50 Must-Play Games of 2011

Whew — 2011 was a hell of a year for video games. In fact, it’s arguably the best year the industry has ever seen, with wall-to-wall AAA releases from January through December. This past Friday we revealed our 10 favorite games of the year (the Friday before that we chose our 10 favorite downloadables), and while we completely stand by those lists, they still doesn’t cover everything that deserves recognition. That’s why we came up with this list idea, giving credit where credit is due to nearly every game worth playing from this past year. And the scariest part? This list doesn’t account for everything! Like we said, 2011 was stacked with stellar gaming releases, but the below 50 titles should not be missed under any circumstances.

Assassin’s Creed: Revelations

Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC / Release Date: 11/15/2011

Bastion

Platforms: XBLA, PC / Release Date: 7/20/2011

Batman: Arkham City

Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC / Release Date: 10/18/2011

Battlefield 3

Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC / Release Date: 10/25/2011

Brink

Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC / Release Date: 5/10/2011

Bulletstorm

Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC / Release Date: 2/2/2011

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, Wii / Release Date: 11/8/2011

Catherine

Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 / Release Date: 7/26/2011

Dance Central 2

Platforms: Xbox 360 / Release Date: 10/25/2011

Dark Souls

Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 / Release Date: 10/4/2011


Dead Island

Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC / Release Date: 9/6/2011

Dead Space 2

Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC / Release Date: 1/25/2011

Deus Ex: Human Revolution

Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC / Release Date: 8/23/2011

DiRT 3

Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC / Release Date: 5/24/2011

Driver: San Francisco

Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, Wii / Release Date: 9/6/2011

This racer with a unique jump-into-any-car-on-the-road-at-any-moment mechanic had us gushing or weeks. Playing more like an arcade racer than a simulator, Driver: San Francisco also includes an entertaining story that rivals the best racing movies. It might have been easy to skip past Driver because it went under your radar. However, if you have the time we recommend you go back and give this puppy another shot.
 

Dungeon Defenders

Platforms: All / Release Date: 10/18/2011

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC / Release Date: 11/11/2011

FIFA 12

Platforms: All / Release Date: 9/27/2011

Gears of War 3

Platforms: Xbox 360 / Release Date: 9/20/2011

InFamous 2

Platforms: PlayStation 3 / Release Date: 6/7/2011


Infinity Blade 2

Platforms: iOS / Release Date: 12/1/2011

Killzone 3

Platforms: PlayStation 3 / Release Date: 2/22/2011

Kinect Sports: Season Two

Platforms: Xbox 360 / Release Date: 10/25/2011

Kirby’s Return to Dream Land

Platforms: Wii / Release Date: 10/24/2011

L.A. Noire

Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC / Release Date: 5/17/2011

Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

Platforms: Nintendo Wii / Release Date: 11/20/2011

LittleBigPlanet 2

Platforms: PlayStation 3 / Release Date: 1/18/2011

Magicka

Platforms: PC / Release Date: 1/25/2011

Mario Kart 7

Platforms: Nintendo 3DS / Release Date: 12/4/2011

Minecraft

Platforms: PC, Mac / Release Date: 11/18/2011


MLB 11: The Show

Platforms: PlayStation 3 / Release Date: 3/8/2011

Mortal Kombat

Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 / Release Date: 4/19/2011

NBA 2K12

Platforms: All / Release Date: 10/4/2011

NHL 12

Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 / Release Date: 9/13/2011

Orcs Must Die!

Platforms: Xbox 360, PC / Release Date: 10/5/2011

Patapon 3

Platform: PSP / Release Date: 4/28/2011

Pilotwings Resort

Platforms: Nintendo 3DS / Release Date: 3/27/2011

Pokemon: Black & White

Platforms: Nintendo DS / Release Date: 3/6/2011

Portal 2

Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC / Release Date: 4/19/2011

RAGE

Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 / Release Date: 10/4/2011


Rayman Origins

Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii / Release Date: 11/15/2011

Resistance 3

Platforms: PlayStation 3 / Release Date: 9/6/2011

Rift

Platforms: PC / Release Date: 3/1/2011

Saint’s Row: The Third

Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC / Release Date: 11/15/2011

Sonic Generations

Are you sick and tired of playing Sonic games that take themselves too seriously? Are you annoyed by Sonic games that don’t understand what made the original games so special? Well, Sonic Generations is a glorious trip down memory lane with some modern highlights thrown in. So, grab a controller and take your high-tops on a nostalgia-fueled journey.
 

Star Wars: The Old Republic

Platforms: PC / Release Date: 12/20/2011

Super Mario 3D Land

Platforms: Nintendo 3DS / Release Date: 11/13/2011

Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception

Platforms: PlayStation 3 / Release Date: 11/1/2011

Warhammer 40K: Space Marine

Platform: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC / Release Date: 9/6/2011

Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings

Platforms: PC / Release Date: 5/17/2011


Editor’s Note: We decided not to include HD remasters on this list because all of these titles have been available for years individually. But we’re listing them all below for your perusing. So if you haven’t played some/any of these, do yourself a favor and get on that. There’s a reason why they were re-released.

Remastered Collections:

  • Metal Gear Solid HD Collection
  • ICO & Shadow of the Colossus Collection
  • God of War: Origins Collection
  • Star Fox 64 3D
  • The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D
  • Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary
  • Tomb Raider Trilogy
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