The evolution of the video game from bedroom curio to highest-grossing entertainment medium continued apace this year. While the charts were dominated by the big-name franchises such as Call of Duty, the year was a triumph of mass appeal. The prevailing wisdom is that there weren’t any truly new video games released in 2011, rather refinements and updates. But what refinements. While innovation might have plateaued as the current generation of consoles reaches its sixth year, the understanding that developers now have of their medium allows them to build richer worlds and provide tighter gameplay.
There was one new console release this year, too. Nintendo’s 3DS might have had a slow start, but games such as The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7 have given the handheld a new lease of life, and it’s sure to be a big seller this Christmas. But whatever your console, there will be something for you. Here’s our guide to the games that should be filling your stockings this year.
The children’s favourites
It’s been a delight that so many developers have approached children’s games this year with a sense of style and playfulness that will appeal to all ages. Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure (Xbox 360, PS3, 3DS, Wii, PC) allows players to buy toy characters that can be transported into the game world via the Portal of Power, connected to your console via USB. The novelty of teleporting toys into your TV is bolstered by an enjoyable fantasy adventure, but collecting all the figures may put a strain on the wallet.
The Xbox 360’s motion-sensing camera, Kinect, has enabled two excellent licensed children’s games in the past few months. Sesame Street: Once Upon A Monster (Xbox 360) is a delightful fairy tale starring Elmo and the Cookie Monster, capturing that Sesame Street vibe of fun and learning. Disneyland Adventures (Xbox 360), meanwhile, is a recreation of the Disney park in Anaheim. Players can explore the detailed park, meet Disney characters and play energetic mini-games based on rides. And for those who prefer a more traditional form of control, LEGO Harry Potter Years 5-7 (Xbox 360, PS3, 3DS, Wii, PC) continues the series with a mix of comedy, magical building blocks and lots of shiny things to collect.
The body shapers
While it was Wii Fit that originally sparked a fitness revolution in the gaming industry, the genre has undoubtedly found a home on Kinect, with full body-tracking allowing a more complete workout. Dance games such as the fun Just Dance 3 (Xbox 360, PS3, Wii) and the precise Dance Central 2 (Xbox 360) each have calorie counters, and they’re both terrific fun at parties. However, those wanting a focused fitness regime should look no further than the excellent UFC Personal Trainer (Xbox 360). Inspired by mixed martial arts, UFC’s exercises are varied. Plus, with the gruff trainer barking orders, UFC offers greater motivation than the sterile aerobics of its competitors.
By Tom Hoggins, Video Games Editor
January 1, 2012
Games