Welcome to the first annual Thrifty Nerd Game of the Year awards! Our writing staff each came up with their own top 10 list, and through the power and magic of math, we have combined them into one super list. In the upcoming weeks, the games that didn’t quite make the cut will be addressed by each writer individually.

Sort of Not a Game (of the Year) – Minecraft

We really wanted to include Minecraft in these awards, but had a hard time putting in the group with the others since it is such a different kind of experience.

Tim Lanning says: Minecraft is a simple game with an incredible amount of depth. You start in a world with just your fists and no real idea about what you are supposed to do. With your fists you must punch trees to make wood. With the wood you must make a pick to mine stone. With this stone you realize it is three in the morning and you have built a lava castle.

#10 - Shadows of the Damned

Michael DiMauro says: Shadows of the Damned may not be the “best” game of the year, it may not even be a “great” game, but it was the game that was closest to my heart. Yes it is crass, yes there are dick jokes about every two minutes, but dammit this game is lovable. It’s silly, it’s referential, it’s fun, and will surprise you over and over. Suda 51′s normal insanity is in place, but he also worked with Shinji Mikami on this game, and the result was madness in a game that is actually fun to play. Top that off with a grindhouse aesthetic, and two of my favorite characters in games this year, Garcia Fucking Hotspur (yes, his actual middle name) and his endlessly charming corporal dick-joke of a sidekick, Johnson. Shadows of the Damned is a treat to play from beginning to end.

#9 - LA Noire

Doug Scott says: Despite the backlash from those who made the game and the over-hyped technology that powered facial animations, L.A. Noire has one of the strongest stories in games this year. It plants you in the middle of the 1950’s in a slice of pure Americana. Follow Detective Cole Phelps as he unravels a string of murders that someone is determined to sweep under the rug.

#8 - Forza 4

Nick Bristow says: This may be the forth entry in the Forza series, but it is still going strong. Mixing things up in this iteration is the amazing rivals mode. This brought new life to the racing genre for me. It finally allowed me to show my true prowess over Thrifty on the Top Gear track in a reasonably priced car [Editor's note: I hate you - MD]. Throw in some Top Gear commentary and some truly remarkable racing and you get one of the best games of the year.

#7 - You Don’t Know Jack

John Parie says: A wise man once said, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” and that’s exactly what the team at Jellyvision Games did. They took the tried and true model that fans of You Don’t Know Jack series have always loved, bumped the player count to four instead of the traditional three and focused on the real star of the series, the dialog. Each of the 73 handcrafted episodes are genuinely funny and the episodes build on each other with memes and inside jokes. You Don’t Know Jack is the perfect way to hang out with a few friends on the couch or online.

#6 - Star Wars: The Old Republic

Mike Dao says: Star Wars: The Old Republic has managed to do what many MMORPGs in the past have attempted to do and failed. It’s managed to combine an engaging if not innovative gameplay system with the storytelling and morality choices that gamers have come to expect from a Bioware title. For the first time in the MMO space, players are finding themselves truly making decisions, and enjoying a truly deep roleplaying experience. People who do not enjoy MMORPGs still will not care for the title, but those who do will be rewarded with an extensive and rich universe that will provide hundreds of hours of entertainment.

#5 - Uncharted 3

Michael DiMauro says: Uncharted 3 has taken criticism for being “just more Uncharted“. Personally, I loved having more of my favorite game of two years ago. Drake and the crew are back, and the dialog is just as snappy and wonderful as ever. The amazing set pieces are back as well, including some of the best moments in gaming of this year. Uncharted 3 is like a smart and funny summer blockbuster movie, and I adored every minute of it.

#4 - Bastion

Mike Dao says: Bastion, the first game from Supergiant Games was quite the surprise to everyone. On the surface it looks like a simple 3d action game, but once you started playing for a little bit, you quickly realize how special this title was. From its hand painted visuals to the dynamic narrator who delivers a story experience in a way people have never experienced video games before, to the incredible soundtrack, Bastion delivers. A successful game from a new developer generally has one element that shines. In Bastion, Supergiant Games seems to have nailed them all.

#3 - Battlefield 3

Tim Lanning says: Battlefield 3 is a squad based first person shooter and it is awesome. Just like many other games in the FPS genre you are a soldier with a gun and a dream of conquering your enemies, only this time you have tanks and jets! You can also play as a medic if you aren’t very good at shooting dudes or hop into a tank and roll through the warzone in style.

#2 - Portal 2

John Parie says: When Valve announced a sequel to Portal, fans of the cake teasing mega-hit wondered what the team would do to keep the series fresh and unique. Witty one-liners and an interesting story featuring Wheatley, Cave Johnson and a potato-powered GLaDOS were just the ticket to keep fans chuckling and wanting more from Portal 2. The co-op campaign was a great addition to the game and provided hours of enjoyment for friends to work together to solve GLaDOS puzzles or pull a light bridge out from under their feet.

#1 – The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Doug Scott says: Any game can give you an open world to explore, but only Skyrim can give you that plus endless quests and a metric ton of dragons to fight along the way. Simply put, it is the most massive and impressive experience you’ll have in a single player game until the next Elder Scrolls game comes out. Lose yourself in the world by going off the beaten path.

Tags: Game of the Year, GOTY