The top 10 games of 2011 according to me

Okay, the moment you geeks have been waiting for--my top 10 games of 2011. Without further ado, let's do this.

10. Bastion 
To say that Bastion is the best looking 2D game I have seen all year (yes, I'm aware of Rayman) is an understatement. Gorgeous 1080p visuals and style that kept me hooked until I concluded our hero's adventure and reunited the Bastion. The soundtrack is fabulous and the narrator is laughably good. 

9. Dead Space 2
Well, it was brought up to me that my #9 was actually a 2010 release (Limbo) and that I forgot to include one of my favorite games from 2011--so here it is, Dead Space 2. This is one of those IPs that genuinely thrills and had enough story, universe, and character development to really deem itself worthy of novels and other non-gaming media. It was nice to hear Isaac's voice this time around. Turn the light off, crank up the speakers/headphones and let this one take you.

  
8. L.A. Noire
The ballsiest venture from the Rockstar folk--this is the adventure game I always wanted them to make. The game comes across like an action game, but it is literally a straight-forward adventure game with action elements thrown in to keep things moving. You're talking, analyzing, looking for clues, and ultimately wanting to go back to solve the crime fully. The game lets you get by even when you miss clues or put the wrong perp behind bars--for this reason alone, there's a lot of replay value in the universe. 

7. Gemini Rue
One of the coolest old school adventure games of yesteryear was made in 2011. I'm not joking--this is probably one of the finest adventure games to come out and it's made by a college student. From the design, dialog, and soundtrack, this is a total futuristic noir gem. My favorite downloadable game of the year, hands-down.  

6. Batman: Arkham City 
I think it's fair to say that Rocksteady pretty much made the best superhero (if you can call Batman that) game ever made. So for them to pretty much double the quality in terms of story, things to do, and generally leaving the player feeling like there's always something around the next street corner of Arkham City--it's a borderline miracle. I couldn't stop myself from finishing the story and I even found about 70% of the riddles. I have a feeling I'll be going back to this in a few months. 

5. Deus Ex: Human Revolution

From the Blade Runner influenced design to the "pick your play style" gameplay to the epic synth score, I was immediately smitten with Deus Ex. I adored the original and I can safely say that this game is the modern remolding of the original. The universe is rich and although the acting isn't award-winning, it fits the sci-fi noir look of the universe nicely. I highly recommend this to any gamers out there that enjoy a smart action game with plenty of western RPG elements.  

4. Uncharted 3
Naughty Dog are the best developers on the PS3--hell, they're one of the best developers in the universe. Without spoiling anything, I will say that Uncharted 3 is the most gripping tale told in a game this year. I was hooked from beginning to end to find out what happened. Did I mention that this is one of the most visually stunning games out there? The set pieces have  to be seen to be believed. The only reason it didn't get a higher spot--there didn't seem as much of an urge to go back and replay right after I finished this one. Either way, one of the finest games I have ever played. No brainer--buy it. 

3. Skyrim

I never expected myself to fall for this game. I'm being honest here, I was not a big fan of Oblivion or the previous iterations of this series. However, Skyrim pretty much took all the junk I disliked and threw them out to make a title for anyone that enjoys western RPGs. The world has been fully realized, the stories all manage to run alongside each other without getting too confusing, and somehow I felt like I was in control and I knew the path I wanted to take the whole time. Be warned, this game is a time sink and if you don't think you can afford a 50 hour game in your life, then just step away. Having completed most of my journey in this universe, I can safely say that a lot of love and hard work went into making this one happen. 

2. Portal 2
The most smile-inducing "makes me feel like I'm way smarter than I really am" experience of 2011. I think all my friends will collectively agree that Portal 2 is one of the most genuinely smart and charming experiences to have come out this year. From the way the story is told, to the way the puzzles play out--you're literally forced to use your brain to uncover the story. The cooperative aspect of the game is also brilliant and probably the best way to get a loved one to partake in a smart game and see that gaming isn't the derivative joke that the media makes it out to be. 

1. Witcher 2
I'll sum it up like this: Witcher 2 is the RPG that Bioware wishes it could make today. Talk about the most improved sequel ever made. For a small Polish studio to turn out what can only be summed up as one of the deepest story-centric RPGs I have played in years--not expected at all. CD Project Red gets my number 1 for the year. From the dialog, acting, universe/lore, soundtrack, controls, depth, and ability to modify the story (drastically) by making different decisions--this is the game of 2011.  

