2011 in Gaming: Completed

I meant to do this last year, but never did. Inspired by Reeve (and originally namatamiku), this is a roundup of all the games I played this year. It will be posted in three parts, providing my thoughts on the games I completed, didn't completed (but intend too) and gave up on. As this is my list I can be as arbitrary as I like, so for qualification I either played it for the first time this year, or completed (or made significant progress in) for the first time. For example, I played the original Zelda years ago, but only completed it in 2011.

This list required some effort, and I probably missed out stuff, so next year I plan to write it as I go. I doubt I will actually do that, but it's nice to be motivational and forward thinking.

For more end of year video game stuff, I was on the last 2011 episode of Downloadable Content talking about our best and worst games of the year. You can subscribe to the show in iTunes or download part 1 here and part 2 over this way.

2011 in Gaming: Completed

From Dust (360) - The spiritual successor of Populous reminds you why it's so much fun to play God, but does little to live up to past greatness. The wonderful way you manipulate the world and it's elements is ruined by a short and simple game with some terrible AI.

Guardian Heroes (360) - A remake of the Sega Saturn classic, Guardian Heroes is a frantic and crazy beat'em up  that works wonderfully in co-op over Xbox live. It's ultra short, but packs tones of replayability thanks to its branching story.

Batman: Arkham City (360) - While Arkham Asylum was a revolutionary game with an incredible combat system and fluid narrative, Arkham City is only evolutionary. The "open world" adds little to the experience and the story is nonsense, but the awesome core gameplay from the original is back and mildly improved. On the other hand; Batman.

Sonic Generations (360) - Incredibly short and full of padding, but still the best Sonic game (both 2D and 3D) that we've had in years. The physics and speed are just right, and the level design is excellent. Also, the 30 second time trial mode against friends is a blast.

Gears of War 3 (360) - Campaign-wise, an evolutionary sequel that should be given mad props for actually having the guts to provide a definitive conclusion. The package is also full to the brim with extra content, including a radically improved multiplayer and co-op experience.

Assassin's Creed / AC II / AC: Brotherhood (PS3) - Last Christmas I received a PS3 and played these three back to back to back. It was one hell of a video game binge. Each game radically improves over the last, continuing an epic (if totally nuts) narrative spanning generations. Scaling rooftops and assassinating never gets old and there are many addictive tasks that will feed the completionist. I strongly advise reading the Wikipedia article or watching some YouTube videos to get the gist of the first game however, as the gameplay becomes incredibly reparative and dull after a couple hours.

Portal 2 (PS3) - Without a doubt one of the best games of the year and a must play. From the  excellent character development, voice acting and laugh out loud humour, to the perfectly play tested puzzles, the beautiful world and the incredible closing moment, this game has little to no faults. The co-op is also incredible fun.

The Legend of Zelda (VC) - I completed this for the first time this year in anticipation of the new game, and it's still as wonderful as the day it came out. It may seem simplistic in comparison to where future 2D Zelda's would go, but the concept of being dropped into a world with no instruction and setting out on an adventure has never been better executed to this day.

Comments

[Nat]

Damnit Josh, I really wanted to play Portal 2 but never got round to it (working 2 jobs AND it's revision season woop woop).

After reading your review I think I'll just give up on those exams now....