Winning the award for Destructoid Game of the Year is probably more important than winning the Nobel Prize. And I am not being overdramatic at all. Think about it. Who won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry last year? Can’t think of the name, can you? But when someone asks who won the Destructoid Game of the Year in 2010, the answer is simple: Super Mario Galaxy 2.
You see? Winning the big prize on Destructoid is a much quicker route to instant Internet fame than the Nobel Prize will ever be. It’s a completely reasonable argument.
Out of all the incredible videogame adventures this year -- and, my word, there have been a lot of awesome ones -- Portal 2 is our favorite.
From the perfect (yup,perfect) single-player campaign, to the addictive, challenging co-op mode, Portal 2 is an absolutely extraordinary videogame experience.
Obviously, going into too much detail about why we adore the game would ruin things for people who haven't played it yet, so ... wait, if you are reading this and haven't played Portal 2, stop everything you are doing and play it already! Seriously. It is one of the best videogames of all time and JUST WON OUR GAME OF THE YEAR AWARD! Go. Play it. Now!
Okay, now that those people are gone, let's get into what makes Portal 2 so amazing.
Portal 2 does everything right. There really isn't one aspect of the game that is not done well. In fact, there is not one aspect of the game that any other videogame did better this entire year.
The overall design is unrivaled, containing puzzle-centric levels that should be listed in every "How to Perfectly Design a Videogame" book. (If those actually exist.) While the first Portal revolved entirely around the use of the magnificent portal gun, Portal 2 feels like a massive, deep, surprising adventure that just so happens to feature the already classic portal gun. And that says something about the bravery and confidence of the people at Valve.
Portal 2 is the perfect sequel that doesn't just ramp up the gameplay with new modes and levels (although those are there as well). Instead, Portal 2 takes players on a journey full of breathtaking, memorable moments, shocking plot twists, mysterious and unexpected locales, and one of the greatest scripts and voice casts to ever grace a videogame.
Think back to how unbelievably perfect the pacing is in the game. Think about some of the wonderfully memorable moments: the opening, with a moving apartment; the descent into the retro bowels of Aperture Science; the potato; Cave effin' Johnson; the ending! AHHHHH! THE ENDING! No other ending in a game this year was as memorable, outrageous, or just plain fantastic.
Portal 2 is an extraordinary game and a more-than-worthy winner of Destructoid Game of the Year 2011.
Congratulations, Portal 2 ... and congratulations, Valve! You made one heck of a good game.
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What do you think? Did the right game win? (Answer: OF COURSE!) What is your favorite videogame of 2011?
Oh, and if you haven’t watched the header video, definitely check it out. It stars Tara and Max of the Destructoid Show. Both of them are ridiculously attractive, so just the sight of them is sure to make your upcoming holiday that much merrier.
Here’s to a fantastic 2011 and an even better 2012!
Until next year ...
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Chad Concelmo is Destructoid's features editor. He loves hanging out with awesome people. That's why Destructoid makes him so happy, since it is full of THE MOST AWESOME PEOPLE OF ALL TIME! Also, dolphins.
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Chad enjoys punching old ladies in the face, Super Metroid, Zelda: A Link to the Past on the SNES (best system ever!), Final Fantasy VI, Day of the Tentacle, Shadow of the Colossus, Mother 3, Beyond Good & Evil, Contra III, Valkyria Chronicles, Punch-Out!!, Half-Life 2, and Super Mario Galaxy 2.
Meet the rest of the team
A great game that definitely deserves it. I prefer Skyrim, but hey, that game has gotten enough accolades as it is, so it's nice to see another game deserving get a nod!
Awesome, really hoping that Portal 2 won. And I love read Concelmo's stuff, he gets a lot of the excitement, and Max is dressing like he is in the 40's?
