David Jaffe's Top 10 Games of 2011

David Jaffe has a long and storied history in game development, reaching back to the 16-bit Mickey Mania, with important touchstones including the creation and his continued involvement in the Twisted Metal franchise, as well as the design of the original God of War.

[Zha1tan]

I dont see why other people in this world need to hear the opinions of another so badly....

This sheep syndrome is just pathetic, why cant people just be comfortable with what they like and dont like.

[Fylus]

Why do civilizations wage wars? Because everyone has an opinion. When an opinion isn't properly exposed, the person's idea of said opinion burns through their mind as a child until they turn 50 and next thing you know, they invade Poland and kill millions upon millions of innocent people throughout the next few years.

My point is, shut up. We have the First Amendment for a reason.

[Zha1tan]

What a horrible analogy.

There is stupid and then there is that, tell me how you went from a balding fatasses opinion to the holocaust?

Freedom of Speech? lol is that what SOPA is all about then?

[Fylus]

It's a joke with a simple meaning. Don't take things so seriously.

[Drake117]

I still don't know why ppl care about this dudes opinion any ways. He hasn't been involved with a half way decent game since the original God of War.

[Fylus]

I believe his opinions should be viable since he is one of the very few devs that truly cares about gamers. He's proven time after time that he isn't just in it for the money. Plus he's working with Twisted Metal which may not exactly be the most anticipated game ever, there are still plenty of die hard fans that can't wait for it.

[GTRrocker]

I am going to use my first amendment right to say that your post was pointless and made no sense whatsoever.

[SSultan]

Had to hop in this one... Here it goes. Everyone please stfu.

[EVILDEAD360]

SALUTES Jaffe for adding WORDS WITH FRIENDS to his list is F-ing EPIC..that game is CRACK..

IGN had one of the best articles with all the big developers speaking on their faves.

I absolutely love to hear what they get into in their spare..nice article from Da G. Bomb..

Evil

[rabidpancakeburglar]

There is nothing wrong with being interested in or caring about what other people think of things. Most people are comfortable with what they like, I know I am. I think I should be allowed to show interest in what someone else thinks without some guy saying that people who like hearing other peoples opinions are pathetic sheep.

[Zha1tan]

Forgive me if i especially dislike the celebrity culture that is forming around game developers these days.

They are people who make games, I dont see why we would need their opinion on other games, you may like hearing it but some people take it to far and whorship guys like David Jaffe & Cliffy B when realistically their games are not all that.

[Lex_Dangerously]

Well said. Respect for taking the high road. :) I completely agree with you.

[frostypants]

And yet, here you are on a site for which 80% of the content is the aggregated opinions of other people.

[MmaFan-Qc]

@Zha1tan then, why should we care about your opinion?

wasting your time manifesting YOUR opinion is kinda ironic seeing the content of your post.

no?

[Lord_Sloth]

To satisfy his fan's curiosity. If you aren't 1, don't read the article. Problem solved.

[kneon]

"I dont see why other people in this world need to hear the opinions of another so badly"

So that we can mock them for their incorrect opinion :)

[Areeb11]

you are all wrong. We need to hear Jaffe's opinion because he is a fucking baws.

[Jayjayff]

We don't need their opinions, they're the people who create game and we're interesting in what they like, that doesn't we will automatically like what they do it's just curiosity to see the opinion of those who make the game and what they take into account as important.

[morganfell]

@Zha1tan,

No worse than the people that believe others need to hear their opinion. See where I am going with this?

Staight to Ironyville, population... you.

[Dee_91]

zha1tan your talking out ur ass right now .. i do it sometimes too but i acknowledge it.

Not only did you make an issue out of thin air your defending it lol.

nobody " need to hear other peoples opinions badly"

[come_at_me_bro]

First of all, no one lives in a vacuum. You aren't free from influence; whether by the media, your friends, family, or idols. Secondly, being interested in someone's opinion doesn't indicate a need for guidance or lack of self-confidence. People respect Jaffe, people want to know how Jaffe thinks or feels about the video game industry. Go figure.

[gaden_malak]

Guy comes here to whinge about opinions while giving his own...

People like to see what others like, its nkt sheep memtality it is the sharing of likes. Get over yourself.

[Kakihara]

Blindly agreeing with the opinions of other people = Being a sheep.

Actually listening to the opinions of other people /= Being a sheep.

[AG_Nick]

Sheep Syndrome?!
I like games. David Jaffe makes games. I'm interested to hear his thoughts on games, because of his position.

[Sidewinder-]

Yeah man, Rayman is friggin class.

[LettingGo]

Agreed. One of the best platformers this generation! I just wish it hadn't been $60. I mean, really...

[ShaunCameron]

$60? I paid $50 for mine.

[ziggurcat]

was really impressed with the demo, but sadly i don't have the money to afford it at this time :(

[Matrix2k]

dumb idiot

[MmaFan-Qc]

wow, that was seriously elaborated!

you made my day sir, and btw happy new year!

[LettingGo]

Great list, Jaffe! I can't believe people overlooked Stacking so much. It was amazing!

[BitbyDeath]

I would've overlooked it as well if it weren't for PS Plus giving it away for free.

Awesome game.

