24 Most Anticipated Games Of 2011

Although we are not a dedicated Gaming blog, we do love to play games on our computers and consoles. Not to mention the awesome Windows 7 and Chrome Game Themes we create. So once in a while we like to dabble into writing about gaming, and usually after a through research on any topic, try to create an article that may interest many fellow gamers.

Keeping this in mind we have put together a list of Games that have created a lot of Buzz among gamers around the world and a lot of them are eagerly waiting for these games to be released (including us). So lets look the most anticipated games slated to be released in the year 2011.

1. Batman: Arkham City (PC, PS3, Xbox 360)

The first edition of the game, Batman: Arkham Asylum was a smashing hit and was said to be the best Batman game ever. Now, Batman: Arkham City, set to release in Q3 2011, is expected to out-perform its predecessor.

With teasers still being released and new features slowly being revealed there is still a lot known about the game. As the whole city is involved in game play, we just wish it is an open world setup with freedom of action as we wish. Can’t wait to play this!

2. Dragon Age 2 (PC, PS3, Xbox 360)

The sequel to the highly successful and extraordinary fantasy role-playing game, Dragon Age, is set to release on March 11, 2011.

The game shows improves and a more stylized art design, a changed world of Ferelden that shows the effects of the blight and a fast-paced and more bloody style of combat. Fantasy role-play was taken to a new level of entertainment by Dragon Age and we expect it to do only better in Dragon Age II while playing as a legend of the time – Hawke.

3. Diablo III (PC – Blizzard is considering console versions)

The dark fantasy world of Sanctuary was saved twenty years ago by the heroes of Diablo II. But now, as the shadows spread across the lands again, it is time for the heroes to take a stand again.

Blizzard is set to return with the third edition of its Diablo franchise in 2011. Announced at Blizzcon 2008, Diablo III is expected to set a new standard for RPG games, as was done by its predecessors. We are surely not worried about this game delivering the goods, as it is a Blizzard product and when does Blizzard make mistakes?

By the way, you can also check out the Diablo III Windows 7 Theme we have created.

4. Test Drive Unlimited II (PC, PS3, Xbox 360)

The original Test Drive Unlimited was a massive, open, online racing game that let you cruise around the magnificent island of O’ahu and challenge other players at a whim through its seamless online integration.

The goal of the game was to earn money to purchase the most luxurious and expensive cars. That aspect pretty much remains the same, and though you have many new cars to get you drooling, now a lot of focus is on the social aspect of the game. With housing and casinos making their way into Test Drive, racing now has a Sims-like feeling. Well, as long as the racing is fun, we are not complaining! The game releases in February, 2011.

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

Crysis 2 is an upcoming first person shooter game set to release in March 2011. The first edition of the game was just for PC but Crysis 2 is set to release on the consoles as well.

Crysis 2 is setup in New York City in the year 2023, which has been invaded by aliens. The game still offers a sandbox environment with the players having the freedom to decide their actions and movement. The urban setting offers more options in how to progress and plan attacks. The game which set new visual benchmark offers jaw-dropping graphics even on consoles. The game is said to have the “most intelligent enemies ever.” Even if that turns out to be an exaggeration, Crysis 2 is seems set to be every bit as good as its predecessor, if not better.

6. Guild Wars 2 (PC)

The original Guild Wars was an intriguing game combining hack n slash features of a RPG with strategy gaming. The online interaction features were limited, restricted to certain areas of the game – a point on which developer ArenaNet got immense feedback and is now working on it.

Guild Wars 2 is set take the form of a MMO and will be released sometime in 2011. The game will not only offer a fully shared, persistent world where all players could interact at once but will also let the actions of the player affect the world. Developed on a system that differs from other games of the genre, Guild Wars 2 appears extremely promising and may turn out to be a strong competitor to the World of Warcraft.

7. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Wii)

The Legend of Zelda is one of the biggest franchises of Nintendo and the latest edition, Skyward Sword, promises to be better than the earlier titles in the series.

The game, which looks to be much more reliant on motion-control moves and an improved control system that is much more responsive than before, is planned to be released in 2011. This surely is one of the hottest releases of the year on Wii.

8. Duke Nukem Forever (PC, PS3, Xbox 360)

First person shooters have seen two ages. The age of all other FPS games and the age of Duke Nukem. And that age is set to come back with Duke Nukem Forever. The king is back!

When they named it forever, they were right, Duke Nukem did take forever. I just can’t wait to get my hands on this one, it’s been too long, but I bet it would be worth the wait.

