FanPost

OT: Video Games (Game of the Year Edition)

Well, 2011 is pretty much done, and it's been a pretty awesome year in the world of video games. The OT thread has been full of video game stuff, so I thought it was worth separating it for a little bit.

Here are some questions to get discussion started:

1.) What are your top five (more or less if you want) games this year?

2.) What games have you NOT played that came out this year that you want to get to eventually?

3.) Looking ahead, what game/product are you most excited about for 2012?

4.) With multiple reports coming out about a new Xbox in 2013, what is the thing you want most in a next-gen console?

My Top Five:

1.) Skyrim: I've put 70 hours in to this game, and have still not visited two major cities nor completed the main quest. An intriguing story, an insane amount of content and improved combat make this the top game of 2011.

2.) Portal 2: Valve can do no wrong. They managed to make a longer, funnier, more challenging and better game than they did with Portal 1. The Co-Op is loads of fun, to boot.

3.) Bastion: This is a downloadable game on XBL. GET IT NOW. It's a Diablo-esque game that tells its story by using a constant narrator to provide context on what you're doing in the game. The story is probably the best I've seen in a game since BioShock.

4.) Deus Ex: Human Revolution: It has some faults (UGH BOSS FIGHTS), but the in-game atmosphere and story beats of this prequel are tons of fun. Also has some pretty shocking story twists thrown in, something hard to do when you already know the events of the main story.

5.) L.A. Noire: Team Bondi and Rockstar somehow managed to make an adventure game more than just hunting for pixels in the game to find your next clue. Top acting and some incredible facial animations are what I remember the most. It's not for everybody, but you can get it for cheap. It's worth a shot.