The fifth year of the PS3, two years before the PS4 launched, 2011 was a big year for the console. There are too many games to mention that were released during this year, and many aside from the ones selected deserve shout-outs.
Celebrate 2021 with Shadows of the Damned, Bulletstorm, Dungeon Siege 3, Dynasty Warriors Gundam 3, Catherine, The Lord Of The Rings: War In The North, and L.A. Noir in some capacity. Again, 2011 was a big year for PlayStation. Maybe these games will see remasters this year for PS5. Only time will tell, but for now let's reminisce with some PlayStation history.
10 Dead Space 2
Dead Space 2 released for the PS3 on January 25, 2011 in North America. Dead Space 2 was more of the same space horror goodness from the first. It added a voice to Isaac, the protagonist, which was nice, and gameplay was now tweaked for the better. It was more refined and great technically over the first but also not wholly original which is why some fans don’t like it as much.
9 Mortal Kombat
Mortal Kombat released for the PS3 on April 19, 2011 in North America. This was the Mortal Kombat to change everything as it was basically a reboot for the series thanks to some time shenanigans. It added a story to a fighting game that actually mattered. Other companies have tried to copy it since but no one has come close to this game or its sequels. Besides the story, this game’s brutality upped the ante.
8 Portal 2
Portal 2 released for the PS3 on April 19, 2011 in North America. This game had a similar reception to Dead Space 2. It was bigger and better with more of a story and more environments to explore. It was the blockbuster sequel one would expect. While still filled with brilliant puzzles to test the mind, it also wasn’t as breathtaking as the first time one solved a portal puzzle from the original.
7 inFamous 2
inFamous 2 released for the PS3 on June 7, 2011 in North America. In a time before there were good superhero licensed games, inFamous was there to pick up the slack with lightning fitness. This was a sequel that actually was better than the original.
The open world was more engaging in its fake New Orleans location, the powers were flashier, the story had improvements, and the gameplay felt more refined. It’s hard to believe this and the original are still trapped on PS3 without so much as a port to PS4, or PS5.
6 Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Deus Ex: Human Revolution released for the PS3 on August 23, 2011 in North America. It took a long time for this reboot to come out but when it did fans of the previous titles felt the wait was worth it. The black and gold aesthetic made this cyberpunk world pop. The gameplay choices between assault and stealth paths made each playthrough unique. There was some controversy over poor boss implementation but overall this was highly praised.
5 Dark Souls
Dark Souls released for the PS3 on October 4, 2011 in North America. Demon’s Souls is a game that changed the industry. Suddenly it was not only okay to make harder games, but encouraged. Dark Souls was the refined approach over the original making it a tad more accessible while still doubling down on the challenge. Many copycats have tried to best the Souls formula but don’t come close to this game save for maybe Nioh.
4 Batman: Arkham City
Batman: Arkham City released for the PS3 on October 18, 2011 in North America. Batman: Arkham Asylum broke through the bad superhero game mold so inFamous 2 wasn’t completely alone. It would still be a long time before anything besides these Batman games hit critical success though. Anyway, the point is this sequel took the Metroidvania concept of the original and expanded it into a more open city to great success.
3 Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception
Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception released for the PS3 on November 1, 2011 in North America. This could have easily been the end of the series and most fans might agree that it would have been a better ending. Whether there should or should not have been more games after this is a debate for another day. The main point here is that while the formula was getting old at this point, it was still a solid Indian Jones like adventure for PlayStation fans.
2 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim released for the PS3 on November 11, 2011 in North America. This date will live in infamy as 11/11/11 is an easy set of numbers to remember. What is there to really say about Skyrim?
Ten years later, thanks to a variety of ports from modern consoles to joking about fridges, this game still sells well. It will be interesting to see how The Elder Scrolls VI does.
1 Saints Row The Third
Saints Row The Third released for the PS3 on November 15, 2011 in North America. The first two games were trying to copy Grand Theft Auto to moderate success until this game came out which saw Volition injecting their own flavor to the mix. It is a parody of the genre while still being an excellent entry in this type of sandbox open-world. It was a high point for the series to be sure.