The top 10 PC exclusive games of 2011

We've peered into a Crystal Ball to divine what PC games we're most looking forward to this year...

With the madness of the Silly Season behind us, it can mean only one thing: we're in the gaming dead zone. January is traditionally a very quiet month on the gaming radar, and with the exception of a DC Universe Online here and a Dead Space 2 there, we're willing to wager you're dusting off some older titles. But all is not lost, with our collective gaming destinies all coming up Milhouse for the 2011 gaming calendar. Better yet, there are some quality exclusive titles heading to the land of keyboard + mouse combo, as it seems that developers are starting to remember that the PC is still a popular gaming platform.

So without further ado, here's the pick of the top 10 PC exclusives for you:

Shogun 2: Total War
The latest Total War title returns to its feudal Japan roots with a late-series sequel to the game that started it all. The sexy graphics and epic scope ensure you'll need a fairly beasty computer to get the most out of Shogun 2, while the addition of unlockable leader traits and special abilities add an interesting dynamic to the series. With eight campaign factions on offer, each with varying political/military strengths, this real-time/turn-based strategy hybrid is shaping up to be a hit.

Diablo III
With any Blizzard title, it's difficult to tell when a game is actually going to be released; but if leaked information is to be believed, we'll be playing the latest Diablo game before the year is out. Destructible environments, all-new physics and art design on a custom 3D engine, and a greater depth of combat are just a few of the many features to look forward to in this highly anticipated role-playing game.

Star Wars: The Old Republic
If there's any franchise out there that can come close to toppling the MMO monopoly otherwise known as World of Warcraft, it's Star Wars. Sure, they've already tried their hand at MMO supremacy with Galaxies, but that didn't really work. This time around, RPG gurus BioWare are at the helm with unique visuals an emphasis on a personalised storyline that develops based on players' moral choices.

Battlefield Play4Free
Battlefield has cemented itself as an addictive franchise since its genre-staple beginnings in the digital deserts of World War 2. Having experience with a free-to-play gaming model (Battlefield Heroes), Battlefield Play4Free is set to mix the Battlefield 2 vial with the Bad Company 2 beaker for 32-player fuelled online first-person shooter mayhem.

The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings
While the initial release of the original title may have had some Gothic-level bugs, The Witcher Enhanced Edition showed that there was more than just a sprinkling of potential in this new franchise. With reports of an overhaul on the combat system and the promise of multiple approaches to levels, this story-driven hardcore role-playing game has definite potential.

Defense of the Ancients (DOTA) 2
The massively popular Defense of the Ancients (DOTA) Warcraft III custom scenario is set to receive a Valve-infused sequel in the latter half of 2011. The formula's the same-control a hero unit from an RTS perspective, felling enemy fools and collecting loot on a path to higher player levels and the destruction of the opposing ‘ancient'-but the adaptation to the Source engine and inclusion of Steam goodies such as Cloud support make this an attractive option for any fan of the original.

Might & Magic: Heroes VI
Fans of old school turn-based strategy are set to receive some love this year with the sixth entry in the Heroes of Might and Magic series. Paradoxically acting as a prequel to Heroes of Might and Magic V, this entry is set to splice fan-favourite elements with new units, a reputation system as well as the ability to convert towns.

Age of Empires Online
2011 is set to prove that Age of Empires isn't dead. Developed by Robot Entertainment, a studio formed by the founders of Ensemble Studios, Age of Empires Online will be a free-to-play real-time strategy title with cutesy graphics and a persistent world. The presence of Games for Windows Live is a tad disturbing, but the prospect of once again battling with and against friends in this beloved franchise has a strong appeal.

Neverwinter
Old-school RPG love seems to be the theme of 2011, with this classic Dungeons & Dragons brand set for an interesting revival. Part companion-based RPG and part MMO, Neverwinter encourages players to make their mark on the Dungeons & Dragons universe by creating their own quests in-game. A persistent world, emphasis on cooperative play and a compelling storyline make this game an attractive proposition.

Red Orchestra 2: Heroes of Stalingrad
Powered by Epic's Unreal Engine 3, Red Orchestra 2 is shaping up to be quite the pretty first-person shooter. With an emphasis on accessible realism, an all-new cover mechanic (including a literally-named blind-fire mechanic) and some tense atmospheric inclusions, this independent title is one to look out for; particularly because it's boasting support for 64-player multiplayer.

Do you agree? Want to send a letterbomb to our pets? Let us know what your top games for the next 12 months are.

