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master_prophet

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Top Ten Games of 2012

Well here it is. Another year has passed, and more great games have been released. 2012 marks the first time that some indie games have taken over my list, and if there was one new trend in 2012, it was seeing indie games that were better then big budget titles. But anyways, let's crack this wide open. Also note, after the top ten, there are a few other games that I've considered "honorable mentions".

List items

  • So here it is, my pick for Game of the Year. No game impressed me more overall then Far Cry 3. From the opening moments, to the fascinating storyline that never runs out of steam and fires on all cylinders, Far Cry 3 delivers one of the most memorable open world experiences this console generation. The gorgeous graphics, the sheer scope of the size of Rook island, to the fantastic little mechanical changes made between games in this franchise, Far Cry 3 is the shining example of the best that 2012 had to offer in video games.

  • Besides Elder Scrolls games, I don't think there is any return I've been anticipating more then the return of Master Chief in Halo 4, and in terms of the story campaign, 343 Industries delivered one hell of a ride. From new enemy types to a central protagonist, Halo 4 brought the thunder in 2012. Mix in a decent take on standard Halo multiplayer (a take that I hope is ironed out a bit), and you have one of my top picks for 2012. I couldn't think of a better story return for Master Chief.

  • No game made me feel the impact of my decisions, or hell, made me ponder even bigger questions about life then TellTale's Walking Dead did. From the moments you meet Lee Everett and Clementine, to the final moments offered up in the recently released fifth episode of Season one, I felt everything that these characters were going through. Heart-wrenching and Heartbreaking, that would be the two terms I would use to describe the game. If there was ever a great example I could use to point out that downloadable games are catching up with their full price counterparts, The Walking Dead is that game.

  • The trilogy ended this year, and while it caused the biggest controversy in gaming this year, I enjoyed the final wrap up of the series. The game felt more polished then the previous incarnation, mechanically and graphically, and at the end of the day, I enjoyed every aspect of the game, even the cooperative multiplayer. It was nice to see everything come full circle at the end, having all the characters you've had with you at some capacity, and everything felt concrete for me. The extended cut dlc that was released did help with the ending, but I wasn't that put off by how it ended either.

  • Probably my most controversial choice of 2012. The Resident Evil series has always been a personal favorite of mine, and while many criticize the decision to take the series in an even more action route then the previous title, I praise it. To me, there were more instances of “Survival horror” in this game then the previous title as well. Each separate campaign offered up its own brand of the game, while Leon's story was definitely a throw back to the horror, and each campaign after progresses towards the action. If you've been expecting the Resident Evil franchise to go back to its roots, get over it. Do you really want to go back to the roots of tank controls and ammo conservation? I would welcome it, but I doubt many else would.

  • The long awaited sequel in the Hitman franchise finally hit this year, and despite some changes that I personally didn't agree with, I enjoyed the game 100%. Between the more personal story told about Agent 47 and his handler, and the wonderfully executed sandbox mode of “Contracts”, Agent 47's latest murder-simulator did nothing but impress me at the end of the day. While the game suffers from a weird grain effect, and some of the worst pre-rendered cutscenes seen this generation, I had a blast with the game's 20 hour plus campaign.

  • I'll be completely honest, I didn't even touch this game on the pc, and still to this day haven't. I was always mystified by the whole concept of it basically being a lego world for you to build and play in. Then this Xbox 360 version came out, crushing my life for a good month this year. It's amazing to me that I dropped over 100 hours into an arcade game this year, but I can't think of any game I had more fun with between me and my buddies this year.

  • It's no secret that some of my favorite gaming experiences in 2012 have been from independent and downloadable games. Until a friend told me about this game, I had no idea of its existence. Hotline Miami is a surreal violent 8-bit game, taking place in 1989. It's presented in a top down view, and the player is given one hit to live with. The thing that makes Hotline Miami memorable is the puzzle aspect it presents the player. The game is more about “how do I approach this situation” then it is about the random violence. Mixed with a tremendous soundtrack, Hotline Miami is one of the unforgettable experiences of 2012.

  • No game frustrated me more in 2012 then X-Com. From the opening moments, to the crushing feeling of defeat offered at every death one of your squad-mates takes, X-Com makes you feel every death and defeat. I don't think I've felt as threatened by an alien invasion since 1996's Independence Day film. Fireaxis really brought the thunder in 2012 by bringing this series back.

  • I came along to play this game much later then most people. After hearing on numerous podcasts and even a few friends glowing praises for the game, I finally dived in. While Spec Ops isn't the kind of game I would tell anyone to spend $60 on, you can find the game for at least $40 currently, and that is the appropriate price point for the game. The dark storyline and the freedom of choice during the final moments of the game make it one of 2012's most memorable games, which far outshadows any of the games mechanical shortcomings.

  • So I didn't play this game until a few days ago, because honestly, I didn't think it would run on my pc. However, thanks to the excellent Steam sale, I was able to pick this up for $10, and I am glad I did. I didn't play Torchlight until I played the Xbox 360 version, but I am a gigantic fan of Diablo so I loved every second of it, and Torchlight II improves upon everything I questioned in the original game. And there are guns in it this time!

  • FTL is an amazing and impressive feat in its own right. Every thing that you manage on your ship as you are being attacked will stress you out, and the excellent soundtrack back up one of the most impressive strategy games of 2012.

  • I couldn't quite get this into my top ten, but it was a fantastic game in it's own right. Designed by one man, this has to be the best metroidvania game I've played in years.

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