My Top 5 Games of 2011
Dec 29, 2011 16:15:19 GMT -6
Post by Aleth on Dec 29, 2011 16:15:19 GMT -6
Well new years is approaching and I'm preparing for the next year of video games. However before I leave for the new years into another venture, I will salute to MY favorite games this year! This is a close match and although some games won't show up here it doesn't mean I dislike them! Its tough to just pick 5 games.
Dead Space 2
I got this game for my PS3 right after it got out! I never played the first game though but that didn't hinder my experience to say the least. I bought the game after watching others rate the first game so highly. It became a curiosity of mine but for some reason I decided to play the second game first.
For all you should know I am a very casual gamer. I played through the game on easy difficulty but for me that is pretty close to normal. Well moving on, I found the experience engrossing and terrifying for my first playthrough. Also note I played the game late at night and at some point while I was in extreme pain from my wisdom teeth pulled out. When a monster popped up right after I defeated a horde, I wasn't surprised but I still jumped. The game kept me on edge through the first playthough and I hated/loved it for it.
Don't misunderstand, all games have their faults and Dead Space 2 had plenty. Although this game was frightening for me, it paled in comparison to Amnesia: The Dark Descent. The game was gruesome and bloody however even with the new creatures they place into the game, it still felt too much like the first game, especially the sequence where you enter the Ishimura again. I know, I know, it should be expected, a game shouldn't stray too much from its original roots. Hear me out, I just didn't find the transition all that large. It was more like an improved version of the first game, paying more attention to its location and focusing on player, environment relations. I do enjoy Isaac finally being able to talk and experiencing a little engineering prowess of his.
Saints Row: The Third
There isn't much to say about this game beyond, it is pure crazy fun (That and I'm afraid to mention some parts of it). I'm not one to talk about the sensual nature of the game, although there is way to much than what I care for, but the fact that I got to blow up tanks, buildings, cars, abducting a famous movie stars, and blowing up his rescuers was just plain enjoyable. Oh did I mention I went on a fun TV killing spree? No? I did and people loved me. I'm boss... in more ways than one.
Other aspects of the game that I enjoyed are beating is the humor. Sure its a drug induced nonsensical and perverted humor but that fake Russian accent was totally worth it. I don't why I gave my main character that accent but it helped me through many of the cutscenes. Who knew I was also responsible for a zombie invasion? I didn't mean to, they were shooting at me! Being the sandbox game it is, I get plenty of enjoyable action just hijacking random cars and motorcycles and running over some of my many enemies that appear out of nowhere, as well as a few occasional pedestrians.
Main faults of this game is its own humor. Like I said, I'm not all that into perversion and there is too much. But hey, this is Saints Row! We're GANGSTAHS! There is also a major problem with the difficulty curve. I haven't played the second game but this one was just...too easy. Ok, I was playing on casual but the fact was, it gave me a satellite launcher withing the first 30 minutes of gameplay. Another 15 or so minutes into the main story, it gave me a giant headquarters with helicopter fighter and the like. I jsut don't feel much accomplishment from my efforts. Of course, I did not play the second game in the series. Now who wants my autograph? I'm about to be a movie star from Gangsters in Space!
Batman: Arkham City
I'm BATMAN! And don't you forget it! I will strike fear into your very hearts! Ah yes, the sequel to Batman Arkham Asylum. Before you ask, I have played the first game and enjoyed it. The new game did not disappoint. Surprisingly both were great comic based games compared to the overwhelming garbage heaps. At least it was because of the movies as compared to the others. Than again these games, themselves never really followed the main story line in the first place.
Where to begin. The controls were fluid and easy to adapt from the previous game. Batman is as cool as ever, although I never did consider him a super hero. What I found lacking in asylum was realized in this game. Sure this game changed styles when it chose to become a sandbox like game and taking off its shirt of linear gameplay but it executed the transition amazingly. Note that I didn't say perfectly. I personally enjoy being able to fly around Gotham City and seeing the sites of my curiosity. I don't mind being distracted by other quests. What Batman lost in this new game was focus but that is quite fine with me, especially with the slew of new villains to fend off.
