Image via Complex Original
Good lord, is it really almost July? That means that...well, that half the year has come and gone. Six months is an eon in video game time: games have overachieved (Mortal Kombat), disappointed (Brink), been critically tongue-bathed (Portal 2) and critically skull-f***ed (Duke Nukem Forever). The Game Developers Conference happened, E3 happened, and suddenly the rest of the year is stretched out before us with a come-hither look on its face. But before we dive in headfirst to the orgiastic third and fourth quarters and its many treats (Gears of War 3, Battlefield 3, Modern Warfare 3, and possibly even some games without a 3 in the title), let's take a look back and savor what we've been through. Before we do, though, let us just say that we actually had to narrow things down to get to our 25 favorite gaming experiences of the year thus far, and that's testament to something that gamers tend to forget: things are richer than they've ever been. So complain all you want about repetitiveness and linear gameplay—the fact remains that there's something out there for everyone. So stop whining. And start reading!
25. Bionic Commando Rearmed 2
Release Date: Feb. 1
Platforms: XBLA, PSN
If we had to choose any bionic appendage to choose from, "arm" would definitely be our second choice. And in this downloadable HD re-imagining of Nathan Spencer's adventures, we got to enjoy that bionic arm—as well as guns, grenades, and even the ability to jump for the first time in a 2D Bionic Commando game. Unlockables galore made this just what we want from a DLC platformer: an engrossing, if disposable, romp.
24. Alice: Madness Returns
Release Date: June 14
Platforms: 360/PC/PS3
If you missed American McGee's twisted adventure a decade ago, it's time to visit his harrowing Wonderland for the first time. Springboarding from Lewis Carroll's literary universe, the game serves up puzzle-platforming and satisfying Zelda-style combat to complement an entertaining (if insignificant) storyline. Some minor camera annoyances and later-game repetitiveness aside, it's still a psychoactive whirlwind worth visiting. You don't even have to drink the potion first to enjoy yourself.
23. Top Spin 4
Release Date: March 15
Platforms: 360/PS3/Wii
The series that made us fall in love with tennis on the consoles (Sorry, Mario) is back again with this stellar sequel. If you've played the last one, then there's nothing all that new here with the sequel besides more minigames. But is that really such a bad thing? We were still playing the last game before this came out, so we're kind of playing catch up with this one. OK, 2K Sports, time to stop being so awesome. Oh, wait, forgot about your baseball games. Zing!
22. Motorstorm: Apocalypse
Release Date: May 3
Platforms: PS3
Despite a rocky release schedule thanks to the Japanese megaquake this spring, it landed it in our hands...and promptly fell through a chasm that opened in the freeway AS WE WERE DRIVING ON IT. Which made us realize that driving on terrain that doesn't fall apart right in front of you is overrated (sorry, Gran Turismo). We mean, why do that when you can literally have a race during the Apocalypse, as this fourth game in the series allows you to do? The previous games were pretty crazy, but we'd be hard pressed to find something as awesome as racing while an earthquake is going on. It contains all the thrills of driving on the West Coast with none of the high insurance rates. Count us in.
21. Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars
Release Date: March 27
Platforms: 3DS
When we hear "turn-based strategy," we usually think "no, thanks." And then we think "beer." Don't blame us, it's just a reflex ingrained after years of mindless FPS carnage. So we were pleasantly surprised to give Ghost Recon's 3DS iteration a spin and find that it was actually enjoyable. Easily one of the best launch titles for the handheld, and packed with plenty of bang for your buck. A must for genre enthusiasts, and maybe even for those brave GR fans who don't mind a little variety. It can't all be stealth, you know!
20. Killzone 3
Release Date: Feb. 22
Platforms: PS3
Brown, gray, and more brown. Color's overrated anyway—just give us a big-ass gun, a jetpack, and three badass dimensions, and we'll RAWR our way through that shit. Monochrome as high art + fucking up the Helghast on a mass scale + the best PS3-specific multiplayer since Uncharted 2 = worth the buy. Add in the PlayStation Move Sharpshooter if you want the dumbest toy on the block that actually gives you an edge. It's like Nerf for homicidal nerds!
19. You Don't Know Jack
Release Date: Feb. 8
Platforms: 360/PC/PS3/Wii/DS
Surprised to see the best trivia game of your childhood here? Us too, but with writing like this, it's a no-brainer. Cookie Masterson is back with the best staples of the old games and some new gameplay twists that let even your moronic best friend get in on the action. So save the Wii Sports for your grandma—when it's party time, we're digging out the most insulting battle of wits since Don Rickles did a Special Olympics benefit.
