The 10 Best Games Of 2011 So Far

10. Hard Corps: Uprising (PSN, XBLA)

NowGamer’s Score: 8.4

Read the review here

It’s as hard as nails and many people playing it may not even get past the first stage, but by christ is it good. Hard Corps: Uprising is the latest addition to Konami’s long-standing Contra series, except this time it’s been developed by BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger studio Arc System Works. It’s got more guns and bullets than all of the Call of Duty games combined and it’s a real challenge.

Sweet sadism.

Forget COD’s Veteran mode or Halo’s Legendary setting, those are for chumps. If you want a real test of reflexes, skill and dexterity then you need look no further. The crushing challenge aside, Uprising Mode gives you the chance to level up your character, unlock new skills on each playthrough, meaning you will get a little further each time. It’s one of the most rewarding experiences on Xbox Live Arcade today. Seek it out!

What we said at review: “A brutally tough shoot'em'up with some of the best, most detailed cartoon visuals we've ever seen.”

9. Stacking (PSN, XBLA)

NowGamer’s Score: 8.4

Read the review here

Double Fine’s move to purely digital distributed games is the second best decision the studio has ever made. The first was to make stacking, an incredibly charming puzzle game that takes place in a world full of charismatic Russian dolls. Controlling Charlie, a tiny doll with the ability to ‘stack’ into others, you can leap into a variety of personas to complete complex tasks.

It’s a little bit like possessing people in games, except here the mechanic makes for some genuinely intriguing puzzles. There is a wealth of different personas t hi-jack, and an abundance of puzzles to complete, as well as a slew of fun challenges. The best part is that you can get all of this for just a tenner. If you ever needed proof of why digital distribution is a good thing, then Stacking is all the proof you need.

What we said at review: “A lovingly-crafted, beautiful and succinct experience”

Graphics for show, guns for a pro.

8. Bulletstorm (PC, PS3, Xbox 360)

NowGamer’s Score: 8.6

Read the review here

Historians should draw a line under the invention of swear words, scrap all records of their creation and just declare Bulletstorm as the originator of swearing. Bulletstorm’s ad campaign may have brought colourful terms like ‘dick-tits’ into the world, but underneath the crass, vulgar exterior lies a solid and most importantly, fun shooter. The Skillshot system gives Bulletstorm a killer hook to help it stand out from the morass of military shooters today.

Bulletstorm may be as bold as brass when it comes to explicit references, but the pace is so fierce and the action so explosive that once the crass gimmick wears off, you’re left with a game that is build on a rock solid foundation of tight mechanics, insane set-pieces and polished aesthetics. It’s quite confidently the antithesis of the Call of Duty generation.

What we said at review: “If you want see more fresh, innovative and imaginative games then this is the one for you. Call Of Duty diehards, look elsewhere”

7. Killzone 3 (PS3)

NowGamer’s Score: 8.7

Read the review here

Some may argue that Killzone 3 is nothing more than a pretty face; an experience that hinges on its visual sheen to mask the sub-par experience below. It may have more in common with Call of Duty than Killzone 2, but Guerrilla’s third instalment still has plenty of love to give. From the razor sharp visuals, massive Helghan skirmishes and pounding weapons, Killzone 3 is a balls-out shooting experience.

Feel your mind implode.

While the campaign can be tackled in a paltry four hours, popular consensus seems to suggest that story modes in shooters are nothing more than perfunctory, Killzone 3’s multiplayer offering is vast. It’s a polished effort that combines a well-balanced class system with a selection of well-designed maps. With the promise of tons of DLC to follow, Killzone 3 will get bigger and bigger in months to come.

What we said at review: “Bleak, brutal, yet occasionally beautiful.”

6. Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars 3D (3DS)

NowGamer’s Score: 8.8

Read the review here 

That’s right, a 3DS game has made it into this list. Surprised? Well you shouldn't be, as Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars 3D is bloody brilliant. Created by strategy mastermind Julian Gollop of XCOM fame, this is a superb title that uses a top-down viewpoint and grid based movement to make for some truly head-scratching military conundrums.

Careful consideration must be given to almost everything you do, from moving cautiously across terrain, spotting and taking down enemies, as well as juggling multiple squad members in tandem. It’s certainly XCOM for the modern military age, but unlike Gollop’s extra-terrestrial opus, the members of the Ghost squad don’t die for good if they fall in battle. Still, this is the best reason to own a 3DS so far.

