In no particular order:
1) Dead Space 2
Any game where you can perform major eye surgery as well as dismember xenomorphs is an automatic plus in my book. It’s very rare you find a game that’s every bit as intriguing as it is enjoyable, so much that you find yourself going through it again right after beating the dog snot out of it the first time around.
2) Batman: Arkham City
How do you make a sequel to one of the greatest video games of all time? You take everything that made it amazing, pump it full of new villains and expand the world three times over, then toss in endless side missions and quite possibly the award the for the biggest WTF moment in videogame/comic book history, and you have this nugget of awesomeness.
3) Marvel vs Capcom 3 / Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3
The Marvel vs Capcom fighting series is probably my favorite fighting series of all time, so there was great anticipation for a sequel to the only fighting game in which I could dish out my own version of a full-fledged ass whoopin’. MVC3 revived all the things I loved about the franchise and then some. While the attack commands greatly differed from the predecessors, I still enjoyed pitting icon against icon in a full on onslaught of baddassery. You can’t tell me watching Deadpool moonwalk backwards isn’t extreme nerdism.
4) Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Not only one of the best prequels ever conceived, but also one of the best films I saw this year, in any genre. This is where I shamelessly self-promote myself and tell you to go read my review on this movie if you wish to see why this is in my top of the year *evil finger tip roll and maniacal laugh*
5) Star Wars: The Old Republic
The only reason I have time to make this list is because I am currently lacking a computer strong enough to play this game. You may be asking yourself “Why do you have a game on your list that you haven’t even played yet?” To that, my bewildered friends, I say “Are you fucking kidding me?! It’s an MMO based on the greatest Star Wars videogame ever!” I was an active player of Star Wars Galaxies and that was a steaming pile of crap, so this makes my Best of 2011 and highly anticipated Nerdgasm of 2012.
6) FX
When looking back on all the television shows that I watched this year, I found one common factor – the majority of the shows I enjoyed were on the same television network. FX brought the best lineup of new shows as well as old favorite back with a new fancy hat. You know, a hat that makes me laugh so hard I pee myself or find myself angry that the episode isn’t longer and leaves me on a cliffhanger week after week.
7) The Road to The Avengers
While Thor was not the best Marvel Super Hero movie to be released by any means (but still better than Daredevil), Captain America: The First Avenger more than made up for that. The very introduction of the characters would’ve probably made my list, but the casting news, production photos, leaked plot points, and of course, that badass trailer, makes the journey just as exciting as the inevitable payoff.
8) Red State
What happens when one of your favorite writer/directors of all time makes a movie that is completely out of the norm for them and it turns out to be one of your favorite projects by said person? The result is my absolute favorite film of 2011. I cannot express how much everyone needs to see this movie. Whether you are a fan of Kevin Smith and his work or not, this movie stands alone and stands firm, like a big meaty erection.
9) The Walking Dead
When your favorite ongoing comic book series gets adapted into an ongoing television series, you tend to get excited. But when it’s actually good, you find yourself geeking out even more than you anticipated. Keeping with the formula that worked so well in Season One, following the basic storyline from the comic yet going on a different road has worked wonders. Nasty cliffhanger ending though, but builds up anticipation for yet one more thing I get to be excited for in 2012.
10) The Muppets
Ever since I was a child I have been a fan of The Muppets. Something about the perfect formula of variety show, memorable characters and celebrity guests had me hooked. So I was rather stoked to hear that there was going to be a modern day Muppet movie. Of all the movies that came out this entire year, this was the one I was most excited to see. And as excited as I was to see it, I was not let down. The same hilarious cameos and off-the-wall slapstick humor that sucked me in as a child recaptured my heart as an adult.
And that’s it. See you in 2012.