With this list of the best console games of 2011, we want to bring you a full-bodied lineup of titles that made this year an incredible one for gaming aficionados.
From the start till the end, what a year it has been! From time to time, we were treated with some awesome offerings that kept us wedded to our consoles. Without wasting much time, let’s get going with this roster of console games of 2011.
1 – LittleBigPlanet 2:
Sackboy’s second venture came in January this year and has been hogging the limelight ever since. Be it with the DLCs, the hordes of costumes that were released all through the year or the recently introduced PS Move functionality, the game managed to lure everyone’s attention all throughout 2011. Its adorable charm and the tons of possibilities with its customization options are the traits that have made this title click with gamers.
2 – L.A. Noire:
When L.A. Noire was released for the PS3 and Xbox 360 in May 2011, the title created quite a stir in the gaming industry. While players loved the neo noir style of storytelling, experts unanimously appreciated this game’s facial animation technology and its ground-breaking interrogation sequences, making this one a clear-cut entry into our lineup of the best console games of 2011.
3 – Dark Souls:
From Software’s grand RPG might have fetched immense appreciation for its multiplayer integration, but we think the game’s heart lies in its single-player campaign and that’s where it has delivered so comprehensively. Like its spiritual predecessor, this title is also known for containing extreme amounts of difficulty levels.
4 – Battlefield 3:
All that talk about the incredibility of the Frostbite 2 engine was finally put to rest when BF3 arrived in October this year and managed to raise plenty of eyebrows with its powerful visuals. DICE’s magnificent work of art delivered some intense gaming sessions that were dominated by its rollicking multiplayer features most of the time.
5 – FIFA 12:
It’s a known fact that even though FIFA games are churned out every year with consistent tweaks here and there, they always manage to kick in that one feature which makes them look fresher than before. With FIFA 12 it was the tactical defending that made it a success this year.
6 – Dead Space 2:
Taking survival horror to all new levels is one task which Dead Space 2 performed with supreme brilliance. Launched in January for the PS3, Xbox 360 as well as PC, this third-person shooter quickly picked up the reputation of being one of the scariest games of all time.
7 – Bastion:
Somewhat of a surprise hit this year, Supergiant Games’ Bastion treated us with hours and hours of unstoppable gaming delights. It was first released through Xbox Live, then via Steam and more recently, it made its way onto the Google Chrome Webstore. Bastion’s action RPG elements are highlighted to perfection by its strong visual style and the lively voice-overs.
8 – Portal 2:
Building upon the monstrous success pulled off by its precursor, Portal 2 didn’t take much time to establish itself as one of the most popular console games of 2011, or perhaps, of all time. From start to end, this iconic game has ‘innovative’ written all over it and is sure to furnish you with long and addictive gaming experiences.
9 – Deus Ex Human Revolution:
Another RPG in this roster, Deus Ex Human Revolution can be recognized for its cyberpunk-inspired visuals which so easily leave you in awe of them. This offering from Eidos Montreal drew out humungous appreciation for its pillars of gameplay as well as its RPG elements. It is available now for the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC, while a Mac port is also on the cards for 2012.
10 – Gears of War 3:
The immense quantities of anticipation that was generated by the much loved ‘Ashes to Ashes’ trailer was entirely lived up to by this game. What made this offering one of the most successful games in 2011 was its varied narrative and an awesome multiplayer experience. Delivering some intensely emotional sequences, the story arc of this series couldn’t have asked for a better ending than the one in Gears of War 3.
11 – Batman Arkham City:
Next up on our list of consoles games is releasing in October, Batman: Arkham City managed to deliver riveting gameplay extravagances, by allowing us to assume an even deeper control of the superhero’s surreptitious image. Kicking in the who’s who of villains from the Batman series, Arkham City surely had a lot to play for.
12 – Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3:
Arriving with a bang in November this year, was Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 which sped its way up the charts in no time at all. A record breaking 6.5 million copies were snapped by games in the U.K. and the U.S. within twenty four hours of the game’s release, demonstration the immense fan following the series possesses.
13 – The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword:
Let’s face it. Zelda games are always fun, no matter what generation of consoles they are being played on. It’s Nintendo’s trademark Zelda flavoring that matters and it is exactly what Skyward Sword possesses in excessive quantities. This Wii exclusive is an absolute masterpiece as well as a fitting tribute to twenty five years of Zelda games.
14 – Uncharted 3 Drake’s Deception:
A sequel to one of the most appreciated games of current times, this title took Nathan Drake’s heroic saga to whole new dimensions. Its cinematic style of storytelling and the excellent renditions of various settings around the world will leave you spellbound each time you indulge in this game. And if that’s not enough, there are some superb gameplay treats crammed into the multiplayer modes of Uncharted 3.
15 – The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim:
Take our word for it – no mention of the best RPGs of all times and of times to come will be complete without a mention of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. This magnum opus of a title has gone on to redefine every aspect of gaming that it treads upon. The completely mesmerizing gameplay is bound to have you yearning for more each time you set your controllers down. Its orchestral score and beautiful environments create an illusion that is hard to get out of. This game definitely deserves all the attention that it got, and more.
The sheer immensity of all the titles mentioned in our list of the best console games of 2011 clearly demonstrates the kind of year it has been for gaming as a whole. And as it comes to an end, we just can’t stop our hands from itching to try out the huge titles that are lined up for next year. Saying that, we take your leave and end our last post of 2011.