The Best Games Of 2011: G4tv.com's Staff Picks For The Year

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Posted December 19, 2011 - By G4 Staff

The Best Games Of 2011: G4's Staff Picks For The Year

It's the end of one of the best years in gaming yet. We saw the release of awesome games like The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, Uncharted 3, and the battle between Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 versus Battlefield 3. Plus, you guys got to decide your own game of the year in our Videogame Deathmatch Best of 2011. But now, as it's the end of the year, G4tv.com's staff thought we'd share our own personal favorite games of the year with you, our favorite readers. Please remember that these are just our opinions, and we'd love to hear about your favorite game of the year in the comments section.

So without further ado, here are G4's favorite games we played this year.

Battlefield 3

Battlefield 3

Best Multiplayer. Bonus of badass campaign. Stabs Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 in the face.

-Justin Dornbush, Lead Editor of those who fear sunlight

5 Reasons Why You Should Be Excited About Rayman Origins

Rayman Origins

Skyrim, Portal 2. Play them. Love them. All that. But if you’re looking for something that will not only melt your eyes but your heart, you must play Rayman Origins. The level of enthusiastic and unbridled creativity on display in that game is practically unrivaled and will leave you in constant awe from start to finish. Plus, if you want Beyond Good and Evil 2 to see the light of day, supporting Origins is your best bet.

-Jake Gaskill, Previews Editor

More Uncharted 3 Details, Screenshots Released

Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception

I’m sad that Uncharted 3 has been ignored by everyone when it comes to the best games of 2011. I know some people felt “meh” about the game but I thoroughly enjoyed Nathan Drake’s new adventure. There were so many great aspects about the game, like the funny writing, the over-the-top adventure that pulled from history and different cultures, the incredible details of the graphics, the seamless integration with cut scenes where I had Nathan standing still for a whole minute because I had no idea it was time for him to get going. I even got sea sick during the boat chapter. That’s crazy! So congrats, Naughty Dog and Uncharted 3. You just won Moye’s Game of the Year trophy.

-Moye Ishimoto, AOTS web girl & Nathan Drake’s future wife

VIDEO: Holiday Buyers Guide 2011: X-Play Staff Picks Part 1

Alice Madness Returns

Alice: Madness Returns

My favorite game of the year was Alice: Madness Returns. Aside from the repetitive platforming, this was by far the most beautiful, engaging, quirky release of 2011 and I absolutely loved it. All of the animation was gorgeous, I loved collecting every single little thing, the dialogue had plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, the music was wonderful, and overall the graphics were stunningly vibrant. A lot of games came out this year that looked really good, and I can understand why some people didn’t like Alice’s style, but to me it was perfect. I seriously loved every second that I got to spend playing it.

-Leah Jackson, Games Editor G4TV.com

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

I like shooting people in the dick.

-Webmaster, G4TV.com

skyrim

Skyrim

Because I used to be an adventurer, before I … started playing this game.

-Becky Jutzi, Google Ninja

Portal 2

While the open-world-ness and awesome-sauce dragon slaying of Skyrim has taken up countless hours of my time (and will continue to into the new year), nothing can compare to the experience I had playing Portal 2. From the moment the game started to when the final credits rolled I had an ear-to-ear grin, and might have even squealed with glee like a school girl a few times. Portal 2 is smart, beautiful, challenging, hilarious, heart-warming, and perfect.

VIDEO: Holiday Buyers Guide 2011: X-Play Staff Picks Part 2

-Patrick Roche-Sawa, Producer, MMO Report

Saints Row 3

Saints Row: The Third

While I enjoyed Portal 2, my vote for the best game of the year goes to Saints Row: The Third. It's set the bar high. From now on, if I can't run around looking like Omar from The Wire in a dress blowing up prostitutes with a tank, I don't want to play it.

-Dana Vinson, Reviews Editor

New Portal 2 Screenshots Feature Stunning Science Laboratory and Companion Cubes

Portal 2

Accidentally dunking your friends into acid never gets old.

-Michael Wolfe, Minister of Magic

Rocksmith

Ubisoft’s slightly hard-to-find guitar tutor is the kind of niche product that one either loves or hates. If you like guitars and rock ‘n’ roll, this music program is insanely great. If you don’t, it isn’t. While it’s not exactly a game in the classic sense of the word, it is an ambitious, well put together gaming experience that expands what we can get out of putting a disc in our console. Plus, rock and roll!

-Stephen Johnson, Consigliere

Shadows of the Damned

There were two games this year that stood out amongst the crowd. Shadows of the Damned was dark, quirky, linear third-person shooter and I love every minute of it. The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim was nothing like Shadows of the Damned. It's open, it's serious, and there are no guns. Both games were amazing and I highly recommend both. Love, Nikole.

