There are approximately four hundred billion games scheduled for a 2011 release. Okay, that might not be quite true. But it's certainly a lot. It's difficult to pick just a few to keep our eyes on.

However, if we did have to choose just 15 games to recommend taking a look at next year, these would be them. So welcome, friends, to Play.tm's tips for 2011. Please don't hit us with rocks if they all turn out to be rubbish.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution

The team working on Human Revolution have said they're looking primarily to the original Deus Ex, instead of sequel Invisible War, for inspiration. Given that the original game is perhaps one of the greatest ever made, that's a pretty confidence-inspiring statement, but it's seeing the game in earlier this year that really convinced us that this is going to be awesome. It's looking like an extraordinary blend of punchy action, sneaky stealth, and a wealth of player choices that define the progression of the game.

ETA: Some time after April

Excite-o-meter: 10/10

Crysis 2

This sequel takes us away from the jungle of the original game, and into the high-rising city. It's an action game in which the vertical axis is key, and we can expect to be bounding from rooftops to road level in this adrenaline-fuelled experience from Crytek. It's their first game to appear on consoles as well as PC, so there might be some teething troubles, but what we've seen looks promising.

ETA: March

Excite-o-meter: 7/10

Spelunky

Spelunky first hit PCs as a free download back in 2008. Now, creator Derek Yu is working on a completely revamped version to be released through this year. The original, despite its 0.00 price point, was one of the most fiendishly difficult and fearlessly creative platformers in ages: one where the levels are generated on the fly, and unfair death comes frequently. Maddening, but wonderful, this remake should be up there with the best.

ETA: TBC

Excite-o-meter: 9/10

Dead Space 2

Many have expressed concern that 2 will venture even further away from pure survival horror, and into a more standard action space within the market. This could well prove to be true, but take it as an action adventure and it's looking wonderful, with highly imaginative zero-gravity sections and some cracking puzzles to boot. It also looks uncommonly beautiful, and the component is shaping up to be rather interesting indeed.

ETA: January

Excite-o-meter: 7/10

Mass Effect 3

Recently announced, this final part in the trilogy is the first to see players head back to Earth, which is under threat of destruction. All we've seen so far is a CGI trailer, but the idea of fighting in a collapsing London seems an exciting one - let's hope it's there in the final game. have one of the best track records around, so it seems no unsafe bet to assume this will be one of the better releases of 2011.

ETA: Christmas

Excite-o-meter: 9/10

Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception

Uncharted was great, but it was with 2 that proved themselves kings of the action adventure genre. A masterfully paced and absolutely gorgeous game, it tapped into a near-perfect balance of action and storytelling to create an experience unlike any other. The third game, Drake's Deception, has only just been announced, and not much is known of it yet. So it's a cautious tip, but given the previous title's quality, we're not particularly nervous.

ETA: November

Excite-o-meter: 8/10