There are parts of the game I loath. Even though Batman is easy to control, I still feel a lag when having to climb buildings. This is especially true when playing as Catwoman. She can never seem to land on a building higher than her and leaping to different spots just to get on top is annoying but necessary to get between points. Winners don't walk the streets, they skip buildings! -nods-
5. L.A. Noire
Who likes Sherlock Holmes and solving mysteries? Well I do and I quickly got into L.A. Noire! It isn't like going straight up into the bottom of things and its very much a people's piece as well. In many aspects it is a difficult game but vastly rewarding in the end. What is the most important thing in solving a crime? For me, it had been finding and collecting as much evidence as possible. There is one problem with this aspect as the interrogation period becomes difficult if you don't have enough and pursue the suspect immediately. It is also a very enjoyable part for the game as one must be incredibly scrupulous in each investigation. The chasing and actions scenes were well placed and the controls were more than fair.
The story line was amazing and something I can never forget. Sure it was practically linear but I won't complain, this game isn't Red Dead Redemption after all. Rockstar games still doesn't disappoint though. Their efforts put into recreating L.A. during that time period was amazing and it felt like an old fashioned movie whenever I switched the settings to black and white. The look and feel of the world was in-depth but not without faults. The interrogation has always troubled me to no end. The game boasted that players had to pay attention to the suspect's faces but sometimes I get things far too mixed up.
There is more to being part of the police force besides doing pure investigation. L.A. Noire offers action beyond gathering clues. Violence is necessary in some instances as to subdue a suspect and I cannot complain. I don't mind driving in between locations, getting to see more of this world. I don't care if I have to use violence to haul them in! The game does add realism into the mix and at times, it becomes difficult to deal with. I can't really say how much trouble I had to go through just to avoid killing someone. -sigh- Great game with in its own right.
4. Dead Island
Coming in number 4 on this list of mine is Dead Island. I like going out there killing zeds! In this apocalyptic game where you just begin surviving comes painstaking fights for survival. The rewards are great but the cost is high. Can you survive Dead Island? Hmmm, I'm beginning to sound like an announcer.
Zombie games are fun and all but I never did get into Dead Rising. It felt too easy just hacking and slashing through zombies. Left 4 Dead left me wanting for something more. Dead Island helped me finish my crazing for zombie destruction providing me a fun and challenging experience. Who wants to just shoot down zombies when you can hack at them with a katana? These aren't easy zombies either.
The thing I liked about this zombie game above the Dead Rising and Left 4 Dead series is its realism. Ok, fine, its still zombies, not much realism to be had but the combat system doesn't always make taking down the zombies easy. You'll struggle, you'll get hurt, you'll run for your life! When you cut through those zombies with one of your makeshift weapons, it is oh so satisfying. Not just the blood effects but the EFFORT. That is what counts.
Even the finest things can leave you wanting something better. The AI in the game is one of them. One of the major gripes for me. I hate escorting others or playing a game where you have to cooperate with a brainless idiot. At least its not the most stupid but I still find it difficult to play with. Now excuse me while I go train and upgrade!
3. Portal 2
The cake is a lie! That is perhaps the most memorable aspect of the first game. For the second game, it would be something along the lines of... What do you do when life gives you lemons? I spent so much time running through the second game out of pure determination. Of course the game is no fun if you don't solve the puzzles yourself. Once you know how to something, its becomes like an oh thats it sort of thing, so I'll say the game has little to no replay value. Other than this fault, I LOVED IT.
Its humor is obvious and GLaDOS is as inhuman as ever, at least for a portion of the game. Unlike the first game with its snide comments and so on, I found the second to be a bit more out there. Sort of like enjoying a talk with a sophisticated person than going out to some crazy party in an amusement park! Yeah, not a very helpful analogy. As for the gameplay itself, its Portal! Difficult at times and sometimes just randomly shooting in frustration. With each level, the story slowly pieces itself together! The effort one puts into the game is worth just to see or hear what happens next and discovering how to handle the next puzzle.
As it is shown by the cover art, this is a co-op campaign that I find extremely humorous as well. The only way to go through it though, is you HAVE to have another player. Unfortunately I have not completed this story as I only play it alongside my friends. However, they did a very good job incorporating all the pros and cons of the portal system. We are just simple robots ready to solve the next step!
2. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Ha, this should be somewhat of no surprise with all the time I put into the game so far and plan to continue to do so. Now where to begin on why it is on this list... Actually it is quite simple, the game is an epic. Although the story isn't told in a poem format, it does show many characteristics that makes me love it so. I love tales of adventure, assassins, thieves, bandits, kingdoms and now, dragons! I never thought I could ever get so into a game until I was immersed into this world.
