CONSOLERAMA

[rcoll_rorscharch]

Another year in video games has come and gone and now most of the major releases have hit the shelves. So this festive season I'll be hosting the forums (hopefully) only awards section for the highs and lows of gaming in 2011. If you know how this all works, please skip over the boring T&C's in between the lines. If you don't know how this works, please take the time to read this section before posting. And remember, feel free to vote for your favourite forumers in the PSF Community Awards here.

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VOTING RULES:

- Each member of the community is allowed to vote in each individual category

- Only 1 vote per person per category may be registered

- If you do not wish to register a vote in a particular section, simply leave it blank

- In the event that you enter multiple titles, unless it is clear who you are voting for, the first title entered will be considered as your vote

- Members may not petition other users to vote a certain way 

- Members may change their vote as often as they like up until the closing period

- If you wish to change your vote and are unable to, please leave a new reply clearly marking your edited votes

- Voting closes at 12:00am on 1 January, 2012 EST (1:00am EDST)

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The voting categories in 2011 are:

BRONZE AWARDS

Best Storyline: Best single player narrative

Best Graphics: Best graphics

Best Gameplay: Best gameplay

Best Sound: Best sound effects and score / soundtrack

Best DLC: Best Downloadable Content

Most Dissapointing Game: Biggest dissapointment

Most Potential: Biggest hope for a fully fleshed-out sequel

Best Original Software Innovation: Best use of software by a developer

Best Original Hardware Innovation: Best use of hardware by a developer

Ready the Banhammer: Game most likely to be banned in 2012

Wish List: Most Anticipated title of 2012

Biggest Surprise: Biggest Surprise Story of 2011

SILVER AWARDS

Best IP: Best new game (not a sequel)

Biggest Improvement: Most-improved game from its predecessor

Best Single Player: Best single player campaign

Best Multiplayer: Best multiplayer component

Best Videogame Character: Best character in a game

Best Trailer: Best video game trailer

Best World: Best Sandbox world

Most memorable moment: Biggest moment in gaming (please use spoiler tags)

Best Sports Game: Best sporting game

Best Action Game: Best Action Game

Best FPS: Best First-Person Shooter

Best Fighting Game: Best Fighting Game

Best Racing Game: Best Action Game

Best RPG: Best Role-Playing Game

Best Platforming Game: Best Platforming Game

Best Strategy Game: Best Strategy Game

Best Puzzle Game: Best Puzzle Game

Best Game Nobody Played: Best Game with underwhelming sales

GOLD AWARDS

PlayStation 3 Exclusive Game of the Year: Best PS3 Exclusive

Xbox 360 Exclusive Game of the Year: Best X360 Exclusive

Wii Exclusive Game of the Year: Best Wii Exclusive

PC Exclusive Game of the Year: Best PC Exclusive

Handheld Game of the Year: Best Handheld Game

Multiplatform Game of the Year: Best Multiplatform Game

Gaming Company of the Year: Best game developer and/or publisher

PLATINUM AWARD

Game of the Year: Best Overall Game of 2011

Happy voting!

[rcoll_rorscharch]

Just to kick things off, I'll cast my votes

BRONZE AWARDS

Best Storyline: Homefont

Best Graphics: Battlefield 3

Best Gameplay: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Best Sound: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Best DLC: Infamous 2: Festival of Blood

Most Dissapointing Game: Duke Nukem Forever

Most Potential: Homefront

Best Original Software Innovation: 

Best Original Hardware Innovation: 

Ready the Banhammer: Lollipop chainsaw (if only because nothing else seems ban-worthy)

Wish List: Mass Effect 3

Biggest Surprise: Announcement of the Wii U

SILVER AWARDS

Best IP: Homefront

Biggest Improvement: inFamous 2

Best Single Player: Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception

Best Multiplayer: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

Best Videogame Character: Batman (Batman: Arkham City)

Best Trailer: Dead Island Rewind Trailer

Best World: Skyrim (The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim)

Most memorable moment: Gears of War 3

Spoiler

Dominic's death - Gears of War 3

Best Sports Game: NBA 2K12

Best Action Game: Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception

Best FPS: Battlefield 3

Best Fighting Game: WWE '12

Best Racing Game: Forza Motorsport 4

Best RPG: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Best Platforming Game: LittleBigPlanet 2 (yes, this was 2011)

Best Strategy Game: Best Strategy Game

Best Puzzle Game: Child of Eden (should have specified more categories, but ah well)

Best Game Nobody Played: The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings (sales topped 1M, but it's a good game that's been neglected in light of other high-prefolie RPGs like Skyrim and Dragon Age II)

GOLD AWARDS

PlayStation 3 Exclusive Game of the Year: Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception

