This post has not been edited by the GamesBeat staff. Opinions by GamesBeat community writers do not necessarily reflect those of the staff.

 

 

Basically: Twenty of the best games I've played last year. The purpose of this list, by the way, isn't to alter opinions or shift various planes or what-have-you. Nope, it's just me sharing or listing down the games of 2011 that I had the most fun with.

Also, don't be alarmed if your favorite game didn't make my own list, simply because it doesn't mean anything. There's also the possibility that I haven't played [insert title] because, you know, I'm just a regular guy who probably has other priorities as well. So, again, don't be shocked if you're not going to find games like Portal 2, Dark Souls, Mario 3D Land, Mortal Kombat, Bastion, Rayman: Origins, Saints Row: The Third, The Old Republic and Dead Space 2 on this wacky list. Oh, and remakes or re-releases as well such as the Team ICO collection HD or Tactics Ogre PSP will not be included here simply because they're, well — re-releases!

 

 

20. Hard Corps: Uprising
19. L.A. Noire
18. Dragon Age II
17. InFamous 2
16. 2nd Super Robot Taisen Z
15. LittleBigPlanet 2
14. Gears of War 3
13. Deus Ex: Human Revolution
12. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
11. Shadows of the Damned

10. Yakuza 4

Arguably the best game in the series, all thanks to the 4 uniquely-controlled protagonists and the solid narrative.

9. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

One of Nintendo's greatest and interesting titles yet, even though the process can be excruciating at times.

8. Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception

Still a very good example of the "fine-line" between video games and blockbuster films.

7. Batman: Arkham City

Made me a believer that Rocksteady Studios is a "force to be reckon with".

6. (Ultimate and/or vanilla) Marvel vs. Capcom 3

My favorite fighting game franchise just got better, personally of course.

5. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

"One more quest, I promise…"

4. El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron

It's like having an interactive Yoshitaka Amano or James Jean art book with some steady sounds and, oh, lotsa colors twirling around.

3. Catherine

Atlus' gift — and possibly a reminder, as well — to us Generation X/Y folks.

2. Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective

"…and the Award for Best Original Screenplay goes to…"

 

1. Xenoblade Chronicles

The Japanese RPG genre is far from dead, guys… there's still hope.