Best games
Best PC games of 2011
The 160 best PC games released in 2011, ranked from 41,121 critic and player ratings.
The best PC game of 2011 is Portal 2, with a critic score of 95/100 — updated August 2026.
01
A
Portal 2
Sequel to the acclaimed Portal (2007), Portal 2 pits the protagonist of the original game, Chell, and her new robot friend, Wheatley, against more puzzles conceived by GLaDOS, an A.I. with the sole purpose of testing the Portal Gun's mechanics and taking revenge on Chell for the events of Portal. As a result of several interactions and revelations, Chell once again pushes to escape Aperture Science Labs.
95
/100
02
B
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Skyrim reimagines and revolutionizes the open-world fantasy epic, bringing to life a complete virtual world open for you to explore any way you choose. Play any type of character you can imagine, and do whatever you want; the legendary freedom of choice, storytelling, and adventure of The Elder Scrolls is realized like never before.
94
/100
03
Batman: Arkham City
94
/100
A
Portal 2
Sequel to the acclaimed Portal (2007), Portal 2 pits the protagonist of the original game, Chell, and her new robot friend, Wheatley, against more puzzles conceived by GLaDOS, an A.I. with the sole purpose of testing the Portal Gun's mechanics and taking revenge on Chell for the events of Portal. As a result of several interactions and revelations, Chell once again pushes to escape Aperture Science Labs.
95
/100
02
B
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Skyrim reimagines and revolutionizes the open-world fantasy epic, bringing to life a complete virtual world open for you to explore any way you choose. Play any type of character you can imagine, and do whatever you want; the legendary freedom of choice, storytelling, and adventure of The Elder Scrolls is realized like never before.
94
/100
03
Batman: Arkham City
94
/100
04
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
In Deus Ex: Human Revolution you play Adam Jensen, a security specialist, handpicked to oversee the defense of one of America's most experimental biotechnology firms. But when a black ops team breaks in and kills the scientists you were hired to protect, everything you thought you knew about your job changes. At a time when scientific advancements are routinely turning athletes, soldiers and spies into super-enhanced beings, someone is working very hard to ensure mankind's evolution follows a particular path. You need to discover why - because the decisions you take and the choices you make will be the only things that can determine mankind's future.
92
/100
05
Galactic Civilizations II: Ultimate Edition
92
/100
06
Batman: Arkham City
Batman: Arkham City builds upon the intense, atmospheric foundation of Batman: Arkham Asylum, sending players soaring into Arkham City, the new maximum security "home" for all of Gotham City's thugs, gangsters and insane criminal masterminds. Set inside the heavily fortified walls of a sprawling district in the heart of Gotham City, this highly anticipated sequel introduces a brand-new story that draws together a new all-star cast of classic characters and murderous villains from the Batman universe, as well as a vast range of new and enhanced gameplay features to deliver the ultimate experience as the Dark Knight.
91
/100
07
Dark Souls
Dark Souls is an action role-playing game developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. Released in September 2011 as a spiritual sequel to Demon's Souls, it is set in a dark, medieval fantasy world. It is renowned for its challenging gameplay, intricate level design, and deep lore. Players control a customizable character known as the Chosen Undead, embarking on a perilous journey to uncover the secrets of the cursed land of Lordran. Dark Souls is known for its punishing difficulty, requiring players to carefully manage combat, stamina, and resources while navigating hostile environments filled with dangerous enemies and formidable bosses. The game features a unique multiplayer component, allowing players to leave messages for others, summon allies for cooperative play, or invade other players' worlds for PvP combat. The original release of Dark Souls received critical acclaim for its atmospheric world, innovative mechanics, and rewarding gameplay, solidifying its place as a seminal title in the action RPG genre.
91
/100
08
B
Bastion
A hack-and-slash RPG featuring a reactive narrator, various unlockable weapons, weapon upgrades, practice mini-games and optional difficulty modifiers, set in an imaginary world in the aftermath of an uncertain apocalypse, in which the player embodies a teenager with a troubled past as he and the narrator work together to rebuild the world out of a persisting hub called the Bastion.
