Game of the Year 2011 – 5-1

2011 is gradually becoming a distant memory, but before it’s completely forgotten we’re bringing you our Games of 2011 list. We’ve picked the 40 best after a fair bit of arguing. Over the next week or so we’ll count down from 40-6, then deliver our top five in video form complete with thoughts from each of us at VideoGamer.com. If you turn away in disgust at the sight of our faces, there’ll be a text Top Five too.

40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-6 | 5-1

5. Gears of War 3

“Few games offer up as much as Gears of War 3, and even fewer manage to do it this successfully,” said Martin in his Gears of War 3 review. “This is quite easily the best Gears of War yet, weaving excellent core mechanics together with the renewed perception of an ever-maturing developer. Once again, Epic has successfully iterated on a series that most other developers are still desperately trying to imitate.”

Where did Gears of War 3 place in the VideoGamer.com Community Game of the Year awards? No. 9

4. Deus Ex: Human Revolution

“Perhaps the strongest compliment I can pay Eidos Montreal is this: with its grand design, dynamic play and sheer wealth of ideas – not to mention its old-fashioned pre-occupation with air vents – Deus Ex: Human Revolution is reminiscent of the best efforts from the golden era of PC gaming at the end of the 90s,” gushed Neon in his Deus Ex: Human Revolution review. “It’s a modern release imbued with the finer qualities of an age gone by.”

Where did Deus Ex: Human Revolution place in the VideoGamer.com Community Game of the Year awards? No. 4

3. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

“Skyrim is easily one of the strongest and best examples of the Western RPG, and it further establishes Bethesda’s reputation as one of the most talented and creative forces in the gaming industry,” said Nick in his 9/10 Skyrim review. “Moreover, it offers players a world so vast they could easily become lost in it, and so beautiful they may never wish to return from it.”

Where did The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim place in the VideoGamer.com Community Game of the Year awards? No. 2

2. Batman: Arkham City

“It doesn’t take the world’s greatest detective to spot that this is an expertly crafted adventure, one that maintains a breathtaking pace and invigorating rhythm from beginning to end,” said a clearly impressed Martin in his Batman: Arkham City review. “Dizzyingly extensive and lovingly detailed, Rocksteady has created an intricate, spirited and unequalled playground worthy of one of the most iconic characters in modern fiction.”

Where did Batman: Arkham City place in the VideoGamer.com Community Game of the Year awards? No. 3

1. Portal 2

“I think you knew all along this was going to be great. Fantastic, even. All the same, I don’t think you’ll be prepared for it being this good,” said VideoGamer.com betrayer Jamin in his 10/10 Portal 2 review. “I may have buttoned my lip in terms of concrete spoilers, but a mere ten minutes here will yield more memorable moments than you’re likely to squeeze out of the entirety of most other games this year. In all aspects of its design, Portal 2 is genius.”

Where did Portal 2 place in the VideoGamer.com Community Game of the Year awards? No. 1