2011 Voting is LIVE NOW!

[Oobgarm]

Due to the site downtime, I am going to take nominations starting now and let it run for ONE WEEK after the forums return. After the results are tallied, individual voting threads will appear and will run for a week or so. I'd like to wrap up with awards on February 1st.

I will take the top 10 nominees from each category. In the event of a tie, the earlier nominated title gets the spot. This strictly goes for games released in the year of our Lord Twenty Aught Eleven (2011). Here are this year's categories:

GOTY (all platforms)
Best Wii Title
Best 360 Title
Best PS3 Title
Best PSP Title
Best DS/3DS Title
Best FPS
Best Action Title (Hack & Slash, Beat Em Up, Fighters and similar)
Best Adventure Title (any action-based title that does not fit the previous category)
Best Sports Title
Best Racing Title
Best RPG (turn-based or realtime)
Best Downloadable Title (all platforms)
Best Use of Motion Tech (Kinect, Move, Wii, encompasses all platforms)
Biggest Surprise (game titles only please)
Biggest Disappointment (again, game titles only)
Most Overlooked/Under Appreciated Title
Best Graphics (all platforms)
Best Sound & Music (all platforms)

BONUS CATEGORY FOR FORUM MEMBERS:

OVERALL FIND OF THE YEAR (Get to searching those monthly finds threads! Winner of this vote will get an actual Otto Award!) (Top 5 nominations get voted on)

Only nominate categories you're familiar with and have actually played games in, please. You may add to/edit your posts if you wish in the gaming categories, but please leave your 2011 Best Find nomination unchanged one you've made it.

COMMENCE!

[Kitsune Sniper]

Best Sound & Music (all platforms): Bastion (XBLA / PC)

[kupomogli]

GOTY (all platforms) Yakuza 4 - runner ups; Uncharted 3 and Batman Arkham City
Best Wii Title N/A
Best 360 Title Batman Arkham City
Best PS3 Title Yakuza 4 - runner ups; Uncharted 3 and Batman Arkham City
Best PSP Title Legend of Heroes Trails in the Sky - runner up; Prinny 2
Best DS/3DS Title N/A. Still don't have a new AC adapter.
Best FPS Battlefield 3
Best Action Title Yakuza 4 - runner up; Batman Arkham City
Best Adventure Title Uncharted 3
Best Sports Title N/A
Best Racing Title Test Drive Unlimited 2
Best RPG (turn-based or realtime) Legend of Heroes Trails in the Sky
Best Downloadable Title (all platforms) N/A
Best Use of Motion Tech (Kinect, Move, Wii, encompasses all platforms) N/A
Biggest Surprise (game titles only please) Saints Row 3
Biggest Disappointment (again, game titles only) Two Worlds 2 - runner ups; Test Drive Unlimited 2 and Dark Souls
Most Overlooked/Under Appreciated Title Lord of the Rings War in the North
Best Graphics (all platforms) Uncharted 3
Best Sound & Music (all platforms) Uncharted 3

I do want to mention two of the biggest disappointments this year, Test Drive Unlimited 2 and Dark Souls. Both are great games. Both games have massive beautiful worlds with a ton to do, but both games had some flaws that kept them from being as good as they could have. Both are still great games, but could have been better.

For Test Drive Unlimited 2, it's the lack of races in the game. The developers put so much into exploration, player connectivity, etc, that they miss out on the main point of racing games. Racing. Sure you can create your own tracks in one of two pretty huge areas, but I don't want to have to create my own tracks in order to have an extensive play time. I mean there are probably around 50-100 or so races in the game and then some side missions to do, but that's nothing in comparison to the hundreds that were in the original Test Drive Unlimited. Aside from that one complaint, I think Test Drive Unlimited 2 is an amazing game.

