Anticipation without means, is half the fun or so it seems. While you are now looking forward to a great many games, at the end of 2011 I believe the listed titles are the games you will fondly remember playing. Both logical and indeterminable factors taken into account are: Hype, developer potential, nostalgia, recent critical successes, a series’ past sales and average review scores, all counted towards this unbiased Top 100 of big games you can expect to see in 2011.
Our Choice Top 100 Videogames of 2011-Count Down to Top 10…
100. Spec Ops: The Line (360, PS3, PC)
99. DC Universe Online (PC, PS3) due January 11, 2011
98. True Crime: Hong Kong (360, PS3, PC) due March-May 2011
97. Driver: San Francisco (360, PS3, PC, Mac, Wii) due after March 2011
96. Hunted: The Demon’s Forge (360, PS3, PC) due May 10, 2011
95. PlayStation Move Heroes (PS3 Move)
94. Star Wars Kinect (360 Kinect) due Christmas 2011
93. Ghostbusters: Sanctum of Slime (360, PS3, PC)January-March 2011
92. X-Men Destiny (360, PS3, Wii, DS) due 2nd half of 2011
91. Darkspore (PC) due March 29, 2011
90. Operation Flashpoint: Red River (360, PS3, PC) due April-June 2011
89. Dynasty Warriors 7 (360, PS3) due March 22, 2011
88. Yakuza 4 (PS3) due March 15, 2011
87. Homefront (360, PS3, PC) due March 8, 2011
86. Knights Contract (360, PS3) due February 22, 2011
85. Sorcery (PS3) due February-March 2011
84. Bulletstorm (360, PS3, PC) due February 22, 2011
83. The Sims Medieval (PC, Mac) due March 1, 2011
82. Mario Sports Mix (Wii) due February 7, 2011
81. Rise of Nightmares (360 Kinect)
80. The Witness (XBLA, PSN, PC)
79. Bodycount (360, PS3, PC) due January-March 2011
78. Mortal Kombat 2011 (360, PS3) due April 2011
77. MotorStorm: Apocalypse (PS3) due March 15, 2011
76. de Blob 2 (360, PS3, Wii, DS, 3DS) due February 22, 2011
75. Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor (360 Kinect)
74. Torchlight II (PC, Mac)
73. Alice: Madness Returns (360, PS3, PC) due late 2011
72. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine (360, PS3, PC) due mid-2011
71. Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury (XBLA) due Spring 2011
70. Silent Hill 8 (360, PS3)
69. Shadows of the Damned (360, PS3, PC, Wii) due April-June 2011
68. DJ Hero 3D (3DS)
67. Dissidia 012: Duodecim Final Fantasy (PSP) due March 22, 2011
66. Project Draco (360 Kinect)
65. Football Manager 2012 (PC, Mac) due early-November 2011
64. Nintendogs + Cats (3DS) due Spring 2011
63. Disgaea 4 (PS3) due April-June 2011
62. Dirt 3 (360, PS3, PC)
61. UFC Undisputed 2011 (360, PS3, iOS) due May 2011
60. Tomb Raider: Lara Croft Reborn (360, PS3, PC) due late 2011
59. The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings (PC) due May 17, 2011
58. InFamous 2 (PS3)
57. Animal Crossing (3DS)
56. Resistance 3 (PS3) due September 6, 2011
55. Red Faction: Armageddon (360, PS3, PC) due May 2011
54. SOCOM 4: U.S. Navy SEALs (PS3) due January-March 2011
53. PixelJunk Shooter 2 (PSN) due early 2011
52. Fight Night Champion (360, PS3) due March 1, 2011
51. Kingdom Hearts Re:coded (DS) due January 11, 2011
50. Journey (PSN)
49. Max Payne 3 (360, PS3, PC) due July-September 2011
48. LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars (360, PS3, PSP, PC, Wii, DS)
47. Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracles (3DS) due Spring 2011
46. RAGE (360, PS3, PC, Mac) due September 13, 2011
45. Twisted Metal (PS3) due February 22, 2011
44. Child of Eden (360 Kinect, PS3) due March 2011
43. NBA 2K12 (360, PS3, PS2, PSP, Wii, PC) due October 2011
42. F.E.A.R. 3 (360, PS3, PC) due March 22, 2011
41. Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Future Soldier (360, PS3, PC, DS)
40. Resident Evil: Revelations (3DS)
39. NHL 12 (360, PS3) due September 2011
38. Phantasy Star Online 2 (PC)
37. Okamiden (DS) due March 15, 2011
36. Project Dark (360, PS3)
35. Deus Ex: Human Revolution (360, PS3, PC) due April-late 2011
34. Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One (PS3) due Fall 2011
33. XCOM (360, PC)
32. Brink (360, PS3) due April 12, 2011
31. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (360, PS3, PC)
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker is the latest entry into the Metal Gear Solid franchise, and the second canonical Metal Gear title produced for the PSP. Set in Costa Rica, Peace Walker puts you in control of Big Boss once again as he prepares the rise of Outer Heaven.
