The two best years in video game history were both in the 2010s: Reader's Feature

For fans of video games, the debate about the best year in gaming history is a never-ending one. But what about the years 2011 and 2013, which a reader has recently declared as the most remarkable in gaming history? As we dive into the details of these years, it's hard not to be swept up in the nostalgia of it all. But does the sheer number of top-quality releases in these years truly make them stand out, or is it just a case of nostalgia talking?

Nostalgia plays a significant role in our perception of the past. For the 18-year-old gamer in college, walking down to the local supermarket to buy the latest hot release was a thrilling experience. The excitement of playing games like LittleBigPlanet 2, Mass Effect 2, and Dead Space 2 in January 2011 is still palpable. But what about the gamers who didn't experience these releases firsthand? How do they fit into the nostalgia-fueled narrative of 2011 and 2013 as the best years in gaming history?

While 2011 was indeed a remarkable year, boasting a slew of top-tier releases, it's worth questioning whether the sheer number of games is enough to make it the best year in gaming history. The reader's list of games from 2011 includes Bulletstorm, Portal 2, Mortal Kombat, L.A. Noire, Deus Ex: Human Revolution, Dark Souls, Minecraft, Saints Row: The Third, Skyrim, Batman: Arkham City, Rayman Origins, and The Legend Of Zelda: Skyward Sword. But what about the quality of these games? Was it truly a banner year for innovation and groundbreaking gameplay, or was it just a case of quantity over quality?

One aspect of 2011 that often gets overlooked is the impact of the 3DS on the gaming landscape. The portable console's gyroscopic 3D capabilities made it an attractive option for gamers on-the-go. Games like The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time 3D, Star Fox 64 3D, Super Mario 3D Land, and Mario Kart 7 showcased the console's capabilities and helped establish it as a major player in the gaming market. But does the success of the 3DS in 2011 truly make it a better year than other eras?

The reader's argument for 2013 being a more epic year is based on its status as the last bastion of amazing seventh-generation titles. The year saw the release of Ninja Theory's audacious take on Devil May Cry with DmC: Devil May Cry, but what about other notable releases like BioShock Infinite, The Last of Us, and Tomb Raider? Was 2013 truly the last great year of the seventh generation, or was it just a blip on the radar of a new era in gaming?

In the end, the debate about the best year in gaming history is a subjective one. While 2011 and 2013 were indeed remarkable years, it's hard to argue that they were the only remarkable years in gaming history. The reader's nostalgia-fueled narrative is compelling, but it's worth questioning whether it's truly representative of the gaming landscape as a whole.

As gaming continues to evolve, it's likely that future years will be just as remarkable as 2011 and 2013. But will we look back on these years with the same level of nostalgia, or will we be able to see them for what they truly were: remarkable, but not necessarily the best?With gamers still debating the merits of 2011 and 2013, one thing is clear: the nostalgia of these years will continue to captivate us for years to come. But as we look to the future, it's worth questioning what makes a year truly remarkable gaming. Is it the sheer number of top-quality releases, or is it something more?