gamrReview 2011 Game of the Year Awards - Overall - News
by Karl Koebke , posted on 01 January 2012 / 23,739 Views
Best First-Person Shooter: Bulletstorm
Bulletstorm stands out amidst the fatigue-inducing mass of holiday shooter sequels, with, amongst other things, a unique art style, vibrant colour pallette, and over-the-top kill system. Heck, even its release date made it stand out from the crowd. It didn't hit all the right notes, but it hit enough of them, and offered something a little bit different along the way.
Runner-Up - Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
Reader's Choice - Killzone 3
Best Third-Person Shooter: Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception
While it may not have lived up to the lofty heights of its predecessor, it's still hard to find a better third person shooter than Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception. Keeping things fresh with a superb blend of platforming, puzzle solving, and set piece moments, Uncharted 3 offers a blockbuster experience unrivalled by any other franchise.
Runner-Up - Gears of War 3
Reader's Choice - Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception
Best Platformer: Rayman Origins
One of the most beautiful, unique and under-appreciated games of the year, Rayman Origins is platforming heaven. Modest, yet surprisingly brilliant, as all the best 2D platformers should be, Rayman Origins is our platformer of the year. It's good to have you back, Rayman!
Runner-Up - Super Mario 3D Land
Reader's Choice - LittleBigPlanet 2
Best Action/Adventure Game: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
The Dark Knight put up a valiant fight, but in the end we had to give this award to a green elf... thing. Link has returned to the Wii for one last hurrah, and not a moment too soon. Finally, a Zelda specifically designed for the Wii; a fitting finale for this generation's leading console.
Runner-Up - Batman: Arkham City
Reader's Choice - The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Best Adventure Game: To the Moon
It was hard to place To the Moon in a genre. While it most closely resembles an adventure title, the only real gameplay challenge comes in the form of simple puzzles. What makes this game stand head and shoulders above the competition is the story, a reminder that simplistic presentation can still be used to evoke emotional scenes if done correctly. To the Moon is an experience many of us will never forget.
Runner-Up - Stacking
Reader's Choice - Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective
Best Puzzle Game: Portal 2
When Valve first created Portal as a small addition to their Orange Box collection they probably had no idea how popular and critically loved it would be. Now, with Portal 2, we finally get to go back to the world of GLaDOS to learn about the origins and current fate of Aperture Science. A plethora of new gaming mechanics keep things fresh on the puzzle front, whilst hilarious comments from GLaDOS and additional cast members keeps you always wanting more.
Runner-Up - Catherine
Reader's Choice - Portal 2
Best Fighting Game: Mortal Kombat
One of the most talked about fighting games in years, Mortal Kombat came back with a bang, offering the perfect balance of accessibility and depth that makes it the ideal fighter for newcomers and long-time fans alike. Unlike many fighting games this generation, Mortal Kombat is burtsting with both multiplayer and single player content - just one of many reasons it's our pick for fighter of the year.
Runner-Up - Marvel vs. Capcom 3
Reader's Choice - Mortal Kombat
Best Racing Game: Forza Motorsport 4
Forza Motorsport is one of the most critically and financially successful racing franchises of the generation. Forza 4 cements the series' position at the front of the pack, and not without good reason either, because this is now the premier simulation racing franchise in industry. Forza 4 is our pick for best racing game of the year.
Runner-Up - DiRT 3
Reader's Choice - Forza Motorsport 4
Best Western RPG: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
When a Western RPG is at its best you have so much to do that you can barely remember what the main story was. In Oblivion many did this because they'd grown tired of the main story, in Skyrim it's because everything is so important, so interesting that it's all too easy to forget which quests form part of the main storyline and which are side stories. It's the impressive level of detail and effort put into every facet of the game that makes The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim our Western RPG of 2011.
Runner-Up - Bastion
Reader's Choice - The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Best Japanese RPG: Xenoblade Chronicles
A fast-paced MMO-inspired combat system, beautiful scenery, and a massive amount of content makes Xenoblade Chronicles the best JRPG of 2011. Thankfully, Nintendo of America has finally decided to bring this game over to North America, so those who haven't already imported this title will finally get a chance to play what is undoubtedly the finest JRPG on the system.
Runner-Up - Pokemon Black and White
Reader's Choice - Dark Souls
Best Strategy Game: Shogun 2: Total War
It was a long time coming, but finally we're able to get our hands on a sequel to one of the most memorable Total War games - Shogun: Total War - and it doesn't disappoint. This is the franchise at its best.