For Dark Souls, it's all the many many flaws in the game. For instance, the Havel equipment is the heaviest armor in the game and has the most defense. Even though you have ridiculous defense while it's equipped, you can have some of the weakest armor available and still take almost the same amount of damage from the same enemy attack. A major flaw in the game that may or may not have got fixed. Another problem with Dark Souls is that it focus' far more on grinding than Demon's Souls ever did. You can start with the Long Sword on Demon's Souls and go through the game, only upgrading it with what you find out there going through the stages and still be able to complete it as a melee fighter. On Dark Souls, as soon as you hit the second area, you will be required to grind a weapon such as a Long Sword ridiculous levels in order to take off decent damage. Just about every weapon you get near the beginning of the game is outclasses within a couple of hours, so you need to start using heavy weapons if you're going to be a melee fighter. Or use a magic user, who are now far better than they were before. Using bows are also good. There's quite a bit more to complain about on Dark Souls, but overall. It's a great game even with its flaws, but it could have been great on a whole other level if more work had been put into it.

*edit*

I didn't know until now that Two Worlds 2 was released this year. Changed biggest disappointment to that game instead. The world and graphics are beautiful, and the game has a lot of potential, but overall, the game sucks total ass. Was interested in playing it for awhile but didn't pick it up until a price drop. One of the worst games I've played this year.

[jcalder8]

GOTY (all platforms)
Best Wii Title: Skyward Sword
Best 360 Title: Batman Arkham City
Best PS3 Title:
Best PSP Title:
Best DS/3DS Title: Super Mario Land 3D
Best FPS: Battlefield 3
Best Action Title (Hack & Slash, Beat Em Up, Fighters and similar): Batman Arkham City
Best Adventure Title (any action-based title that does not fit the previous category): Skylanders
Best Sports Title: NHL 12
Best Racing Title: Forza 4
Best RPG (turn-based or realtime): Skyrim
Best Downloadable Title (all platforms): Bastion
Best Use of Motion Tech (Kinect, Move, Wii, encompasses all platforms): Once Upon a Monster
Biggest Surprise (game titles only please):
Biggest Disappointment (again, game titles only):
Most Overlooked/Under Appreciated Title:
Best Graphics (all platforms):
Best Sound & Music (all platforms):

BONUS CATEGORY FOR FORUM MEMBERS:

OVERALL FIND OF THE YEAR (Get to searching those monthly finds threads! Winner of this vote will get an actual Otto Award!) (Top 5 nominations get voted on):
http://www.digitpress.com/forum/show...&postcount=321
2.50 for Mega Man X3 I think that counts

[Tupin]

GOTY: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Best Wii Title: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Best 360 Title: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Best PS3 Title: Uncharted 3
Best PSP Title: Patapon 3
Best DS/3DS Title: Super Mario 3D Land
Best FPS: Battlefield 3
Best Action Title (Hack & Slash, Beat Em Up, Fighters and similar): Batman: Arkham City
Best Adventure Title (any action-based title that does not fit the previous category): Rayman Origins
Best Sports Title: NHL 12
Best Racing Title: Forza 4
Best RPG (turn-based or realtime): The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Best Downloadable Title (all platforms): Bastion
Best Use of Motion Tech (Kinect, Move, Wii, encompasses all platforms): Gunstringer
Biggest Surprise (game titles only please): Saint's Row 3
Biggest Disappointment (again, game titles only): Dark Souls
Most Overlooked/Under Appreciated Title: Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective
Best Graphics (all platforms): Uncharted 3
Best Sound & Music (all platforms): Bastion

[Nebagram]

GOTY (all platforms) Skyrim
Best Wii Title Skyward Sword
Best 360 Title Skyrim
Best PS3 Title Little Big Planet 2
Best PSP Title Dissidia 012 (it's the only PSP game I bought all year)
Best DS/3DS Title Pokemon Black/White
Best FPS Portal 2 if you count it as an FPS. Otherwise, Rage for daring to not be CoD/Battlefield/Halo.
Best Action Title (Hack & Slash, Beat Em Up, Fighters and similar) Skyrim if it counts, otherwise Arkham City
Best Adventure Title (any action-based title that does not fit the previous category) Skyward Sword
Best Sports Title Pilotwings Resort (only one I've bought all year that is even remotely sporty)
Best Racing Title Forza 4
Best RPG (turn-based or realtime) Skyrim again, if it counts, otherwise Xenoblade Chronicles.
Best Use of Motion Tech (Kinect, Move, Wii, encompasses all platforms) Skyward Sword
Biggest Surprise (game titles only please) Sonic Generations
Biggest Disappointment (again, game titles only) Brink

Missed out categories I don't care about.

