2010 was the year of COD:Black Ops. It was the highest selling game of the year. Other games which got the spotlight are Mass Effect 2, Red Dead Redemption, God Of War III, Halo: Reach and Super Mario Galaxy II. Excuse us if we leave someone out. It is still a lot of games for a year!

Well, 2011 looks promising too. These are the games to look out for this year.

1. Crysis 2 (PC/XBOX 360/PS3)

This is a bit late since it has already been released as of March 22, 2011. Still, it was the most awaited game of the year. Sporting the new Nanosuit 2.0, the game introduces some new features in the latest installment like multiple modes, increased speed and durability. The first suit’s Strength and Speed Modes have been combined into the new Power Mode and the suit binoculars function has been upgraded with an advanced Tactical mode. It is set in New York and the year is 2023. It is claimed that the new game will perform well on standard hardware even if the requirements are still high. It is also the first game to use CryEngine 3. Initial user reviews are definitely showing a positive for the high-end graphics.

2.Mass Effect 3 (PC/XBOX 360/PS3)

The third installment of Mass Effect series is eagerly awaited by fans for the better RPG experience and an ‘epic conclusion’ that has been promised by the makers. Like the previous installments the decisions made by the users will be imported from Mass Effect 1 and Mass Effect 2. It will be announced in Q3 2011.

3.Max Payne 3 (PC/XBOX 360/PS3)

Max Payne brings up great memories when the first game was released in 2001. It had a solid plot and a great RPG experience. It also introduced the Bullet Time mode which enables the player to shoot in a super-slow mode. The new installment shows Max, the central character in a new town after he has moved from New York. He is older and works in the private security of a wealthy local family. The time is set to 12 years after the second game. It is definitely awaited the world over by gamers.

4.Portal 2(PC/Mac/XBOX 360/PS3)

Portal 2 brings the same gaming style of Portal which took the gaming world by storm. The puzzles still continue in the new version and Chell returns again to the facility which is dilapidated and she has to rebuild it. The portal gun is used this time too though additional elements such as Tractor Beams, laser redirection and special paint-like gels are added too. It is set to be released on April 21, 2011 in the US.

5.Dead Space 2(PC/XBOX 360/PS3)

Dead Space 2 is a sequel to the horror TPS game Dead Space. It features the same HUD-less display system like Dead Space. Isaac Clarke is the same lead character controlled by the user. The new version has more challenging enemies and scary moments that will keep the player at the edge of his seat. It was released on January 25, 2011.

6.Deus Ex: Human Revolution(PC/XBOX 360/PS3)

Deus Ex: Human Revolution is the prequel to the original game and it is the third installment in the series. Unlike the nanotech augmentations in the previous installments the augmentations deployed here are mechanical. Thus four modes will be available- combat, stealth, technology and social. Other changes include the regenerating health model and distinct ammunition types.It is set to be released on August 23, 2011 in the North America.

7.Rage(PC/Mac/XBOX 360/PS3/iOS)

First announced in 2007 at QuakeCon, it is a highly rated game which uses the new id Tech 5 engine. A spinoff version for iOS has already been released. Its makers are the same guys who made popular titles like Doom and Quake. It sure is going to be killer game. It is set to be released on September 13, 2011 in the North America.

8.Bulletstorm(PC/XBOX 360/PS3)

Released by EA and made by Epic Games, this is an FPS game set in the 26th century.  A unique feature of this game is the ‘skillshots’ which are achieved by performing some unconventional moves or kills in unusual ways. The weapons are also big and feature alternate firing modes. The characters are equipped with an energy leash which helps them suspend enemies in mid-air or throw them around. The game has received positive reviews for its dark-humour-filled gameplay. It was released on February 22, 2011.

9.Homefron(PC/XBOX 360/PS3)

‘Home is where the war is.’ The setting for the game is set in a fallen America which has been invaded by the ‘Unified Korea’ in the year 2027. Though the actual gameplay is nothing different than any run-of-the-mill FPS, its setting and storyline is what makes it unique. Even though it seems logically impossible, the game makes it look real and convincing. It uses the older Unreal Engine 3.0 and is authorised and released on Steam. It was released on March 15, 2011.

10.DOOM 4(PC/XBOX 360/PS3)

The legacy of DOOM continues with the latest installment, DOOM 4. It was announced in 2008 and will use the new id Tech 5 engine which is also used by Rage. But it is claimed to look three times better than Rage, since it will run at 30 fps as against 60 fps for Rage(for PS3 and XBOX 360). But on PCs it will run at 60 fps on state-of-the-art hardware. It is not a sequel nor a reboot to the series but it will be different as is promised by the CEO of id Software, Todd Hollenshead. No dates have yet been given for its release though it is speculated to be released later this year.

 

We still have a lot of titles to talk about. Keep reading for the next post on Best Games of 2011.

Happy Gaming!