[Question] The Gamingforce Game of the Year 2011: Time to Vote

Portal 2 - 10 points

Surpassing the first game in just about every way, Portal 2 was a very interesting experience. Some of the later levels outside of the testing chambers were very challenging, but you've got the humor of two A.I. characters to keep you going through the whole game.


Super Mario 3D Land - 10 points

Mario 3D is straight up fun in the Mushroom Kingdom. The return of the Tanooki suit was cool, but the fact that you could only hover in it and not fly was a little disappointing. However, it's by far the best single player experience you can have on the 3DS and one of the reasons to get the system.


Mario Kart 7 - 10 points

HELL YES. The other reason to get the 3DS would be this game. 8 cups consisting of 16 new tracks and 16 retro tracks, Mario Kart 7 brings back all the fun that you can remember from the 64 version with some added tweaks. The gliding parts are cool and the underwater parts are a nice change as well. The 7 item may seem cheap to some, but it's saved my ass a few times. However, where this game truly shines is in its multiplayer. You can play with random people, friends, and even in a community like GFF has. Right now, there doesn't seem to be a way to cheat either which is a nice welcome over its DS predecessor.



Mortal Kombat - 15 points

Sweet baby jesus, Mortal Kombat is back with a vengeance. Thank you Netherrealm for creating one of the best fighting games of this generation. One of the most epic single player modes in a fighting game, great local and online multiplayer, classic arcade mode, and a challenge tower that will make you rip your hair out. Loved it. My only complaint is that there wasn't a mode where you could just play one-on-one with the CPU and be done with it after the match. Other than that, can't wait to see what they do with the next MK.


Catherine - 15 points

The cover of the game can mislead you a little bit, but hot damn I ended up loving this game more than I should. While it can be like a sim date at some points, this is mainly a puzzle game and a damn challenging one at that. I played through this game on the easiest difficulty and I still got my ass handed to me so many times. The story is one of twists and turns that can mislead you and shock you, but can really be engaging as it deals with real-life situations and decisions. I thought there were 3 endings to this game, but I've come to find that there are actually 8. Oh, and the chicks are pretty hot too.


Sonic Generations (360/PS3) - 20 points

Yes people, my bias nomination. Sonic Colors started the comeback last year, but Generations is even better. It seems the Sonic games have some sort of gimmick to them nowadays, but here it's being able to play as Classic Sonic in 2D sidescrolling levels. The Modern Sonic parts have been fine tuned as well, WAY better than the shit from Unleashed where you had difficulty controlling your character.

Sure, the game can be a little cheesy at times but it's a guilty pleasure. One complaint I have with the game is that the final boss battle seemed WAY too easy...as long as you can keep collecting rings you won't run out of time and none of the attacks hurt you.

I went back and collected every artwork, skill, and music track from this game. It only took me about two weeks to completely finish it, but like Ikaruga I'll come back and play some levels from time to time. Oh yeah, and this was my favorite soundtrack of 2011. Sonic is making a comeback, hopefully they don't screw this up.



Batman: Arkham City - 20 points

GAME OF THE YEAR. While a lot of people say this was much better than Arkham Asylum, I only say it's a little better because I hold Asylum in such high regard. That doesn't take away from the fact that this is the definitive Batman game. You have a larger cast of villains to contend with this time around ( they left out Scarecrow) and even some that only the comic readers will recognize. The combat system is improved, the boss fights are epic, the gadgets are almost doubled...traveling around in Arkham City is a freakin breeze thanks to a longer range bat grapple and better gliding abilities. As a bonus treat, whether you preordered the game from Gamestop or bought it as DLC, once you beat the game you can switch your characters' skins to the Animated Series look. Damn, that is awesome.

Truth be told...I'm hoping they don't make a third game. One, well...if you've seen the ending to the game that's part of the reason why. Two, I know this was said many times after Asylum but how in the hell could they possibly top this game? It looked like they included just about everything they could.

If there was one game that's absolutely necessary to play from this year, Arkham Asylum is definitely it.



Note: Zelda Skyward Sword would've probably made this list but I've barely had time to play it. Pretty good game so far though.

Jam it back in, in the dark.