[Ryudo]

GOTY-Xenoblade
Best Wii game is Xenoblade Chronicles.
Best PSP game Legend of Heroes Trails in the Sky
Best DS game Okamiden

Most under appreciated title. Earth Seeker-Wii

[G-Boobie]

GOTY (all platforms): Skyrim.
Best Wii Title: N/A
Best 360 Title: Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary
Best PS3 Title: Uncharted 3
Best PSP Title: Persona 2: Innocent Sin
Best DS/3DS Title: Kirby Mass Attack
Best FPS: N/A
Best Action Title (Hack & Slash, Beat Em Up, Fighters and similar): King of Fighters XIII
Best Adventure Title (any action-based title that does not fit the previous category): Metal Gear Solid HD Collection
Best Sports Title: N/A
Best Racing Title: Trackmania 2
Best RPG (turn-based or realtime): Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Best Downloadable Title (all platforms): Bastion
Best Use of Motion Tech (Kinect, Move, Wii, encompasses all platforms): The Gunstringer
Biggest Surprise (game titles only please): Saints Row The Third
Biggest Disappointment (again, game titles only): Marvel vs. Capcom 3
Most Overlooked/Under Appreciated Title: Rayman Origins
Best Graphics (all platforms): Dead Space 2
Best Sound & Music (all platforms): Bastion

[hbkprm]

goty: metal gear solid hd collection
best 360: forza 4
best wii: kirby's return to dreamland
best ps3: uncharted 3
best fps: bulletstorm/battlefield 3/duke nukem forever
best action: mindjack
best adventure: uncharted 3
best sports: kinect sports season 2/wwe 12
best racing: daytona usa
best rpg: dark souls
best ds/3ds: starfox 64 3d
best in motion tech: just dance 3/kenect sports season two
biggest surpise: dead island/tekken tag tournament 2
biggest dissapointment: homefront
most overlooked: gaurdian heroes
best downloadable title: sonic cd
best dlc: duke nukem forever
best multiplayer: goldeneye reloaded
most anticipated for 2012: dragon's dogma
best graphics: dead island
best sound/music: metal gear solid hd collection

[misfits859]

GOTY (all platforms) - Skyrim
Best Wii Title - Skyward Sword
Best 360 Title - Skyrim
Best PS3 Title - Batman Arkham City
Best PSP Title - Patapon 3 (about the only thing I played this year...)
Best DS/3DS Title - Super Mario 3DS
Best FPS -
Best Action Title (Hack & Slash, Beat Em Up, Fighters and similar)
Best Adventure Title (any action-based title that does not fit the previous category) - Dead Island & Dead Rising 2 (love'em both)
Best Sports Title
Best Racing Title - NFS Hot Pursuit
Best RPG (turn-based or realtime) - Skyrim
Best Downloadable Title (all platforms) - Bastion
Best Use of Motion Tech (Kinect, Move, Wii, encompasses all platforms)
Biggest Surprise (game titles only please) - Bulletstorm
Biggest Disappointment (again, game titles only)
Most Overlooked/Under Appreciated Title
Best Graphics (all platforms)
Best Sound & Music (all platforms)

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

GOTY (all platforms) : Batman Arkham City

Best Wii Title : Bit Trip Complete

Best 360 Title : Portal 2

Best PS3 Title : Uncharted 3 Drake's Deception

Best PSP Title : Where is My Heart?

Best DS/3DS Title : Mario Kart 7

Best FPS : Killzone 3

Best Action Title (Hack & Slash, Beat Em Up, Fighters and similar) : King of Fighters XIII

Best Adventure Title (any action-based title that does not fit the previous category) : Batman Arkham City

Best Sports Title : WWE 12

Best Racing Title : Mario Kart 7

Best Downloadable Title (all platforms) : Back to the Future The Game

Best Use of Motion Tech (Kinect, Move, Wii, encompasses all platforms) Killzone 3 with Sharpshooter

Biggest Surprise (game titles only please) : King of Fighters XIII

Biggest Disappointment (again, game titles only) : Duke Nukem Forever

Most Overlooked/Under Appreciated Title : You Don't Know Jack

Best Graphics (all platforms) : Batman Arkham City

Best Sound & Music (all platforms) : Batman Arkham City

Best Smartphone Game: Jetpack Joyride (iOS)

