The Best Games Of 2011: #2

PORTAL 2 (10/10)
No developer but Valve could create such a deep, beautiful and hilarious universe as the world of Portal. Only a small team of under twenty members worked on the fantastic original game, and yet to this day, it stands regarded by puzzle fans as one of the defining games of its genre, an innovative piece of art that- while lacking in core story elements- holds some of the biggest and best surprises in modern storytelling for those brave enough to tackle it. How could Valve ever possibly hope to top such a legendary title, such a idyllic lesson in innovation and physics gameplay? Ladies and gentlemen, Portal 2 is your answer: in this thrilling sequel, the developer has crafted the best possible storyline ever in a video game (yes, you read right!), a brilliantly comedic tale completely packed with charm and wonder for the player and the characters themselves. Oh, and what characters we met. Stephen Merchant shines brighter than the stars as Wheatley, the hapless AI who finds himself unwittingly drawn into events which will shape the future of both protagonist Chell and her deceased adversary GlaDoS forever. Without Merchant, this would still be a sublime story endeavour, but with him the game becomes a masterclass in scripted events and voice acting realism. That the gameplay itself still feels so fluid and open despite the linear pathways of the campaign is testament to Valve's dedication to making the best product possible, still encouraging replays even when the player can't help but follow down a pre-determined path. My reason for not awarding the title Game of the Year is simple- the middle portion of the game is a step down from the rest, becoming too reliant on the gel mechanics employed underneath the test rooms of Aperture. If this quality drop was not so noticeable, it might be easier to forgive the odd pitfall, yet when many of the other games on the list (especially the sole title that stands above this) it seemed unfair to put this above the best of them, which you'll find out tomorrow. Still, here's the bottom line: Portal 2 is the most accessible game of 2011, capable of engaging literally every type of player with its captivatingly hilarious storyline and easy-to-learn physics mechanics, and I reckon in a few decades time we gamers will still be talking about the sheer marvels and laughs that constantly came our way in this mindblowing experience.