2011 was a pivotal year for gaming. This was the tail end of the PS3/Xbox 360 era, just before the launch of the PS4 and Xbox One. Developers had mastered the hardware and were creating vast, gorgeous worlds that stretched the limits of what we thought possible on those systems. Engrossing storylines and inventive gameplay also ensured these titles would stand the test of time.
Now, over a decade later, these games absolutely hold up. Many have received re-releases and remasters for modern consoles. Their mechanics and narratives still feel fresh, keeping our controllers glued to our hands late into the night. Let‘s dive into the top 10 games from 2011 that remain just as addicting today.
10. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
It’s impossible to discuss enduring games without bringing up Skyrim. This sprawling open-world RPG has been released on just about every device imaginable, and for good reason. The vast kingdom of Skyrim enthralls players with frozen tundras, towering mountains, dark elven cities, and over 100 handcrafted dungeons to explore. Choose your path through the main questline or lose yourself in endless side adventures. With such rich worldbuilding and lore, it‘s no wonder Skyrim maintains a dedicated fanbase generating over 50,000 monthly Google searches.
Skyrim‘s frosty peaks still look gorgeous and beckon to be climbed (cc-by shae2k9)
9. Portal 2
2011 took the mind-bending puzzle premise of Portal and elevated it into a fully-fledged experience with Portal 2. The darkly comic adventure forces players to think creatively, using portals and gels to navigate the Aperture Science lab’s sprawling maze of test chambers.
But Portal 2‘s greatest triumph lies in its storytelling. Delightfully-unhinged protagonist GLaDOS and voiceless companion cube Wheatley bouncedry witticisms off each other to create unforgettable dialogue. Their philosophical debates about science, morality, and human nature ensure the narrative still holds thoughtful resonance for today‘s players.
8. Batman: Arkham City
Comic lore comes to life in Arkham City. After the success of Arkham Asylum, developer Rocksteady Studios earned the trust of Warner Bros and DC Comics to build upon that foundation. Players are dropped right into Batman’s iconic Rogues’ Gallery, with favorites like Two-Face, Penguin and Mr. Freeze causing chaos across the expansive open-world setting of Arkham City.
Marvel at the meticulous recreation of Gothic architecture in the cathedrals and tunnels underneath the decaying district. Or grapple between rooftops to soak in the atmosphere of gloom hanging over this criminal habitat. With unparalleled worldbuilding and Easter eggs around every cobblestone corner, Arkaham City delights casual batfans and diehards alike.
7. Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception
This reliable PlayStation exclusive franchise hit its peak with Uncharted 3. Navigator and treasure hunter Nathan Drake chases clues in a quest spanning historic sites in France, Syria, Yemen and England. The globetrotting locales showcase spectacular level design that still stuns today. Walk the streets of a sleepy French village at night with golden lamps flickering atop quaint cafes. Or shield your face from blinding sun glancing over miles of Arabian Desert.
Developer Naughty Dog flexed their technical prowess with realistic sand physics, collapsing buildings and whip-fast combat animations paired with witty dialogue. Cinematic storytelling immerses you in this interactive blockbuster thriller that set the standard for later PlayStation titles like The Last of Us. Uncharted 3 represents the pinnacle of single-player experiences on PS3.
6. Super Mario 3D Land
Nintendo ushered their mascot into the handheld 3D era with Super Mario 3D Land for the Nintendo 3DS. After years of acclaimed 3D platformers on home consoles, this release tailored the winning formula for on-the-go enjoyment. Vibrant sprites pop on the 3DS’s trademark stereoscopic screens. Inventive level design incorporates the system’s tilt recognition and video camera for fun surprises. Power-ups like the fan-favorite Tanooki Mario suit give classic characters new life.
But in a sea of ports and mediocre minigame collections flooding handhelds, 3D Land felt like a fully-formed adventure you’d expect on a TV screen. The visuals still look sharp, with the fixed camera providing gorgeous diorama-style shots of 16 diverse worlds. It may not be true open exploration like Mario 64, but 3D Land contains hours upon hours of challenging obstacle courses to master.
