The GRcade Game of the Year Awards 2011 - LAST DAY TO VOTE

I've barely posted in GGC all year, so I felt the need to justify my decisions.

Overall Game of the Year: I'm less than 30 hours into it, but this has to go to Skyrim. Playing through in a completely different style to the way I trudged through the massively disappointing Oblivion has helped too. It's a worthy successor to Morrowind (at last) and creates some incredibly atmospheric moments.

Best Action/Adventure Game: I have to give this to Skyward Sword even although I could get away with puting Skyrim in here too. This is pretty much my second favourite behind TES:V, even though I'm only roughly halfway through it. It's lacking as a Zelda title, but a great step forward as a game. Skyloft aside there isn't a single area of the game that I think I'll remember once I'm done with it, but it's changed up the formula from the OoT template and I'm looking forward to seeing where Nintendo takes future games. It makes you work towards temples, it's challenging and the swordplay is terrific.

Best Fighter:

Best Platformer: I played through Portal 2 co-op in one sitting with my mate. By 3am we were stressed out of boxes and tired. Each solution felts so damn good. Plus, Stephen Merchant was brilliant.

Best Puzzle Game:
Best Racing Game:

Best RPG: Once again it's Skyrim. I'm playing through the game as a cat-like man who prowls through the wilderness to hunt animals to craft into armour. I sneak around dungeons and caves to pop arrows into the back of people's heads and I craft potions out of everything I find. The freedom this game gives me to role play is something so many others should learn from.

Best Shooter: Easy choice -Dead Space 2. A prime example in how to approach a sequel: just turn everything up to twelve. I even played through this twice. I never do that.

Best Sports Game: Same as every other year, Football Manager 2012. It's the latest iteration of the perfect game. Enough said.

Best Strategy Game:

The Oddball Award: I don't play many new releases each year, so it's lucky that I played through Shadows of the Damned. Everything about this is batshit crazy. Plus, I love cock jokes.

Import Game of the Year:
Best New Downloadable Game:
Best New IP:
Best Retro Re-Release:
Best Downloadable Content:
The Innovation Award:
Best Visuals:

Best Audio: For dialogue I'd say Portal 2, but the music in Skyward Sword does it for me most. A highlight for the series, which say a lot.

Best Multiplayer:
Developer of the Year:
Publisher of the Year:
Best Trailer:
Hardware Platform of the Year:
Games Magazine of the Year:
Games Website of the Year:

Games Podcast of the Year: Next year I hope to be able to say Idle Thumbs. The sensible choice, as it's actually about games, would be Giant Bombcast. However, The Gamespy Debriefings was fantastic, may it rest in peace. It says 'game' in the title, so strawberry float you.

Top Gaming News Story of 2011:

Biggest Disappointment of 2011: This one is easy - L.A. Noire. I enjoyed it, and some parts were really well done, but it all felt like a waste of something. I'm not sure what because it was fundamentally flawed, but I think this could have been great. Maybe the sequel will be better? I'll be going in with lowered expectations anyway.

Most Anticipated Game of 2012: I'm really not too clued up on the upcoming releases but I'll say Mass Effect 3 since it's one of very few games I'm guaranteed to play.

All my choices are PC version unless otherwise stated.

Overall Game of the Year: Crysis 2
Best Action/Adventure Game: The Lord of The Rings: The War In The North
Best Racing Game: Shift 2: Unleashed
Best RPG: Skyrim
Best Shooter: Crysis 2
Best Strategy Game: Might & Magic: Heroes VI
Best New Downloadable Game: Trine 2
Best New IP: Bulletstorm
Best Downloadable Content: Free High-Res/DX11 packs for Crysis 2 (PC version only)
Best Visuals: Crysis 2
Best Audio: Dead Space 2
Best Trailer: All of the CGI Star Wars: The Old Republic videos (should make a damn movie and be done with it)
Hardware Platform of the Year: PC
Games Magazine of the Year: EDGE
Games Website of the Year: GiantBomb
Games Podcast of the Year: Destructoid's Podtoid with Jim Sterling
Biggest Disappointment of 2011: Dungeon Siege III
Most Anticipated Game of 2012: Colonial Marines