18. WWE All-Stars
Release Date: March 29
Platforms: 360/PS2/PS3/PSP/Wii
Randy Orton would totally wreck the Ultimate Warrior if they fought today. Or would he? Probably not if it were a real fight, but WWE All-Stars lets us see for ourselves. Containing wrestlers from the Golden Era (ohhhhh, yeeeeeah) to current day (ohhhhh, meh), the game had us playing out dream matches like never before. And yeah, before you even ask, Andre the Giant totally owns The Big Show. We would think that was obvious. Also, R.I.P. Macho Man Savage. We're pouring out a Slim Jim for you, big guy.
17. Fight Night Champion
Release Date: March 1
Platforms: 360/PS3
You know what we love? Sports games that don't come out EVERY DAMN YEAR. So thank you, EA Sports, for showing some restraint and letting EA Canada do what it does. FNC takes things a bit darker with this installment, and adds a more analog punching mechanic to the mix for a much more immersive experience. Add in a surprisingly compelling story mode, and we're good to go until FIFA 12 finally drops. Watch for the hook!
16. Shadows of the Damned
Release Date: June 21
Platforms: 360/PS3
We don't know karate, but we know ka-razy—and we're gonna go out on a limb and say the same about gaming geniuses Shinji Mikami and Suda51. The respective masterminds of Resident Evil and Devil May Cry flipped Dante's epochal rescue-your-girl-from-Hell trope into an action adventure the likes of which we haven't seen in some time. Joyously crass dialogue (and the voice acting to pull it off) and fever-dream character design combine for a title we may not have seen coming, but we're glad is here.
15. Crysis 2
Release Date: March 22
Platforms: 360/PC/PS3
Look, we're console jockeys. Don't hate, that's just how it is. And while you may have run Crysis 2 on your insane overclocked Alienware rig and wrung every polygon and frame-per-second possible about of the Crytek engine, we played that shit with a 360 Gamepad and loved every minute of it. Sure, the graphics might not have been everything the Czech geniuses had to offer, but the game was beautiful, the gameplay was free and frenetic, and the multiplayer was a surprisingly addictive mix of unlocks and light-drenched maps. So yeah, it'll run Crysis 2. And it'll be great.
14. Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds
Release Date: Feb. 15
Platforms: 360/PS3
How, how, HOW can MvC3 even possibly be better than the masterpiece that was MvC2? We're not exactly sure how it happened, but the sequel to what some consider to be the greatest—though wildly unbalanced—fighting game of all time dropped the hammer. So much so, in fact, that we're even considering crowning it as the new king of all fighting games. Yeah, it's that damn good. The characters, while not as expansive (or as excessive) as its predecessor, were deeper and delivered better on the fan service. So yeah, we finally got to pit Super Skrull against Arthur from Ghosts ’n Goblins fame. Not that we've been dreaming of that match forever, but it was cool to finally see it happen. The combo system was also revamped, making air combos all the easier. It's the sequel that we always wanted. Let's just hope we don't have to wait another whole decade until the next one. That would make us angry. And Capcom wouldn't like us when we're angry.
13. The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings
Release Date: May 17
Platforms: PC
If you have a computer that can run it, The Witcher 2 is one of the best looking games out right now. If you don’t, you're missing out on an epic dark fantasy RPG [Ed.—wasn't that the original title of Kanye's last album?] that'll keep your mind off the fact that you have a long time to wait before the next season of Game of Thrones. Also: boobs. No, seriously. Boobs [link NSFW].
12. inFAMOUS 2
Release Date: June 7
Platforms: PS3
Cole MacGrath is back and tearing up a fictional version of New Orleans. The first inFAMOUS was a criminally underrated title that showed Assassin’s Creed a thing or two about parkour and open worlds. The sequel takes another step in the right direction, with in-engine cutscenes, even tighter controls, and more powers. Electrocuting people—gang members or innocent bystanders, it doesn’t matter—never gets old. C'mon, it's exactly what you'd do if you turned into a superhero.
11. Dragon Age II
Release Date: March 8
Platforms: 360/PC/PS3
You know what we like in our RPG? Actual combat. Fuck all this pause-the-game-and-bring-up-the-wheel-menu-then-send-the-dwarf-over-there-and-send-the-hot-lady-wizard-to-the-other-side-and-cast-a-vortex-of-forgetfulness-and-then-prepare-yourself-to-wield-a-broadsword-with-some-modicum-of-competency crap. And that's why we loved Dragon Age II. Sure, we could play it in the pure turn-based fashion to which the worlds purest RPG nerds have become accustomed, or we could run through Thedas straight WRECKING SHIT.
10. Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition
Release Date: March 27
Platforms: 3DS
Super Street Fighter IV was already a phenomenal game. But you know what's even better? Playing it on the crapper. Yep, with this perfect port right on the Nintendo 3DS, busting hadoukens in your living room was a thing of the past. And with the 3D slider making Chun-Li's glorious thighs bulge right out of the screen, you really couldn't get anything better. Well, besides Cammy's 3D ass. Did we mention that you can play this on the john? Best launch title by a mile. Sorry, we mean by a Guile.
9. L.A. Noire
Release Date: May 17
Platforms: 360/PS3
Rockstar really outdid themselves with this one. Instead of running over prostitutes to get your money back after boinking them, L.A. Noire features a much slower approach to GTA's bang-bang and kablammo. Searching for clues in a sleazy 1940s city isn't easy, but this game's magnificent facial system [Ed.—uhhhhhhh...] allows you to tell who's really lying, and what they're lying for. It may have gotten a little slow in parts, but it definitely felt like a scene right out of The Maltese Falcon or any one of the other films that this game was obviously inspired by. We're not saying it was perfect, we're just saying 1) extra credit for innovation, and 2) hey, Rockstar: moar pleez.
8. Little Big Planet 2
Release Date: Jan. 18
Platforms: PS3
The sheer creative energy that we have at our fingertips whenever we pop in Little Big Planet 2 is still astounding. Sure, Sackboy is cute and all, and the platforming is responsive, and the level design is often jawdropping, but beyond that we're simply blown away by the scope (and ambition) of user-created content out there. There's a custom level out there for practically every taste—and if there isn’t, you can make it yourself quick enough. You almost don’t have to buy any other games. Except that would probably ruin things.
7. Child of Eden
Release Date: June 14
Platforms: 360
Dude. Duuuuuuuuuuude. DUDE. WHAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW. MY HANDS ARE CONTROLLING THE UNIVERSE AT A RAVE OR SOMETHING. Oh, wait, no, it's simply an ingenious Kinect title. For the first time, like, ever. Imagine a first-person Geometry Wars, and you've got this one. Walk, don't run. Then stand and sway. You'll thank us for it.
6. MLB 11: The Show
Release Date: March 8
Platforms: PS3
We're not sure we've seen a longer sports title domination (at least in sports where more than one company has the license) than this one. And Sony San Diego just keeps on knocking it out of the park, with stadium-specific broadcast angles for diehards, revamped analog controls, and even a Move-enable Home Run Derby so you don't have to beat up on your nephews so mercilessly. We're ready for every other major sport to have a lockout, as long as we've got this one.
5. Mortal Kombat
Release Date: April 19
Platforms: 360/PS3
Did you see us pull out that guy’s spine? We totally pulled out that guy’s spine. Gamers deserve to have a good Mortal Kombat game, and thankfully, NetherRealm Studios delivered in spades. Forget all that Street Fighter stuff, Mortal Kombat is the best way to kick the crap out of your friends. Pro tip: Babalities are even more humiliating. HAHAHAHA YOU'RE A BABY AND YOU GOT MURDERED BY ANOTHER BABY.
4. Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D
Release Date: June 19
Platforms: 3DS
Link's finest moment comes back a second time, and it's just as awesome as we remember it. And with the ability to use the touch screen to change objects and the new 3D effects to add depth to a remastered and retextured landscape, it's even slightly better. Too bad the water temple is still in the game. God, Link, haven't you ever heard of addition by subtraction?
3. Bulletstorm
Release Date: Feb. 22
Platforms: 360/PC/PS3
From its over-the-top violence to its nonstop dick jokes, Bulletstorm takes all the grains of salt we’ve taken to apologize for and excuse other games and throws them all out the window. It makes no apologies—it is crass and crude and hideously violent and foul mouthed. And wonderful. Did we mention wonderful? Skillshots might just be the most fun FPS innovation since killcams.
2. Dead Space 2
Release Date: Jan. 25
Platforms: 360/PC/PS3
We went into Dead Space 2 hoping it would be less scary than the original. It was on a space station, which meant we’d have bigger spaces to explore, which would undercut the claustrophobic atmosphere. There was the new zero gravity mechanics, which would probably lend itself to more action-oriented gaming. But no, we were wrong. Dead Space 2 scared the pants off us, even more than the original. We should probably be grateful, but we still have nightmares.
1. Portal 2
Release Date: April 19
Platforms: 360/PC/PS3
Making a sequel to one of the best-loved games of all time was risky business, but Valve delivered. The portal mechanics are as good as ever, the story much expanded, the puzzles challenging. The only thing that there was less of was humor, which took a bit of a back seat [Ed.—at least until you got to the equally incredible co-op version]. Fine by us; we were a little sick of the meme jokes anyway. If Portal was a triumph, Portal 2 is a natural extension of that triumph—and the best game we’ve played so far this year.