The top 10 albums of 2011 according to me

Okay, this year has decided to go by at massive speed. Didn't we just celebrate the new year together? Well, it's time to share the albums that have really resounded with me in 2011. Each album is fantastic as a complete package (most, if not all tracks)--can't lead my friend astray now, could I?

Some of you probably agree and appreciate my view/taste pertaining to music. To those, I think you'll be very happy with these gems.


10. Gus Gus - Arabian Horse

This album came out of nowhere--on Michael Mayer's lovely Berlin-based Kompakt label too. Imagine dark hypnotic rhythms, meticulously structured ambiance and themes surrounded by very soulful vocals. Mixing dark music and vibrant vocals. It almost sounds like it shouldn't work, but it does--damn well in fact.  Each repeat listen results in this one deserving a spot in the top 10 for this year.  

9. Hammock - Chasing After Shadows...

I want you to play the below song. Raise the volume. Let it seep in. The full album title is actually Chasing After Shadows...Living With The Ghosts. What an appropriate title. In 2011, I ranked roughly 59 listens to this beautiful release (thanks iTunes). Whether I'm working, reading, or prepping to lay on my face--this album will always stay in my collection. Haunting melodies and tones that deftly trigger memories. Highly recommended by me. 

8. Apparat - The Devil's Walk

I will warn you, this album is not a light-hearted romp. It's a big labor of love from Sascha Ring (Apparat) and shows a big jump in maturity for his already beautiful and thoughtful sound. Take a listen/look at the below song (directed by none other than Saman Keshavarz) and believe. The whole release resonates with this rich tone. It's a timeless one. 

7. Tycho - Dive

Scott Hansen grew up in little Sacramento, but eventually ended up in San Francisco and that ultimately, at least in my opinion, really led to his sound growing leaps and bounds. A youthful and extremely uplifting sound with strong use of strings. There's something that resonates with Tycho's sound. Every track on this album is gorgeous and full of vibrant energy. Check it out.

6. M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming 

Anthony Gonzales puts out his most flamboyant and boisterous album--a double-CD in fact. Not a single track on this 20+ track release disappoints. At points you will hear the instrumental qualities from his Digital Shades release and at other times, you will hear a brand new voice and sound--something that needed to happen. The man moved from France to America and I think that alone has made a big change to the sound. No brainer--get this if you haven't. 

5. Sound of Arrows - Sound of Arrows 

The part of you that loves Pet Shop Boys, Abba, and Erasure has been craving this album. One of those albums that has me singing along in the most flamboyant fashion and not giving a damn about it. The whole thing is Scandinavian magic. Partake of this please.   

4. New Look - New Look  

Aside from the fact that they put on a great live show (and that I'm mildly smitten with the singer), this album really caught me off guard. A really fun album. Catchy, simple, melodic--feels good. That's all I have to say about that. Listen!

3. Oneohtrix Point Never - Replica  

This young man is the new Boards of Canada for me in a lot of ways. Uses sounds that are initially strange and don't seem to play well with each other and then after a few listens--it becomes flawless. Like it was all planned to come together, but only after your brain is ready to consume it and make it work.

Check out this awesome presentation of the album--a sense of nerd humor helps:

2. Kuedo - Severant 

If you have ever heard of Vangelis--this will make sense. Even if you haven't, know that Vangelis composed the Blade Runner soundtrack and the sound he made during that period exemplifies some of the best electronic music ever made. This album by Kuedo is a modern-day homage to that sound. The whole release is brilliant and is a must-own for any self respecting electronic music fan. 

1. Balam Acab - Wander/Wonder 

This is it--my number one of the year. Some of you might be scratching your heads here, but trust me. No other album this year has grown on me the way this has. So quiet, so layered, so full of life. For some kid to come along and just blow my mind like this--it's rare.

I ask that you raise the volume and let this one play to the end. 

As a bonus--the amazing remix Balam Acab did for Lana Del Rey.

Thanks for making this such a lovely year my friends. Let's make 2012 an equally fantastic year.

Love,

Me