90
/100
09
Rayman Origins
Bubble Dreamer, Rayman, his best friend Globox, and some Teensy friends are chilling out at the Bubble Dreamer's resting grounds, the Snoring Tree. However, their snoring disturbs an old granny from the Land of the Livid Dead, who retaliates by sending an evil army of horrendous creatures and the Darktoons across the world, capturing the Electoons that inhabit the world, imprisoning Betilla the Nymph and her sisters, and plunging the Glade into chaos. As a result, the ensuing disaster causes the Bubble Dreamer to go crazy and have nightmares. Although they are captured, Rayman and his friends are able to escape the Darktoons. They are then tasked by the Magician to gather enough Electoons to cure the Bubble Dreamer and restore the Glade of Dreams. Their efforts to locate the Electoons allow them to gain access to the various lands of the Glade, rescuing the Nymphs along the way.
89
/100
10
S
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty - HD Edition
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty - HD Edition feature an increased 720p resolution and a 16:9 aspect ratio, providing a clearer and wider view of the player's surroundings compared to the original 480p resolution and 4:3 ratio of the PlayStation 2 version. Cutscenes can now be viewed in full-screen or letterboxed format, while online achievements/trophies have been added as well. Most of the additional content from Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance has also been ported in this version, such as the Missions and Snake Tales modes, although the Skateboarding mini-game that was present in the PlayStation 2 version of Substance is absent.
89
/100
11
Total War: Shogun 2
88
/100
12
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II - Retribution
88
/100
13
Bulletstorm
87
/100
14
A
Dead Space 2
87
/100
15
DiRT 3
87
/100
16
Angry Birds Rio
87
/100
17
Crysis 2
86
/100
18
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings
86
/100
19
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
85
/100
20
A
Battlefield 3
85
/100
21
FIFA 12
85
/100
22
Trine 2
85
/100
23
Star Wars: The Old Republic
85
/100
24
Frozen Synapse
85
/100
25
Outland
85
/100
26
Sonic CD
85
/100
27
Anomaly: Warzone Earth
85
/100
28
Saints Row: The Third
84
/100
29
A
Minecraft: Java Edition
84
/100
30
The Binding of Isaac
84
/100
31
Beyond Good & Evil HD
84
/100
32
SHIFT 2 UNLEASHED
84
/100
33
RIFT
84
/100
34
NBA 2K12
84
/100
35
Stacking
84
/100
36
Football Manager 2012
84
/100
37
L.A. Noire
83
/100
38
Orcs Must Die!
83
/100
39
Universe Sandbox
83
/100
40
Anno 2070
83
/100
41
EverQuest II Free-To-Play. Your Way.
83
/100
42
To the Moon
83
/100
43
Assassin's Creed Revelations
82
/100
44
Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure
82
/100
45
Terraria
81
/100
46
Dragon Age 2
81
/100
47
STREET FIGHTER X TEKKEN
81
/100
48
Jamestown: Legend of the Lost Colony
81
/100
49
Rochard
81
/100
50
Wizorb
81
/100
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
In Deus Ex: Human Revolution you play Adam Jensen, a security specialist, handpicked to oversee the defense of one of America's most experimental biotechnology firms. But when a black ops team breaks in and kills the scientists you were hired to protect, everything you thought you knew about your job changes. At a time when scientific advancements are routinely turning athletes, soldiers and spies into super-enhanced beings, someone is working very hard to ensure mankind's evolution follows a particular path. You need to discover why - because the decisions you take and the choices you make will be the only things that can determine mankind's future.
92
/100
05
Galactic Civilizations II: Ultimate Edition
92
/100
06
Batman: Arkham City
Batman: Arkham City builds upon the intense, atmospheric foundation of Batman: Arkham Asylum, sending players soaring into Arkham City, the new maximum security "home" for all of Gotham City's thugs, gangsters and insane criminal masterminds. Set inside the heavily fortified walls of a sprawling district in the heart of Gotham City, this highly anticipated sequel introduces a brand-new story that draws together a new all-star cast of classic characters and murderous villains from the Batman universe, as well as a vast range of new and enhanced gameplay features to deliver the ultimate experience as the Dark Knight.