Runner-up: Disgaea 4
Reader's Choice: Shogun 2: Total War
Best Music Game: Dance Central 2
Kinect's killer app is back and just as good the second time around, raising the bar and once again setting a new standard for the dancing genre. The music genre may be in crisis at the moment, but this is one music franchise that's currently going from strength to strength.
Runner-Up - Rocksmith
Reader's Choice - Dance Central 2
Best Sports Game: FIFA Soccer 12
Annual sports titles have a bed reputation in the gaming community, and not without some justification. But there's no real doubting that FIFA is the premier soccer franchise. With a fundamental overhaul of many of the series' staple gameplay mechanics, FIFA 12 proves it isn't just a lazy cash-in.
Runner-Up - MLB 11: The Show
Reader's Choice - FIFA Soccer 12
Best Remake or HD Collection: The ICO and Shadow of the Colossus Collection
We can't think of a set of games more deserving of a second chance at success, or more deserving of a HD upgrade. Beautiful, magical, brilliant - Ico and Shadow of the Colossus are refreshingly unique even after all this time, and if you haven't already bought them then you finally have the opportunity to redeem yourself. Go find out for yourself what makes this the best HD Collection of 2011.
Runner-Up - The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Reader's Choice - The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Best Downloadable Game: Bastion
The gem of this year's Summer of Arcade, Bastion was always the clear front runner for best downloadable game of 2011. With its unique take on fog of war, beautiful presentation, solid gameplay, and one of the most memorable narrators in gaming history, Bastion clinched the title with ease.
Runner-up: Outland
Reader’s Choice: Minecraft
Best Graphics Technology: Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception
The award may be for graphics technology, but it's not just about how many polygons you have behind your engine, it's what you do with them that matters. Uncharted 3's set-piece moments are a timely reminder of how graphics can make something as chaotic and unpredictable as a ship on rough seas look exactly as you'd imagine it. Making moments like those utterly immersive and spell-binding is why Uncharted 3 wins our award for best graphics technology.
Runner-up: Battlefield 3
Reader’s Choice: Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception
Best Art Direction: Rayman Origins
Rayman Origins is arguably the most beautiful game of the year - it is the very definition of a game with a stunning art style. Lush graphics, vibrant colours, levels full of unique personality; Rayman Origins is a work of creative and artistic genius.
Runner-up: Outland
Reader’s Choice: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Best Original Music Score: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Who can forget the first time they heard that classic Zelda theme song. It seems like the Zelda series in general has a propensity for fantastic music and Skyward Sword is no different. Even if you haven't had a chance to play the game for yourself just google Ballad of the Goddess and you'll understand why Skyward Sword won our award for best original music this year.
Runner-up: Rayman Origins
Reader’s Choice: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Best Use of Motion Controls: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
No other game really stood a reasonable chance for this award. Nintendo finally made good on the motion control ideal of a sword fighting game that truly feels like sword fighting, and they did it with one of their most storied franchises. Skyward Sword shows everyone that motion controls can genuinely improve gameplay when it's the focus of a fantastic experience. Many who played this title will surely now never be able to go back to classic Zelda controls.
Runner-up: Child of Eden
Reader’s Choice: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Most Innovative: Minecraft
Minecraft has become nothing less than a gaming phenomenon, and in large part this is due to the innovative way that Mojang developed the title. Allowing people to play and purchase a game that was technically in beta, they gathered a huge following and cultivated a community before the game had even technically released. It's an idea that could have easily blown up in their faces, but the inherent quality and fun of Minecraft's sandbox world meant that few minded. Minecraft is truly a game like no other.
Runner-up: Super Mario 3D Land
Reader’s Choice: Minecraft
Biggest Disappointment: Assassin's Creed: Revelations
Oh Assassin's Creed, you had such promise in the beginning, but we're tired of being jerked around. You can't drag this franchise on forever, with yearly spin-offs in between mainline releases, Ubisoft, without invoking a major backlash at some point. The Assassin's Creed franchise is fast approaching a tipping point.
Runner-up: Dragon Age 2
Reader’s Choice: Duke Nukem Forever
Best Game No One Played: Rayman Origins
Why didn't more of you buy this game? Rayman Origins isn't just the best platformer of the year. Nor is it merely the most beautiful game of the year. It's also, quite simply, one of the best games of the year period. Factor in the competition - Uncharted 3, Skyrim, Portal 2, Batman: Arkham City, Skyward Sword... the list is almost endless. And yet Rayman Origins, a deceptively simple 2D platformer, bursting with colour and personality, stands tall amongst them as an equal. We implore you to give this game a chance, because it deserves much stronger sales.
