Well, 2011 is three weeks old, and I thought I'd look back on what a great year it was, not only for games, but movies and entertainment as well. Today I'm kicking it off with the Top 5 Video Games of 2011. These can be from any console, and it doesn't have to be a game that I have reviewed. Let's start with # 5:
Number 5: Super Mario 3D Land
Nintendo had some slim pickings this year, and after the somewhat failure of a launch for the Nintendo 3DS, many wondered if we would ever receive good games for the system. Thankfully, our prayers were heard, and, in addition to Mario Kart 7 and Ocarina of Time, we were blessed with Super Mario 3D Land, a clever mix of 2D and 3D platforming. The 3D effect is brilliant, and it actually matters in this game. I complained about the simplicity of the game in my review last November, but it remains as my favorite 3DS game to date.
Number 4: Portal 2
The original Portal was a work of art. A first-person puzzler where you control Chell as she escapes from Aperture Laboratories. You're armed with your Portal gun, and you make your way through various test chambers to escape. The sequel improves on the foundation set by the original, adding new mechanics like light bridges and goo, and including a story that will make you scratch your head. The graphics aren't top- notch, but who cares? The writing is rock solid, and I found myself laughing out loud at Wheatley's witty remarks and Glados's insults.
Number 3: Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception
When I bought my PS3 last year on Black Friday, I made sure to pick up Uncharted 3 as the first game I would play on my new system. Two months later, and I'm still playing it on a regular basis. Nathan Drake and company are back, and they've got another globe trotting adventure to embark on, involving Nate and Sully's past. The story matches that of Uncharted 2, and the graphics and gameplay heavily outdo the original. The game is short, but you've got 100 treasures to find among the levels, and the multiplayer will keep you around long after the campaign is finished. A true treasure.
Number 2: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Like I said, it was a rough year for Nintendo, especially on the Wii. Thankfully, the one big title for the Wii delivered, and Skyward Sword takes it place at the top of my list of best Zelda games. The Wii Motion Plus adds an all new dimension to the game, and motion control is, I believe, the future of the franchise. The storytelling is brilliant, and Skyloft and the flying mechanics work like a charm. The host of new characters and beautiful graphics and music only add to the fact that this is the greatest Wii game of all time.
Number 1: Batman: Arkham City
I don't exactly know what I expected diving into Arkham City. Having not played Asylum, I was a bit confused at why I would want to play this game anyways. Tons of hours in, however, and I've found out why. You are Batman. That's the game. The plot of Arkham City is great and well fleshed out by a number of characters, and comic book fans will get a kick out of seeing all their villains in one game. As you glide around Arkham City as the famed Caped Crusader, you solve the mystery and get to the bottom of what the heck is going on. The combat succeeds in being simple enough for new players to get, and being complicated enough for vets to have fun. Challenge maps and side-quests extend the replay value greatly, and new playable characters like Catwoman help too. Arkham City is the Batman experience, and the reason to own a PS3 or 360 this winter.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment