There has been a plethora of games released in 2011 and while there weren’t as many as in previous years, the quality of the titles were phenomenal. We have seen well-thought out and challenging games on Microsoft’s Xbox, visually stunning games for the PlayStation 3 and highly-entertaining ones for the Nintendo Wii and 3DS. In no particular order, ITNewsAfrica’s Top 10 Games for 2011.
* Batman: Arkham City
While ITNewsAfrica scored the game 8.5, the sheer scale and complexity of the plot was enough to keep gamers coming back for more – and it is Batman afterall. The game took on a whole new twist and added a lot of extra pieces to the Gotham puzzle. The title flew off the shelves and managed to rank the highest on Metacritic with 96.
* The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Although Skyrim has been plagued with day-one bugs and glitches, it hasn’t stopped gamers from putting in massive amounts of hours traveling through the fabled land of Skyrim. The action and fantasy, combined with RPG elements and an enormous map, is enough to propel the title into the books as one of the highest ranking games for 2011.
* Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception
One of the biggest games to be released on Sony PlayStation 3 for 2011, players are thrown back into the action, playing as Nathan Drake on a mission to solve the many riddles and adversaries in his path. With an updated control scheme and stunning visuals, Uncharted 3‘s action is enough to warrant a fourth title.
* Gears of War 3
The Gears of War franchise is one of the most successful titles for Epic Games, and when the third title was announced, gamers literally rejoiced. Marcus Fenix and his band of soldiers face a new kind of enemy and end the trilogy on a high note. With teeth-biting fire-fights and familiar graphics, gamers are sure to enjoy the last of the Gears of War games.
* Forza Motorsport 4
While many racing games were released in 2011, none have come close to Forza Motorsport series. The title features stunning graphics not comparable to other racers, and the vast amount of quality vehicles thrust players into the driving seat of some of the best cars in the world. A large number of downloadable car packs are scheduled for 2012, so players will get to enjoy a lot more hair-blowing driving.
* Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
The battle for the best shooter in 2011 was definitely won by Modern Warfare 3, with an intriguing single-player campaign and enthralling multiplayer. The game features the same control scheme as Modern Warfare 2 and the latest edition picks up where version 2 left off- so fans of the series can jump straight into the bullet-flying action.
* Battlefield 3
Battlefield 3 captured gamers in 2011 with its stunning visuals and familiar controls and charaters – but the biggest attraction is it’s multiplayer. With a vast array of maps and huge amount of players, Battlefield 3 solidified its place as one of the best multiplayer games of 2011. Sadly, the single player campaign didn’t live up to expectations, failing to deliver a truly unique experience.
* FIFA 12
As far as football games go, the FIFA franchise has been ahead of the pack for many years. The latest iteration added a whole bunch of new functions and coupled with awesome graphics and an updated skills tree and controls, the title scored a goal for Electronic Arts. It’s definitely one of the best football games ever to be released and its sure to propel the franchise further into the record books
* Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters
Sticking to sports games, although Tiger Woods had a horrible season on the pitch, the game bearing his name had a brilliant time in the market. For the first time in the franchise’s history it featured a caddy system to guide players to shots and allowed gamers to compete in the Masters tournament. The highly-detailed graphics and updated controls allow gamers to enjoy every moment of their Masters tour.
* L.A Noire
L.A Noire’s intriguing way of telling a crime story and the ingenious manner in which players had to solve it, managed to get it noticed and put Team Bondi on the gaming map. The title features lip-synching never seen before in a game and the twists and turns in the plot transports gamers into a realm where they could make the world a better place by putting hardened criminals behind bars – while using newly-developed interrogation techniques
Charlie Fripp – Acting Online editor
