We’ve arrived on the doorstop of Fall when all of the biggest video games are released. The remainder of 2011 is a stacked season of hit titles and having to narrow it down to only 5 wasn’t an easy job. But after much thought I present to you what I believe will be the absolute best offerings…

1 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Topping out the list is the newest addition of the long running Elder Scrolls franchise. Taking place in the northern province of Skyrim you play as an unknown prisoner (again) who is the last living Dragonborn (Dragon Hunter). You must embark on a quest to defeat the God of Destruction known as Alduin who takes the form of a Dragon (of course) and is hell bent on destroying the world. While this main quest is sure to be thrilling much of the fun to be had will be in exploring the vast open area of Skyrim. Along the way you will visit cities, discover hidden ruins/caves, come across mysterious inhabitants and partake in many of the sure to be well written sidequests. Bethesda is one of the best in the industry when it comes to crafting a deep immersive world that you will lose yourself in for literally hundreds of hours. Also a brand new graphics engine will debut that promises far longer draw distances and detail, come to expect the developer’s most visually striking game yet! Elder Scrolls veteran composer Jeremy Soule returns to deliver another of his beautifully orchestrated soundtracks as well.

2 Battefield 3

The King in class-based shooters returns in this latest release! When it debuted for the first time earlier this year everyone was instantly wowed by it’s gorgeous visuals. Powered by the new Frostbite 2.0 engine which promises even further environmental destruction and graphical enhancements this is in contest for the best looking game of 2011. Some gameplay tweaks include a more fluid movement system and the long awaited return of prone ability. The unrelenting intensity and adrenaline you feel from trying to hold a captured control point or disarming a bomb with all of your friends online is something very few games can match. The Battlefield series does a fantastic job in encouraging teamwork above all else and making it the key to victory. If you have an unresponsive team you are not only likely to lose but also have barely any fun. One new feature being introduced which should help in this department is called “Battlelog”. A free social media site that keeps track of you and your friends progression. It allows you to comment on each others progress and instantly join matches together anytime online.

3 RAGE

id Software. They are what I consider to be the Godfather of First Person Shooters made most famous by the 1993 hit Doom. It’s been nearly 7 years since their last big title and now they are set to release RAGE. Described as a mix of Borderlands, Fallout & Mad Max all rolled into one post apocalyptic package. Set in 2029 you play the role of a survivor after a devastating meteor impact upon Earth. As you were safely tucked underground in a shelter known as The Ark everyone else was left to fend for themselves. The world you emerge into now is as mysterious as it is deadly. Being an id game means that shooting will be the core focus of gameplay. You will be armed with such deadly weapons as the boomerang blade which is exactly as it sounds or the crossbow that can fire electrified bolts. For traversing the vast wasteland is a personal dune buggy that can be modified or upgraded. Elaborate enemy A.I. has been a top concern and will have foes performing all manners of kartwheels, sliding, wall running and other unpredictable tactics to bring you down.

4 Assassin’s Creed: Revelations

Another year another Assassin’s Creed game. Most noteworthy is that this will be the final one to feature either of the series stars Altair or Ezio. The chance to uncover more about the series deep intricate plot and fate of both assassins is more than reason enough to dive back in the Animus for me. One of the great things about this franchise is how much better each game continues to get, Ubisoft Montreal has done an admirable job of listening to it’s fans. Bombs are now craftable with over 300 different variations. A hookblade has also been added which allows for faster exploration and can be used to pull in enemies for combos. The surprisingly fun multiplayer of Brotherhood expands with new modes including story related quests. You can also customize appearance and weapons in more detail than ever before, if each entry continues to improve this much keep’em coming I say!

5 Batman: Arkham City

Batman has had a rough past in gaming history but developer Rocksteady caught many off guard with Arkham Asylum in 2008. It perfectly captured the Batman universe with it’s setting and expansive cast of villains. With an easy to use but difficult to master combat system few games surpassed it and now the sequel is nearly upon us in Arkham City. The newly anointed Mayor Quincy Sharp has expanded his prison into the slums of Gotham which now harbors criminals and many of Batman’s nemesis. Riots have spread out all over and it’s up to Batman to stop them. All of the familiar gadgets from before make a return including a revamped detective mode. Arkham City will be roughly 5 times larger than Asylum which also brings much more challenges and side missions to complete. New allies such as Catwoman make an appearance and will even be playable at some points of the story. The result will likely be an entertaining atmospheric adventure that promises to last 25+ hours.

About the author: I’m the creator of StephenHummel.com which is my own personal blog. It’s where I discuss gaming, kayaking and other random stuff I find interesting.