At the end of each year, I post a top 10 list of games I really, really enjoyed over the course of that 365-day period.
Unfortunately, 2012 was not a great year for me, gaming-wise. Most years, I have to cut things from the list due to lack of space, but this year I had a lot of trouble even getting to 10 at all. Nevertheless, there were some that stood out to me.
I have been playing X-COM games since 1995, when the original UFO Defense came out. Thus it came as no surprise that when an actual follow-up to the classic X-COM franchise was released, I would pick it up.
What surprised me is how good it was. X-COM is just good, clean, alien-smashing fun. It's hard as hell but unbelievably rewarding at the same time. In a year with no Souls games coming out to destroy a man's will, X-COM handily picks up the slack.
Journey is just an experience. Play it for yourself and you'll see why it's on my list. Simple as that.
Really the Vita's core selling point for 2012, Gravity Rush is the kind of game that doesn't deserve the expectations placed on its shoulders. An absolutely entertaining semi-RPG/semi-action game, Gravity Rush uses its unique mechanics and distinct art style to great effect. It's a very fun game to play, but a difficult one to watch.
Having never finished Persona 4's original PS2 release before my backwards compatible PS3 bit the dust back in '09, I was glad to pick up the expanded Vita rerelease a little while back. It's Persona 4 in all its glory, plus even more content. And it has a slightly less annoying main battle theme! What more can you ask for?
Xenoblade is a divisive game. It opens very strongly, with a fairly entertaining cast of characters and some pretty great music. It drags near the middle, however, but even despite this I did enjoy my time playing it. Now maybe someday soon I'll actually be able to finish the damn thing.
Technically, MK7 is a 2011 game. I know. But I got it in 2012, alright? I love Mario Kart. Always have since the SNES days. Probably always will as long as they release the games on platforms I own. Just sheer fun, minus some of the drawbacks of Double Dash! and Mario Kart Wii.
This one barely counts considering it's an HD collection, but DMC3 is still my favorite action game of all time. Getting a chance to play it in full HD was absolutely worth it.
Wouldn't be another year without a Yakuza game on the list. Dead Souls is the weakest game in the series thus far due to some dodgy shooting mechanics, but aside from ZOMBIES~! it's still classic Yakuza as far as the eye can see.
And your brain will not be able to take Goro Majima doing karaoke. Just trust me.
And here's this year's oddball title. A surprisingly entertaining little digital download game, RCR is so full of silly references that it's hard not to grin the entire time you play it. Also, the PS3/Vita cross play is a nice touch.
Dragon's Dogma is a very, very bizarre game. It almost doesn't deserve to be on this list at all. Featuring a whole bunch of good ideas and just as many puzzling if not downright RIDICULOUS ideas, Dragon's Dogma proved that it's possible for Japanese developers to make a decent open world RPG.
Now if the game gets a sequel, maybe we'll see if they can make a great one.
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