Games of the Year awards preview!

The year 2011 is finally coming to an end, sadly. Why am I sad? Because those 4 digits have been synonymous with fantastic entertainment in the video game world. I've read and watched a bunch of articles/videos counting down the best years in gaming history, and while I haven't done my own research on the matter, I'm sure 2011 will stand right up there with the best of them.

Honestly, we've had so many good, great and awesome games coming out I was not able to keep up with the flow. GoTY front-runner Skyrim is still on my shelf, I haven't even finished Zelda, LBP2 or even Portal 2's Co-op mode, I'm not even halfway through my career in Forza 4 and could only put one or two hours in Ico. And I haven't even tried the critically acclaimed Gears 3, Rayman Origins, Sonic Generations, Kirby Return to Dream Land and Bastion, to name a few. And of course, since I don't own a gaming PC, there was no way for me to try The Witcher 2 and Minecraft, among others.

That is why I'm post-poning my awards "ceremony" to January, at the earliest, since I want to have tried most of those games before choosing my eventual winners.

I can, however, give you a preview of the categories and the nominees, so far, in each one.

Most impressive graphics

• Crysis 2
• Uncharted 3 : Drake's Deception
• Forza Motorsports 4
• Rage
• L.A. Noire

Best Action/Adventure Game

• The Legend of Zelda : Skyward Sword
• InFamous 2
• L.A. Noire
• Uncharted 3 : Drake's Deception
• Batman : Arkham Asylum

Best Sports Game

• NBA 2K12
• NHL 12
• Top Spin 4

Best FPS campaign

• Modern Warfare 3
• Resistance 3
• Crysis 2
• Rage

Best Competitive Multiplayer

• Battlefield 3
• Uncharted 3 : Drake's Deception
• Modern Warfare 3
• Killzone 3

Best Story

• Batman : Arkham City
• Portal 2
• Deus Ex : Human Revolution
• The Legend of Zelda : Skyward Sword

Most immersive game

• Rage
• Batman : Arkham City
• The Legend of Zelda : Skyward Sword
• The Lord of the Rings : War in the North

Best voice acting

• Uncharted 3 : Drake's Deception
• Portal 2
• Batman : Arkham City
• Deus Ex : Human Revolution

Best sound design

• Battlefield 3
• Uncharted 3 : Drake's Deception
• Portal 2
• Crysis 2

Game of The Year 2011

• The Legend of Zelda : Skyward Sword
• Portal 2
• Batman : Arkham City
• Deus Ex : Human Revolution
• Forza Motorsports 4
• Uncharted 3 : Drake's Deception
• (More to come)