Overall Game of the Year: Uncharted 3: Drakes Deception
Best Action/Adventure Game: Uncharted 3: Drakes Deception
Best Fighter:
Best Platformer:
Best Puzzle Game: Portal 2
Best Racing Game: How depressing
Best RPG:
Best Shooter: Battlefield 3
Best Sports Game:
Best Strategy Game:
The Oddball Award:
Import Game of the Year:
Best New Downloadable Game:
Best New IP:
Best Retro Re-Release:
Best Downloadable Content: Gran Turismo 5 Complete Pack
The Innovation Award:
Best Visuals: Uncharted 3: Drakes Deception
Best Audio: Battlefield 3
Best Multiplayer: Battlefield 3
Developer of the Year: Naughty Dog
Publisher of the Year: Sony Computer Entertainment
Best Trailer:
Hardware Platform of the Year: PS3
Games Magazine of the Year:
Games Website of the Year:
Games Podcast of the Year:
Top Gaming News Story of 2011:
Biggest Disappointment of 2011: L.A. Noire
Most Anticipated Game of 2012: The Last Guardian

Overall Game of the Year: Skyrim
Best Action/Adventure Game: Batman Arkham City I can't believe I'm not giving either Zelda SS or Uncharted 3 this award but I guess it's a testament to how much I enjoyed playing Batman AC.
Best Fighter:
Best Platformer: Super Mario 3D Land
Best Puzzle Game: (Professor Layton and the Spectre's Call would probably have gone here if I'd found the time to play it!)
Best Racing Game: Dirt 3
Best RPG: Skyrim
Best Shooter: Gears of War 3 MW3's SP was very impressive but there was just something about the GOW SP that I found to be a more immersive thrill ride. I remember finishing it and thinking 'I can't wait to start it allover again' and I would have if there hadn't been the distraction of other new games. With MW3 it was 'Right, well, that was cool, now onto Spec ops and the MP'.
Best Sports Game: Kinect Your Shape 2012
Best Strategy Game:
The Oddball Award: (And Child of Eden would probably go here but I've shamefully only had one go of it)
Import Game of the Year: (I only imported 999 but I think that was released in 2010...I did mean to import a game Hero of Canton mentioned for the DS, called Zombi something, but still haven't as yet.)
Best New Downloadable Game: Bastion
Best New IP: Rage (Saw Rik's list and thought yes! I can give Rage an award!)
Best Retro Re-Release: (Zelda OOT 3DS? Would be if I'd played it. I don't want two Zelda's on the go, so this will have to wait until I finish Skyward Sword.)
Best Downloadable Content:
The Innovation Award: 3DS?
Best Visuals: Uncharted 3
Best Audio:
Best Multiplayer: BF3 Purely because I've played it the most and had some good games with Wuiji and co. It's a shame I can't vote for three because GOW3 and MW3 are a bit good too y'know (kill confirmed ).
Developer of the Year:
Publisher of the Year:
Best Trailer:
Hardware Platform of the Year: 360
Games Magazine of the Year:
Games Website of the Year:
Games Podcast of the Year:
Top Gaming News Story of 2011:
Biggest Disappointment of 2011:
Most Anticipated Game of 2012: Hitman Absolution

I think that's me over and out.

Overall Game of the Year: Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Best Action/Adventure Game: L.A. Noire
Best Fighter: Street Fighter III: Third Strike - Online Edition
Best Platformer: El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron
Best Puzzle Game: Portal 2
Best Racing Game:
Best RPG: Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Best Shooter: Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Best Sports Game:
Best Strategy Game: From Dust
The Oddball Award:
Import Game of the Year:
Best New Downloadable Game: From Dust
Best New IP: El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron
Best Retro Re-Release: Street Fighter III: Third Strike - Online Edition
Best Downloadable Content: Rock Band - Rush: 2112
The Innovation Award: L.A. Noire's use of MotionScan
Best Visuals: El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron
Best Audio: Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Best Multiplayer: Street Fighter III: Third Strike - Online Edition
Developer of the Year: Eidos Montreal
Publisher of the Year: UTV Ignition Entertainment
Best Trailer: Dark Souls - Bartholomew***
Hardware Platform of the Year: Xbox 360
Games Magazine of the Year: Edge
Games Website of the Year:
Games Podcast of the Year: One Life Left
Top Gaming News Story of 2011: Possible Mirror's Edge sequel in development? Maybe? Don't know.
Biggest Disappointment of 2011: Shadows of the Damned
Most Anticipated Game of 2012: Mass Effect 3


Let me begin by saying that I really like Shadows of the Damned. It's very nice. However, when it was announced some three years ago that there was to be a collaboration between Goichi Suda, Shinji Mikami and Akira Yamaoka, and that it was to be funded by the power-bastards at EA, I was expecting a title be produced that would slip effortlessly into my all time favourite of all the games ever. That didn't happen at all. Disappointing.