[LettingGo]

I freakin' LOVED that it was free on Plus. I don't think people realize how much money you really save with PS Plus.

I still would have gotten this because I love Double Fine, but still. I am glad Costume Quest went on sale around Halloween. :)

[D3mons0ul]

I'm sad when I see best games of 2011 lists that omit Dark Souls entirely.

Shit just hurts...

[Merrill]

I stopped reading this list at "Enslaved"

Terrible game, IMO.

I commented on the wrong article after signing in. Idiot.

[thePatriot]

enslaved is on a list? Where?

[dachiefsman]

shocked uncharted 3 wasn't on his list...

[Voxelman]

this should explain why
http://beefjack.com/news/da...
“I don’t want to f***ing watch your movie, I don’t want to watch your cutscene, I don’t want to see your f***ing set piece, just to show ‘look at our f***ing set piece.’ No. I f***ing paid $60.”

[Genki]

Love him or hate him, one thing I appreciate about Jaffe is that he isn't a shill for anyone. I don't agree with his list, sure, but it's nice to see that a respected, well established developer doesn't display any leanings in regard to genre, company, platform, developer or fanbase with a list like this. Lord knows the so-called gaming press does it at the drop of a hat.

Reassures me that the biased nonsense that goes on in the gaming community really is just a very vocal, and evidently very bored minority. Whatever the case, 2012 is shaping up to be a good year for entertainment in general, gaming and movies. Happy New Year to all.

[SephirothX21]

UC3 wasn't on the list. Maybe he felt it shouldn't be on the list or maybe he's being competitive. I think the former but it doesn't matter. All games on his list are excellent games imo but I would have Skyrim as number one from my pc experience anyway. Though the game should have been lead developed on the PS3.

[TheLastGuardian]

I agree with everything he wrote about Rayman Origins. That's my 3rd favorite game of 2011 also. Best 2D sidescroller I've ever played.

[floetry101]

At least Jaffe doesn't buckle under the pressure of giving the most obvious titles a spot. Arkham City was a superb game and deserving of a number 1 pick. Stacking? Rayman Origins? Words with Friends? The man can't be knocked for diversity. A great list of games that also need more exposure. Who better to deliver that message.

[JellyJelly]

Very interesting list.

[Why o why]

Definitely

Im gunna check out some of those lesser known games at some point. Good stuff

[gypsygib]

Batman AC is my GOTY too and I've played all the best this year except Skyward Sword.

[Amaterasu5]

Jaffe should go back to sony and start working on a new God of War game, 95% of games this year sucked donkey bawlz

[Ser]

"I wish someone would do this with Spider-Man and Indiana Jones!" (In regards to Arkham City)

Could. Not. Agree. More.

[GTRrocker]

I am glad he mentioned Dead Spaced 2, because I feel that this is a great game that doesn't get as much attention as it should. Also I think it was lame that he was bitching about how hard it was. You just have to manage your inventory and not act like a rambo jackass while playing.

[DaPrintz]

Maybe he was talking about hardcore mode. In which case, all the inventory management and slow pace in the world won't help you. Definitely an awesome game and one of the best this gen.

[Rageanitus]

Well IMO I think GOTY goes to Uncharted. Although it was not as good as the 2nd one it still was fantastic.

I have the xbox version of Batman, and I admit it is much better than the first one but it got repetitive and old just like the first one rather quickly

[Hudahudahuda]

Uncharted can get repetative as well buddy.

[Rageanitus]

I can assure you not each scene had a different cinematic feel which connects to the story as a whole. The fight and combat at core are the same but the cinematic feel is feels different from one scene to another.

[MoveTheGlow]

Giantbomb has been posting the Top 10's from game developers all over the spectrum. If you don't like this one, check out the top 10's for Brad Muir, Erik Wolpaw, and even Ed Freakin' Boon. Is your Game of the Year program this classy? Yeah brosef, I didn't think so.

[SSultan]

There is something about Jaffe's face that makes me want to give him a mean back hand.

[FlashBack]

Well, he can keep his opinion, but I would like to know how he thinks f*cking Jetpack Joyride is f*cking better than Deus Ex, Uncharted, Zelda, and f*cking Portal 2, oh and I'm f*cking saying "f*ck" all the f*cking time because this way I can be f*cking cool.

[MoveTheGlow]

I agree that in all, those games are probably higher-quality. But, you know... Jetpack Joyride is f*cking awesome, dude. He pretty much clarifies his point on that one: Jaffe's a somewhat busy guy, some of his biggest gaming experiences take place on the crapper, and Jetpack Joyride's both mobile and ridiculously addictive. I prestiged on that game twice, and truth be told, I did it from the couch. Where I normally play console games.

It's not an authoritative list, it's a personal list. GiantBomb has his list on there, among many other devs' lists, for that reason: there's no such f*cking thing as an authoritative list, and it's better to just hear a bunch of people out on their best yearly experiences. I'd rather read that than watch the VGA's, that's for sure!

[FlashBack]

I find it strange that he had time to play SKyrim but not U3, you know because U3 is huge

[MoveTheGlow]

Absolutely - you'd think the guy that's responsible for one of the first actioners I'd call "cinematic," the original GoW, would be going nuts over U3.