GOTY 2011 Action / Adventure

With many of today’s titles falling under the genre of action, adventure or both there was quite a bit of deliberation on which deserved to make our list and which would fall by the wayside. Naturally there’s going to be a lot of pressure placed on the winner of this category as our last two Game of the Year victors – Uncharted 2: Among Thieves and Heavy Rain - both hailed from this select group. So what better way to kick off our nominations than with a full rundown of the candidates and why each of them was chosen.

Batman: Arkham City  (PS3, 360, PC)
A complete package that appeals to fans of good games and at the same time pays wonderful tribute to the universe therein. Adding some new features and enhancing what already worked in the previous game, but on a bigger scale in every aspect. Rocksteady have provided us with the ultimate experience in super hero games.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution  (PS3, 360, PC, Mac)
A game that can be played any which way you want. Want to be a stealth ninja, a hacker or Rambo? No problem. You feel truly rewarded for whatever path you choose, and there is always a way to exploit the advantages within your chosen skill set thanks to an excellent customization system.

L.A. Noire  (PS3, 360, PC)
The game brings both new technology and a new way to play video games. It is a universe where your ability to shoot things takes a backseat to a suggestive sideways look or an indifferent expression; any detail, however subtle it may be, can separate the guilty from the innocent.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword  (Wii)
What is the secret of a successful series that is still going strong some twenty-five years later? Nintendo answers that very question with the release of one of the most beautiful games ever released for the Wii. Ranking with past greats from Big N's history, it’s an experience best had first-hand.

Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception  (PS3)
If you ever doubted the notion that video games could compete on a cinematic level with movies then here is your proof. Besides winning from a cinematography perspective, it’s also an excellent adventure, fuelled by action sequences that will leave your jaw nestling somewhere near the floor.

Rocksteady raised the bar once again and exceed the limits of what was believed to be possible. One of the first concerns was to create something even greater, not only just an evolution in the franchise, but also to give players more freedom. Thus arose Arkham City, a game with the same function as Arkham Asylum, which is to imprison all criminals, psychopaths and freaks of Gotham, but on a much larger scale. From the beginning until the end, the plot grabs us and surprises us. The combat system is tight and with a plethora of enemies to defeat, new and old, it doesn’t ever feel repetitive. The animations are among the best ever seen in video games, and help bring the action to the fore. There may be faults with Batman: Arkham City, but if there is we certainly couldn’t find them.

Best Driving / Racing Game