I still need to play this game for more than 10 minutes (as in purchase it). Good on D-toid though, this is so far the only Valve game/series I actually enjoy. Half Life is way ovverated imo
Wow God Hand PSN re-release didn't win GOTY what BIAS BOUGHT OUT new station DTOID is bah catering to the main stream too much. ENJOY YOUR CAUSAL puzzle game.
Anyways, I glad that Portal 2 won and not Skyrim; however, I really hoped Deus Ex Human Revolution won since that is the game that has been the most forgotten by everyone .
Objectively, Portal 2 is pretty assuredly my game of the year. However, on a subjective level, I know enjoyed Skyward Sword and, possibly, Skyrim more.
I personally found portal 2 a good game but not superb just a good game you play ones and never look back at. I would call that 7 territory good games just not games to last in memory though my opinion may have been clouded by the game crashing every 20 or so minutes
I wouldn't say Portal 2's SP was perfect but it was a damn good game and I'm just glad Bugrim didn't get another undeserved GOTY award on its belt. Dark Souls for me though.
Not a bad choice, and I'm happy its not one of the hyped or overhyped games from the back end of the year -but I still wouldn't call it my personal pick and I'm kinda surprised some games didn't make it on.
This years GOTY running's are really going to be a grab bag of the years best though. It's been a really great year for games and its probably going to be different across all sites. I REALLY hope most of those sites don't shit out and just fall back to Skyrim. Skyrim deserves it, yes, but there's ton's of deserving games this year -I really do hope for a spread, just so it proves to us that gaming journalism has a brain that can think for itself. If anything, that'd be the best Christmas gift anyone could give me this year.
HAHA. I thought Dark Souls should have been at least nominated, but not for the difficulty. There's just something about the story, the environments, the characters and the fantastically grotesque monsters that leaves such an indelible mark on me as a gamer. The last time I felt this engrossed in a game was Majora's Mask.
Personally, Skyrim takes the prize for me. I won't complain too much about Portal 2, though. It's an undeniably great game -- was just a bit short and with no replay value to triumph over such a great, deep RPG.
Hey, I liked pretty much every nominee to some degree. What a great year for games!
I think Portal 2 won just so DTOID could say they are different from other sites who chose Skyrim. Okay that was my troll moment of the day because I honestly don't care, both games are fun.
Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?
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Contest:
4:00 PM on 12.19.2011 | 
For all the Skyrim love, it's far from a unique game. Portal 2 on the other hand, is completely, totally and utterly unique. And brilliant.
YOU'RE WRONG
GTFO
Anyways, I glad that Portal 2 won and not Skyrim; however, I really hoped Deus Ex Human Revolution won since that is the game that has been the most forgotten by everyone .
I love skyrim but portal 2 is the best experience.
I never pay full retail. In this case I was HAPPY TO. The game is fantastic and deserves to be Destructoid's GOTY.
This years GOTY running's are really going to be a grab bag of the years best though. It's been a really great year for games and its probably going to be different across all sites. I REALLY hope most of those sites don't shit out and just fall back to Skyrim. Skyrim deserves it, yes, but there's ton's of deserving games this year -I really do hope for a spread, just so it proves to us that gaming journalism has a brain that can think for itself. If anything, that'd be the best Christmas gift anyone could give me this year.
HAHA. I thought Dark Souls should have been at least nominated, but not for the difficulty. There's just something about the story, the environments, the characters and the fantastically grotesque monsters that leaves such an indelible mark on me as a gamer. The last time I felt this engrossed in a game was Majora's Mask.
Portal 2 was really good though.
Get over it, guys. Enjoy your game without caring what other people think.
Congrats Portal 2! Excellent game.
Even if you were, it was still a good choice, and it's hard to argue against it.
Hey, I liked pretty much every nominee to some degree. What a great year for games!
Not seeing any butthurt. Care to elaborate?
Man that was weird...
All of my yes
infinity yes
fucking love you guys
Not really.....
Portal 2 was very good, but it got so repetitive due to its length.