5. Forza Motorsport 4
The Forza series continues to dominate the racing scene, but its first release of the 2010s made major strides in realism and customization. Forza Motorsport 4 faithfully recreated the roar of engines, handling around corners, and minute details like bumps in the asphalt. Players can fine-tune over 500 dream vehicles from manufacturers like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Nissan and more. The stellar driving Physics delivered thrilling competition against aggressive AI drivers.
While later entries pushed the boundaries even further, Forza 4 still impresses as a showcase title for Xbox 360 graphical capabilities. Its legacy lives on through the community sharing thousands of multiplayer-tested custom tracks and paint jobs to amplify the game’s replay value.
4. Gears of War 3
The concluding chapter to the original Gears of War trilogy sees Earth’s cities lying in ruins, humanity clinging to life against subterranean hordes of Locust forces. Players once again don the armor of commando Marcus Fenix, leading Delta Squad on an epic quest depicted in stunning set pieces only possible through Gears 3’s technical wizardry.
A decade later, the game’s scope remains unmatched. Stand awestruck as seawater floods through breached dikes, washing away enemies. Feel the heat blasting your face when surviving a fiery Lambent factory explosion. Little details like mud squishing under heavy boots, accurate weapon recoil and crippled characters forced to limp through missions demonstrate masterful design.
3. Saints Row: The Third
The Saints Row franchise fully differentiated itself from comparable urban crime sagas through sheer absurdity and scale. Customizable protagonist you control becomes president of the United States, then faces a threat from a powerful syndicate bent on world domination. Saints Row: The Third’s outlandish plot twists and diversions set the tone for how ridiculous the game aims to be.
Parachute from helicopters into penthouse pool parties, or survive the crumbling STAG tower as it implodes. String vehicles behind jets and watch the chaos unfold. The unhinged action even has room for the occasional heartwarming interaction with the diverse cast of changeset Saints by your side.
A full generation after its debut, the game’s self-aware wackiness has inspired a devoted following. Fans eagerly await a new entry that recaptures the over-the-top magic Saints Row gleefully pulled off in 2011.
2. L.A. Noire
As an officer rising up the ranks of the LAPD in 1947 Los Angeles, players utilize real detective skills to investigate heinous crimes across L.A Noire. Revolutionary facial scanning dubbed MotionScan captured every emotional nuance of suspects. Attentively study their reactions to pressing questions, searching for cracks that expose lies. The addition of this psychological element made the game unlike anything else at the time.
But L.A. Noire also nails its setting. Effortlessly slip into the smoky neon glow of 1940s Hollywood‘s glitz and seedy underbelly. Hauntingly beautiful piano cues echoing through dim police precinct halls linger years later. And the writing tackles heavy subject matter around racism, political corruption and substance abuse still relevant today. L.A. Noire set a new bar for video game storytelling that holds up shockingly well.
1. Battlefield 3
The Frostbite game engine leaped ahead graphically with its debut in Battlefield 3, sparking a new generation of first-person shooters. Weapons glint with realistic textures beneath blinding lens flares. Brick and mortar debris spray as bullets chip buildings apart. Shorelines glisten while dynamic weather effects roll in. The audio crucial to Battlefield’s strategic teamplay also heightens the drama. Orders shouted across the chaotic battlefield, grenade blasts and sniper fire build heart-pounding suspense.
Some earlier entries retain hardcore fans, but Battlefield 3 marks the series breaking into mainstream success on console and PC. By fusing tactical modern combat and military might, Battlefield 3 kicked off a still unrivaled wave of bombastic shooters through the 2010s. Over a dozen entries later, with next year‘s Battlefield 2042 set to be the biggest yet, you have to tip your hat to the trailblazing 2011 juggernaut that started it all.
The decade since 2011 produced gaming titans, yet these engrossing worlds and experiences stay timelessly entertaining. Their stories, characters and technical marvels remind us how creative and impactful games can be. Each one blazed trails for releases years later. Dust off your aging consoles and enjoy these immortal masterpieces. Just beware losing entire weekends replaying them!
