Video Games From 2011 That Are Now Modern Classics

Occasionally, a year comes along that’s truly amazing for video games. These years don’t happen often; usually, we get a few great games alongside many enjoyable but unremarkable ones. Years like 2023, 2016, and especially 2011 stand out. Before these years even began, gamers anticipated a strong lineup of releases, but the actual number of exceptional games exceeded all expectations.

Looking back at 2011, it’s crazy how many games we still talk about as all-time greats! It almost feels like a fluke, but when you think about it, a lot of them were sequels to games we already loved, or they brought back old favorites. Most of the big titles from that year were pretty safe bets. Actually, out of all those now-classic games from 2011, only one really came out of nowhere, and honestly, that one’s probably the most popular of the whole bunch now!

Portal 2

Valve’s Iconic Puzzler, Perfected

The original Portal felt a little like an extra bonus when it was released as part of Valve’s Orange Box collection. It wasn’t the game’s fault, but it was bundled with highly anticipated titles like Half-Life 2: Episode 2 and Team Fortress 2, alongside Half-Life 2 and Half-Life 2: Episode 1. These other games had established reputations, while Portal was a completely new experience. However, that quickly changed once players started enjoying it, and by the time Portal 2 came out, it stood out as a fantastic game in its own right.

Honestly, the anticipation for this sequel was insane, and it totally delivered! It nailed everything I loved about the original – those clever, brain-bending portal puzzles – but took it to a whole new level. They didn’t just add co-op, they built a completely separate story for two players to experience together. And the main campaign? It really dove deeper into the lore of Aperture Science, building on the surprisingly rich story from the first game, and it ended with what I think is one of the greatest final levels ever made in a video game.

Deux Ex: Human Revolution

The Return Of A Classic Franchise That Gets Everything Right

Reviving a beloved game like Deux Ex was a huge challenge, but Eidos Montreal successfully pulled it off. Deus Ex: Human Revolution delivers everything fans would expect from a modern Deus Ex game, and it also improves upon the original 2000 title by adding new features and content.

You can complete missions in Deus Ex: Human Revolution using either stealth or direct combat – the game lets you play as the kind of cyberpunk agent you prefer. Your choices also impact the story, with different paths leading to varied endings and boss battles. While there was one sequel, Mankind Divided, the series hasn’t had a new installment since. It’s unfortunate, as Human Revolution remains highly regarded as one of the best immersive sim games from the last fifteen years.

L.A. Noire

Rockstar’s Brilliant Period Piece

Before Rockstar Games slowed down its release schedule, L.A. Noire came out between Red Dead Redemption (2010) and Max Payne 3 (2012). What set L.A. Noire apart from those other games was its focus: instead of being an outlaw, you played as a law enforcement officer, which was a significant change for Rockstar.

In L.A. Noire, you play as Cole Phelps, a WWII veteran who becomes a police officer in Los Angeles. The game follows his career as he climbs the ranks, eventually becoming an arson investigator, all while battling his own trauma from the war. You’ll solve crimes by gathering evidence, questioning suspects, and building a solid case, keeping in mind the limitations of 1940s technology. While the facial animation isn’t groundbreaking today, it still holds up well. L.A. Noire is a truly unique game, and remains one of Rockstar’s strongest titles outside of the Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption series.

InFAMOUS 2

Quietly One Of The Best Sequels Of The Decade

The original InFAMOUS launched alongside Prototype, and the two games competed to become the leading open-world superhero title. InFAMOUS ultimately proved more popular, though the difference was slight. This small advantage allowed its developers to quickly release a sequel. InFAMOUS 2 took everything that made the first game good and improved upon it.

Cole’s abilities are stronger in this installment, and his choices have a clearer impact on the world around him. While the story’s big reveal isn’t quite as shocking as the first game, it’s more developed, giving us a deeper understanding of Cole – a character who briefly became the face of PlayStation and Sucker Punch Productions. InFAMOUS 2 was highly anticipated, but it came out in a year – 2011 – that turned out to be full of amazing games.

Dead Space 2

A Perfect Blend Of Sci-Fi And Survival Horror

The original Dead Space was a surprise hit, taking the established survival horror gameplay of games like Resident Evil 4 and setting it in a fresh, sci-fi world. While the first game was a welcome discovery, Dead Space 2 faced much higher expectations. Like Portal 2, it delivered in a big way.