Xbox 360 Exclusive Game of the Year: Gears of War 3

Wii Exclusive Game of the Year: Zelda: Skyward Sword

PC Exclusive Game of the Year: The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings

Handheld Game of the Year: Zombie Gunship

Multiplatform Game of the Year: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Gaming Company of the Year: Bethesda

PLATINUM AWARD

Game of the Year: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

[kiwiatlarge]

Well done on the changes to both sets of awards rcoll... lookin good... I'll start with the easier of the two, because with PSF activity at an all time low this year, it's going to take some thought for the forum awards

BRONZE AWARDS

Best Storyline: L.A Noire

Best Graphics: Uncharted 3

Best Gameplay: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Best Sound: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Best DLC: Infamous 2: Festival of Blood

Most Dissapointing Game: Duke Nukem Forever

Most Potential: Rage (didn't quite meet it... had the potential to blow Borderlands and Fallout 3 out of the water)

Best Original Software Innovation: 

Best Original Hardware Innovation: 

Ready the Banhammer:  GTAV (when has a GTA game ever not been edited in Australia?)

Wish List: GTAV

Biggest Surprise: Announcement of FFXIII-2 ... (what happened to Versus XIII being the next game?)

SILVER AWARDS

Best IP: L.A Noire

Biggest Improvement: Forza 4

Best Single Player: Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception

Best Multiplayer: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

Best Videogame Character: Nathan Drake (again)

Best Trailer: Max Payne 3 First Trailer

Best World: Skyrim (The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim)

Most memorable moment: Uncharted 3 setpeices (take your pick, but the sinking boat is probably the best)

Best Sports Game:

Best Action Game: Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception

Best FPS: Battlefield 3

Best Fighting Game: Tekken

Best Racing Game: Forza Motorsport 4

Best RPG: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Best Platforming Game: LittleBigPlanet 2

Best Strategy Game: 

Best Puzzle Game:

Best Game Nobody Played: Rage. (ok, the ending killed it for a lot of people, and the last third of the game went down hill, but the clan AI and visuals were great)

GOLD AWARDS

PlayStation 3 Exclusive Game of the Year: Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception

Xbox 360 Exclusive Game of the Year: Gears of War 3

Wii Exclusive Game of the Year: 

PC Exclusive Game of the Year: 

Handheld Game of the Year: Dissidia 012

Multiplatform Game of the Year: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Gaming Company of the Year: Bethesda

PLATINUM AWARD

Game of the Year: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

[silverskull_86]

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kiwiatlarge wrote:

Well done on the changes to both sets of awards rcoll... lookin good... I'll start with the easier of the two, because with PSF activity at an all time low this year, it's going to take some thought for the forum awards

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Agreed.

BRONZE AWARDS

Best Storyline: Batman Arkham City

Best Graphics: Uncharted 3

Best Gameplay: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Best Sound: Uncharted 3

Best DLC: Infamous 2: Festival of Blood

Most Dissapointing Game: Duke Nukem Forever

Most Potential: Rage

Best Original Software Innovation: MotionScan facial rendering (LA Noire)

Best Original Hardware Innovation: 

Ready the Banhammer:  Grand Theft Auto V

Wish List: Grand Theft Auto V

Biggest Surprise: Announcement of FFXIII-2 (It was one of the worst Final Fantasy games, why's it getting a sequel?)

SILVER AWARDS

Best IP: L.A Noire

Biggest Improvement: Forza 4

Best Single Player: Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception

Best Multiplayer: Battlefield 3

Best Videogame Character: Nathan Drake

Best Trailer: Max Payne 3

Best World: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Most memorable moment: Uncharted 3's Plane Battle, Crash, Desert Wanderings

Best Sports Game: NBA 2K12

Best Action Game: Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception

Best FPS: Battlefield 3

Best Fighting Game: Mortal Kombat

Best Racing Game: Forza Motorsport 4

Best RPG: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Best Platforming Game: LittleBigPlanet 2

Best Strategy Game: Starcraft II

Best Puzzle Game: 

Best Game Nobody Played: Saints Row The Third

GOLD AWARDS

PlayStation 3 Exclusive Game of the Year: Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception

Xbox 360 Exclusive Game of the Year: Gears of War 3

Wii Exclusive Game of the Year: Legend of Zelda - Skyward Sword

PC Exclusive Game of the Year: 

Handheld Game of the Year: Dissidia 012

Multiplatform Game of the Year: Batman Arkham City

Gaming Company of the Year: Rocksteady

PLATINUM AWARD

Game of the Year: Batman Arkham City

For me, it was between Arkham City and Uncharted 3 for GoTY, but I just couldn't go past AC. I can't think of another game this year that was as difficult for me to put down once I started.

