The Walking Dead was truly an experience unlike anything else for me. It's a hyperbolic statement yet it's so very true. I've never been made to wait for each level or chapter of a game before and instantly proceeding to play the new chapter in one 2-3 hour stretch. I'm not even a big fan of the comics or show and zombies are not something that I’m keen on either. Despite all if this Telltale's The Walking Dead is my number one game of the year for 2012. I really like this game and I have talked about it so much over the last year discussing every single choice in each chapter with multiple friends over the social networks. Uhhgggghhhhhh EMOTIONS.

Mark of the Ninja is an incredible 2D stealth game. I've never felt more in control of my character and aware of everything that can happen in any moment which is truly a triumphant statement especially for a stealth game. The animation and style is so pretty and for what it's worth the story is not that bad with a pretty interesting twist at the end.

I don't know why I like this game so much. It started as a joke but it became so much more. I love the design and style of Asura’s Wrath and for some crazy reason I love the stories and characters much more than I think I should. I have played the game five times across the three difficulties to unlock everything and I am still not sick of the events and I still get chills when I hear Yasha and Augus’ themes. Oh and the final chapter DLC is my DLC of the year because of reasons.

Persona 4: Golden I didn't even play Persona 4 Golden this year but the amount of information and content that I absorbed from my partner and friends playing the game is enough to cement the fact that when I eventually buy a Vita to play the copy that I already own for myself it will be one of my all-time favourites. I can't wait for Persona 5 and it would be a very smart idea for it to come straight to Vita. Persona + Handhelds + Bed = Best.

Trials Evolution is can at some points seem like more of a platform that a game. The level of creativity and diversity that comes from the robust level editor is itself enough to create an insane amount of content for players to dive into. That does even begin to include the expertly crafted single player levels that make Trials Evo one of my favourite platformers (because let’s be honest, that's what it is) of all time.

Dishonored really took me by surprise to the point that I didn't even follow the game until a week before release. Then it blew me away, the world of Dunwall was incredibly immersive and i was pulled into the story and characters in a way I didn't expect. The story and characters come at such an additional benefit because the gameplay in Dishonored is close to perfection with some of the greatest level design I have ever experienced. Who cares how short the main campaign is when it is infinitely replayable and so tight throughout.

Borderlands 2 is my most played game of 2012 with over 150 hours I really got in deeper than I ever expected. Loot games have never been a huge draw for me with games like Diablo and Torchlight just not doing enough to hold me. Now I am in the majority here acknowledging that the writing and characterisation in BL2 is overall pretty terrible but I can't say it didn't get a few big laughs out of me and the main thread was interesting enough to spur me to keep on trucking even when my co-op players began to drop. The DLC continues to be great.

I love Spelunky even though Spelunky hates me and I actually hate Spelunky. Well, maybe I love Spelunky and I hate myself. Ahh, I don't know! This game is really good or something but it's also really messed up. I feel like this was my FTL (which I am dreading playing at some point) I have so many amazing stories to tell that always end in - 'and then I died and it really sucked.' This OG roguelike platformer got the HD treatment with an additional multiplayer which turned out to be an exhilarating party game.

Mass Effect 3 was maybe not the greatest game in the series by any factor but it was still an incredible game and I just get lost in that world over and over again. Oh and the multiplayer was a huge surprise and really enjoying even after I found myself sighing when it was first announced.

This game JUST made my top 10 list this year and that sucks. SSX was my most anticipated game for 2012. Defiantly one of my favourite series back on the PS2 I played (and still do) Tricky and 3 to death. This game was close yet so soooo far. I really want that team to get another shot and next time I hope EA focus more on quality over quantity.