Runner-up: Xenoblade Chronicles
Reader’s Choice: Xenoblade Chronicles
Best New IP: Minecraft
It shouldn't come as too much of a surprise that the winner of our award for Most Innovative game of 2011 is also our pick for Best New IP of 2011. It's always exciting to play something new, and while we all enjoy knowing that there are sequels to our favourite games around the corner, like Uncharted 3, Skyrim, or Skyward Sword, it's always interesting to try out something totally different - something truly unique and innovative.
Runner-up: Catherine
Reader’s Choice: Xenoblade Chronicles
Most Anticipated Upcoming Game: Bioshock Infinite
BioShock was one of the most engrossing, atmospheric games of the generation, marrying interesting game mechanics with superb storytelling. Many thought BioShock 2 wasn't able to live up to the standards set by the original, in no small part due to the reprisal of Rapture. Infinite's steampunk-inspired floating city promises to be a breath of fresh air in this respect. We can't wait to play what will surely be considered the true spiritual successor to BioShock.
Runner-up: Paper Mario 3DS
Reader’s Choice: Mass Effect 3
Game of the Year: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Improved battle mechanics, a gigantic world with more quests than you can shake a stick at, and impressive presentation makes Skyrim a game that's hard to beat. This was the tightest overall Game of the Year voting we've ever had - there was just one vote between Skyrim and Portal 2 at the end of the voting process, but killing dragons, assassinating high level officials, and robbing entire towns blind was just too fun to ignore. Skyrim certainly has its faults, but when it's working well there's nothing else like it, and that's what made it our Game of the Year for 2011.
Runner-up: Portal 2
Reader’s Choice: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
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I don't get the Game of the Year awards this year. On the PC and X360 the FPS of the year was MW3, whilst on the PS3 it is Killzone with Bulletstorm as the runner-up. So the overall winner is..... Bulletstorm! ????
For biggest disappointment, Dragon Age II is awarded the wooden spoon award on the PC, PS3 and X360, with Assassin's Creed the runner-up on the former two and Brink on the latter. So, how does Assassin's Creed get it overall???
It's quite common that when you have a bunch of voting for categories you'll have inconsistencies. If different people vote for 360 and PS3 and then you put the two together you can get a result that neither got alone. If both groups have Bulletstorm as their second place vote and different things for first place vote than it'll win overall even if it didn't win either platform's awards.
This occurs because we do not require that every staff member who is voting vote in every platform's awards, which I'm ok with since some of us don't own every platform and it's a bit disingenuous to vote on a platform that you don't even own. Next year we are going to change things around so that this isn't an issue, but for now it is.
Reader's Choice Best Game of the Year clearly says The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. Good to see the masses like games that aren't buggy as hell.
Good list. Also glad to see the Xenoblade support on this site.
Here's hoping that 2012 brings yet more amazing games!
Best platform should have been Mario 3D Land.
Not sure why my comment has been deleted so i'll say it again. I will never understand how a game as buggy as skyrim can be GOTY
There's a lot I disagree with but that's just my opinion I guess... but just two things :
1/ I have the feeling Rayman Origins is the most overrated game this year
2/ Xenoblade shouldn't have been in "the best game no one played" because it's out in only two regions. Given the US preorders it's likely it won't meet the criteria.
Scarily good list from my point of view - except for Bulletsorm. That was mediocre at best, a one trick pony whose trick was obvious and boring after the first level.
All top lists seem to have a least one ?!? entry and in this case it's clearly Bulletstorm.
Indeed, odd choices given the individual platform awards. It's like a separate team chose these awards. Certainly there's the taste and preference element in GOTY, which is why ES games are unlikely to ever be my personal choice. But objectively, I think a game that's got a lot of bugs shouldn't win GOTY. It's certain that a movie with poor techincal elements that spoils the experience wouldn't win any best movie awards, nor a TV show win bets TV show awards. Again the gaming media (not just VGC) shows there's considerable maturation required before it becomes comparable to other entertainment media.
Never heard of To The Moon before reading this article and am now incredibly happy I now know of it.
Me and my fiancee are currently playing it and even though the gameplay it pretty much a non-factor, the story has us both very absorbed.
happy to hear it, I was glad that To the Moon ended up winning an award of some kind, more people should give this game a look
Bulletstorm as the best FPS? This is a joke right. It was not only not the best FPS this year but potentially one of the worst I had the displeasure of playing this year. Did we forget that Deus Ex: Human Revolution came out this year. Obviously we can argue that maybe one MW3 or BF3 or KZ3 were worth the honor, but none of those games should have been beat out by Bulletstorm. Bulletstorm shouldn't even be included on anything that is talking about honors. And it isn't just VGChartz, with Deus Ex: Human Revolution, as I've noticed a lot of other sites simply forget about it despite stellar reviews.
