We are now entering the fall season, and that means 2012 is just around the corner. There have already been plenty of superb game releases so far, but 2011 is not finished yet, as there are several more notable titles on the way. Here is a list of some of the top upcoming game releases for you to keep an eye on in 2011.

Battlefield 3

Call of Duty may be the current king of first person shooters with a military vibe, but if you watch the trailers for Battlefield 3, you have to wonder if that could change.  Simply put, Battlefield 3 looks amazing.  The game’s look, sound, and overall realism are really put on display in the available trailers, and many are actually anticipating its release more than Call of Duty’s.  If you think that’s an exaggeration, look up the trailers and see for yourself what all the hype is about. 

Battlefield 3’s uses of the Frostbite 2 gaming engine gives it a unique flair that other titles lack.  It allows gamers to destroy buildings and amps up the gaming experience through improved visuals, audio, and character animations.  The upcoming title will put players in the shoes of elite U.S. Marines in 2014.  Expect plenty of action as you dodge bullets across the globe in places like New York, Paris, Sarajevo, Tehran, just to name a few.  As usual, Battlefield 3 will contain plenty of vehicles to help intensify combat action, and settings will vary to include open areas, downtown metropolitan areas, urban streets, and much more.

Battlefield 3 will be released on October 25 for the PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

Although Battlefield 3 takes the top spot of the upcoming games for the remainder of 2011, Modern Warfare 3 is not far behind.  The Call of Duty franchise really needs no introduction, as it has blown up the sales charts in the recent years as far as first person shooters are concerned.  While Call of Duty: Black Ops was a hit, Modern Warfare 3 should be even better.

The game picks up where Modern Warfare 2 left off, so it’s a departure from Black Ops and its Cold War theme.  The Russian Federation is invading the United States and other countries in Europe, and it’s your role to help stop the madness.  There will be several playable characters in the campaign mode, such as Delta Force operatives, a Russian federal security agent, and more.  London, Paris, and New York are just some of the settings where the game’s intense combat will take place.

Besides the popular online multiplayer and campaign modes, a new survival mode promises to keep one or two players busy with seemingly endless waves of enemies.  Think of it as this versions zombie mode, but with a twist.  Other improvements to look forward to include revamped killstreaks, new perks, and an upgraded ranking system.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 will become available for the PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, and Nintendo DS on November 8.

NHL 12

EA Sports’ NHL game franchise is one of the best around.  Even if you do not follow the hockey and know virtually nothing about the sport, the NHL video game is known for being highly enjoyable.  If you are a hockey fan, the game is obviously a must-have.  As is the case with most games from EA Sports, the company is releasing NHL 12 right around the start of the sports’ official season.  In other words, you can get your hands on the game on September 13 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

Some may complain that annual sports game releases lack the necessary year-over-year innovation and change to warrant a purchase.  That may be true to a point in some cases, but it certainly does not apply to NHL 12.  The game’s first improvement worth mentioning is the implementation of anticipation AI, which has players anticipate the flow of plays to add another dimension of realism to the gameplay.  Goalies will be even tougher thanks to the dynamic goalie interaction system, and they can even get into fights with other players.  That’s right, goalies are now fair game! 

Improved physics allow for more realistic collisions between players.  You’ll get to see helmets flying, glass breaking, enhanced puck movements, and the list goes on.  Full balance control gives players added power and balance as they skate from end to end, allowing them to stay upright even if they are hit hard.  You will also get terrific the presentation in NHL 12 that EA Sports is known for.  Throw in revamped Be a Pro and GM modes, the new Action Tracker system, and you have yourself a hockey game with tons of replay value.  Longtime NHL fans will really love surprise appearances from some of the sport’s greats as well, such as Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Ray Bourque, and more. 

FIFA Soccer 12

Here’s another entry for all the sports fans out there.  EA Sports’ FIFA franchise capitalizes off the world’s most popular sport, and it does so with quality.  You can expect a lot more than just roster changes in this latest addition, so you shouldn’t regret putting it on your shopping list.  The games interface and menus will be tweaked, and gameplay will be enhanced through precision dribbling, the impact engine, and the new tactical defending system.  FIFA Soccer 12 will be released for various platforms during the last week of September.

Batman: Arkham City

It’s not that hard to sell a product when it has the Batman name tagged to it.  For this reason alone, you can expect Batman: Arkham City to rack up some nice sales numbers once it is released.  It’s the sequel to Batman: Arkham Asylum and is actually set one year later, so players of the original title will get to continue their quest and enjoy plenty of stealth-laden action.  Most of the gadgets present in Arkham Asylum will be available this time around, but with improvements and better capabilities.  The detective mode should attract gamers who enjoy using their critical thinking skills as a departure from fast-paced action.  Players can take control of Batman or Catwoman, which adds some variety to the gameplay.  Users with 3D televisions will be pleased to know that Arkham City will come equipped with a stereoscopic 3D mode for a more immersive experience.

Batman: Arkham City will be released on October 18 for the PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.

Of course, there are many more 2011 releases worth mentioning, and they include Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception, Assassin’s Creed: Revelations, just to name a couple.

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