[kiwiatlarge]

For me with the GOTY, my choice might seem strange given that I haven't even played it!, nor am I known as being a fan of Elder Scrolls/Fallout (or any RPG except FF for that matter)

However, I had discussion with my better half (who is an Elder Scrolls nut) and felt that by predictably going for Uncharted 3, I would be voting too much with my fanboy colours. Though a fantastic technical achievement, the leap from U2 to U3 isn't as high as from U1 to U2, and set peices and visuals aside, there is no doubt for me that U2 still brings together many elements better.

Batman I'm still on the fence on, and to be fair I haven't played enough to pass fair judgement on it, but in the time that I have had with it (when I was borrowing it), it couldn't pull me away from Uncharted 3, and I almost felt the open world too distracting.

Assassins isn't even close. The first game got a big tick from me for the potential. The second game was a stunner, but we need a genuine Assassins Creed 3 now... not these Brotherhood/Revelations fill in games.

L.A Noire would get my early vote. My major problem with the game being that while it was a pretty accurate representation of L.A of that era, and the GTA influence came through, by not being being an anti-hero, you actually had very little freedom as to what could do. You could only even pull your gun out during scripted side-mission phases.

Next year FWIW... GTAV is the most anticipated for me, although there is no guarantee it will come that year. Max Payne 3 looks like it could be the early runner... For big improvers, I'm predicting FFXIII-2. Early reviews suggest that never before has a developer apparantly taken criticism on board, like they have with the dissapointing FFXIII (dissapointing he says, after getting the Platinum and spending 120 hours on it, lol)

[Pretoria]

The voting categories in 2011 are:

BRONZE AWARDS

Best Storyline:  Uncharted 3
 

Best Graphics: Battlefield 3

Best Gameplay:  Uncharted 3
 

Best Sound: Uncharted 3
 

Best DLC: Batman Ark City: Catwoman
 

Most Dissapointing Game: Modern Warfare 3  
 

Most Potential: 
 

Best Original Software Innovation:

Best Original Hardware Innovation:

Ready the Banhammer: 
 

Wish List:  Diablo 3
 

Biggest Surprise:  Diablo III release in 2012

SILVER AWARDS

Best IP:  La Noire
 

Biggest Improvement: Portal 2
 

Best Single Player: Uncharted 3
 

Best Multiplayer: Battlefield 3

Best Videogame Character: Nathan Drake

Best Trailer: Saints Row
 

Best World: 
 

Most memorable moment:  Uncharted 3 Boat & Desert levels
 

Best Sports Game: NBA 2k12
 

Best Action Game: Uncharted 3
 

Best FPS: Battlefield 3
 

Best Fighting Game: Mortal Kombat
 

Best Racing Game:  Need for Speed: The Run

Best RPG:  Skyrim
 

Best Platforming Game: LBP2

Best Strategy Game: Heroes of Might & Magic VI

Best Puzzle Game: 
 

Best Game Nobody Played:  Duke Nukem (I actually liked it)
 

GOLD AWARDS

PlayStation 3 Exclusive Game of the Year: Uncharted3
 

Xbox 360 Exclusive Game of the Year:  
 

Wii Exclusive Game of the Year:

PC Exclusive Game of the Year: World of Warcraft: Cataclysm
 

Handheld Game of the Year:  God Of War
 

Multiplatform Game of the Year: Skyrim

Gaming Company of the Year:  Naughty Dog
 

PLATINUM AWARD

Game of the Year:  Uncharted 3 

[adin75]

BRONZE AWARDS

Best Storyline: Uncharted 3

Best Graphics: Battlefield 3

Best Gameplay: Uncharted 3

Best Sound: Uncharted 3

Best DLC: Infamous 2: Festival of Blood

Most Dissapointing Game: None, have been lucky to avoid any duds this year. If I had to choose one from the games I have played I would say MW3.

Most Potential:

Best Original Software Innovation:

Best Original Hardware Innovation:

Ready the Banhammer:

Wish List: The Darkness II

Biggest Surprise:

SILVER AWARDS

Best IP: LA Noire

Biggest Improvement: Infamous 2

Best Single Player: Uncharted 3

Best Multiplayer: Battlefield 3

Best Videogame Character: Nathan Drake

Best Trailer: Dead Island

Best World: Skyrim

Most memorable moment:

Spoiler

Uncarted 3, when Sully is 'killed' It was such a 'OMFG! what the hell just happened?' moment.