Gearbox has picked up the project from 3D Realms last year and is set to meld this memorable hero with the latest 3D graphics technology. The Duke is back, doing what he is best at – Spouting one-liners, blowing up aliens and being pure fun. At first look, the game is impressive with satisfying guns and combat and pleasing graphics. Release is planned in late 2011. This is one FPS to look out for!

9. The Last Guardian (PS3)

The last Guardian stars a small boy and a massive creäture (a bird-cat hybrid) called the Trico. Announced in 2009, the game is expected to offer a unique game play.

The game explores the relationship between the two main characters and is set in a mysterious world of seemingly classical ruins and muted colors. The trailers are very intriguing with absolutely beautiful graphics that make a highly enjoyable environment for playing a highly creative game. Coming from the studio behind Ico and Shadow of the Colossus, this game has already set very high expectations.

10. Gears of War 3 (Xbox 360)

The third installment of the Sci-Fi shooter comes to XBOX in Q4, 2011.

Gears of War 3 features a four-player cooperative campaign, new playable characters, and hideous, mutating enemies. A new multiplayer mode, named as beast mode, features a number of different playable Locust. Playing as one of the sinister species is fun and allows for a different look at the game. Gears of War 3 looks quite promising.

11. The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings (PC, PS3, Xbox 360)

Released in 2007, The Witcher was appreciated for its detailed, living world, impressive story-telling and a good choice and consequence system. Developer CD Project Red is now back with the second installment.

The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings builds on all the positives of the earlier game and makes amends for the earlier drawbacks. The game takes its choice and consequence system to a new high as the game will feature 3 different game openings and 16 endings, adding massive re-play value to the game. Slated to be the “best looking RPG of 2011″, The Witcher 2 is certainly a highly anticipated release for 2011. PC release date is May 17, 2011.

12. Brink (PC, PS3, Xbox 360)

Brink is a Sci-Fi- First person shooter set in the year 2035 in a floating city called The Ark following the Earth’s near-total destruction.

In the game, two warring factions, the Security and the Resistance, are going head-to-head in a bid to outdo each other and take control of the city. You can choose factions, combat class, weapons, earn experience points, buy upgrades and customize characters and weapons. Brink offers intriguing variety and depth and a highly evolved gameplay that seems to take gamers towards being good team players. The current planned release is in spring 2011.

13. Twisted Metal (PS3)

The longest running franchise on PlayStation is making a comeback in February, 2011 and it seems better than ever before.

The only car combat game on this list, Twisted Metal, is the latest edition in the franchise and seeks to take the game beyond traditional car-blowing. The game will be seeking to engage the online community in a progressive gameplay in a persistent environment. The game is to be equipped with unique weapons and vehicles in a huge destructible setting. With the game encouraging factions and turf wars for cooperative gameplay, the pleasure of blowing up vehicles is sure to be more than ever before.

14. Bulletstorm (PC, PS3, Xbox 360)

If you think of first person shooters and think of mayhem, Bulletstorm is the game for you.

The game is not just about killing, how you get to the act of killing is also important. The more imaginative and innovative you are, the more points you get. These points can be spent at upgrade stations to improve the lethality of your abilities, weapons, and ammunition. The game encourages the player to explore and innovate to hone the art of killing. Bulletstorm is expected to be a lot of fun and a lot different from the precision and stealth type of shooter games. Planned release is February 25, 2011.

15. Max Payne 3 (PC, PS3, Xbox 360)

The third installment of the Rockstar games franchise, Max Payne, is planned to be released in Q1, 2011.

Max Payne 3 is the sequel to the earlier installment and takes place 12 years after the events that took place in Max Payne 2. The looks and style of the main character has changed a lot. He is shown in new attire where he is bald and he has grown beard. The game will be plotted in Brazil where Max is working for a private security company. Given the reputation of Rockstar games and Max Payne series, the expectations from this game are pretty high.

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

The first installment of this Sci-fi shooter-horror-survival genre game, Dead Space, was an absolute best game of the genre and Dead Space 2 is expected to perform much better.

The game carries forward where it left in the earlier game, with the main character, Isaac Clarke, still trying to find answers while fighting for survival. There are new weapons to blow up the new enemies and new puzzles to solve. There is a lot of action coming your way in the grim environment of Dead Space 2 in January 2011.

