Top 10 video games of 2011

Portal 2 (Valve, for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC): It's based on a simple game mechanic: blasting holes and jumping through them. Its three main characters are mostly disembodied voices. It's essentially a series of abstract puzzles, and yet, 'Portal 2' delivers one of the year's most satisfying - and malevolently funny - stories. (AP)

Portal 2 (Valve, for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC): It's based on a simple game mechanic: blasting holes and jumping through them. Its three main characters are mostly disembodied voices. It's essentially a series of abstract puzzles, and yet, 'Portal 2' delivers one of the year's most satisfying - and malevolently funny - stories. (AP)

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1/10 Portal 2 (Valve, for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC): It's based on a simple game mechanic: blasting holes and jumping through them. Its three main characters are mostly disembodied voices. It's essentially a series of abstract puzzles, and yet, 'Portal 2' delivers one of the year's most satisfying - and malevolently funny - stories. (AP)

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Bethesda Softworks, for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC): This sprawling role-playing epic is all about choice. Wizard or warrior? Hero or jerk? Vampire or werewolf? The possibilities seem endless, and after more than 100 hours I'm still discovering dazzling new areas to explore. (AP)

2/10 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Bethesda Softworks, for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC): This sprawling role-playing epic is all about choice. Wizard or warrior? Hero or jerk? Vampire or werewolf? The possibilities seem endless, and after more than 100 hours I'm still discovering dazzling new areas to explore. (AP)

Deus Ex: Human Revolution (Square Enix, for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC): The Eidos Montreal studio revives a beloved, long-dormant series with this cyberpunkish tale of corporate intrigue. Fans of classic stealth games such as Thief and Splinter Cell will adore it. (AP)

3/10 Deus Ex: Human Revolution (Square Enix, for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC): The Eidos Montreal studio revives a beloved, long-dormant series with this cyberpunkish tale of corporate intrigue. Fans of classic stealth games such as Thief and Splinter Cell will adore it. (AP)

Bastion (Supergiant Games, for the Xbox 360): The setup is nothing new: A boy hacks and slashes his way through a post-apocalyptic landscape. But droll narration and a mournful soundtrack hint at something deeper, and 'Bastion' builds to an emotionally haunting climax.

4/10 Bastion (Supergiant Games, for the Xbox 360): The setup is nothing new: A boy hacks and slashes his way through a post-apocalyptic landscape. But droll narration and a mournful soundtrack hint at something deeper, and 'Bastion' builds to an emotionally haunting climax.

Batman: Arkham City (Warner, for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC): The Dark Knight returns, along with just about every criminal mastermind in the DC Comics universe. Soaring among the skyscrapers of Gotham is awe-inspiring - plus, you get to punch a shark in the face. (AP)

5/10 Batman: Arkham City (Warner, for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC): The Dark Knight returns, along with just about every criminal mastermind in the DC Comics universe. Soaring among the skyscrapers of Gotham is awe-inspiring - plus, you get to punch a shark in the face. (AP)

InFamous 2 (Sony, for the PlayStation 3): Once-reluctant superhero (or is it supervillain?) Cole McGrath has developed quite the skill set: He can skitter up tall buildings and shock enemies from a distance. Sucker Punch's loose-limbed open-world sequel is electrifying.

6/10 InFamous 2 (Sony, for the PlayStation 3): Once-reluctant superhero (or is it supervillain?) Cole McGrath has developed quite the skill set: He can skitter up tall buildings and shock enemies from a distance. Sucker Punch's loose-limbed open-world sequel is electrifying.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Nintendo, for the Wii): Twenty-five years in, the 'Zelda' team is still creating the most diabolically clever puzzles in video gaming. (AP)

7/10 The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Nintendo, for the Wii): Twenty-five years in, the 'Zelda' team is still creating the most diabolically clever puzzles in video gaming. (AP)

Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception (Sony, for the PlayStation 3): Nathan Drake, the Indiana Jones of the PlayStation, climbs, brawls and shoots his way through another breathless, globetrotting adventure. (AP)

8/10 Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception (Sony, for the PlayStation 3): Nathan Drake, the Indiana Jones of the PlayStation, climbs, brawls and shoots his way through another breathless, globetrotting adventure. (AP)

Rayman Origins (Ubisoft, for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii): French designer Michel Ancel livens up the 2-D running-and-jumping genre with exuberant weirdness. (AP)

9/10 Rayman Origins (Ubisoft, for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii): French designer Michel Ancel livens up the 2-D running-and-jumping genre with exuberant weirdness. (AP)

Dead Space 2 (Electronic Arts, for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC): Monsters lurk around every corner of an abandoned outer-space facility. Don't forget to breathe. (AP)

10/10 Dead Space 2 (Electronic Arts, for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC): Monsters lurk around every corner of an abandoned outer-space facility. Don't forget to breathe. (AP)