2011 has been one of the greatest years in recent gaming. There were so many great games that were released, it was hard to sift through all of them. I myself haven’t had the time to play Uncharted 3 yet and it’s tearing me up inside! 2011 began with a bang, and it sure ended with just as big of a bang with great games like: Arkham City, Skyrim, Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, and Skyrim. Oh let’s not forget about Skyrim, Skyrim, and Skyrim (okay, I’m done). This list is meant to ease your video game purchases and give you a clear head as you buy some excellent games for your friends, family, and co-workers.
For the Adventurer:There are gamers like like to shoot, gamers that like to solve puzzles, and gamers that like to jump around. The adventurer is a combination of all of these. They like games that will challenge them both mentally and physically, as well as provide them with a vehicle to progress along a story. The Adventurer wants it all; they want story, characters, action, and exploration. 2011 was an easy year for the Adventurer, and it should make for some easy holiday shopping.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (360, PS3)
Few games do adventuring this well. Skyrim is such a huge experience that it may be incredibly daunting to the unseasoned player. Long-lived adventurers call out for a game like Skyrim, it has action, questing, and some of the most fluid exploration the be present in a game since Bethesda’s last Elder Scrolls game Oblivion. This game is mainly for the hardcore adventurer, and the RPG structure may turn some gamers away, but if you have a faux Indiana Jones on your list, this is the game to get them! Skyrim is set in a Nordic-styled world filled with all sorts of mythical beasts. If your adventurer likes to slay dragons on top of all their adventuring, Skyrim should be on your holiday hit list. The perfect game for the gamer that wants to do it all, Skyrim has slowly become THE game of 2011.
Other Notable Picks: Zelda: Skyward Sword, Assassin’s Creed Revelation, Uncharted 3
For The Wii Owner
This is too self explanatory to explain...so I won’t
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Wii)
Zelda is just too good. Zelda has always been a favorite series of mine, and is only behind Final Fantasy as my favorite video game series of all (But that’s up for contention after FF13). This new Zelda has changed the game for me. Firstly, if you have a friend that owns a Wii this is THE Wii game to own. With great usage of the Wii Motion Plus, a beautiful art style, and serious amount of length, collection, and customization (for a Zelda game), Skyward Sword is a must own for any Wii gamer, or Zelda fan. I’ve played almost all of Skyward Sword and it’s hard to realize that I’ve already spent over 30 hours playing it. I believe that I had cleared Twilight Princess in about 20 hours of game play, so Skyward Sword sits undefeated at 30+ hours for me currently. The game is just plain good! It has revitalized a series and a system that were close to life support and it’s great to see that Zelda is still Incredibly relevant. This game is also great for an adventurer, but it’s no Skyrim! So if your friend or family member has a Wii, go get them Skyward Sword and all will be happy.
Other Picks: Kirby’s Return to Dreamland, Xenoblade Chronicles (If Non-US)
For the Doom Bringer
The Doom Bringer is one of my favorite types of gamers. These players don’t care about story or characters as much as they care about destroying EVERYTHING! The Doom Bringer plays games that allow them to do what they want when they want. The blow things up, shoot enemies with special weapons just to see the effect, and they play video games for the sheer purpose of ruining some virtual lives. Story and gameplay are important, but not nearly as important as being able to watch the world burn!
First Pick: Saint’s Row: The Third
I just want to get this straight, I sadly did not play Saint’s Row 2. A few days ago I was out to lunch with friends, Graves and Huey, and we got to talking about video games. Graves is a huge fan of Saint’s Row and with good reason. He explained to me that you could play the entire game as a toilet with rocket fists, and I was instantly sold. It also helps that Burt Reynolds plays himself in this game, as the city’s mayor. So I bought Saint’s Row: The Third, and became instantly hooked. Saint’s Row is a game that makes GTA look like a storybook. It’s easy to label Saint’s Row a GTA clone, but this game has separated itself from GTA so much that it only slightly resembles it’s inspiration. Saint’s Row: The Third does what video games are supposed to do, and that is show you a great time! I do admit, this game is not for anyone under 17...and it’s Mature rating should be enforced. But if you’re of age, and just feel like getting out of the seriousness that is seen in games like Skyrim, Saint’s Row: The Third will not dissappoint! It’s GTA on steroids...horrifying brain octopi controlling steroids that allow you to fight rival gangs with a gigantic sex toy. The Doom Bringer can customize and terrorize! And if your Doom Bringer has friends, you can play Saint’s Row: The Third online...so go out and be crazy!
Other Picks: Skyrim, Assassin’s Creed Revelations
For the Fighter
There are gamers that love to throw their fists, roundhouse kick their enemies, and break backs over their knees. These gamers are the fighters! Their favorite genre is fighting, and they will travel to tournaments, trash talk online, and buy their own arcade sticks. They are an incredibly competitive group, and their love for fighting is second to none.
First Pick: Street Fighter III: Third Strike (PSN, XBLM)
This was a hard pick. Firstly, Marvel vs. Capcom 3 was not nearly as good as anticipated, and many of us are getting fairly sick of Street Fighter IV and it’s 1000 versions. I personally have to go with Street Fighter III’s comeback to the PSN and XBLM. Street Fighter III is the unsung hero of the Street Fighter franchise and provides the fighter with the best example of an incredible fighting experience. The new HD update to Third Strike brings online play to the mix, and has become the definitive version of SFIII. No fighting game fan will balk at this title! There were some other great games out there, like King of Fighters XIII, which is great! But it’s hard to compete with one of the best fighting games of all time.
Other Picks: Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, King of Fighters XIII
For the Platformer
Platforming games have taken a back seat to shooters, killers, and other more violent types of games. The genre dominated by Mario and friends has seen some excellent advancements in recent years, and this year gave us some more excellent 2D platforming games that almost anyone could enjoy. The platformer like games simple, fun, and classic, but in today it’s hard to get a 2D platformer that doesn’t feel somewhat outdated. 2011 has the answer with some of the most fun platforming games I’ve played in a while!
First Pick: Rayman Origins (PS3, 360, Wii)
Before talking about the gameplay, Rayman Origins is a beautiful game. It looks like it is straight out of a gorgeous cartoon world. I was so impressed with this game before I put my hand on the X button to jump. What’s also great about Rayman Origins is that it plays about as good as it looks! Origins is an incredible platforming game with great controls, colorful characters, and beautiful environments. It’s challenging when it needs to be, and feels so wonderfully perfect, that any fan of platforming games needs Rayman Origins. It’s what I like to call a “new classic” a new game that will continue to become a classic among gamers everywhere.
Other Picks: Sonic Generations, Kirby’s Return to Dreamland
That’s what I’m going to leave you with for now, but that’s only the first leg of this journey. Tune in later for other archetypes: The Racer, The Rocker, and the Wanderer, and many more!