What we said at review: “A turn based triumph”

2011: A Dead Space Odyssey

5. Marvel Vs Capcom 3 (PS3, Xbox 360)

NowGamer’s Score: 8.8

Read the review here

While it is stupidly fast and utterly epilepsy-inducing, Marvel Vs Capcom 3 is a masterclass in 2D brawling. The 100-hit combos, dizzying juggle attacks and lighting pace may make it intimidating at first glance, but once you get into the well-crafted training modes, you will be equipped to compete with anyone in no time. It ensures that the game is inclusive, and best of all, easy to learn.

It’s a truly kinetic experience, capitalising on the overblown, frequently preposterous nature of marvel’s comic book battles, glossed over with Capcom’s stunning cel-shaded visuals. Of course you also have the fan service element. Anyone who fails to bat an eyelid at the sight of Ryu fire-balling the face off Spider-Man needs a health check.

What we said at review: “This will undoubtedly be the brightest, barmiest game you’ve played for a long, long time.”

4. Crysis 2 (PC, PS3, Xbox 360)

NowGamer’s Score: 8.9

Read the review here

Like Killzone 3 before it, Crysis 2 gets by mostly on its looks. Underneath the visual sheen there is still a solid game there amid the erratic AI and scattershot rules. Stealth seems to be the largest double-edged sword in the pack, either rendering you free to walk past scores of enemies unscathed, or when it is deactivated, alerting every enemy within a mile radius to your position.

Minor niggles aside, Crytek has created a big, bold experience that offers a massive campaign and a solid multiplayer mode that at very least attempts to shake up the template laid down by Call of Duty. There’s great fun to be had in leaping insane heights and dishing out crushing melee attacks on unsuspecting players. As a complete package, Crysis 2 has definitely earned its place on this list.

What we said at review: “Vast, ambitious and challenging, which is essentially counter to the state of modern FPS titles today.”

3. Dead Space 2 (PC, PS3, Xbox 360)

NowGamer’s Score: 9.2

Read the review here

In the same way that Assassin’s Creed II improved on each area of complaint fired at the original, Dead Space 2 makes amends for the few shortcomings of its predecessor. Visceral Games has improved the format in every possible area, as well as delivering a ton of new features and hooks.

Yaaaaay!

The sense of sustained dread introduced in the original is back with a vengeance, keeping you gripped for the duration. When the scares come, they really register, and while the campaign may feel a tad short, it’s expertly crafted throughout.

Multiplayer may seem like a tacked on element, but at least it works well. It’s harmless and there’s nothing wrong with it, so it should be considered as a nice bonus. In many ways, Dead Space 2 is this generation’s Resident Evil 2, upping the ante considerably, and giving the developer a chance to really show what it’s made of. Roll on Dead Space 3.

What we said at review: “Dead Space 2 takes the good stuff of Dead Space and makes it better. Then improves on top of that. Recommended.”

2. Total War: Shogun 2 (PC)

NowGamer’s Score: 9.2

Read the review here

The Total War series has never spawned a bad game. It’s a granite fact, and the exemplary Shogun 2 simply cements this fact further. The level of tactical play here is mind-blowing, begging each player to consider the lay of the land, range, and movement more than ever before. Add to this the stunning visuals and impressive hordes of troops on screen at any one time, and you have a game that is as engrossing as it is visually pleasing.

Perhaps the biggest achievement here is the way Creative Assembly hasn't slacked off for even a moment. Although each troop may appear tiny from the overhead viewpoint, zooming in reveals them to be rich in detail and fluidly animated. You can really see this when battles kick off, as each soldier lets loose with a flourish of graceful sword fights and choreographed manoeuvres. Shogun 2 is simply a stunning achievement.

What we said at review: “Totally engaging online or off”

1. LittleBigPlanet 2 (PS3)

NowGamer’s Score: 10.0

Read the review here

Here it is, the biggest scoring game of 2011 so far. There was never any doubt that LittleBigPlanet 2 was going to be special. Media Molecule has created an experience that is more personal to the individual that any other title on this list. When you consider the wealth of creation tools on offer, the possibilities they hold and the real sense of community therein, you are completely free to carve out a name for yourself online.

LittleBigPlanet 2’s solo campaign is utterly charming, bursting with character and serves as a cleverly masked tutorial to the creation element. But once it’s done and dusted, the world is your oyster. Almost anything you imaging can be achieved with the correct know-how, and this freedom to express yourself through your levels is empowerment rarely awarded in games today. Media Molecule, we salute you.

What we said at review: “Duck and cover people, Sackboy is back. And in a world obsessed with identikit sequels, that is something worth believing in.”