1. Skyrim
This is by far the best game of 2011. Its huge open world map and extensive character customization make it a great role playing experience. The gameplay is fun and smooth, thanks to the simple and fluid controls that easily let you switch between your assortment of weapons and spells. The high replay value, engaging story and intriguing gameplay easily place it in the top of the list.
2. Batman: Arkham City
Arkham City lets the player roam around a beautifully designed open-world Gotham City, stealthily taking out criminals and fighting super-villains with bat-gadgets and a fun combat system. The game play varies between ‘beat ‘em up’, puzzle and challenging stealth missions, which will never make the game feel repetitive or boring. All of this is wrapped up with a good sound track and excellent voice acting. Due to its immersing experience and awesome design, it deserves a very close second place.
3. Portal 2
Portal 2 did not let any of its eager anticipators down. What really made this game stand out was the memorable characters. The antagonist GLaDOS has the wittiest lines I have ever heard; she constantly puts you down and delivers some of the best one-liners in any game. Then, in the second half of the game, Cave Johnson is introduced. He is the founder of ‘Aperture Science’ and slowly reveals the twist while you explore the forgotten underground facility of the ‘Aperture Science Laboratories.’
4. Minecraft
The whole mechanic of the game is to break and replace blocks, using tools that the player can build using blocks. The limits of the game are the limits of your imagination: you can build gigantic castles or explore dark mysterious caves. This simple yet extremely entertaining game deserves fourth place due to its infinite replay value and fun game play mechanics.
5. Saint Row: The Third
When making this game, the developer was simply to make a casual, Saints Row: The Third gives you full character, vehicle and house customizing, and it has a big open sandbox city where you can wreak havoc. This game is a mix between GTA 4 and Zelda; while it features realistic and violent content, it is not meant to be taken seriously.
This game has some of the funniest and most creative character designs in any game. The dialogue between characters will have you smiling throughout the whole game. If you just want to have some good old fashioned fun, Saint Row: The Third definitely makes the top 5 list for 2011.