-Nikole Zivalich, Games Editor, G4TV.com

Batman: Arkham City

You're probably asking yourself, why pick Batman: Arkham City for the game of 2011? Why steal that title from The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim or The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword? My only answer is because some men aren't looking for anything logical, like endless amount of gameplay, or a magical adventure to save a princess. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned or negotiated with. Some men just want to play as Batman. This world of gamers deserve a better action/adventure game. And I'm gonna give it to them! [smiling sardonically]

-Donell Tucker, Interactive Media Associate

G4's Favorite Games Of The Year

Might and Magic: Heroes 6

One of my favorite games this year, beyond the Skyrims and Modern Warfare 3s, has gotta be Might and Magic: Heroes 6. What?? Yup, I've always been a fan of the Heroes of Might and Magic games because I still love turn-based strategy games, especially this series that boasts solid RPG elements and an interesting storyline. For Extra Life in October, I streamed hours playing without getting tired despite it being late at night and a relatively slow-paced game. It's beautiful, with lots of different creaturse at your disposal, the music is amazing and the gameplay hits a sweet spot for me. If you're looking for a total change of pace, I definitely recommend PC fans give Might and Magic: Heroes 6 a whirl. You already own the big ones, why not give a little guy a chance?

- Eric Eckstein, Director, Gaming Editorial

Tags: PC Gaming, PlayStation 3, Videogames, Xbox 360

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stealth20k

all generic western titles. What a suprise

Posted: February 23, 2012 7:27 PM
Simoz

Ur all gay bozos with no lives get the memo sados

Posted: January 9, 2012 8:34 AM
DrNo0

Shadows of the damned and rayman are two of my goty other than zelda

Posted: December 21, 2011 12:18 PM
7danx

This site sucks bad crap, and i bet that when the Wii U starts becoming the most popular console they will start giving Nintendo the recognition it deserves. It was clearly on the best of 2011 deadmatch how biased they are against Zelda, but screw you.

Posted: December 21, 2011 10:24 AM
untitledbymiles

Feel how you want about Uncharted 3, it is the prettiest game of this generation by far. And it is extremely polished.

That being said, I really don't know what my game of the year is. Skyrim is... well Skyrim. But plaing Rayman Origins was the most fun I've had this year.

Posted: December 21, 2011 4:43 AM
voteg4

CALL of DUTY LOL,it's the same game as MW2

Posted: December 20, 2011 11:18 PM
SandbagsCacy

I would have liked to have seen Dark Souls up there, my goty. And I mean these guys did give it a 5 out of 5.

Posted: December 20, 2011 11:03 PM
Juicelee

so... I guess I was the only guy who thought LA noire should get an honorable mention?

Posted: December 20, 2011 5:40 PM
SDaugherty

How can a game as buggy as Skyrim be game of the year? It's been out for a bit over a month and I still can't get it to play for an hour with our crashing. 2 patches have made the game worse. Sure it has potential but we need to give it GOTY with all these bugs seems like rewarding the shoddy state of the game at release.

Posted: December 20, 2011 1:12 PM
smogger

I'm slightly surprised that no one mentioned Deus Ex yet.

Posted: December 20, 2011 12:01 PM
CitizenD

Thanks to Leah for picking Alice:MR. The gameplay wasnt the most original, but visually? Outstanding! I liked it so much I bought the Art book!
I am definitely in the Dead Space 2 camp. Scary, but a good bit of action/adventure as well.
Horror and SciFi are my gaming peanut butter and chocolate...

Posted: December 20, 2011 9:33 AM
permanent_nirvana

I really think Batman : Arkham City was the best game of the year. I enjoyed playing a lot of games this year, and a few stood out. (Skyrim, Skyward Sword, Gears of War 3) but I loved every minute of playing Arkham City. Half of the time I spent playing it, I thought I was Batman.

Posted: December 20, 2011 8:10 AM
ReconSoldier777

Personally, I used to like to play Rage, then I took an arrow to the knee...
then i REALLY liked to play it. I'd rather take a shotgun shell to the head,
then take another arrow the knee...that crap hurts. Atleast with a shotgun shell,
it's a fast death. :P

Posted: December 20, 2011 7:47 AM
rigby127

My pick for Game of the Year has got to be Saints Row: The Third. Better not make Genki angry.

Posted: December 20, 2011 2:01 AM
goalieguy

I would like to cast a readers vote for Bastion, because the narrators voice was awesome

Posted: December 19, 2011 10:19 PM
CoolerThanYourMom

how are you people getting mad about someone else's opinion

Posted: December 19, 2011 10:01 PM
Cryptomaster420

i thought for a minute quote

" Because I used to be an adventurer, before I started playing this game.

-Becky Jutzi, Google Ninja"

was gonna be another arrow to the knee punn that never gets too old

Posted: December 19, 2011 7:40 PM
Nocturnaldrum

Why Dead Space 2 isn't on this list and Shadows of the Damned is.....is beyond me.

Posted: December 19, 2011 6:45 PM
AmericanKing01

Where are Adam, Morgan, Blare, and Kristen?

Posted: December 19, 2011 5:40 PM
RPG-fan

Anyone in the G4 staff pick Witcher 2 or Dark Souls as their Pick For The Year? I know Blair Herter really likes Dark Souls but has said he preferred Skyrim over it for GOTY. Don't tell me the staff went "WAAAHH!!!" over Dark Souls, because how hard it is, while for Witcher 2, almost everyone is waiting for the Xbox version.

Posted: December 19, 2011 5:20 PM