2011 is halfway over, and it’s time for a quick status check, starting with the best PC games released this year. There have been some really spectacular titles so far this year that went well beyond expectations, as well as a few that fell short. Here’s a list of our current favorites:

1: Portal 2

Portal 2 is everything you could possibly love from the original Portal (like witty humor, exciting puzzles, and insane sentient robots set to make your life a living hell) plus an entirely new game mode: Cooperative Multiplayer. Portal 2 truly is nothing short of amazing. We just wish it were a bit longer; both game modes only last about 12 hours in total.

2: Dead Space 2

If you like suspenseful horror, the Dead Space series is for you. Dead Space 2 keeps the same gruesomely terrifying game play as its predecessor but with an added flare of more action. It also includes a fun, though somewhat limited, team based multiplayer mode for some extra depth.

3: Total War: Shogun 2

Shogun 2 is certainly one of the lesser known hit titles of the year, but it still turns out to be a very enjoyable strategy title. It combines both turn-based and real-time strategy together into a unique experience. It is often praised for bringing the Total War series back to its roots.

4: Crysis 2

Crytek games have always been praised for pushing the envelope of graphics performance, and Crysis 2 was no exception (though some wish Crytek pushed further than it did). Crysis 2 took the series out of the tropical jungle and into the concrete jungle and refined the game play experience. It also adds a critically acclaimed multiplayer mode that rivals Call of Duty’s Modern Warfare 2.

5: DiRT 3

DiRT 3 is the current leader when it comes to PC Racing Simulators. Even though it only focuses on Rally Racing, which disappoints some, it maintains a lot of widespread appeal with additional party modes, such as Zombie Infection and Capture the Flag. It also includes a new Hardcore Mode for dedicated racers who want to test their skill.

We also have many more PC games in our PC Games Category. Just sort by alaScore to help find the most popular.