The thrilling combat—where you strategically dismember enemies—returned in Dead Space 2, and it was even more intense. The story was also significantly improved. Surprisingly, while the 2023 remake featured a voice for Isaac Clarke, Dead Space 2 was actually the first game where he spoke. Players follow Isaac’s terrifying journey through The Sprawl, a huge space station orbiting Saturn’s moon, Titan, as he’s relentlessly pursued by both new and returning Necromorphs. The nursery level is legendary, but a particularly disturbing scene—involving a needle and an eyeball—truly solidified Dead Space 2‘s place as one of the best horror games ever made.

Dark Souls

The Advent Of A Brand-New Genre

Although the Soulslike genre began with Demon’s Souls in 2009, it wasn’t until Dark Souls that it really became popular. Demon’s Souls divided its levels into separate areas accessed through a central hub, while Dark Souls featured a single, connected world. This world was made up of areas that were mostly open, linked together by winding paths and unexpected shortcuts.

With its intense battles and unforgettable boss fights, Dark Souls quickly became considered one of the best games ever made. It also launched developer FromSoftware from a relatively unknown studio, known for the Armored Core series, into a leading name in the gaming industry. Beyond the gameplay, the game’s rich story became a phenomenon of its own, even launching the careers of content creators like VaatiVidya, who continue to build a living by unraveling and beautifully retelling FromSoftware’s complex narratives for both longtime fans and newcomers.

Batman: Arkham City

The Pinnacle Of Batman Games

The Arkham Trilogy is often ranked among the greatest superhero games ever made, and Batman: Arkham City is generally considered the highlight. Expanding on the more focused setting of Batman: Arkham Asylum, Arkham City features a large, open-world section of Gotham City that’s been walled off to hold the escaped inmates. The mastermind behind this is Dr. Hugo Strange, who shockingly discovers Bruce Wayne is also Batman.

Arkham City really opens up Batman’s movement, letting you build incredible speed and momentum as you swing and glide – something the first game didn’t allow. Beyond the compelling main story, the game is famous for its excellent side missions, which feature many of Batman’s classic enemies who aren’t involved in the central plot. The series’ signature fluid combat returns, and while it doesn’t drastically change what worked well in Arkham Asylum – adding mostly new animations and gadgets – that’s perfectly fine. The developers wisely stuck with a winning formula.

Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception

Added More To Drake’s Backstory And Took Him On His Most Harrowing Journey Yet

Following the huge success of Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, the Uncharted series, which was initially planned as a three-game story, reached its conclusion with Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception. The game was heavily promoted with an incredible plane crash scene that remains one of the most memorable moments in the entire series, and it raised the tension for what many thought would be Nathan Drake’s last adventure.

What really sets Drake’s Deception apart from the earlier games is how much more we learn about Drake as a character. We finally get his full story – how he became a thief and treasure hunter, including his first meeting with Sully and how he got the ring that started everything. Of course, it still delivers the over-the-top action Uncharted is known for. From plane crashes and sinking ships to collapsing cities, Drake’s Deception takes the series’ spectacular set pieces to a new level, and felt like a satisfying end to the story when it was released.

Minecraft

The Ultimate Creative Sandbox

As a huge fan, I can honestly say that out of all the games from 2011, Minecraft is still going strong like no other! It’s the perfect sandbox game – you’re totally free to explore, do whatever you feel like, and build absolutely anything you can dream up. Now, crafting can get a little tricky, even for basic stuff, but the amazing thing is how quickly the community jumped in with guides and resources online. Seriously, there’s almost nothing stopping you from bringing your ideas to life!

The Minecraft community has grown incredibly large. It offers everything from online crafting guides to a huge range of modifications, allowing players to do almost anything imaginable. You can build elaborate castles or recreate entire cities – all you need is creativity and commitment. Minecraft is a true modern classic and remains one of the most popular video games ever made.

The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim

Still The King Of 2011 Gaming

Without a doubt, The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim was the most acclaimed game of 2011. This open-world fantasy RPG from Bethesda remains impressive even now. While it has a main story, most players prefer to simply explore the vast world, drawn to distant landmarks and the mysteries they might contain. Skyrim is truly about the journey of discovery.

In Skyrim, you can create almost any type of character you imagine, whether you prefer fighting, magic, or sneaking. The game’s depth is increased even more by its downloadable content and the huge number of player-created modifications available. For the past 15 years, Skyrim has been the leading open-world role-playing game, and while other games have been just as good, none have achieved the same level of widespread popularity.

Honorable Mentions:

Dead Island
Resistance 3
The Witcher 2: Assassins Of Kings
Dragon Age 2
Warhammer 40K: Space Marine
Gears Of War 3
Battlefield 3
Crysis 2
Saints Row: The Third

2026-02-02 00:09