Re:coded is a game that's filled with breezy fun, excellent graphics, solid characters, and all the worlds of Disney in the palm of your hand (with a bit of The Matrix thrown in for good measure). While Re:coded doesn’t do anything that's particularly groundbreaking, it does what it sets out to do very well and adds some fun and interesting twists to the standard formula. Plus, it’s more Kingdom Hearts!
Skyward Sword is a Zelda game that manages to reshape its control scheme, design sensibility and pacing all at once while still telling a brilliantly powerful story featuring some very memorable characters. It raises the bar for the legendary series and is perfectly paced from start to finish. It's challenging, unpredictable, diverse, thrilling, and endearing. Skyward Sword is a true masterpiece (but it still would have been better with a standard controller option).
Xenoblade Chronicles is a game that compelled me to reassess what it means for a game to be a JRPG. It points to a bold future for the genre while, at the same time, nodding with respect towards the past. Xenoblade provides a whole world to interact with and explore, removing boundaries and convenient game design choices for the sake of fun and immersion. It's a towering triumph. It’s also my choice game of the year 2011.