The rest of the honors, though I either can see why it was chosen or agree with the choice. Good to see Rayman: Origins getting props as it was fantastic. Although, I'm not entirely sure why Portal 2 is the runner-up in GOTY. Yes, we all enjoyed the game, but compared to other experiences like Zelda, Batman, and Uncharted, it just doesn't stack up as a full gaming experience. As for most anticipated game, obviously I understand why its Bioshock Infinite, but I'd have probably gone with Metro: Last Light or Halo 4. But that's just me personally haha.
That was a very nice list, very varied too. Have to admit though, I'm loving Skyrim but I don't think it's GOTY material, and I'm really not interested in Bioshock.
Where's Dark Souls?
Noones on this site has played it because they're all Zelda nuthuggers.
The only funny thing here is Bulletstorm. Must be wanting to get on cliffy's good list.
tell me what fps stood out this year. None of them. They were all either uninspiring sequels worse than their previous alliterations, or new ips that fell flat on their faces. Might as well give it to the new ip that failed the least.
easy. Killzone 3 and Resistance 3
Resistance 3 gets no credit, I agree osama, but I would add MW3 to that list. It's the funnest online by far, and spec ops/survival is awesome. Killzone story can't be continued in co-op from single player and vice versa, and I'm not sure about Resistance. Either way, great story, but multiplayer play is much better on MW3. All are great and should be above Bulletstorm.
okay I was misinterpreted. I meant games that are clearly better than bulletstorm. You may have enjoyed killzone 3 or resistance 3 more so than bulletstorm but these three games all received similar reviews and had similar receptions so why is that bulletstorm gets rage, but had the choice been resistance or killzone, it would have gotten praise. Yes its a fault that bulletstorms combat got stale after a while. But killzone's combat didn't even feel fresh for a minute. Better to be entertained for an hour than not at all.
Really conflicting Reader's Choices.
So glad to see Zelda winning some awards, though it deserved Game of the Year
Why Rayman won Best Platformer, Mario 3D Land is a much better game
and Art Direction???, even Batman, Uncharted or Zelda would have been awarded in that cathegory
Well Uncharted 3 didn't change from Art Style for the previous two. Nor Batman from the last one. They look the same but just better Graphic. Zelda on the other hand has change style since Twilight Princess by emerging Wind Waker and Twilight Princess creating a new art style.
Very glad To The Moon getting some recognition. It is a small and memorable masterpiece. The soundtrack alone makes this game worth while.
Uncharted 3 should have won game of the year in my opinion. And lol at bulletstorm for best FPS.
Mario Kart 7 should had been in the BEST RACING!!
Wow Skyrim wasn't even seen then boom it came out of nowhere.
Zelda Skyward Sword should had been Game of the Year it won the most position. Lame.....
Its funny seeing people furious at results of a list on a website.
- Each forum around the web has reults based on the users preference.
-
The reader awards on forums always goes to the side of which most fanboys exist on the site.
Guys dont worry about awards from game sites. They change drasiticall from website to website. They tend to lean towards each demograpic of the users. Its a business you know.
If I took like 10 differen GOTY awards from around the web and jumbled themm together I might get my list.
But internet site GOTY? Who worries over these anymore. Its user interpeted ( yes evn editor ones ) as they HAVE to keep their user demographics happy. Else they will go elsewhere. Simples. Is all about the clicks.
Best Graphics, Best TPS and GOTY = Uncharted 3
Glad to see players have better taste than the site editors on GotY. There are many games much more deserving than a game with as many bugs as Skyrim. Seriously, look at this list: http://elderscrolls.wikia.com/wiki/Skyrim_Bugs
Bulletstorm over Killzone 3? Seriously? Also, why no love for The Binding of Isaac?
Uncharted 3 winning best graphics award is just objectively wrong. Don't get me wrong. It's beatiful game but nowadays you start to notice that it's build for ancient hardware. Both Witcher 2 and BF3 destroy it as far as technology goes and especially The Witcher 2 has very detailed and beatiful art also. I know this is very console oriented site but sometimes I crave for little wider vision. it just cheapens the credibility of this awards when you know some platforms are getting shafted.
And I agree with most people saying Skyrim is not GOTY. But not because it's buggy. Because it isn't. A game like that is obviously going to have bugs. I didn't find the bugs to be overwhelming. But it's incredibly repetitive and boring after a while. Skyward Sword, Battlefield 3, Arkham City, Uncharted 3 are all better candidates in my opinion.
