2012 was a year full of fun, anticipation, and huge releases. From record breaking sales to all-time lows, it was a year of good and bad for all genres, but especially so for the gaming world. As a year of ups and down for gamers, it deserves a look back at the very best – and the very worst the year of the Mayans had to offer. Here’s my list of the top five best and worst games of 2012.
The Worst:
#5: I Am Alive.
A hugely anticipated and long-coming survival game set in a post-apocalyptic city; it was supposed to be an experience like no other. However, poor development and hit-and-miss execution made this game a huge flop and a bitter disappointment.
#4: Game of Thrones.
It has been demonstrated many times that not all video games based on a TV Show or book will turn out badly, but this was not one of them. With very few stirring plot points, the game was boring and buggy, with a tedious and long-winded “active-pause” combat system that forces you to choose your action every time you fight. The dialogue environment calls for decision making that has little to no effect whatsoever on the gameplay, making it seem pointless, and ruining the choice aspect of the game.
#3: Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified.
A short campaign with no checkpoint saves during missions and no zombie mode turned this game into an utter waste of development. Multiplayer may have redeemed the game if it weren’t for bugs, glitches, and maps so small they’re nearly unplayable.
#2: Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City.
The one positive thing about the game is the landscapes – it could have been beautiful, if it had enough light to see any of it. Guns are underpowered, the duck and cover system is so flawed it’s not worth using, and in co-op mode there is no possibility for revival if downed. The entire game is one problem after another, and isn’t worth playing, even as a joke.
#1: The WarZ. The big ugly. From the moment of Alpha release, WarZ was a steaming pile of disappointment and regret, full of bugs, false promises, and crashes. Even after full-release, the game was so buggy it was literally unplayable for many who purchased the game. Developers made big promises of large maps and huge servers, skill trees and weapons galore, but never delivered, even getting the game pulled from Steam for a time. Even now the game is largely made up of errors and other problems, with the developers refusing to own up to their mistakes and blaming customers for misunderstanding the game. Truly this deserves the title of “worst game of 2012” for being the biggest continued disappointment in survival game history.
The Best:
#5: Assassin’s Creed III:
Compelling story, enjoyable combat and open world exploration make this an excellent game. One of the greatest additions to the Assassin’s Creed series, it features some of the smoothest close combat mechanics seen in any game I’ve ever played, as well as breathtaking graphics and an entertainingly convoluted storyline.
#4: Dishonored.
One of the only titles released this year that wasn’t a sequel or addition to a previous series, Dishonored is truly original. With its unique steampunk art style, it has a one of a kind feel and provides a one of a kind experience. The perfect blend of stealth, chaos and choice, it brings forth a compelling storyline and gameplay that keeps players coming back for more.
#3: Halo 4.
343 Industries: the little developers that could. A classic series beloved by fans everywhere, it was thought to be a trilogy complete. However, a fourth game was announced, and it proved to be everything we’d hoped for and more. Stunningly detailed scenery leads way into intense and lucid combat, backed up by an emotionally charged soundtrack. The game will make you angry, it will make you anguish, and it will definitely keep you coming back for more.
#2: The Walking Dead.
A game that no one saw coming and many wrote off has turned out to be one of the most wildly popular games of the year. A simple point and click, it keeps the zombies horrifying by adding nail-biting quick time events as it presents you with impossible choices. With one of the most compelling and stirring storylines I have ever experienced, it brings forth the perfect blend of emotions that will keep you engaged and begging for more.
#1: Borderlands 2.
A sequel to a game that already won several awards for being incredibly awesome, Borderlands 2 proves to be no disappointment. The same flowing art style shows off hilarious characters – both old and new – as well as incredible new weapons, with thrilling story lines that will keep you glued to your screen through side quests and main. This game truly proves that perfection can, in fact, be improved upon.
Of course, more games were left unsaid than were mentioned. Other releases such as Far Cry 3 and X-Com: Enemy Unknown deserve honorable mentions for spectacular gameplay and a riveting story. However, not everything could have a spot on such a small list. 2012 was an excellent year for games overall, and hopefully more excellent content is still forthcoming. So, as we ring in the New Year, let us pay tribute to the games that kept us happy, and let us burn the ones that didn’t.