The past year has seen some of the highest-rated games of all time, with a large number of perfect scores seemingly given out like candy. As such, objectively rating the best games of 2011 comes down to personal opinion.
Instead of attempting to make a definitive list of the year’s best games in a year overflowing with quality, it might be better to look at which games offered the most unique and creative experiences . The following represent some of the very best in gaming, in terms of new and interesting concepts brought to the market. From the twisting time-travel tale of a young mercenary to the over-the-top gangster paradise of Steelport , creativity abounded in 2011.
Radiant Historia
Developer: Atlus
System: Nintendo DS
Players: Single
Though at a glance, this title may seem like little more than the usual RPG fare that can be found on the DS, the truth is it provides one of the most original concepts the genre has seen in years. What sets Radiant Historia apart from its peers is the unique time travel narrative, which allows the player to shift between two different timelines. Actions in one timeline affect the other, and the story grows into a complex jumble of conflicts as the game wears on.
Further, the battle system in Radiant Historia brings a fresh twist on turn-based battles, with a 3-by-3 grid system and combo attacks working to make each encounter an exciting one. As Nintendo’s first two-screened handheld makes way for its successor, Radiant Historia will stand as one of its last great titles.
Portal 2
Developer: Valve
Systems: PC, Xbox 360, PS3
Players: Single, Co-op
Following up on the surprise hit of 2007, Portal 2 brought out every trick Valve could come up with, and made the original game resemble nothing more than a tech demo. The simple mechanics of traversing environments with portals remain, but plenty of new gameplay elements expand the premise to new heights. Excursion Funnels, Hard Light Bridges, and three different types of gels all give Portal 2 a fresh feeling, and provide some of the most ingenious puzzles possible for gamers to work out.
The sequel also introduced a fully-fledged co-op mode, which requires perfect teamwork from two players. This mode offers even harder challenges for players, and shows Valve has plenty of ways to extend the Portal concept. Overall, Portal 2 is a masterpiece in game design, and is bursting with unique ideas.
Catherine
Developer: Atlus Persona Team
Systems: Xbox 360, PS3
Players: Single, Co-op, Multiplayer
Another game developed by Atlus , this time from the renowned makers of the Persona RPG series. With Catherine, the team decided to stray from their comfort zone and created this unique puzzle platformer . As Vincent Brooks, players are tasked with climbing a tower of collapsing blocks, with only a few basic items and abilities to help.
The gameplay, while innovative, is not the most creative aspect of the game. Instead, the narrative introduces much of the innovation. The title doesn’t focus on saving the world, but simply on the relationship woes of Vincent, as he decides whether he truly wants to be with his girlfriend Catherine. It’s his inner turmoil that guides the nightmarish landscapes of the puzzles and drives the plot forward. Strange in its storytelling manner, Catherine is a game that has to be played to really be understood.
Super Mario 3D Land
Developer: Nintendo EAD Tokyo
System: Nintendo 3DS
Players: Single
Since its release in March, the 3DS has seen very little worthwhile content. Outside of a few quality remakes, there had been nothing to show off the system’s 3D as a true benefit to gaming. Of course it would be Nintendo themselves who did just that, with mascot Mario leading the charge.
Put simply, Super Mario 3D Land shows exactly what the 3DS is capable of. This platformer brings plenty of unique gameplay to the table, with jumps, swimming and entire levels built around the 3D as the only way to play. In fact, this is one of the few titles where players are unlikely to turn the 3D effect off at any point. That alone makes Super Mario 3D Land an innovator, and a genuine blast to play as well.
Saints Row: The Third
Developer: Volition, Inc.
Systems: PC, Xbox 360, PS3
Players: Single, Co-op
With this latest entry in the open-world series, developer Volition makes it clear that Saints Row aims to be everything the Grand Theft Auto series is not. As such, The Third is an over-the-top, vulgar thrill ride of a game, with every mission offering a crazy moment that will stick in gamers’ minds. Light cycles, zombies, and a character that speaks entirely in auto-tune all appear in the streets of Steelport , and it all makes for a truly immersive sandbox world to explore.
Admittedly, the storyline is a bit of a letdown in comparison to the previous entry in the series, but players will likely be having too much fun to really notice. Saints Row: The Third is often insanity personified, and it’s that bold approach that makes it an unforgettable experience.
Minecraft
Developer: Majong
System: PC
Players: Single, Co-op
Though it’s been around since 2009, the beloved sandbox title was only just released in its finished form a few weeks ago, earning it a much deserved place on this list. For the unaware, Minecraft is a game that stands solely on its gameplay, with story and graphics left at the wayside. Players take up the role of a blocky adventure in an equally blocky world, tasked simply with surviving and building.
It’s hard to explain the title’s charm to those who’ve never played it, but a simple YouTube search will bring up hundreds of videos made by players looking to show off what they’ve made in the world. It’s gained popularity as one of the greatest outlets for creativity this generation, and those with the patience to build owe it to themselves to see what all the fuss is about.