Best Sports Game:

Best Action Game: Uncharted 3

Best FPS: Battlefield 3

Best Fighting Game: Mortal Kombat

Best Racing Game:

Best RPG: Skyrim

Best Platforming Game: LBP2

Best Strategy Game:

Best Puzzle Game: Portal 2

Best Game Nobody Played: Dead Island

GOLD AWARDS

PlayStation 3 Exclusive Game of the Year: Uncharted 3

Xbox 360 Exclusive Game of the Year:

Wii Exclusive Game of the Year:

PC Exclusive Game of the Year:

Handheld Game of the Year:

Multiplatform Game of the Year: Batman: Arkham City

Gaming Company of the Year: Naughty Dog

PLATINUM AWARD

Game of the Year: Uncharted 3

[kiwiatlarge]

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kiwiatlarge wrote:

Best Original Software Innovation: Motionscan facial recognition (L.A Noire)

Best Fighting Game: Tekken   ... gawd im a muppet.... I meant Mortal Kombat..

---

[T-Rocket]

BRONZE AWARDS

Best Storyline: Uncharted 3

Best Graphics: Uncharted 3

Best Gameplay: Batman: Arkham City

Best Sound: Uncharted 3

Best DLC: Portal 2: Peer Review

Most Dissapointing Game: Battlefield 3 and Modern Warfare 3's single player campaigns. Both were below what I was expecting.

Most Potential: In a year of mainly sequels this was a hard one to pick. I’d say Batman: Arkham City though. I want all of Gotham City to explore and more villains.

Best Original Software Innovation: Motionscan facial recognition (L.A Noire)

Best Original Hardware Innovation:

Ready the Banhammer: GTAV

Wish List: GTAV

Biggest Surprise: Wii U’s tablet/controller

SILVER AWARDS

Best IP: LA Noire

Biggest Improvement: Portal 2

Best Single Player: Portal 2

Best Multiplayer: Battlefield 3

Best Videogame Character: Wheatley (Portal 2)

Best Trailer: Dead Island

Best World: Batman: Arkham City

Most memorable moment: The end of Portal 2

Spoiler

The holy ***** moment of thinking no way, then shooting a portal on the moon. Add in the turrets from the elevator ride to the surface and GLaDOS' song.

Best Sports Game: FIFA 12

Best Action Game: Uncharted 3

Best FPS: Battlefield 3

Best Fighting Game: Mortal Kombat

Best Racing Game:

Best RPG: Terraria

Best Platforming Game: Outland

Best Strategy Game:

Best Puzzle Game: Portal 2

Best Game Nobody Played: Infamous 2

GOLD AWARDS

PlayStation 3 Exclusive Game of the Year: Uncharted 3

Xbox 360 Exclusive Game of the Year:

Wii Exclusive Game of the Year:

PC Exclusive Game of the Year: Terraria

Handheld Game of the Year:

Multiplatform Game of the Year: Portal 2

Gaming Company of the Year: Valve

PLATINUM AWARD

Game of the Year: Portal 2

[bigpav53]

BRONZE AWARDS

Best Storyline: L.A. Noire

Best Graphics: Battlefield 3

Best Gameplay: Battlefield 3

Best Sound: Battlefield 3

Best DLC: L.A. Noire Slip of the tongue

Most Dissapointing Game: Duke Nukem Forever

Most Potential: L.A. Noire

Best Original Software Innovation: Motionscan facial recognition (L.A Noire)

Best Original Hardware Innovation: Kinetic voice recognition

Ready the Banhammer: Lolliop Chainsaw

Wish List: Bioshock Infinite 

Biggest Surprise: Dead Islands sales figures

SILVER AWARDS

Best IP: LA Noire

Biggest Improvement: 

Best Single Player: Batman Arkham City

Best Multiplayer: Battlefield 3

Best Videogame Character: Roy Earle (L.a. Noire)

Best Trailer: Dead Island

Best World: Batman: Arkham City

Most memorable moment: L.A. Noire (ending)

Spoiler

Best Sports Game: NBA 2K12

Best Action Game: Batman Arkham City

Best FPS: Battlefield 3

Best Fighting Game: 

Best Racing Game: Driver San Fransisco

Best RPG: Skyrim

Best Platforming Game: Ratchet and Clank All 4 One

Best Strategy Game: 

Best Puzzle Game: Portal 2

Best Game Nobody Played: Infamous 2

GOLD AWARDS

PlayStation 3 Exclusive Game of the Year: Uncharted 3

Xbox 360 Exclusive Game of the Year: Gear sof War 3 (Forza 4 is so close in 2nd I tossed a coin)

Wii Exclusive Game of the Year: Zelda Skyward Sword

PC Exclusive Game of the Year: The Witcher 2

Handheld Game of the Year: 

Multiplatform Game of the Year: Battlefield 3

Gaming Company of the Year: Bethesda

PLATINUM AWARD

Game of the Year: L.A. Noire