91
/100
07
Dark Souls
Dark Souls is an action role-playing game developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. Released in September 2011 as a spiritual sequel to Demon's Souls, it is set in a dark, medieval fantasy world. It is renowned for its challenging gameplay, intricate level design, and deep lore. Players control a customizable character known as the Chosen Undead, embarking on a perilous journey to uncover the secrets of the cursed land of Lordran. Dark Souls is known for its punishing difficulty, requiring players to carefully manage combat, stamina, and resources while navigating hostile environments filled with dangerous enemies and formidable bosses. The game features a unique multiplayer component, allowing players to leave messages for others, summon allies for cooperative play, or invade other players' worlds for PvP combat. The original release of Dark Souls received critical acclaim for its atmospheric world, innovative mechanics, and rewarding gameplay, solidifying its place as a seminal title in the action RPG genre.
91
/100
08
B
Bastion
A hack-and-slash RPG featuring a reactive narrator, various unlockable weapons, weapon upgrades, practice mini-games and optional difficulty modifiers, set in an imaginary world in the aftermath of an uncertain apocalypse, in which the player embodies a teenager with a troubled past as he and the narrator work together to rebuild the world out of a persisting hub called the Bastion.
90
/100
09
Rayman Origins
Bubble Dreamer, Rayman, his best friend Globox, and some Teensy friends are chilling out at the Bubble Dreamer's resting grounds, the Snoring Tree. However, their snoring disturbs an old granny from the Land of the Livid Dead, who retaliates by sending an evil army of horrendous creatures and the Darktoons across the world, capturing the Electoons that inhabit the world, imprisoning Betilla the Nymph and her sisters, and plunging the Glade into chaos. As a result, the ensuing disaster causes the Bubble Dreamer to go crazy and have nightmares. Although they are captured, Rayman and his friends are able to escape the Darktoons. They are then tasked by the Magician to gather enough Electoons to cure the Bubble Dreamer and restore the Glade of Dreams. Their efforts to locate the Electoons allow them to gain access to the various lands of the Glade, rescuing the Nymphs along the way.
89
/100
10
S
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty - HD Edition
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty - HD Edition feature an increased 720p resolution and a 16:9 aspect ratio, providing a clearer and wider view of the player's surroundings compared to the original 480p resolution and 4:3 ratio of the PlayStation 2 version. Cutscenes can now be viewed in full-screen or letterboxed format, while online achievements/trophies have been added as well. Most of the additional content from Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance has also been ported in this version, such as the Missions and Snake Tales modes, although the Skateboarding mini-game that was present in the PlayStation 2 version of Substance is absent.
89
/100
11
Total War: Shogun 2
88
/100
12
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II - Retribution
88
/100
13
Bulletstorm
87
/100
14
A
Dead Space 2
87
/100
15
DiRT 3
87
/100
16
Angry Birds Rio
87
/100
17
Crysis 2
86
/100
18
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings
86
/100
19
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
85
/100
20
A
Battlefield 3
85
/100
21
FIFA 12
85
/100
22
Trine 2
85
/100
23
Star Wars: The Old Republic
85
/100
24
Frozen Synapse
85
/100
25
Outland
85
/100
26
Sonic CD
85
/100
27
Anomaly: Warzone Earth
85
/100
28
Saints Row: The Third
84
/100
29
A
Minecraft: Java Edition
84
/100
30
The Binding of Isaac
84
/100
31
Beyond Good & Evil HD
84
/100
32
SHIFT 2 UNLEASHED
84
/100
33
RIFT
84
/100
34
NBA 2K12
84
/100
35
Stacking
84
/100
36
Football Manager 2012
84
/100
37
L.A. Noire
83
/100
38
Orcs Must Die!
83
/100
39
Universe Sandbox
83
/100
40
Anno 2070
83
/100
41
EverQuest II Free-To-Play. Your Way.
83
/100
42
To the Moon
83
/100
43
Assassin's Creed Revelations
82
/100
44
Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure
82
/100
45
Terraria
81
/100
46
Dragon Age 2
81
/100
47
STREET FIGHTER X TEKKEN
81
/100
48
Jamestown: Legend of the Lost Colony
81
/100
49
Rochard
81
/100
50
Wizorb
81
/100
FAQ
What is the best PC game of 2011?
Portal 2 currently tops the ranking with a score of 95/100 across 6,104 ratings. It holds a A grade from the Tier community — updated August 2026.
How is this ranking built?
Games are ranked on their aggregated critic score out of 100, with a minimum vote threshold so a single glowing review never outranks a proven classic; the Tier community's own F-to-S grades are shown alongside each game.