Make no mistake, Skyrim is very glitchy like all of Bethesda's open world games. Most of the glitches are harmless anyways and nothing is perfect after all. Many of the features in game makes up for the glitches. I play the game on a PC system and I've been through the other games as well. My other problem comes from the interface, compared to the other games, the inventory has too much wasted space. Sure the game mostly reminds me of oblivion just better textures and the like with a few new areas. Come on, what about actually getting assassinate an emperor? At least the interface is fixed with the mods anyways!
As for the gameplay itself, I would say, its easy to get along and enjoyable, although annoying seeing as I have to switch to my quick inventory every few minutes to change combat styles. I don't mind, especially with the amazing soundtrack that the game comes along with (enough so that I bought a copy). The story line is, of course, fantasy based but their attention to small details here and there makes it an even more amazing game. I mean, those little side tales about your character as you travel on or that you find while in a dungeon just adds to vastness of Skyrim. I am also very glad that the people don't look as creepy as they did in Oblivion.
1. Disgaea 4: A Promise Unforgotten
Huh? Skyrim wasn't my number one game for this year? UNBELIEVABLE! But true! Now what game did I enjoy more than skyrim, you ask? It is Disgaea 4 of course! I am an anime and manga lover to the heart, maybe not an otaku but I thoroughly enjoy such antics. I mean sure, the series is practically the same old strategy rpg with practically the same old graphics. I think it is one of the strong points, its not like all of them are exactly alike. Each new game brings in a little more.
SARDINES! Who knew a vampire can love sardines so much?! What about those Prinnies, dood? All these questions are so important when I looked upon making this list. This game is an acquired taste to say the least. This is my personal list. Not everyone can love the Netherworld, its concepts good and evil, and the battles of your lovely followers. When making this list, I also understood that there are many genres in the gaming industry. I love RPG but I always sucked at action rpgs and felt more accustomed to grinding than exploration.
This game demands your time. The most fun comes after many hours of gameplay. It is a tiresome process but the humor keeps me going. Not everyone can enjoy the common anime humor but I find that all the characters are as lovable as the next. When you get to dish out your special moves, even the sprite animation makes it up for you. Ah yes, nothing is more satisfying than smashing your enemy into the moon...Being a pirate might come close though!
I gave my list, why not tell me yours? What do you think are your top games of the year? I know, there have been quite a bit and I wish I can mention all the games I enjoy in detail but hey, I gave my opinion out.
The Honorable Mentions:
Dead Space 2
I got this game for my PS3 right after it got out! I never played the first game though but that didn't hinder my experience to say the least. I bought the game after watching others rate the first game so highly. It became a curiosity of mine but for some reason I decided to play the second game first.
For all you should know I am a very casual gamer. I played through the game on easy difficulty but for me that is pretty close to normal. Well moving on, I found the experience engrossing and terrifying for my first playthrough. Also note I played the game late at night and at some point while I was in extreme pain from my wisdom teeth pulled out. When a monster popped up right after I defeated a horde, I wasn't surprised but I still jumped. The game kept me on edge through the first playthough and I hated/loved it for it.
Don't misunderstand, all games have their faults and Dead Space 2 had plenty. Although this game was frightening for me, it paled in comparison to Amnesia: The Dark Descent. The game was gruesome and bloody however even with the new creatures they place into the game, it still felt too much like the first game, especially the sequence where you enter the Ishimura again. I know, I know, it should be expected, a game shouldn't stray too much from its original roots. Hear me out, I just didn't find the transition all that large. It was more like an improved version of the first game, paying more attention to its location and focusing on player, environment relations. I do enjoy Isaac finally being able to talk and experiencing a little engineering prowess of his.
Saints Row: The Third
There isn't much to say about this game beyond, it is pure crazy fun (That and I'm afraid to mention some parts of it). I'm not one to talk about the sensual nature of the game, although there is way to much than what I care for, but the fact that I got to blow up tanks, buildings, cars, abducting a famous movie stars, and blowing up his rescuers was just plain enjoyable. Oh did I mention I went on a fun TV killing spree? No? I did and people loved me. I'm boss... in more ways than one.
Other aspects of the game that I enjoyed are beating is the humor. Sure its a drug induced nonsensical and perverted humor but that fake Russian accent was totally worth it. I don't why I gave my main character that accent but it helped me through many of the cutscenes. Who knew I was also responsible for a zombie invasion? I didn't mean to, they were shooting at me! Being the sandbox game it is, I get plenty of enjoyable action just hijacking random cars and motorcycles and running over some of my many enemies that appear out of nowhere, as well as a few occasional pedestrians.