BONUS CATEGORY FOR FORUM MEMBERS:

OVERALL FIND OF THE YEAR: iMame for iOS

[Guyra]

Best Wii Title: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Best 360 Title: Dark Souls
Best PS3 Title: Dark Souls
Best DS/3DS Title: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D

[ownerizer]

GOTY: Gears of War 3
Best Wii Title: Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Best 360 Title: Gears of War 3
Best PS3 Title: Uncharted 3
Best FPS: Battlefield 3
Best RPG: Skyrim
Best Adventure Title: Uncharted 3
Best Racing Title: Forza 4
Biggest Disappointment: Duke Nukem Forever
Most Overlooked/Under Appreciated Title: LA Noire
Best Graphics: Forza 4
Best Sound & Music: Battlefield 3

[TonyTheTiger]

GOTY (all platforms) Uncharted 3

Best 360 Title Batman: Arkham City

Best PS3 Title Uncharted 3

Best DS/3DS Title Super Mario 3D Land

Best FPS Battlefield 3

Best Action Title (Hack & Slash, Beat Em Up, Fighters and similar) Mortal Kombat

Best Downloadable Title (all platforms) Back to the Future: The Game

Biggest Surprise (game titles only please) King of Fighters XIII

Best Graphics (all platforms) Uncharted 3

Best Sound & Music (all platforms) Uncharted 3

[calthaer]

GOTY (all platforms) - Terraria
Best DS/3DS Title - Pokemon Black / White
Best Adventure Title (any action-based title that does not fit the previous category) - Terraria
Best Downloadable Title (all platforms) - Terraria
Best Sound & Music (all platforms) - Terraria

Haven't actually played any other games that have been released this year, to be honest - but Terraria was pretty awesome.

[Duke.Togo]

GOTY (all platforms) - Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Best 360 Title - Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Best PS3 Title - No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise
Best Action Title - No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise
Best Racing Title - Daytona USA
Best RPG - Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Best Downloadable Title - Street Fighter III Third Strike Online Edition
Best Use of Motion Tech - Fruit Ninja Kinect
Biggest Surprise - Orbitron: Revolution
Most Overlooked/Under Appreciated Title - Hyperdimension Neptunia
Best Graphics - Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

[SamuraiSmurfette]

I've been playing a lot of PC this year, so my list is kinda missing some major contenders.

Best Wii Title ??
Best 360 Title ??
Best PS3 Title ??
Best PSP Title Patapon 3
Best DS/3DS Title Pokemon Black/White
Best FPS ??
Best Action Title (Hack & Slash, Beat Em Up, Fighters and similar) Ult. MvC3
Best Adventure Title (any action-based title that does not fit the previous category) Skylanders
Best Sports Title ??
Best Racing Title ??
Best RPG (turn-based or realtime) Skyrim
Best Downloadable Title (all platforms) Orcs Must Die
Best Use of Motion Tech (Kinect, Move, Wii, encompasses all platforms) Dance Central 2
Biggest Surprise (game titles only please) Orcs Must Die
Biggest Disappointment (again, game titles only) Dungeon Seige 3
Most Overlooked/Under Appreciated Title You Dont Know Jack
Best Graphics (all platforms) Skyrim
Best Sound & Music (all platforms) ??

OVERALL FIND OF THE YEAR ! Gotta do some thread searching...will pick one soon

[chilimac]

GOTY - Rayman Origins
Best Wii Title - Rayman Origins
Best 360 Title - Rayman Origins
Best PS3 Title - Rayman Origins
Best DS/3DS Title - Kirby Mass Attack
Best Action Title - Dodonpachi Resurrection
Best RPG - Disgaea 4
Best Downloadable Title - Radiant Silvergun
Biggest Disappointment - Dark Souls
Most Overlooked/Under Appreciated Title - Nin2Jump
Best Graphics - Rayman Origins

[Lerxstnj]

, I've never played a game made after 2009.
I'll catch up to 2011 in a few years.

[Nz17]

Wait, why do we get all these categories for game platforms, but not a single one for PC? That's a bit unfair considering how many games were released for the PC in 2011.

But while I'm complaining, we should also have a category for smartphone games (iOS/Android/etc.).