I understand the whole "opinions" argument, but I think very few would argue that Bulletstorm was better than Battlefield 3.
battlefield 3 should be somewhere on there definetly, never played bulletstorm but i guarantte you bf3 is 10000 times better
AC:R as biggest disappintement?looks like somebody haven't played Brink and DNF.
and IMO,dark souls should totally beat Xenoblade,although it's still a amazing game,Dark souls is a masterpiece.
Skyrim is such a terrible game. You're telling me that repetitive game is better than Skyward Sword, Super Mario 3D Land, Uncharted 3, Battlefield 3, Xenoblade Chronicles, Portal 2, etc.
Yep
Looks back on staff site and sees I voted for Bulletstorm
In my defense I only did play two FPS's this year and it was the better of the two..please be gentle to my face >_>
Pretty good opinion, but I agree with the Readers more so. I mean best FPS is Bulletstorm? No Call of Duty or Killzone man. Best New IP and Best game no one played should also be XenoBlade.
Will XenoBlade also be in next years vote?
Just Dance 3 have the best music!
Perhaps, but the award is for best ORIGINAL music score. As in, the game that had the best music designed specifically for it.
yay for the masses knowing what quality gaming is :).
Its funny seeing people furious at results of a list on a website.
- Each forum around the web has reults based on the users preference.
-
The reader awards on forums always goes to the side of which most fanboys exist on the site.
Guys dont worry about awards from game sites. They change drasiticall from website to website. They tend to lean towards each demograpic of the users. Its a business you know.
If I took like 10 differen GOTY awards from around the web and jumbled themm together I might get my list.
But internet site GOTY? Who worries over these anymore. Its user interpeted ( yes evn editor ones ) as they HAVE to keep their user demographics happy. Else they will go elsewhere. Simples. Is all about the clicks.
For players, on average, the game of the year was Skyward Sword ... : D.
Mixed feelings with Xenoblade Chronicles, I'm happy with its recognition as the best JRPG by far no doubt. He deserved the game also other distinctions without a doubt ...
The soundtrack of the latest Zelda is great, but the quality of music is undeniable Xenoblade Chronicles of the best soundtracks I've had the privilege of hearing.
Rayman Origins I think is very overrated ...
HAPPY NEW YEAR, :D!
sorry i just dont see whats so great about rayman origin game is mediocre at best and i absolutely love!! platformers
LET THE RAGE COMMENCE!
Overall, a decent list
Damn! I relly Hope Zelda SS win this year, even I know Skyrim was a better game!!! And I don't want debate here, even I'm Zelda Fanboy Skyrim deserve win this year.
I have played Skyward Sword for over 100hrs and it doesn't slow down or freeze.
Mostly great list, but why was Mario 3D Land runner-up for most innovative? The 3D was cool and used really well in it, but not enough to make it an innovative game.
Theres a lot on that list i dont agree with...
Wow What a cringy list.
Skyrim is great. Vgchartz still doesn't know what it's doing though.
Uncharted 3 is the only game that deserves any credit on this list. Where are Deus Ex and Atelier Totori?
Well I can understand how it would be hard to pin a genre to Deus Ex considering it crosses so many. If it was considered a WRPG then obviously would have been beat by Skyrim which makes sense (although if this is the genre it is then I would have had it as my runner-up). But we still couldn't find anything to replace Bulletstorm with. Maybe some cheap iphone game haha.
Excellent list. Glad to see another GOTY award added to Skyrim.
It can never have enough GOTY awards.
Because it's still better than anything else and gamers enjoyed it the most of all games in 2011.
it winning has more to do with how crappy every big budget fps to come out this year was rather than it actually being a great game.
I agree with you. there are much more deserving FUNCTIONAL games. What worse than critics rewarding Bethesda for releasing yet another glitchy mess is the millions of gamers who have rewarded them with money.
Batman and Uncharted are both quite glitchy. Uncharted in particular has audio drop-outs, freezes, exploits, and bugs. Believe it or not, millions of people love Skyrim, and most those who call it a "buggy mess" haven't actually played it. Admittedly, it's far less functional on PS3, but it's an incredibly well-made game in many ways.
meh, if it wasn't going to be Zelda I'd prefer it go to something that sounded unique like Catherine, or something with songs that perfectly match with moments I'll never forget like To the Moon. Xenoblade had great environments but I don't recall any particular songs from it only that the music changed with the situation which isn't all that uncommon.
Nope. Just the right amount, and people realising how amazing a game it is ;)
@lord_yggdrasil indeed this is really hard to believe... but at least we've avoided the disaster of a Wii GoTY since the staff did choose Skyrim and Portal 2.
Huh? Skyward Sword is an amazing game. What's the issue again?