30. Dead Space 2 (360, PS3, PC) due January 25, 2011
Dead Space 2 is the sequel to the 2008 surprise hit Dead Space. The no-longer-silent Isaac Clarke finds himself trapped on a city-sized space station called the Sprawl, which has been overtaken by another Necromorph infestation.
29. Battlefield 3 (360, PS3, PC) due 2nd half of 2011
In Battlefield 3, players step into the role of the elite U.S. Marines where they will experience heart-pounding single player missions and competitive multiplayer actions ranging across diverse locations from around the globe including Europe, Middle-East and North America.
28. Angry Birds Valentine’s Day (iOS) due February 14, 2011
27. Killzone 3 (PS3) due February 22, 2011
Continuing from Killzone 2, players find Emperor Visari, the viscious dictator of the Helghast, dead at the feet of Sev and Rico. However this war is far from won. In the wake of Visari’s death, Helghan has devolved into a world of political scheming, rapid infighting, and murder. Now, the two most powerful men on Helghan are fighting for complete and utter dominance while Visari’s vision of Helghan is in jeopardy. With limited supplies and no re-enforcements, the ISA must now fight not to win a war, but to survive a lost one.
In Killzone 3, players once again face the hostile Helghast army, battling overwhelming odds in the fight for human survival. Killzone 3 delivers a single-player campaign as well as full featured multiplayer mode.
26. Crysis 2 (360, PS3, PC) due March 22, 2011
If you’ve not played it you’ve heard of its graphics. Crysis has set the mold for how games of the future should look. This multiplayer shooter keeps you on your toes as you go through stages (including New York City) to kick some major alien butt.
25. Madden NFL 12 (360, PS3, PS2, PSP, Wii, 3DS, iOS) due August 2011
Madden NFL 12 continues the rich tradition of the storied franchise by bringing fans closer to the NFL than ever before. Featuring all 32 teams, stadiums, and all your favorite players in the league, Madden NFL 12 is True to the Game. All-new collision system, advanced defensive A.I. enhancements highlight the 2012 edition’s improved feature set, with Custom Playbooks also added provide a more authentic gameplay experience. Franchise mode includes more than 100 new features and enhancements, while Superstar mode now allows fans to control the growth of their superstar with an all-new progression system. Dynamic Player Performance creates unprecedented realism as a player’s skills and confidence will rise and fall based on his performance throughout a game or in Franchise mode, just like the real NFL. No two players will play the same in Madden NFL 12. Further adding to the experience, Online Communities will provide an all-new way for Madden NFL gamers to meet and play, and Madden NFL Ultimate Team continues to offer the perfect combination of Madden NFL Football, fantasy football, and trading cards.
24. FIFA Soccer 12 (360, PS3, PS2, PSP, PC, Wii, DS, 3DS, iOS) due October 2011
FIFA Soccer 12 brings to the pitch the game-changing new Player Impact Engine, a physics engine built to deliver real-world physicality in every interaction on the pitch. Experience the way real-world players challenge each other for the ball, win possession, and test each other physically. Enjoy an infinite variety of natural and believable outcomes in every collision. Players feel more resilient, push and pull during the fight for possession, and recover from light challenges more easily.
23. MLB 11: The Show (PS3, PS2, PSP) due March 8, 2011
MLB 11 The Show is set again to provide fans with an unparalleled baseball experience with even more features and modes destined to quicken the heart, raise the stakes, and hurl you further into the true MLB baseball experience. Leading off on the new features set for PS3 is the addition of the Pure Analog Control System, which includes analog controls for hitting, pitching, and throwing, adding more precision and accuracy to all three disciplines.
22. Catherine (PS3)
Vincent likes his girlfriend. Katherine’s pretty, smart, and successful. Trouble is, she’s starting to talk about long-term commitment, something Vincent’s spent his entire life avoiding. Since romantic complications are the last thing he wants to deal with, Vincent meets his friends for their regular night of drinks. Little does he know that he’s about to be blindsided by a beautiful, seductive, irresistible freight train named Catherine. Suddenly, he’s hung over in bed next to the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen, unsure about the previous night’s events. Was it just making out, he wonders, or did something more serious happen between them? Should he tell Katherine? Will he ever see Catherine again? Vincent’s about to find that a stumble on the staircase of love can turn into a horrific, fatal plummet…
21. LittleBigPlanet 2 (PS3) due January 18, 2011
LittleBigPlanet 2 takes the original concept of LittleBigPlanet and Sony’s “Play, Create, Share” genre and drastically improves upon all elements by adding even more tools and a new story campaign.
20. Duke Nukem Forever (360, PS3, PC) due early 2011
Duke Nukem Forever, the long awaited sequel to Duke Nukem 3D, was finally released in June 2011, after approximately 14 years of development.
19. Dragon Age II (360, PS3, PC) due March 8, 2011
Dragon Age 2 is one of the most immersing RPG-type games that we’ve come across in a while. With its unique storyline and character development choices it immerses you in a world that’s hard to get away from. Rise to power as one of many races or rogue, warrior, wizard class. Level and get unique items that make your character stronger. Sequel to Bioware’s 2009 Game of the Year Dragon Age: Origins
18. Paper Mario (3DS)
Paper Mario brings paper-based 2D environments to life.
