This was the first time I can remember where downloadable games outshined what's on the shelves. 6 of the 10 games on this list are downloadable titles, including 5 of the top 6.
Oh, and 2012's 2011 Game of the Year? Same as the Game of the Year 2011. Mortal Fucking Kombat.
The most satisfying and fun game I played this year. One of the few games so good that I went back and played through New Game Plus after beating it the first time. Possibly the most empowering game I've ever played - you almost feel sadistic at times setting up your plan of attack. It may not have a multiplayer mode but I couldn't care less. The must-buy game of 2012.
I've always bought Halo games on launch day (even the original for the Xbox) and enjoyed them, but this is the first time where I enjoyed it enough on my first playthrough that I'm going back through it on Legendary, solo. Incredibly enjoyable singleplayer, and the multiplayer has roped me in just like Halo Reach did - maybe even moreso. This is probably going to be the game I stick with for my multiplayer fix for the rest of this console generation. Can't wait to see what they do with a sequel.
I actually skipped the first Trials game on the 360, but there was no fighting it after I played the Trials Evolution demo. Being frustrated is rarely this entertaining. If not for Mark of the Ninja it would definitely be the best XBLA game of the year.
I'm one of those guys who has spent hundreds of dollars on Rock Band DLC and still jumps into Rock Band 3 frequently. When I saw this I was pretty skeptical that it would be any fun at all, but was pleasantly surprised. Plus, even if you're disregarding the game, it's still an incredible value as a track pack for Rock Band 3.
I wasn't as high on it as most seem to be, but this was still fun as heck. I admittedly am not through all the episodes yet, but whether it's a "game" or not, it's a hell of a good time so far. It's also the first game I can remember where my friends and I have texted each other while playing through it - "HOLY SHIT. Did you get to the dinner scene yet?!" and stuff like that. For what it's worth, I've never seen the TV show or read the comics - makes me wonder if it would be even higher if I did.
Best video pinball game ever, and real tables to boot. It's a shame their DLC has been so messed up as far as how frequent it is released, especially on the 360. With the Twilight Zone table about to come out and Star Trek TNG coming next year, I'll be revisiting this one for a long time to come.
I sadly have had very little time to put into this one so far, but in a year where I really didn't get around to too much 2012 stuff, what I did play was good enough to get it this high on my list. Anxious to go back.
The gameplay is still mediocre, as usual with WWE titles. But the bells and whistles this game features are really fantastic, from the Attitude Era mode, to the downloadable community creations, to the much celebrated story editor. Much like Hulkamania, Time Rock shall live forever.
I loved the idea of this and it seems like if it had only come out a few years earlier, it may have thrived. There's just too much other stuff fighting for attention now for a 3-on-3 teamwork emphasis shooter that had next to no hype.
Interesting narrative twists pull this one just over the line (har har) enough to crack the top 10. Not a revolutionary game in terms of shooting dudez by any means, but it's well worth a playthrough just to see where they go with it.
