GameFocus Article

The Games Of 2011 (Part 2)

Posted 2 years ago By kingquagmire - David Collins


GameGrep
Add This ! |

As I noted in Part 1, 2011 has a lot of fabulous titles to look forward to. So many that we’ve split our list up into two parts. While this piece covers the rest, keep in mind that it’s based on what’s been made official. There are sure to be many more surprises and announcements between now and E3. Taking that into account, 2011 could very well be the year that most gamers are forced to pick up a second and/or third job just to ease the beatings their wallets are about ready to take.

Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Future Soldier (XB360, PS3)
Publisher: Ubisoft - Developer: Ubisoft Paris
Release date: March 2011

Created by the award-winning team over at Ubisoft Paris, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Future Soldier will feature cutting-edge technology, prototype high-tech weaponry, and state-of-the-art single-player and multiplayer modes. With this new entry, Ubisoft will go beyond the core Ghost Recon franchise and deliver a fresh gameplay experience, with an unparalleled level of quality that will excite long-time fans and newcomers alike...and we can’t wait!

Red Faction: Armageddon (XB360, PS3, PC)
Publisher: THQ - Developer: Volition Inc.
Release date: May 2011

One of the most surprising returns of a franchise in recent memory, Red Faction: Guerrilla was a great bout of testosterone-filled, hammer-swinging, building-destroying fun. It was a pleasant return to form for a franchise that sort of fizzled out back in the PS2 days. So we were thrilled when we heard that Volition had a new entry in the pipeline. With Guerrilla, we were on Mars, topside. With Armageddon, we return to the series roots, heading underground. We aren’t seeing any fail in this equation.

L.A Noire (XB360, PS3)
Publisher: Rockstar Games - Developer: Team Bondi
Release date: 1st Half 2011

Team Bondi and Rockstar Games are FINALLY about ready to unleash L.A Noire to the masses. Initially a PS3-exclusive, L.A Noire has seen platform expansion and a ton of delays. In development for at least the last 5 years, it runs the risk of being a victim of its own hype. However, the pulpy late-1940’s setting and the guidance of Rockstar themselves should be more than enough to pacify the nay-sayers. Will it be the Red Dead of 2011? Nope. As far as we can tell, it’s going to surpass it!

RAGE (XB360, PS3, PC)
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks - Developer: id Software
Release date: 09/13/2011

The first game to release using id’s latest engine, id Tech 5, Rage is an amalgam of sorts; pulling the racing elements from games like Burnout and Motorstorm while featuring some of the post-apocalyptic FPS and RPG action of Fallout 3. Players will traverse a world populated by unique bandit and mutant tribes and features some really big baddies. We don’t have a whole lot on the plot, but did I mention it’s based on id Tech 5? FPS + id Tech 5 = Win!

Batman: Arkham City (XB360, PS3, PC)
Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive - Developer: Rocksteady Games
Release date: Fall 2011

Rocksteady are nothing but a house of thinly disguised warlocks. Think I’m lying? Come on, they have to be some form of magical creatures if they can put together arguably the greatest comic book hero game ever made in their second studio release. These guys literally came out of no where and proved that comic book heroes CAN have video game adaptions that are not on the same scale as Superman 64. Do they have enough Mana to do it again with Arkham City? You bet!

Twisted Metal (PS3)
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment - Developer: Eat Sleep Play
Release date: Fall 2011

If there’s one thing this generation of consoles has been lacking, it’s quality vehicular combat. In what was pretty much one of the worst kept secrets of the year - much to the chagrin of franchise-designer Dave Jaffe - the series that defined the genre is finally going to make an appearance on the PS3. Not including the handheld releases and the other spin-offs, we haven’t seen a true Twisted Metal game since 2001’s Black. As far as we are concerned, this new game can’t arrive quick enough!


Uncharted 3: Drakes Deception (PS3)
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment - Developer: Naughty Dog
Release date: 11/01/2011

Nathan Drake returns after a very short celebratory vacation. Why was he celebrating? Because his last outing, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, won the hearts of gamers everywhere, earning Game of the Year nods at every turn. Now he’s back with an all new adventure. Not a lot is known about the storyline at this point, but given how well received UC2 was, there’s little doubt that Naughty Dog is preparing Mr. Drake’s greatest adventure yet...

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (PS3,XB360, PC)
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks - Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
Release date: 11/11/2011

Yeah, really, I don’t need to say anything here. It’s Elder Scrolls. If the thought of the next entry in the long-running RPG franchise doesn’t get you all twitterpated, then you’re either broken...or a corpse.

Mass Effect 3 (PS3,XB360, PC)
Publisher: Electronic Arts - Developer: Bioware
Release date: Holiday 2011

It’s funny, there is currently a ton of fan service for Mass Effect 3 right now because it was just “officially” announced; even though BioWare confirmed the franchise was a trilogy a long time ago and reiterated the third entry earlier this year when Mass Effect 2 launched. That, my friends, is a testament to the love that BioWare’s sci-fi universe has garnered since November 20, 2007. This time around, the Doctor duo promises a conclusion to Commander Sheppard’s story, a trifecta platform release and we are even hearing some form of multiplayer support will be apart of the package. We thought 2010 was a banner year for the RPG dev house. Could 2011 top it? It’s looking that way...

Gears of War 3 (XB360)
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios - Developer: Epic Games
Release date: Holiday 2011

The title is pretty self-explanatory. If you’ve played Gears 1 or 2, you have a good idea what Gears 3 will bring. Not that that’s a bad thing though. The Gears franchise has set the bar for cover-based 3rd person shooters that many unsuccessfully attempt to emulate. Will Gears 3 be a game/genre changer? Probably not. Will it be a blast? Most certainly!



Comments
blog comments powered by Disqus
More Articles on GameFocus

GF Podcast

Download us here!

Game Junkies podcast and audio interviews


5 Things Microsoft Can Do At Their Xbox Event To Beat Sony To The Punch
Sony did a great job announcing the PS4 to the world earlier this week, but here are some of the things we think Microsoft should do in order to surpass their competitor for their own reveal:     1- Be more clear about the features   All of the... More >>

Focus On

DLC Talk: Dishonored - The Knife of Dunwall

Dishonored: The Knife of Dunwall is an impressive little bit of DLC. I should emphasize “little” though, as it is a relatively short experience. Just when the story seems to get going it ends - or, rather, it “kind of” ends. In The Knife of Dunwall you play as Daud, the... More >>

DLC Talk: Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen

Dragon’s Dogma was released last year on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. While many people considered it to be a simple response to From Software surprise hit in the « Soul » series, others found a genuine appeal to the core mechanics of Capcom’s new baby. So much... More >>

DLC Talk: Vergil's Downfall

So who’s the only person in the Devil May Cry universe that even stands a chance at being as cool as Dante? Nero? Lady? Lucia? Trish? Nope, it’s definitely Dante’s twin brother Vergil with his awesome hair, sense of style, his Katana...ok I’m getting a little too excited.... More >>

Hardware Talk: Razer Ouroboros Gaming Mouse

For those of you out there who are looking for a gaming mouse, you may want to consider all your options with the plethora of products available on the market today. Here at Game Focus, we had the chance to get a lot of hands-on time with Razer’s Ouroboros gaming mouse and we’re happy... More >>