Main faults of this game is its own humor. Like I said, I'm not all that into perversion and there is too much. But hey, this is Saints Row! We're GANGSTAHS! There is also a major problem with the difficulty curve. I haven't played the second game but this one was just...too easy. Ok, I was playing on casual but the fact was, it gave me a satellite launcher withing the first 30 minutes of gameplay. Another 15 or so minutes into the main story, it gave me a giant headquarters with helicopter fighter and the like. I jsut don't feel much accomplishment from my efforts. Of course, I did not play the second game in the series. Now who wants my autograph? I'm about to be a movie star from Gangsters in Space!
Batman: Arkham City
I'm BATMAN! And don't you forget it! I will strike fear into your very hearts! Ah yes, the sequel to Batman Arkham Asylum. Before you ask, I have played the first game and enjoyed it. The new game did not disappoint. Surprisingly both were great comic based games compared to the overwhelming garbage heaps. At least it was because of the movies as compared to the others. Than again these games, themselves never really followed the main story line in the first place.
Where to begin. The controls were fluid and easy to adapt from the previous game. Batman is as cool as ever, although I never did consider him a super hero. What I found lacking in asylum was realized in this game. Sure this game changed styles when it chose to become a sandbox like game and taking off its shirt of linear gameplay but it executed the transition amazingly. Note that I didn't say perfectly. I personally enjoy being able to fly around Gotham City and seeing the sites of my curiosity. I don't mind being distracted by other quests. What Batman lost in this new game was focus but that is quite fine with me, especially with the slew of new villains to fend off.
There are parts of the game I loath. Even though Batman is easy to control, I still feel a lag when having to climb buildings. This is especially true when playing as Catwoman. She can never seem to land on a building higher than her and leaping to different spots just to get on top is annoying but necessary to get between points. Winners don't walk the streets, they skip buildings! -nods-
My Top 5 for 2011
5. L.A. Noire
Who likes Sherlock Holmes and solving mysteries? Well I do and I quickly got into L.A. Noire! It isn't like going straight up into the bottom of things and its very much a people's piece as well. In many aspects it is a difficult game but vastly rewarding in the end. What is the most important thing in solving a crime? For me, it had been finding and collecting as much evidence as possible. There is one problem with this aspect as the interrogation period becomes difficult if you don't have enough and pursue the suspect immediately. It is also a very enjoyable part for the game as one must be incredibly scrupulous in each investigation. The chasing and actions scenes were well placed and the controls were more than fair.
The story line was amazing and something I can never forget. Sure it was practically linear but I won't complain, this game isn't Red Dead Redemption after all. Rockstar games still doesn't disappoint though. Their efforts put into recreating L.A. during that time period was amazing and it felt like an old fashioned movie whenever I switched the settings to black and white. The look and feel of the world was in-depth but not without faults. The interrogation has always troubled me to no end. The game boasted that players had to pay attention to the suspect's faces but sometimes I get things far too mixed up.
There is more to being part of the police force besides doing pure investigation. L.A. Noire offers action beyond gathering clues. Violence is necessary in some instances as to subdue a suspect and I cannot complain. I don't mind driving in between locations, getting to see more of this world. I don't care if I have to use violence to haul them in! The game does add realism into the mix and at times, it becomes difficult to deal with. I can't really say how much trouble I had to go through just to avoid killing someone. -sigh- Great game with in its own right.
4. Dead Island
Coming in number 4 on this list of mine is Dead Island. I like going out there killing zeds! In this apocalyptic game where you just begin surviving comes painstaking fights for survival. The rewards are great but the cost is high. Can you survive Dead Island? Hmmm, I'm beginning to sound like an announcer.
Zombie games are fun and all but I never did get into Dead Rising. It felt too easy just hacking and slashing through zombies. Left 4 Dead left me wanting for something more. Dead Island helped me finish my crazing for zombie destruction providing me a fun and challenging experience. Who wants to just shoot down zombies when you can hack at them with a katana? These aren't easy zombies either.
The thing I liked about this zombie game above the Dead Rising and Left 4 Dead series is its realism. Ok, fine, its still zombies, not much realism to be had but the combat system doesn't always make taking down the zombies easy. You'll struggle, you'll get hurt, you'll run for your life! When you cut through those zombies with one of your makeshift weapons, it is oh so satisfying. Not just the blood effects but the EFFORT. That is what counts.