17. Mario Kart 3DS (3DS)
Mario Kart the classic arcade racing game is back, now in 3D!
16. Pokemon Black & White (DS) due March 6, 2011
Pokemon Black and White introduces more than 150 new Pokemon, and each game has exclusive content. Pokemon Black Version includes the Reshiram Pokemon as well as the metropolitan Black City. Pokemon White Version includes the Pokemon Zekrom and White Forest region.
15. The Last Guardian (PS3) due Winter 2011-2012
The Last Guardian is the third game by the acclaimed development staff behind ICO and Shadow of the Colossus. In the game, a young boy and a bizarre, gigantic creature form a heartfelt bond as they attempt to maneuver their way through an unfriendly world.
14. Forza Motorsport 4 (360) due July-September 2011
The next installment of Turn 10′s racing franchise slated for release in Fall 2011. It is set to feature 16 player online races, dynamic race conditions, cars from over 80 manufacturers, and compatibility with Kinect, both on and off the racetrack.
13. SSX: Deadly Descents (360, PS3) due Winter 2011
Redefining the franchise, SSX pits riders against both mountain and man. Players explore the story of a team who seek to be the first to descend the faces of the most treacherous mountain ranges on the planet. The team travels the world to face the worst that Mother Nature can throw at them. From the peaks of the Himalayas, where the air is so thin that riders have to descend through the death zone at breakneck speeds to keep from blacking out, to the solid ice ranges of Antarctica, where a sunlit line is the only survival option when temperatures drop 50 degrees centigrade in the shade. And the mountain isn’t the only danger players will face. In SSX the first goal is to survive. The second, in true SSX fashion, is to look good doing it.
12. L.A. Noire (360, PS3) due May 17, 2011
L.A. Noire is a detective thriller developed by Team Bondi in Australia and published by Rockstar Games.
11. Batman: Arkham City (360, PS3, PC) due October 18, 2011
Batman: Arkham City takes place in a secluded part of Gotham City that has been transformed into an enormous prison for the city’s scumbags and lunatics, and is the sequel to the critically acclaimed Batman: Arkham Asylum.
10. Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds (360, PS3) due February 15, 2011
After a decade-long hiatus, Marvel vs. Capcom 3 continues the popular crossover fighting game series characterized by fast-paced gameplay, complex tag teams, and elaborate combos.
9. Star Wars: The Old Republic (PC) due late-2011
An MMO in the vein of the acclaimed KOTOR series, The Old Republic is a story-driven MMO set three hundred years after the first two KOTOR games, focusing on the battle between a new Sith Empire that has arisen and the Galactic Republic struggling for control of the galaxy.
8. Gears of War 3 (360) due September 20, 2011
The third and final installment in the Gears of War trilogy. Taking place on the apocalyptic planet Sera, 18 months after the ending of Gears of War 2, players will once again take control of C.O.G. soldier Marcus Fenix as he takes on the Locust threat and their Lambent rivals.
7. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (360, PS3, PC) due November 11, 2011
The fifth installment in Bethesda’s Elder Scrolls franchise is set in the titular realm of Skyrim and overhauls the graphics, gameplay and quest system with an all new engine.
6. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (360, PS3, PC, Wii, DS) due November 8, 2011
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 brings World War 3 into the Call of Duty franchise. It also continues the exploits of Soap MacTavish and Captain Price as they hunt down international terrorist Vladimir Makarov.
5. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Wii) due late 2011
Link descends from his floating continent home to explore the dark and dangerous world below with the help of a magical blade, in this latest installment of the Legend of Zelda series set prior to the events of Ocarina of Time.
4. Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood (360, PS3, PC) due November 15, 2011
The third installment in the Assassin’s Creed franchise, this game’s story picks up right after the events of Assassin’s Creed II, showing Ezio Auditore traveling to Rome to recruit a new force of assassins. Brotherhood is the first game in the series to offer online multiplayer
3. Portal 2 (360, PS3, PC, Mac) due April 19, 2011
Portal 2 is the sequel to the acclaimed first-person puzzle game, carrying forward its love of mind-bending problems and its reckless disregard for the space-time continuum.
2. Mass Effect 3 (360, PS3, PC) due Winter 2011-2012
Two years after Commander Shepard repelled invading Reapers bent on the destruction of organic life, a mysterious new danger has emerged. On the fringes of known space, something is silently abducting entire human colonies. Now Shepard must work with Cerberus, a ruthless organization devoted to human survival at any cost, to stop the most terrifying threat mankind has ever faced. To even attempt this perilous mission, Shepard must assemble the galaxy’s most elite team and command the most powerful ship ever built. Even then, doubters say it would be suicide. Commander Shepard intends to prove them wrong.
The character development is unique as it allows you to choose from 19 different weapons while you customize your characters strength and abilities.
1. Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception (PS3) due November 1, 2011
On an expedition to find the mythical “Atlantis of the Sands” in the heart of the Arabian Desert, Nathan Drake and his partner, Victor Sullivan, encounter a deceptive organization led by a ruthless dictator. Terrible secrets unfold, causing Drake’s quest to descend into a bid for survival.