Top 10 Xbox 360 Boxart of 2011
Top 10 Xbox 360 Boxart of 2011
Written by Liam Martin
They say you can’t judge a book by its cover (and presumably the same applies to video games), but when a game is gathering dust on the shelf of a high street store, it can be the difference between a casual glance and fevered fumble to find out more. At its best, video game box art conveys a game’s emotional intentions, be it the dread and despair of a good survival horror, or the overwhelming odds associated with an all-out action adventure. We take a look at ten of the best from 2011.
10. WWE ‘12: The People’s Edition: Love ‘em or hate ‘em, the WWE always tries to give its fans what they want. The cover star for the limited edition of WWE 12 was the subject of an online poll between two of the company’s most decorated athletes. In one corner stood current PG-friendly superstar John Cena, in the other, Attitude Era icon The Rock. And while it may lack the artistic merit of some of the other pieces on the list, The Rock’s landslide victory proved that many WWE fans still crave a time when violence, profanity, and the People’s Champion, ruled the ring.
9. Battlefield 3: Last year’s release of Battlefield 3 was a real statement of intent from Electronic Arts. And while it failed to topple Call Of Duty in the sales stakes, it undoubtedly proved that EA meant business. The steely look of determination etched into the cover star’s face, mirrored the publisher’s desire to take the battle to its rivals. And by the looks of things, this is a battle that will be fought on land, in the air and online.
8. Rage: While the tattered remains of civilization spell out the game’s title far away into the distance, one lone soldier crosses the wasteland, weapons in hand, ready to wage war. Minor touches such as abandoned cars, bellowing black smoke and sunlight seeping through gaps in the lettering, further enhance the feeling of isolation and desolation in id Software’s well crafted post-apocalyptic title.
7. Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary Edition: Not the flashiest or the most artistically impressive piece of cover art – although we do appreciate the dark and gloomy colour scheme – Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary Edition benefits from one thing: Master Chief. While the Halo franchise has been ever-present since the launch of the original Xbox, Master Chief had been on something of a hiatus. The cover art for the Anniversary Edition reminds us of his presence and evokes memories of a time when Halo was the king of the online shooters. Long live Master Chief!
6. Ultimate Marvel Vs. Capcom 3: Despite our resistance to Capcom’s steady stream of premature updates, we have to admit that Ultimate Marvel Vs. Capcom 3 was not only a very good game, but also featured one of the finest front covers of the year. The hand-drawn, comic book art style features brand new combatant Hawkeye, flanked by Ryu, Wolverine and a whole host of Marvel and Capcom stars. Some characters on the box were new, some returning, but all are engulfed in the flames emanating from the debuting Ghost Rider.
5. Alice: Madness Returns: If you wanted snapshot into the mind of American McGee, look no further than the cover for Alice: Madness Returns. Peering through a keyhole, we meet a version of Alice about as far removed from the prim and proper Disney character as you’re ever likely to see. This Alice sports jet-black hair; wields an enormous knife and bears the bloody evidence of battle on her dress. The sight of the Cheshire Cat in the clouds does little to quell our sense of unease.
4. Dead Island: Banoi in the summer. The rain lashes down, the wind rages. Bikini-clad and tattoo-laden zombies shuffle towards a beach; once a symbol of paradise, now an extension of the hell facing any holiday maker unfortunate enough to have paid a visit. The piercing eyes of a blood-drenched zombie completes the scene; on his knees, warning players of the impending horror to come. Unfortunately, the finished product was unable to match the drama of the box art.
3. Warhammer 40k: Space Marine: The game didn’t quite live up to its unofficial ‘Gears Of Warhammer’ tag, but it did benefit from a wonderfully bleak art style and balls to the wall combat, perfectly captured by the game’s cover art. Launching himself at a wall of Orks and Bloodletter Daemons, our jacked-up Space Marine fiercely swings his mighty Chainsword, fully aware that the blood on his brow is not his own. Cover might be for wimps, but this cover art certainly isn’t.
2. Batman Arkham City: Steelbook Edition – Joker: Despite having a soft spot for all four of the Batman: Arkham City Steelbook Editions, our favourite is the one depicting the Clown Prince of Crime. His maniacal grin, not to mention the striking use of the colour green, paints a menacing picture of this iconic villain, wonderfully complimented by the intense and beleaguered look on the face of a blood-soaked Batman.
1. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Collector’s Edition: It’s only right that one of the finest games of the year should feature one of the most impressive pieces of cover art. The regular edition of the game was understated, almost regal in fact, following on from its predecessor Oblivion. The box housing the contents of the Collector’s Edition, meanwhile, painted a mightily impressive picture of the land of Skyrim. Standing on high – though dwarfed by the surrounding mountains – our lone character gazes at the sight of Bleak Falls Barrow in the distance – the treacherous ruins covered in snow and ice. Undeniably this is video game box art at its best.
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