simplicity of Volition's third trip along with The Saints. Steelport made for a great sandbox, and you get a lot of fun toys to play with in it, but with the repetitive missions, it didn't always last.
As someone for whom MW makes her ill from playing, Crysis 2 turned out quite well for me with its much slower pace. The cloaking and shielding made for some interesting battles and tactics, and even though the shit-the-bed ending annoyed me, the journey there was a fun one full of gritty/lush scenery and..."cloak engaged".
