2011 looks to be a massive year for games following on from 2010’s impressive performance. New hardware such as Nintendos 3DS and Sony’s newly announced NGP is already making my mouth water. But what about the games? Well, where to start.
Everybody’s list of their top 5 games for 2011 is going to be different. If they weren’t the world would be a dull place. So I have a look around to see what tickles my fancy for the year ahead. So why not check out my top 5 list below to see which games I’m most looking forward to getting my hands on in 2011.
1. – Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception
I think that this game will be on most people’s most wanted list for 2011 and for good reason. Naughty Dog has created one of the greatest games of all time with Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, so it’s no surprise that there’s a sequel.
This time around Nathan Drake will be challenged with searching the deserts for his treasure, and with the added spice of Drake either being deceived or himself deceiving someone (possibly Sully), it adds spice to the already Hollywood beating storylines. The visuals and gameplay have been given a touch-up, so this is going to be something really special.
2. – LA Noire
From what I’ve seen so far of Rockstars L.A Noire, I’ve been intrigued more than anything. The thing that got my attention first was the facial animations of the characters which look mindblowing. The game is set just after the war and players will take control of Cole Phelps as he makes his way up the ranks in the LAPD. A mix between Grand Theft Auto and Heavy Rain? Sounds good to me, where do I sign up?
3. – Ratchet and Clank: All 4 One
I’m a massive fan of the franchise, so this was never in doubt of appearing on my top 5 list. People might think that the Ratchet and Clank series is just the same thing over and over, but if it’s not broke, why fix it?
Of course, games do need tweaks to add new gameplay elements, better visuals and sometimes new characters. Insomniac Games have changed the style of the game with All 4 One being a four-player co-op game and will see our heroes teaming up with Captain Qwark yet again, as well as their arch enemy, Dr Nefarious. I just hope that I won’t be disappointed by the change in-game style.
4. – Final Fantasy Type-0
This is probably going to be the last AAA title to hit the PSP, what with the NGP being released in less than a year. FF Type-0 will be the first, and probably only PSP game to be spread over two UMD discs which will give you a sense of just how long this game is going to be. After all, Final Fantasy titles have been known to take at least 30 hours of your life away to complete them which each release.
Visually it looks stunning from the trailers, so let’s hope that the gameplay will be good enough to match it.
5. – 3DS & NGP
What? These aren’t games! Doesn’t matter to me. Both these handhelds are going to be game-changers. I know the post is what my top 5 games are, but there are too many games being released on the two new handhelds, I can’t decide. From Mario Kart, Resident Evil, Star Fox, Zelda on the 3DS to Uncharted, Resistance, Call of Duty, Metal Gear Solid on the NGP.
The Nintendo 3DS, of course, will be sporting a glasses-free 3D screen and the Sony NGP is basically a portable PlayStation 3. Both are going to impress in their own ways and will renew the DS v PSP/NGP war to a new height.
Summary
So that’s my most anticipated “games” of 2011. I’ve already started saving for some of them as I know that my wallet is going to take a hammering this next 12 months. Does anyone know I much I can get for my kidney on the black market?
So what’s your list? Doesn’t matter what console, what genre, just let us know your list in the comments section below.
Danny ‘Ender’ Martin has been part of the Zath team from pretty much the very beginning since he met Zath himself at Leeds Met University whilst studying Business IT. He’s an avid gamer and a big film buff. Danny graduated from the University of Bradford with a degree in Computer Animation and SFX and now currently works at one of the biggest UK games developers, which will hopefully see some of his ideas hit the gaming world.
