Best of 2012
2012 was a crazy year, I didn't even get to play all the games I wanted to this year. But of the ones I did, these stood out.
List items
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Just far away, this was my Game for 2012, 100% enjoyed it from start to end. I love tactical game-play and they did it so well here. Yet, what makes this for me is when you add in all the base management. When choices you make in your base reflect in your performance on the field, it's an very satisfying feeling.
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It's not as much of a landmark ME2 was. But still it's a Mass Effect game that's still really good. The game-play and story were both very strong, not to mention very competent and compelling multiplayer. While the ending was lack luster, it doesn't detract enough from experience to knock it any lower on my list.
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Stealth has never felt so solid. The various ways you can manipulate and take down foes are very satisfying. The game gives you vital information well making it very clear when and where you screwed up. When you do make a mistake this game sees how much of a ninja you really are, rather then making reload a checkpoint. I felt like a badass ninja and I like that a lot.
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I really enjoy fighting games, one of my favorite things is to sit down with another real human being and brawl it out. It came as a surprise to me how good this game was. While I don't see it in the professional scene a whole bunch, the simplicity of the combat system and depth of the polish makes it my "go-to" fighter right now.
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I found myself to be a big fan of this franchise after winning the first "Orcs Must Die!" in a drawing. The second entry in the series builds of the first adding dozens more trap, weapons, and enemies. It's part tower defense, part 3rd person shooter and still remains one of the most engaging titles I played this year.
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I have to give to 343 industries they were given a tough task making the next Halo game in the stead of Bungie. But they didn't just make another Halo, they really made it feel fresh to me. It reminded me a lot of when I first played Halo 1. Now that 343 proved that are bringing their AAA-Game, I'd love to see where they are taking it next.
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So far the borderlands series has been the definitive shooter to blend in the character progression and sweet sweet loot. This year with Borderlands 2 kept bringing the thunder, the story writing and characters are really well done; most notably in Handsome Jack and Claptrap. In the end a great game that refined a few things but stayed true to the original.
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Do I want to blink on top of there and get past them that way? Hmm, maybe I can control his body cause a distraction and stab them both while they are caught off guard. Dishonored is all about options and it rewards you for being skillful and creative. With a great setting and interesting fiction, I hope to return to Dunwall sometime in the future.
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As a fan of the first (were taking 2000+ hours here), I was really excited for this. I was not let down, the feeling of exploring in a living world isn't new, but it felt new. Breaking a lot of the tropes of MMO's and putting more emphasis on clever combat. I can really get behind GW2 for what they've done continuing to make fun to adventure into Tyria. It just needs little more stuff right now, but I'm not worried as Area-net has already showed they will keep supporting the game with new content.
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It's not that long, but the rush you get from clearing a room with some of the best music I've heard in a game is UN-REAL! I had a blast and I look forward to seeing more in the future with the sequel.
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