December 30th, 2011

5. Portal 2

This is one of those rare puzzle games for me that, while being increasingly challenging, never managed to feel irritating. It’s the perfect blend of having fun while thinking that you’re a rocket scientist. What really puts Portal 2 so high on this list, though, is the witty script, as well as the insanely memorable characters – all few of them.

4. Batman: Arkham City

Entries 4, 3, and 2 on this list are so closely tied that I’d almost like to say that they’re in no particular order. I will say that, of all of the games on this list other than Mortal Kombat, Arkham City represents the most substantial leap forward in quality when compared to its predecessor. While I love Arkham Asylum, this sequel just dwarfs it, to the point where I’m not sure if I could go back to the original game. Obviously, Arkham City isn’t the most expansive open-world[ish] game out there, but I think that a case could be made for it being one of the most detailed. Not only is there more freedom in the way that you tackle the main game, but the stellar voice work and gritty art direction really sell the world of Arkham City. Oh, and making you feel like Batman is a pretty big accomplishment, too.

3. Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception

Hyperbole comin’ at ya: This game’s got it all, from the tight platforming, to the jaw-dropping set-pieces, to the bombastic, yet still inspired musical score, to what are probably the most awe-inspiring visuals that I’ve seen all year. And it’s all grounded in a very introspective tale that puts both Drake and Sully, especially, in a new light. If you like video games, just go play Uncharted 3.

2. Gears of War 3

These last two spots will be a bit tangential, so bare with me. The final installment of this trilogy, while playing it safer than most of these sequels in terms of gameplay, is a hell of a blast for someone who thoroughly digs the established Gears mechanics. The single player campaign is absolutely thrilling, with seemingly innumerable set-piece moments. While the dialogue between each of the characters can get a bit grating at times (“Putting it scientifically, we need to blow his brains out his ass”), I was surprised to find that a few scenes had me getting a bit misty-eyed, and one in particular that put me in stunned silence. From a Gears of War game, I know. Wasn’t expecting to react to it that way, either. Additionally, Horde Mode has consumed at least a few days worth of hours of my life, which is something that very few multiplayer games are able to do. Overall, it’s just a brilliant capper to the trilogy, and – again – probably the game that I played the most of in 2011.

1. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

The funny thing about Skyward Sword being number one is that I seem to have more problems with it than any of the other games on this list. Similarly to Dragon Age II, Skyward Sword is limited to just a few different locales, so variety isn’t exactly the name of the game as far as the environment is concerned; there really isn’t any control over the speed of the text when conversing with another character; the game feels the need to essentially pause and alert you that you obtained an item, even if it’s one that you’ve already picked up; Link’s companion, Fi, feels like a step back from Twilight Princess’ Midna (though perhaps it’s unfair to compare her to my favorite video game character); and the story, when placed into the context of the larger Zelda universe, seems to bring forth more questions than it does answers.

Yet, those are just nitpicks when compared to the things that this game gets right. The painterly, impressionist art style feels right at home within the game’s whimsical aesthetic; the dungeon design is among the best in the series, with equally impressive boss fights; the soundtrack has an identity all its own, without relying on more than a couple classic Zelda tunes; and the characters – I think – will end up being some of the most unforgettable of the series. Groose, along with being one of the relatively few Zelda characters with a genuine character arc, is absolutely hilarious. Ghirahim represents a refreshing new take on the Zelda villain, rather than just being another Ganon. Even Fi, despite being the paragon of stating the obvious, is actually pretty endearing in her own way.

Really, Skyward Sword just made me feel like a kid again, and not so much because of its references to prior games in the series, but just in the overall presentation. Seriously, check it out if you haven’t already. It’s not half bad.