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29 Comments

Athlonite Jan 14, 2011 5:37 PM	outta all 10 Diablo III is the only one I'm waiting for it's been far to long in the coming In my opinion it should have been out last year and the rest well MEH is all I can say
nukejockey Jan 14, 2011 9:15 PM	Same, Athlonite, that and The Witcher 2. Most anticipated RPGs of the year. Most of that list is RTS, which was to be expected I guess.
nesquick Jan 14, 2011 10:34 PM	lol at this list... where is Mass effect 3 and the elder scrolls skyrim?
Mordecai Jan 14, 2011 11:24 PM	looks at nesquick, looks at the article title "The top 10 PC exclusive games of 2011" ... Thinks to himself But ME3 and Skyrim aren't exclusive to PC ...
Brissmas Jan 15, 2011 8:46 AM	Diablo III. Nuff Said.
Mademan Jan 15, 2011 9:43 AM	Is the Witcher 2 PC exclusive? It may well be initially, for release, but I don't think it will be PC exclusive. That said, it's my most anticipated game of the year, along with Deus Ex (which belongs on PC), and Portal 2 (which belongs on PC). Oh, and DNF (which belongs on PC), and...you get the picture.
nukejockey Jan 15, 2011 1:54 PM	nesquick needs to learn to read :P
Hawkeye Jan 15, 2011 6:49 PM	There's nothing I love more than nitpickers brought low by their inability to actually comprehend what's happening. Smells like... victory.
nukejockey Jan 15, 2011 9:13 PM	Smells like...Ball sweat. Damn this humidity!
Acintai Jan 16, 2011 2:24 AM	skyrim is still gonna be a big deal with a new engine and all.
Dazerath Jan 16, 2011 3:20 AM	Diablo FTW! Perhaps blizzard was delaying while cataclysm and sc2 were being released, As long as it's a good game it'll be worth the wait!
Periander Jan 16, 2011 9:37 AM	Diablo III, sure, very interested. More interested in HoMM VI though.
GhostFaceKilla Jan 17, 2011 12:59 PM	TBH honest how many of these game are really going to PC exclusives? Blizzard has NOT ruled out having Diablo 3 on consoles for example. Star Wars the Old Republic has also not been ruled out as a Console version as well for example. A number of games on the list may well be PC only - Red Orchestra for example (which I am actually looking forward to) is far to difficult for the ADD console kiddy crowd as Codemasters found with Operation Flashpoint (ensuring that the NEXT installment of OpFlashpoint will be even further dumbed down for consoles as that is their target audience now). Indeed I will make the call and suggest that around 50% of these so called PC exclusives may well have some kind of console variant. If not at release then in the future.
Hawkeye Jan 17, 2011 1:48 PM	Well, it's all well and good to speculate (which is what this article is, really), but we've got to go on what we know now - and for now all these games are PC exclusive.
alexdtree Jan 17, 2011 6:24 PM	just preordered the top special edition for total war im so keen mostly for the chess set! cus i can have it on display and just pretend its a regular chess set not one i got from a game so i look like less of a nerd :P
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Athlonite Jan 17, 2011 9:07 PM	the only thing I now want to send to Thailand for valentines day is a butt load of plutonium wrapped up in an ICBM you'll just love the warm green glow it gives you (fricken spammers)
Takoma Jan 18, 2011 12:49 AM	That's incredibly underwhelming. Far out. I don't even know why this is my hobby any more.
Meowkitty Jan 18, 2011 8:29 AM	oh no'z, Takoma may be loosing respect for the top 10 games for PC list.
Hawkeye Jan 18, 2011 9:46 AM	Man... when you don't like a Top Ten list... it's like there's no reason to live!!!
sirtrancealot Jan 18, 2011 10:05 AM	If only Half-Life 3 was on that list... and fingers crossed we do actually see D3 this year, but blizz being blizz you never really know until it's on the shelf!
NachosJustice Jan 18, 2011 1:40 PM	Oh, I hear you. I'd've loved to put Half Life 3 or even Episode 3 in that list, but Valve has been very quiet on that front. Sad face :(. - Nathan
phatbeat Jan 18, 2011 1:46 PM	Also Half Life is a cross platform game now anyway so it wouldn't be on this list.
NachosJustice Jan 18, 2011 2:19 PM	Well, yes and no. I'd still consider it if they announced it for PC with a view to putting it on consoles in the future. Basically, as long as we get it first... amirite? Sigh, I just want a new Half Life game.
Ghoullees Jan 19, 2011 2:25 PM	I know Mech Legends is out, but when oh when is someone going to do a Mechwarrior iteration. I want your salvage damn it. ( and before anyone says it: yes I am aware of Mech Living Legends mod for Crysis! ) * Jump Jet Banzai!!!!!!!! *
Ghoullees Jan 19, 2011 2:26 PM	DO you like the way I said the same thing twice? That was for Nezquick, incase he missed it the first time (see page 1)
Mattmedia Jan 19, 2011 4:09 PM	I was under the illusion that the Diablo 2 developers left Blizzard to start Diablo 3.... or did Blizzard pull a "our Brand name, our Game" and decide to do it on their own. Obviously i did not google before posting, nor did i altavista or yahoo....
m4dn3ss Jan 19, 2011 6:06 PM	Red Orchestra 2 ftw
Squidley Jan 20, 2011 9:00 AM	Diablo 3 and Witcher 2 are what I want Might need to upgrade the Video Card setup the crossfire 3870's are a little dated

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Atomic Magazine

Issue: 137 | June, 2012

Atomic is a magazine aimed squarely at computer enthusiasts, gamers, and serious PC upgraders.

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