Even the finest things can leave you wanting something better. The AI in the game is one of them. One of the major gripes for me. I hate escorting others or playing a game where you have to cooperate with a brainless idiot. At least its not the most stupid but I still find it difficult to play with. Now excuse me while I go train and upgrade!
3. Portal 2
The cake is a lie! That is perhaps the most memorable aspect of the first game. For the second game, it would be something along the lines of... What do you do when life gives you lemons? I spent so much time running through the second game out of pure determination. Of course the game is no fun if you don't solve the puzzles yourself. Once you know how to something, its becomes like an oh thats it sort of thing, so I'll say the game has little to no replay value. Other than this fault, I LOVED IT.
Its humor is obvious and GLaDOS is as inhuman as ever, at least for a portion of the game. Unlike the first game with its snide comments and so on, I found the second to be a bit more out there. Sort of like enjoying a talk with a sophisticated person than going out to some crazy party in an amusement park! Yeah, not a very helpful analogy. As for the gameplay itself, its Portal! Difficult at times and sometimes just randomly shooting in frustration. With each level, the story slowly pieces itself together! The effort one puts into the game is worth just to see or hear what happens next and discovering how to handle the next puzzle.
As it is shown by the cover art, this is a co-op campaign that I find extremely humorous as well. The only way to go through it though, is you HAVE to have another player. Unfortunately I have not completed this story as I only play it alongside my friends. However, they did a very good job incorporating all the pros and cons of the portal system. We are just simple robots ready to solve the next step!
2. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Ha, this should be somewhat of no surprise with all the time I put into the game so far and plan to continue to do so. Now where to begin on why it is on this list... Actually it is quite simple, the game is an epic. Although the story isn't told in a poem format, it does show many characteristics that makes me love it so. I love tales of adventure, assassins, thieves, bandits, kingdoms and now, dragons! I never thought I could ever get so into a game until I was immersed into this world.
Make no mistake, Skyrim is very glitchy like all of Bethesda's open world games. Most of the glitches are harmless anyways and nothing is perfect after all. Many of the features in game makes up for the glitches. I play the game on a PC system and I've been through the other games as well. My other problem comes from the interface, compared to the other games, the inventory has too much wasted space. Sure the game mostly reminds me of oblivion just better textures and the like with a few new areas. Come on, what about actually getting assassinate an emperor? At least the interface is fixed with the mods anyways!
As for the gameplay itself, I would say, its easy to get along and enjoyable, although annoying seeing as I have to switch to my quick inventory every few minutes to change combat styles. I don't mind, especially with the amazing soundtrack that the game comes along with (enough so that I bought a copy). The story line is, of course, fantasy based but their attention to small details here and there makes it an even more amazing game. I mean, those little side tales about your character as you travel on or that you find while in a dungeon just adds to vastness of Skyrim. I am also very glad that the people don't look as creepy as they did in Oblivion.
1. Disgaea 4: A Promise Unforgotten
Huh? Skyrim wasn't my number one game for this year? UNBELIEVABLE! But true! Now what game did I enjoy more than skyrim, you ask? It is Disgaea 4 of course! I am an anime and manga lover to the heart, maybe not an otaku but I thoroughly enjoy such antics. I mean sure, the series is practically the same old strategy rpg with practically the same old graphics. I think it is one of the strong points, its not like all of them are exactly alike. Each new game brings in a little more.
SARDINES! Who knew a vampire can love sardines so much?! What about those Prinnies, dood? All these questions are so important when I looked upon making this list. This game is an acquired taste to say the least. This is my personal list. Not everyone can love the Netherworld, its concepts good and evil, and the battles of your lovely followers. When making this list, I also understood that there are many genres in the gaming industry. I love RPG but I always sucked at action rpgs and felt more accustomed to grinding than exploration.
This game demands your time. The most fun comes after many hours of gameplay. It is a tiresome process but the humor keeps me going. Not everyone can enjoy the common anime humor but I find that all the characters are as lovable as the next. When you get to dish out your special moves, even the sprite animation makes it up for you. Ah yes, nothing is more satisfying than smashing your enemy into the moon...Being a pirate might come close though!
Afterwords
I gave my list, why not tell me yours? What do you think are your top games of the year? I know, there have been quite a bit and I wish I can mention all the games I enjoy in detail but hey, I gave my opinion out.