Ten Opinions, Ten Games. The Editorial's Subjective Choice
Hello everyone. Recently, my friend Kotovsky and I decided to create a boring top-10 games from the past year, but then we abandoned that idea. Instead, we ended up with somewhat of a review within a review, based on the subjective opinions of two authors.
Last year, we tried out various games, but some of them stood out as the best among those we played from beginning to end (personally, I covered about 10-15 games, and not all of them are masterpieces). This is NOT a ranking of games from 2011 and not a call to play these computer creations, but rather a few subjective reviews and comments on projects that we liked for various reasons. Well, we liked them, and that's that. =)
[Total War: Shogun 2](/games?search=Total War: Shogun 2) (Kotovsky)
Developed by: The Creative Assembly, SEGA, 1C-SoftClub
In the strategy camp last year, the intensity of emotions was completely absent: [Total War: Shogun 2](/games?search=Total War: Shogun 2) had no competitors. The outcome is obvious, the conclusion is predictable: if you have even half a brain and are interested in the "command-administrative" genre and don’t turn green at the thought of wasabi, then you must buy and play it. The second “Shogun” turned out to be ideal, no matter how you look at it: every battle is an epic canvas, every campaign is a knife-throwing competition (after just a year of active sengokudai style gameplay, I could write a voluminous treatise titled “Japan – a Den of Deceit”). To deprive oneself of such pleasure is simply indecent.
Opinion (FlegmatiX): Like my friend Kotovsky, I have a very tender attitude towards games under the [Total War](/games?search=Total War) banner, but Shogun 2 didn’t impress me too much. I still consider [Rome: Total War](/games?search=Rome: Total War) the benchmark of the series, and the local samurai skirmishes didn’t "grab me". I can’t, and honestly don’t want to, look for any shortcomings in Shogun 2, because in many respects it’s an ideal game. Or maybe I’m just biased since I was expecting Rome 2: [Total War](/games?search=Total War) after “Napoleon”. But alas.
Bulletstorm (FlegmatiX)
Developed by: People Can Fly, Epic Games, EA Russia
The release of the shooter Bulletstorm passed me by, and it was only a few weeks after its release that I first heard about the game with that title. Ashamed of my ignorance, I decided to give this project a try, especially since the reviews of Bulletstorm were quite good. I bought it, installed it, launched it, and then was surprised to find that twilight had already fallen outside, and the final credits were rolling on my monitor. I literally "gobbled up" the game and didn't even notice how it happened. It was very tasty, but very short, like a good fancy restaurant. A small profiterole on a mighty plate decorated with a mint leaf. But that’s not the point; the main thing is that I enjoyed it. I didn’t keep track of how many hours I spent brutally impaling the next adversary on a cactus or how many half-naked punks I fed to the carnivorous flower, but it was all incredibly fun and thrilling. Yes, there were references to the universe of [Gears of War](/games?search=Gears of War), even in the appearance of Grayson Hunt, but the creators of Bulletstorm didn’t hide this fact. In the end, it turned out to be a wonderful dynamic action game, where you can control a bullet from a sniper rifle, slice enemies with chains and grenades, and burn them to a skeleton from what seemed at first a regular rifle. And for that brutal "skillshot" system, the developers of Bulletstorm deserved a handshake in respect. Killing the same enemy in dozens of ways is like a cake. We like that.
Opinion (Kotovsky):
I have repeatedly admitted that I don’t play shooters, so I am completely unable to evaluate which is cooler - [Battlefield 3](/games?search=Battlefield 3), Modern Warfare 3 or Bulletstorm: all these "shooters" look the same to me.
[Mortal Kombat](/games?search=Mortal Kombat) (Kotovsky)
Developed by: Netherrealm Studios, WB Games, 1C-SoftClub
Everything that happened with the iconic fighting series in the 2000s can hardly be called anything other than a bacchanalia. However, something unexpected happened: during the intro to the latest sequel, the infamous Lord Raiden did a facepalm and said "Brr-r-r, there was nothing". And everything returned to how it was: brisk, cheerful, without cumbersome "add-ons" of unnecessary “features”, but with three-dimensional busts of Kitana, Jade, and Scarlett. A two and a half dimensional MK is, albeit modernized, a return to the roots, a return of the series to that form in which it became popular. What a joy that this finally happened, and you can punch Scorpion's face right as in the wild nineties.
