Did Portal 2 deserve to be 2011's Game of the Year?

[Phediuk]

Welcome to part 3 of the Community GOTY Revisited series, where we take a look back at the top games of past GOTY results threads from the other site and decide if the community got it right. See also the 2016 and 2014 editions.

Both the 2016 and 2014 threads ended with decisive re-affirmations of their respective GOTYs. But this time, it may be different. 2011 was an interesting year for the GOTY threads, as I believe it's the only year where the community #1 pick was not the game that got the most #1 votes (that being Skyrim.) Portal 2 nevertheless won the title because it was on more lists. The critics' choices, on the other hand, weren't even a contest, with Skyrim demolishing the competition. And then there's Dark Souls, the reputation of which has only grown since 2011, and is famously one of the community's favorite games. So, this poll may be competitive this time.

So, did Portal 2 deserve the title? Time for you to vote and make your pick. I think I'm actually going to say yes here, as I liked the game quite a bit.

As usual, I've taken the six choices in the poll directly from the GOTY results thread on the other site. These are the top 6 as voted by the community back in 2011.

 

[oatmeal]

Hell yeah. Game was incredible.

 

[Tokklyym]

Yes. Next question

 

[Mauricio_Magus]

It was either Portal 2 or Dark Souls, so yeah sure it deserves it.

 

[ChaosZeroX]

I don't think it did. It was good, but not amazing. Uncharted 3 is my pick with Skyrim being a close second.

 

[onpoint]

From that list, hell yeah. Was a fun one.

 

[Randomly Generated]

Yup. Just re-played it—still fantastic.

 

[DeckardWintermute]

Hell yeah. Game was incredible.

Click to shrink...

And the sequel to the closest we've ever gotten to a perfect game in Portal 1.

 

[Flandy]

I see Greg Miller already voted for Uncharted 3 in the poll

 

[Duxxy3]

Yes.

It sits on top of my all time list.

 

[Shoichi]

Yes. No doubt.

Amazing and creative game on the game world and puzzle formula. I love that game

 

[HellforLeather]

Yes,

It was completely fantastic the entire way through. The writing was excellent and it was just perfectly designed. U3 doesnt even deserve to be on that list.

 

[janusff]

Yes

Close thread

 

[dancingphlower]

Over Dark Souls? Nah, fam.

Spoiler: Actual 2011 GOTY

The actual GOTY was Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 :)

 

[moomoo14]

Yes, but Dark Souls also deserves it. Both are incredible games, and I wouldn't be able to pick one over the other.

 

[data west]

Mario 3d Land

 

[Deleted member 12790]

Yes, hands down one of the best, and without a doubt the funniest game ever.

 

[Deleted member 6235]

I fucking love Dark Souls so i would argue that it also deserved GOTY but yeah Portal 2 is absolutely ok in my book

such an incredible game.

 

[Rodjer]

Yup

 

[spman2099]

Personally, I think Dark Souls is the better game, but Portal 2 definitely deserved to be in the running, so I have no problem with it getting the GotY.

 

[Hamster Plugin]

Deus Ex Human Revolution is my favorite game of that year. Amazing atmosphere with its soundtrack, many ways to approach the missions.

 

[silva1991]

It's good, but Dark Souls is the best game ever made.

 

[ElectricBlanketFire]

Absolutely.

 

[Becks']

Yes. Best puzzle game of all time.

 

[Thewonandonly]

Ehhh it's close. Dark souls sparked my love for rpg's. While portal 2 is the greatest puzzle game ever made and as a man who doesn't like puzzles in games it had me hooked the whole time.

Edit: I did vote of dark souls tho

 

[JazzmanZ]

No, Lego Pirates of the Caribbean 2 deserved it more.

 

[Batatina]

Portal 2 was a constant wow moment up until the very end. You can't beat wow.

 

[Deleted member 15125]

All I know is that playing the co-op with my dad is one of my favorite gaming memories. The single player didn't leave as much of an impression on me, although it was definitely good.

 

[ieandrew]

Trying to imagine the monster that played Portal 2 incl. the co-op mode and left not believing it was the best game of 2011.

 

[Uthred]

No, it's wildly over-rated.

 

[roboleon]

Fucking amazing game, and tbh, every GOTY winner ever has deserved to be GOTY in it's respective year

 

[Deleted member 2809]

It's a close one with dark souls.

 

[TheMrPliskin]

I'd go with Deus Ex Human Revolution, but I also haven't played Portal 2 since launch so my memory of it is pretty hazey.

 

[impact]

Like the Uncharted 4 and Dark Souls 3 thread, no, Dark Souls was way better but you can't expect the general population that giggles at cake is a lie to think that.

 

[stat84]

Dark Souls released that year so no

 

[ramoisdead]

Umm yeah?? Stephen Merchant delivered a tour-de-force performance.

 

[Magic Mushroom]

It's a very good game but not as good as the first and certainly not as good as the more influential GOAT contender Dark Souls.

 

[Antrax]

Skyrim to me. Over 1200 hours in that game (I get about 300 out of each character), and it still feels so comfortable to start again. Happily got all the achievements for the original version and the remaster.

Portal 2 is good though. Great story. I wish the puzzles were a bit harder in the sense that you figure out the puzzle pretty fast (the only one that got me stuck for awhile was a puzzle that just needed quick mechanics, which I'm not great at).

 

[DrFunk]

Damn right it did

 

[Xyber]

For me I'd say yes, with Deus Ex close behind it.

 

[Lant_War]

Dark Souls is an objectively better game, but I still chose Portal. It was so focused.

 

[Paquete_PT]

Absolutely not. Add very little to the original both in terms of puzzles and narrative (that wasn't as funny as people made it out to be). The puzzles weren't challenging enough, you were always following the same basic patterns. The initial change of setting was refreshing but the later parts were visually unimpressive.
But I have accepted that I'm in the minority with this one and probably the game just didn't click with me

 

[Linus815]

No, Skyrim did.

*runs away*

 

[random88]

Waiting for the eventual "Did Ocarina of Time deserve to be 1998's game of the year" thread.

And yes, Portal 2 was great.

 

[Deleted member 10629]

Absolutely yes. It is a fantastic game that still holds up today, with great story and strong puzzles.

 

[Phediuk]

Waiting for the eventual "Did Ocarina of Time deserve to be 1998's game of the year" thread.

And yes, Portal 2 was great.

Click to shrink...

community GOTY threads only go back to 2004.

 

[Azzanadra]

Dark Souls is my retroactive pick, but Portal 2 is a great choice 2.

Anything but Skyrim, really.

 

[Jay Shadow]

Dark Souls and Skyrim had a bigger long term impact, but Portal 2 would still be my pick at that time.

 

[Berto]

Yes, either it or Dark Souls.

 

[Unkindled]

Dark soul's easily.