For any new IP to be accepted by the masses as a truly unique step forward, certain criteria need to be checked off the imaginary list that critics and consumers alike have in their minds. While Dishonored can be immediately identified as a Bethesda Softworks title by the way it plays, it has a unique feel as well which is no doubt the work of Arkane Studios showing through.

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Borderlands 2 carries through the gameplay of the first Borderlands, which received a review from us that stated that action-RPG text-based title as something which had more elements of mediocrity than anything else in terms of a game that was hyped and more. While Borderlands 2 tries to salvage the missing pieces of the first title, most of the formula remains the same which garnered role-playing first-person-shooter fanboy attention to the original game which had rich diverse characters in an open-world that still lacks any valuable substance. Borderlands 2 tries to improve the formula slightly, but decided to keep it relatively the same with newer protagonists and the same storyline detail which was appreciated and definitely did not go unnoticed the first time around.

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Sleeping Dogs is the Hong Kong action journey most lovers of John Woo and Kung-Fu have been waiting for. The thrill of the chase, the melody of the karaoke, and the depth of the storyline keeps a title with solid game mechanics one that is fun and surprising at every turn. Sleeping Dogs is United Front Games’ portrayal of the original True Crime: Hong Kong title which has been revamped with a 20+ hour experience that is unforgettable as it is memorable.

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Darksiders II is a tragedy. Vigil Games tried to create a fantasy follow up to the original 2010 journey, but sadly created an action adventure in the vein of grandfathered concepts such as God of War with lukewarm elements of Prince of Persia. While the game itself has a sizable open-world roaming map that is twice the size of Darksiders and a lengthy action adventure campaign, there is very little action to be had that is justifiable for a $59.99 MSRP.

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Guns, incessant parties, and booze-drinking losers with lots of money are all common themes in the new lie of Max Payne in São Paulo, Brazil. Rockstar Games presents another gut-wrenching journey into the life of Max Payne, the loveable yet easily narcissistic schmoozer that loves to make it a field day out of thugs with guns for hire. Max Payne 3 provides an incredibly parapsychological journey into what it is to fall so low in a world where nothing is perfect. Brilliant game mechanics combined with an insatiable lust for blood and justice in a justice void world fuels a protagonist into a storyline that is tragic as it is action adventure packed.

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Prototype 2 introduces the world of Alex Mercer in an entirely different light after the events of post-viral New York from Prototype. With new moves and a gameplay experience that incorporates the original aspects of Prototype, Prototype 2 brings back traditional elements while also innovating on these elements for more fluidity. While the gameplay is much approved, there is some level of storyline mechanics which leaves more to be desired than the linear progression scheme. Regardless the action of Prototype 2 is an exciting venture of building uncrushable action momentum.

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Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City has officially made itself one of the worst Resident Evil titles I have come to play in a long time. Strong words for a title that deserves much more from a franchise that has set itself on the basis of atmospheric horror and mayhem. Terrible gameplay mechanics, a spotty online matchmaking system, and even a badly designed campaign storyline hardly add to the lack of things this title has to offer. Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City could have had an element of shock and twist if done right, instead everything about this just gives a bad name to zombies worldwide.

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Commander Shepard slowly walks away from the spaceport window in glory, called to the battlefield once more to finally end the Reaper threat and take back earth. BioWare’s Mass Effect 3 seemingly is introduced as the finale and the grand exit of Commander Shepard in the planned and conclusive Mass Effect trilogy, but nothing is preventing this series from saga potential in the future. An entire new weapon arsenal, an innovative new inventory system, and not to mention deeper pre-save variables in the RPG action narrative and adaptation to play styles has made Mass Effect 3 a game that far exceeds the reach of previous title of the series in some ways. In other ways, however, Mass Effect 3 keeps to a formula which is too similar in terms of combat and the in-between of the game’s narrative which is lackluster. While multiplayer is lacking to respects of originality in cooperative mode rewards and transitory elements, Mass Effect 3 includes multiplayer for the first time which is more than welcome even if relatively mediocre. Mass Effect 3 has encapsulated somewhat of a vision that takes the core elements of the original Mass Effect and infuses it with newer graphics and improved gameplay for a relatively decent Mass Effect experience but certainly not the one most people have been looking to for heavy improvements for a final title let alone a dialogue journey.

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Final Fantasy XIII-2 is all about the search for Lightning in a journey through the vortex and magic of time and the consequences of fate. Final Fantasy XIII-2 is definitely one engaging RPG, but just comes off a little short in terms of its display of pure RPG elements that really elevate the gameplay to a whole other level. Decent action, and a lengthy and impressive storyline with more relaxed gameplay elements are incredibly effective, but something still seems missing in the long run with a heavily popular and anticipated title that could have been so much more.

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WhatIfGaming Game Of The Year 2011 Awards

The highway of our heart never ceases to the speed limit. Constantly becoming variable throughout the year, the speed of the thrills in newer titles and greater sequels have kept us seeing the wonders of a road that seems to be endless. Once again the highway creates memories which leaves us alone at the passenger seat of life looking out at the night sky of remembrance. Some of us have conquered the hype of ordinary titles, the injustices of mediocre talent, and those games which have shown a devotion to game design which is more about marketing than true gameplay throughout the year. Alas in the confines of these terrible titles, there are those which reaffirm the very nature of recognition and praise, those which dare immensely and conquer the year with their prowess.

It is with pleasure that we provide the millions of anticipated readers what they have been waiting for since the dawn of 2011: the video game industry’s most exceptional and gratified WhatIfGaming 2011 Game Of The Year Awards ceremony, presenting its official Game Of The Year awards before anyone else with a collective decision from industry experts and WhatIfGaming editors worldwide through its defined rigorous selection process which focuses on industry and developer recognition. The moment you all have been waiting for is finally here. Similar to the previous years, WhatIfGaming is first to give out Game of the Year Awards this year. See the Worst Game Of The Year and laugh at its shortcoming or weep for it, ponder about the cohesiveness of Best Script, or play through a title again to experience Best Voice Acting gone unnoticed by some.

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to our beloved millions of WhatIfGaming readers! See you all in 2012.

The sound of guns and the call of your fellow soldiers perturb the air as the quick jolts of bullets whiz by in the air pockets away from audible sense. These are the sounds of Activision and Infinity Ward’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, and it is a title of realistic skirmish proposition. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 utilizes the same extensive and genius formula that made Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare an incredible success while taking the core foundational changes of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and Call of Duty: Black Ops to reinvigorate life into a newer and greater title. Singleplayer campaign mode is extensively chaotic with large and daunting set pieces, multiplayer is the best it has ever possibly been with just the right fast-paced amount of new additions along with Call of Duty: Elite services, and the dauntlessness with which Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 lives up to its name by keeping integrity with all of the prior titles shines through like a beacon of design achievement.  Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is unequivocally not just a title which lives up to its expectations, but a title that is the best first-person shooter for every hardcore and casual player. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 sees no shortage of shooter action and entrusts gamers with an august sense of thrill and graceful combat.

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