Still very nice, though.

Deus Ex knocked Mass Effect out of my top ten. Game of the year. It also very nearly got my vote for best visuals. The architecture in that game, by the way. Tai Yong Medical and van Bruggen's apartment building come to mind as having some rather nice spaces, and I spent a fair length of time just gawping at Zhao's Penthouse (not a euphemism. Shut up.) Amazing stuff, but I've never before seen such breadth of wild creativity as I have in El Shaddai. It's just constantly chucking new and wonderful things at your face. It's a marvel.

Shadows of the Damned almost got the audio award for that amazing soundtrack. It has an amazing soundtrack. So does Deus Ex. Yes.

Also looking forward to next year: Azura's Wrath, Catherine and The Last Guardian.

Best trailer -

I don't know how to use the oddball award.

***EDIT: Unless the Deus Ex E3 2010 Director's cut trailer is allowed. Because if so, that one.

Buffalo wrote:Overall Game of the Year: Ocarina of Time 3D
Best Action/Adventure Game: Ocarina of Time 3D
Best Retro Re-Release: Ocarina of Time 3D
Best Visuals: Uncharted 3
Best Audio: Uncharted 3
Best Multiplayer: Battlefield
Publisher of the Year: Nintendo
Hardware Platform of the Year: PS3
Biggest Disappointment of 2011: Super Mario 3D Land

Look who decides to vote this year.

Pretty sure I voted last year. I think GOTY awards are a good thing to do, it's just stupid to have so many categories.

You did no such thing.

Right, this little gem is (at least) worth mentioning in the following categories:

...and it's an iPhone/iPad game. Honestly, it's brilliant.

Overall Game of the Year: Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP
Best New Downloadable Game: Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP
The Innovation Award: Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP
Best Visuals: Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP
Best Audio: Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP

Best Trailer: Skyrim
Biggest Disappointment of 2011: Zelda SS.
Most Anticipated Game of 2012: Last Guardian

Edit: No, I haven't played Skyrim, Uncharted 3, Portal, etc.

Overall Game of the Year: Infamous 2
Best Action/Adventure Game: Zelda Skyward Sword
Best Fighter: Mortal Kombat
Best Platformer: Kirby's Adventure
Best Puzzle Game: Portal 2
Best Racing Game: Motorstorm Apocalypse
Best Shooter: Killzone 3
The Oddball Award: HSH28
Best New Downloadable Game: PixelJunk Shooter 2
Best New IP: Renegade Ops
Best Retro Re-Release: ICO HD
The Innovation Award: Nintendo 3DS
Best Visuals: Uncharted 3
Best Audio: Battlefield 3
Best Multiplayer: Mario Kart 64
Developer of the Year: Nintendo
Publisher of the Year: EA
Best Trailer: Dead Island
Hardware Platform of the Year: PS3
Games Magazine of the Year: Edge
Games Website of the Year: Eurogamer
Games Podcast of the Year: 8-4 Play
Top Gaming News Story of 2011: PSN Hacked
Biggest Disappointment of 2011: Dark Souls
Most Anticipated Game of 2012: Darksiders 2

Best Trailer



Can't believe I'm the only person that voted for this. It should win for the music alone!

Finished editing for the last time (I think).

Edited Dead Island into mine, how the feck did I forget that!?

My ultimate Game of the Year's going to be a toughie...

I'm only about 10 hours into Skyward Sword but I'm half-tempted to go with it as my GotY. I haven't been so taken by a game in a very long time, and unless it goes drastically downhill, I can't see my other favourites coming out on top.