Opinion (FlegmatiX):
Everything about [Mortal Kombat](/games?search=Mortal Kombat) is good. I haven’t played this version of MK, but I truly appreciated the Arcade Collection. Even though they messed up with HD, it’s still awesome.
[Dragon Age 2](/games?search=Dragon Age 2) (FlegmatiX)
Developed by: Bioware, EA Russia
[Dragon Age 2](/games?search=Dragon Age 2) is weaker than the first part in many respects, and the game got what it deserved: very low ratings compared to other projects from BioWare, a wave of indignation from fans of the first part, and the mark of being mediocre, if not a passable product. I still disagree with the latter statement. Yes, the locations are not varied, the world shrunk to the size of one city with its surroundings, you can’t play "Barbie" and dress up your companions as you wish, Anders constantly flirts and confesses his homosexual love, but still the game is not bad. [Dragon Age 2](/games?search=Dragon Age 2) is head and shoulders above many projects from 2011, and among those games I tried last year out of necessity, desire, and wallet, [Dragon Age 2](/games?search=Dragon Age 2) turned out to be a pretty good little game. I liked that the second part of the saga became more dynamic, more beautiful, and (throw stones at me) more player-friendly. In the original [Dragon Age](/games?search=Dragon Age), I continually faced the fact that warriors with swords and axes were initially weaker than mages. As a fan of melee fighters, I fumed and became indignant, and ended up completing the first part as a battle mage. In [Dragon Age 2](/games?search=Dragon Age 2), there is no such significant imbalance between warriors and mages, and I enjoyed slicing foes left and right with my fierce and merciless blade. And yes, I also fell in love with Merril's eyes.
Opinion (Kotovsky):
The biggest disappointment of the year. Why make a "heir to [Baldur's Gate](/games?search=Baldur's Gate)" into a fantasy [Mass Effect 2](/games?search=Mass Effect 2)? Who knows. It turned out boring and primitive.
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings (Kotovsky)
Developed by: CD Project, 1C-SoftClub
Why play “The Witcher”? It's clear why: you slay monsters, seduce women – all exactly as in Sapkowski’s stories. The second part of the adventures of the “white-haired” is not as good as the first one, as it too desperately wanted to come out on consoles (due to which it has arcade bosses, a combat system with acrobatics, and moral principles regarding extramarital affairs), but it’s still incredibly attractive and, in my opinion, deserves the title of “Second RPG of the Year” (the first, of course, is “Skyrim”).
Opinion (FlegmatiX):
I played “The Witcher” for exactly one hour, after which my computer did a stunt and started emitting the smell of burnt wiring, baked plastic, and then promptly shut down. After that incident, for some reason, I never returned to replay the game (moral trauma, obviously), and I think that’s a shame. I should rectify this oversight from last year.
[Serious Sam 3: BFE](/games?search=Serious Sam 3: BFE) (FlegmatiX)
Developed by: Croteam, 1C-SoftClub, Snowball Studios
The release of [Serious Sam 3: BFE](/games?search=Serious Sam 3: BFE) was highly anticipated, as it had been six long years since the release of the second part. Part of the potential audience feared that Croteam would start experimenting and ruin everything we loved about the previous games featuring the cool Sam. Others hoped for the introduction of innovative solutions that could diversify the gameplay. Overall, the concerns of the conservatives were justified, and the game turned out to be just as we remembered it. Most of the weapons and monsters transferred directly from [Serious Sam: The First Encounter](/games?search=Serious Sam: The First Encounter) and [Serious Sam: The Second Encounter](/games?search=Serious Sam: The Second Encounter). The mad gameplay remained with gnashing gnaars, headless kamikazes, valkyries, and other representatives of Mental's alien brotherhood appearing from all sides. Of course, we could criticize the developers for sticking to the same old formula, but on the other hand, why break what is already working beautifully? A loyal army of fans for [Serious Sam](/games?search=Serious Sam) has existed for a long time, and attracting new players through radical gameplay changes could scare away the old ones, causing them immense indignation. Like, for example, me.
Opinion (Kotovsky):
I haven’t played it, but I approve.
[Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet](/games?search=Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet) (Kotovsky)
Developed by: Shadow Planet Productions, Microsoft Studios
This stylish comic book about a lonely but brave flying saucer in the gloom gave me unexpectedly bright, despite the overall dark palette, experiences this year. Most of them relate to the visual quality of the game, and I confess, honestly, that it was much more interesting to watch someone else save the planet from interplanetary black mold than to shoot the flying tail-eyed monsters myself while dodging disk saws. This is probably due to my poor console motor control skills, as I only recently got my “box” and haven’t quite learned how to deftly maneuver both sticks of the gamepad. But! Even this malicious circumstance didn’t prevent me from exploring all corners of the blackened celestial body, defeating the local army of darkness, and obtaining immense pleasure.
Opinion (FlegmatiX):
I respect the succinct opinions of my friend Kotovsky, so I draw a conclusion by analogy with his remarks – I didn’t play much, but I approve.
[Deus Ex: Human Revolution](/games?search=Deus Ex: Human Revolution) (FlegmatiX)
Developed by: Eidos Interactive, Новый Диск
At first, [Deus Ex: Human Revolution](/games?search=Deus Ex: Human Revolution) seemed like a strange game to me. Black-yellow tones, a modified dude in glasses, a bunch of closed doors and computers that cannot be hacked, and the hacking system itself initially evoked genuine horror. But hour by hour, with the appearance of new weapons, the opening of new implants, and the overall development of the plot, the mysterious project [Deus Ex: Human Revolution](/games?search=Deus Ex: Human Revolution) began to envelop me in a sticky web of interest, which eventually culminated in sincere joy from completing such a gorgeous game. I’m not a big fan of stealth mode, and for the first few hours, I tried to solve all problems through brute force. However, sneaking through the ventilation system, hiding for cover, and staying out of sight of opponents turned out to be a more interesting activity than running around the entire level with guns blazing. I never would have thought that finding various secrets and hidden spots could be so captivating, especially when you need to hack a computer, control panel, or something else. An exciting and well-crafted hacking system is something else, and what joy you feel when you have 0.1 seconds left before triggering the alarm and you manage to disable it. Implants are awesome, the story is great, and the overall atmosphere of cyberpunk is, well, you know. In my opinion, this is one of the best games of the past year and a worthy continuation of the [Deus Ex](/games?search=Deus Ex) series.
Opinion (Kotovsky):
An ambiguous project. Gorgeous atmosphere created with outdated technology, and stealth missions ending with arcade bosses - such a realm of eclecticism. Finished with pleasure.
[Elder Scrolls](/games?search=Elder Scrolls) V: Skyrim (Kotovsky)
Developed by: Bethesda Game Studios, Bethesda Softworks, 1C-SoftClub
"Skyrim" is a game where you can truly live: go to work, get promotions, work as a blacksmith, instead of greeting everyone with "fus ro dah", hunt deer on weekends, and watch as bears catch fish, earn money for a townhouse, get married in the meantime, and enjoy the northern lights with your beloved. Boring? Well then, go on an adventure for a couple of evenings, kill the main villain, and go where you wanted; it’s clear that “Skyrim” and the series The [Elder Scrolls](/games?search=Elder Scrolls) are not for you.
Opinion (FlegmatiX):
This is the worst game I have ever played. Just terrible. And now – attention! Mindless gum. Substitute antonyms for negative statements, and you will get the correct opinion about this game.
[Trine 2](/games?search=Trine 2) (FlegmatiX)
Developed by: Frozenbyte, Atlus, Акелла
About [Trine 2](/games?search=Trine 2), I recently wrote a review, and I still believe that the game deserves the highest marks. The adventures of the knight, the mage, and the thief take each player on a brief journey into a bright fairytale world, from which it’s hard to want to return. I might exaggerate a little, but, if you get down to it, that’s exactly how it is. Each character has its unique features and abilities, which can be practically implemented thanks to the most honest gaming physics. Puzzles and riddles make you think, and the beauty and detail of each location make you watch with wide eyes and drool in awe. It’s incredibly pleasant to play [Trine 2](/games?search=Trine 2), and I think many would agree with me.
Opinion (Kotovsky):
For games like this, people say: "a little gem."