In recent years consoles have dominated game sales charts, and as a result, there has been a significant shift in development and marketing spend toward Xbox 360, Wii and PS3 games.
However, that’s not to say that PC gamers aren’t still treated with some outstanding games.
There are still developers out there that despite market trends remain committed to the keyboard-mouse combo, and in honour of those developers, we have rounded up the 10 best received PC exclusive games of 2011.
The scores are taken from Metacritic.
1. Minecraft – 94/100
Although many of its fans were playing Minecraft alpha and beta in 2010, the game only got its version 1.0 release in November 2011. Over 4 million people have purchased Minecraft making it one of the most successful PC games ever.
2. Total War: Shogun 2 – 90/100
Shogun 2 took everything that is great about the Total War franchise and refined it. A fitting sequel to the very first Total War game, Shogun 2 was our favourite strategy game of 2011.
3. The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings – 88/100
One of 2011’s best RPGs, The Witcher 2 played to the strengths of PC gaming and was one of the year’s best looking games. It’s mature narrative and compelling combat system made it one of the year’s standout games.
The Witcher 2
4. DCS: A-10C Warthog – 87/100
Nobody in the MyGaming offices has actually played DCF: A-10C Warthog, but according to critics it is a very sold military aircraft simulator that you should probably check out if you’re into that sort of thing.
5. Frozen Synapse – 85/100
Frozen Synapse blends real-time and turn-based strategy, and allows players to plan moves, test them out and then hit the “execute button”.
Frozen Synapse screenshot
6. SpaceChem – 84/100
SpaceChem is a complex and addictive puzzle solver that will appeal to gamers of the more cerebral variety.
Spacechem
7. Rift – 84/100
The year’s most anticipated fantasy themed MMORPG was fairly well received, but failed to make any significant inroads into the WoW-dominated MMO market.
8 tied. Anno 2070 and Terraria – 83/100
In an eighth place tie we have Ubisoft’s modern revision of its iconic city management franchise, and the indie phenom Terraria, which similar to Minecraft, allows player to explore, gather resources, and craft items.
Anno 2070
10. To the Moon – 81/100
One of the year’s most interesting games, To the Moon has is a “story-driven adventure game” that makes use of some interesting narrative devices.
