January 1st, 2012 
PatMan If you have not listened to our year end episode of wonderpod (91) , you have missed out on a lot of “top games” discussions. We talk about our personal favorites of 2011 including best down loadable games, game audio and overall top 3 for the year. It got me thinking about the games I missed, the ones that I have played and enjoyed this year but didn’t get into my personal top 3 for the show. So, I decided to make a top 10 list of my personal favorite games this year. I have to mention that I have not played some of the biggest titles of the year such as Skyrim and Zelda mainly because I am not into RPG’s and, sadly, I have not had any reason to even plug my dust covered Wii in for the last 12 months. So, my personal list is based on only what I have had the time to actually PLAY this year, not what I think the best titles should be this year. It will likely differ considerably from your own personal top choices, so feel free to comment in anyway you wish, defending your personal top choice or agreeing with mine. So why don’t we get this started.
10-Kinect Fruit Ninja. (Kinect) Wait, a downloadable motion game in my top 10? Why not, after all it was my choice for favorite downloadable game of the year on this years Wonderpod video game podcast year end special. This title is the perfect example of what I look for in any top game of the year. The criteria is that I have lots of FUN. That’s it, fun. And fun is what video games are all about. Using my hands, arms, legs and feet to slice and dice fruit was surprisingly addictive and loads of fun, and its only 10 bucks so its one of the best values out there on Kinect. Also, after 4 or 5 rounds of either single player or multi player Fruit Ninja actually becomes a decent form of exercise, well at least for a video game.
Its all fun and games until PatMan nearly dislocates his shoulder.
9-The Legend Of Zelda OoT. 3D- (3DS) This year, one of the greatest video games of all time became portable, it is given a nice graphical upgrade and was then very nicely translated into 3D. Of course this title is going to be on my top 10 list, how could it not be. Unlike some of the other 3DS games on my top 10 list the 3D effects are less “in your face” and more “emersive” in this classic Zelda remake. A very good way to explain the 3D in OoT would be some what like how the movie Avatar used 3D. I could go on about this game for paragraphs as its great, even among the greatest games ever made. But, well, you already know that and it would be a waste of time.
What could be better than OoT on the 3DS? Well, how about a sequel...that's what!
8-Halo Anniversary- (Xbox 360) The second remake to make my top 10 list this year turns out to be the ultimate fan service for Halo lovers. Its the original title that started the Halo phenomenon only now re-done with very nice visuals and remixed audio. And to make the hard core Halo fans happy, all you have to do is push a button or issue a voice command and everything changes back to the original games classic engine. And this magic happens on the fly, in about 2 seconds. Its actually pretty darn cool to be able to switch back and forth. Also, the addition of Kinect voice commands add more depth to the game as I could now scan items with my voice among other things. FPS have come a very long way in 10 years and Halo Anniversary even with its fancy upgrades is no exception. However this tribute to the original, along with its fun Halo Reach online multi player maps inspired by the original Halo CE make it well worth its discounted price tag. Microsoft was very wise to sell it on the cheap, it looks like they learned there lesson with the over priced Halo 3 ODST mistake.
Great game, but the upgraded visuals weren't enough to stop me from getting lost just like in the past!
7- Kinect Sports Season 2 (Kinect) I only bought this game a few days before the end of the year at a great boxing day price, but I already have enjoyed it considerably. Kinect Sports Season 2 has improved on the motion controls of the first game while adding very cool and accurate voice recognition as well. The various sports are just as fun as they are in the original and I especially enjoy the Skiing & Baseball events this time around. Playing Kinect Sports with friends and family who normally do not play video games is a great and fun way to enjoy my hobby with people that I normally don’t get the chance to play games with. Not everyone enjoys motion gaming, but for those of us that do, Kinect Sports Season 2 is one of the best games on Kinect.
Last time I skied I almost broke my leg. Now, all I worry about is breaking my lamp!
6- Gears Of War 3. (Xbox 360) Without a doubt ,Gears Of War 3 is the best Gears title in the trilogy. It has noticeably superior, brighter visuals and superior audio. It’s multi player and “Horde Mode” are more robust when compared to its predecessors and the single player campaign is actually the longest in the series. This came as very a nice surprise in a time were single player modes seem to be getting less and less important in many shooters. If your like me and enjoyed the ultra violence, blood, over the top “macho” simple story style, use of cover mechanics and great visuals of the previous GOW titles then this game is for you. It is a great ending to the Gears series and Epic was very smart to stick with their successful formula that many gamers both loved and also expected to experience in this “final”episode.
PatMan actually had a impact on this characters survival. Those that voted for him to die, shame on you.
Join me right here https://wonderpodonline.com/?p=8601 for my “Top 5 favorite video games” that I have had the pleasure of playing in 2011! Check out the link for the rest and keep on gaming !
Posted in 
Tags: 