17. Star Wars: The Old Republic (PC)

Star Wars: The Old Republic, a brand-new massively multiplayer online game, was revealed by LucasArts and BioWare back in 2008. Three years later, the game is planned to release in Q2, 2011.

The game takes place in the universe of KOTOR in wake of The Treaty of Coruscant, which called for an uneasy peace between the once-united Republic and the increasingly powerful Sith Empire. The game allows you to play both sides, giving you the freedom to choose your side and learn the ways of the Force or the Dark Side. The game is extremely promising and if the available information is anything to go by, the game already shows huge potential. Those in love with the universe of KOTOR say that Star Wars: The Old Republic will be beginning of the end of the reign of World of Warcraft.

18. Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception (PS3)

Nathan Drake returns to PS3 in the third installment of the Uncharted franchise on November 1, 2011.

Though not much is known about the game yet, what is known is that it will focus on the relationship between Drake and his mentor Victor “Sully” Sullivan. The game will be largely setup in a desert as Drake searches for a lost city. The earlier editions of the game were smash hits and same is expected from this one. Well, the trailer looks promising and we hope it is as good as it seems!

19. Killzone 3 (PS3)

The earlier installment of the game, Killzone 2, was a masterpiece. Killzone 3 not only builds upon the strengths of its predecessor but also shows significant improvements.

Killzone 3 seems to have absolutely gorgeous looks and sounds but the major improvements are in the gameplay. The game now offers greater variety, bigger set pieces, and deeper combat for an even more enriching experience. The game has been developed keeping 3D technology in mind and will add a new dimension to gameplay when it comes to PS3 on February 22.

20. Portal 2 (PC, PS3, Xbox 360)

Portal was a quirky and fun action puzzle game that released in 2007. Portal 2 is that and more.

Portal 2 will feature single player gameplay as well as a co-op mode. Combined together, Portal 2 will offer a gameplay almost four times the length of the original Portal. Co-op mode is to be played with a pair of new robotic protagonists simply named Blue and Orange. The co-op mode depends on the interaction of these 2 characters and if you want to clear the game, you better get a hold of the new co-op mechanics. The trailers of the game are really promising and we are looking forward to a fun-filled adventure. The game releases on April 19, 2011.

21. Mass Effect 3 (PC, PS3, Xbox 360)

BioWare is set to complete the Mass Effect Trilogy with Mass Effect 3 with a late 2011 release.

Not much is known about the game as yet. Coming straight from EA store, all that is known is this – “Earth is burning. Striking from beyond known space, a race of terrifying machines have begun their destruction of the human race. As Commander Shepard, an Alliance Marine, your only hope for saving mankind is to rally the civilizations of the galaxy and launch one final mission to take back the Earth.” Mass Effect 3 makes the list because of the above description and considering the track record of the franchise. After all, its Mass Effect – it is going to be great.

22. Dungeon Siege III (PC, PS3, Xbox 360)

Dungeon Siege returns with the third installment of the series. Dungeon Siege III will be available on PC as well as the consoles.

Dungeon Siege III is the first game to use Obsidian’s brand-new in-house engine called Onyx. The results are impressive and result in a handsome-looking game. As an RPG, there will be multiple endings depending on the choices you make throughout the story. The combat is simple but interesting and the game offers an option for co-op gameplay. Details about the game are not available and the release is planned in late 2011.

23. Rage (PC, PS3, Xbox 360)

One of the few games on this list that is not a sequel, Rage is developed to be an “awesome first-person shooter” that will change the expectations about id Software.

The story of Rage takes place in the future where an asteroid has hit the earth and destroyed most of civilization. The game shows smooth and fast action in an incredibly detailed environment built on idtech5 technology. This driving and shooting action packed game from the Doom crew has surely set high expectations. Planned release is in Q3 2011.

24. Mortal Kombat (PS3, Xbox 360)

The good old Mortal Kombat returns to the consoles in 2011 with more action and violence than ever before.

The latest Mortal Kombat will have something to offer to all – deep and complex mechanics for the veterans and simpler combos for the newcomers. The violence is more than ever with vicious and brutal fatalities. Even in early stages, the game has a very promising look and seems it will not disappoint the fans of the series.

The coming year looks to be very promising as far as Gaming arena is concerned. We’ll have to wait and watch, which games rule the roost and which ones bite the dust. However, it goes, Gamers are going to have a great time in 2011.

Do share your thoughts in the comments – which games among these or others not listed, are you waiting for eagerly.

Sources: 1) VGChartz 2) GameRankings

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