So, another great year of gaming comes to a close. While we’ve seen many big name sequels this year ranging from Gears Of War 3, Saints Row 3 to Killzone 3…and of course a new Call Of Duty (though this year facing strong competition from the newcomer Battlefield 3), there’s also been a large number of original IP’s catering for all audiences including L.A. Noire, RAGE, Bulletstorm, Catherine and Bastion. On the subject of Bastion, high quality downloadable titles have been coming thick and fast this year, Minecraft anyone?

So, here at Push-Start, we’ve put together our personal ‘Game Of The Year’ Picks from a number of our writers, with an overall game chosen by a vote from the entire team! Did your favourite make the cut?

George Harvey

Game Of The Year Pick –
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Why this is your pick –
As a huge fan of RPG’s, I honestly could not ask for more from a game such as this. Skyrim is the ultimate adventure game, providing countless hours of epic gameplay in a stunningly rich open landscape that never fails to impress.

Runner up –
The Legend Of Zelda: Skyward Sword

Notable mention –
Deus Ex: Human Revolution

James Steel

Game Of The Year Pick –
Deus Ex: Human Revolution

Why this is your pick –
If there’s a single game this this year that has immersed me in its world, it’s Deus Ex: Human Revolution. Creating a believable futuristic world is hard enough, but then to cram it full of subtle touches with a stunning art style makes this hard to beat. Both paying tribute to the previous games in the series as well as establishing itself for new fans and future games is noteworthy. Add to this the stunning soundtrack which sent chills down my spine on every occasion, not to mention the potential variety in the gameplay. I’m not usually the one to be a 100% completionist with this style of game, but I just couldn’t help myself from checking every single drawer and hacking every door. Reading all the emails and newspapers gave you a unique perspective on the games story and really gave you more than you could ever need. It was arguably received a little unfairly by gamers who expected an FPS game, but Deus Ex has never been the strongest shooter, instead opting for a perfect mix of RPG, Stealth and Shooter mechanics.

Runner up –
Portal 2

Notable mention –
RAGE

Shaun Greenhaff

Game Of The Year Pick –
Uncharted 3

Why this is your pick –
Despite not having the same impact as coming from Uncharted 1 to Uncharted 2, Drake’s Deception was overall the bigger and better game. It draws you in with a more personal story then assaults you with huge set pieces and moments of downtime like no other; the desert section alone was a masterful piece of interactive storytelling and has a sense of loneliness like no other game has ever managed. By the credits your left emotionally exhausted and have had an experience that will stick with you for a long time yet. My game of the year, and very possibly my game of the generation.

Runner up –
Deus Ex Human Revolution

Notable mention –
Warhammer 40K: Space Marine

Josh Curtis

Game Of The Year Pick –
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Why this is your pick –
How could this fantastic game be anything but Game of the Year? It’s got everything from killing Dragons simply by shouting at them to beheading troublesome bandits just because you can. Combining the twists and turns of Skyrim’s immersive story and expansive side quests with its breath taking graphics, which are matched by very few, is a recipe for magnificence. Its flowing combat system allows even the most  inexperienced gamer to make short work of their enemies. In short, I have nothing but good things to say about this game.

Runner up –
Batman: Arkham City

Notable mention –
Brink

Simply based on its fantastic premise and the ideas that it tried to implement. Despite said ideas being orchestrated fairly poorly, I still had a good time with it

And the overall winner of the
Push-Start Game Of The Year is…..

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Bet you didn’t see that one coming did you? Well, it’s hard to argue with this choice, given the scope and ambition of the title which really empowers the player to do what they want to do and be who they want to be!

So, was Skyrim your pick? How about some of the smaller titles that released this year, do you think they had a chance against the Elder Scrolls beast? Let us know in the comments below!