Bare in mind there are alot of games I've still to play....
---------------------------------------------------------
Overall Game of the Year: Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Best Action/Adventure Game: Uncharted 3
Best RPG: Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Best Puzzle Game: Portal 2
Best Shooter: Portal 2
Best Retro Re-Release: Zelda:Oot
Best Downloadable Content: Deus Ex: Human Revolution - The Missing Link
Best Visuals: Uncharted 3
Best Audio: Portal 2
Best Multiplayer: Gears of War 3
Developer of the Year: Naughty Dog
Publisher of the Year: Nintendo
Best Trailer: Deus Ex: Human Revolution Launch Trailer

Hardware Platform of the Year: Xbox 360
Games Website of the Year: EuroGamer.net
Top Gaming News Story of 2011: Hacks!
Biggest Disappointment of 2011: No mention of Half-Life 3
Most Anticipated Game of 2012: Last Guardian

Still a few days left to vote. COME ON

Overall Game of the Year: Saints Row: The Third
Best Action/Adventure Game: Saints Row: The Third
Best Fighter: N/A
Best Platformer: Sonic Generations
Best Puzzle Game: Ghost Trick
Best Racing Game: Driver: San Francisco
Best RPG: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Best Shooter: Battlefield 3
Best Sports Game: N/A
Best Strategy Game: N/A
The Oddball Award: Shadows of the Damned
Import Game of the Year: N/A
Best New Downloadable Game: Renegade Ops
Best New IP: Ghost Trick
Best Retro Re-Release: Ico & SotC Collection
Best Downloadable Content: Battlefield 3: Back to Karkland
The Innovation Award: 3DS
Best Visuals: El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron
Best Audio: Sonic Generations
Best Multiplayer: Battlefield 3
Developer of the Year:
Publisher of the Year:
Best Trailer: Metal Gear Rising: Revengance
Hardware Platform of the Year: Xbox 360
Games Magazine of the Year: N/A
Games Website of the Year: Giant Bomb
Games Podcast of the Year: The Comedy Button
Top Gaming News Story of 2011: PSN hacking
Biggest Disappointment of 2011: Uncharted 3
Most Anticipated Game of 2012: Mass Effect 3

Mr. Takagi wrote:Best Trailer



Can't believe I'm the only person that voted for this. It should win for the music alone!

You obviously didn't check my list.

I agree with some previous comments that there are too many categories, nevertheless here's my nominations.

Overall Game of the Year:Gears of War 3
Best Action/Adventure Game: Dead Space 2
Best Fighter: Dead Island ( had to vote for it somewhere)
Best Platformer:
Best Puzzle Game:
Best Racing Game: Dirt 3
Best RPG: Skyrim
Best Shooter: Gears of War 3
Best Sports Game:
Best Strategy Game:
The Oddball Award:
Import Game of the Year:
Best New Downloadable Game:
Best New IP: Rage
Best Retro Re-Release:
Best Downloadable Content: Gears of War 3 - RAAM
The Innovation Award:
Best Visuals: Rage
Best Audio: Battlefield 3
Best Multiplayer: Gears of War 3 - Horde (should have a "coop" category)
Developer of the Year: Don't care I just play the games
Publisher of the Year: Don't care
Best Trailer: Dead Island
Hardware Platform of the Year: Xbox 360
Games Magazine of the Year: Don't read them
Games Website of the Year: Grcade
Games Podcast of the Year: Sarcastic Gamer is the only one ive listened to.
Top Gaming News Story of 2011: New GTA
Biggest Disappointment of 2011: Lack of Left 4 Dead 2 DLC on 360
Most Anticipated Game of 2012: Borderlands 2

Overall Game of the Year: Dark Souls
Best Action/Adventure Game: Uncharted 3
Best Fighter:
Best Platformer:
Best Puzzle Game: SpaceChem
Best Racing Game: Motorstorm Apocalypse
Best RPG: Dark Souls
Best Shooter:
Best Sports Game:
Best Strategy Game:
The Oddball Award:
Import Game of the Year:
Best New Downloadable Game:
Best New IP: Dead Island
Best Retro Re-Release:
Best Downloadable Content: GT5 Spa
The Innovation Award: Dark Souls
Best Visuals: Uncharted 3
Best Audio:
Best Multiplayer:
Developer of the Year: Naughty Dog
Publisher of the Year:
Best Trailer: Uncharted 3
Hardware Platform of the Year: PS3
Games Magazine of the Year:
Games Website of the Year:
Games Podcast of the Year:
Top Gaming News Story of 2011:
Biggest Disappointment of 2011:
Most Anticipated Game of 2012: The Last of Us