I know it’s a tad late for an article like this, but better late then never. Games come and go every year, but none gather as much press and hype as some and this is a list that separates the games we gamers are dying for, and the ones that we can live without. Though this is a list of the most anticipated game, unlike many you’ll see on other sites this will also act as a retrospect of games currently out. With that being said this is the top 11 most anticipated video games of 2012, why top 11….because I like to go one step further….wait I feel like I’ve heard that somewhere….(warning: some of the pics are not the final box art)
#11) Resident Evil 6
System(s): PS3, XBox 360
Horror/Action
ESRB: M
Release Date: 10/2/2012
Yes a Capcom game relatively low on this most anticipated list. Must be because Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City was announced, and released earlier in the year and did poorly on many of the video game site scores. It also doesn’t help that Resident Evil 5 isolated many of the original fans, by taking a more action based approach to the series. Also to add on to that Capcom’s tactics with Street Fighter x Tekken, which is packaging everything and claiming it to be a new game when nothing changed. It will be the first time that Leon S. Kennedy and Chris Redfield share a Resident Evil title, but with little shown for story so far it feels like another cash-in for Capcom….what happened to them?
#10) The Last Story
Nintendo
System(s): Wii
RPG
ESRB: T
Release Date: 6/19/2012
The Last Story is a more traditional take on the RPG fighting mechanic unlike it’s brethren Xenoblade Chronicles, and has it’s story of young swords-for-hire that end up being caught up in a bigger adventure and trouble then they planned. Though they are both different games, what they share is they are the last “hardcore” games Nintendo will see for it’s product till Wii U decides to make an appearance onto the scene.
#9) Borderlands 2
2K Games
Gearbox Software
System(s): PS3, PC, XBox 360
Action RPG
ESRB: TBA (most likely M)
Release Date: 09/18/2012
The squeal to a sleeper hit back in 2009 Borderlands enhances gameplay while introducing new class types and guns. If the original is any indication of how well Borderlands 2 will do then Gearbox is in for another sleeper hit. Though it was one of the few good hits during 2009, it doesn’t boosts its place on this list.
#8) Max Payne 3
Rockstar Studios
System(s): PC, PS3, XBox 360
Action, Third-Person Shooter
ESRB: M
Release Date: 05/15/2012
The father of the bullet time mechanic is back for his final game. You play as Max Payne, hired as private security trying to avoid his past when gangs target a family he’s protection and ends up having to fight to save them and himself. This game will answer many questions regarding Max Payne’s demons, and since it is being developed by Rockstar, one can rest assured that this story’s ending won’t go out without some sort of controversy. This is what truly makes it a game worth the hype.
#7) Pokemon White and Black 2
Nintendo
System(s): DS
RPG
ESRB: E
Release Date: TBA 2012
The first sequels to a Pokemon game ever, period. There is no explanation here, all you need to say is the title and it’s an instant buy for some people, heck even kids know if it says Pokemon bug your parents to get it. What makes these entries troubling though is the recent release of the 3DS. Isn’t Nintendo going backwards? Shouldn’t they be focusing on titles for that instead of marketing games towards an older handheld? Ah who am I kidding….it’s Pokemon, you’ll get it anyways.
#6) Lollipop Chainsaw
Warner Bros.
Grasshopper Manufacturer
System(s): XBox 360, PS3
Hack n’ Slash/Horror
ESRB: M
Release Date: 6/12/2012
Not going lie if I did say this is my personal favorite. Though this is a fan service to all guys who own a console. Zombies: Check, Hot Chicks: Check, Violence and Gore: Check, Insane story by a revered company: double check. Grasshopper Manufacturer knows how to please their audience which makes this a perfect anticipated title.
5)The Last Guardian
Sony
SCE Studios Japan
System(s): PS3
Adventure/Platformer
ESRB: T
Release Date: TBA 2012/2013
The Last Guardian was suppose to be at the top of this list originally….that was till later last year articles were popping up rumoring that the ICO team was cutting down their staff. On top of that, there are only a few videos and screenshots of the game so, this also hurt it’s chances of being relevant at all. Not to mention most of these videos and screenshots are a few years old, considering this game was suppose to release already both in 2010 and 2011. I really don’t want to hear another news site stating this game will be pushed back again, or if I do I probably won’t see it listed on any anticipated games list. It’ll be on the “Games on Life Support” list instead.
4) Assassin’s Creed III
Ubisoft
System(s): PS3, XBox 360
Open World, Action/Adventure
ESRB: M
Release Date: 10/30/2012
Be lucky this isn’t any lower with both Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood and Assassin’s Creed: Revelations ruining what ever was left in this series legacy. Since the series is more know for the time period it tries to emulate, this takes place during the Revolutionary War. Again you take charge of a new hero and explore the world during the time period AC III has been set in. Since Ubisoft has taken the Activision approach to gaming, there isn’t much else to say here. It’s another Assassin’s Creed, with the story diving deeper then you ever wanted..
3) Gravity Rush
Sony
SCE Studios Japan
System(s): PS Vita
Platformer
ESRB: T
Release Date: 06/12/2012
Quiet possibly the only reason to own, or even purchase the nearly $ 300 PS Vita this year. Team ICO may not know it’s status with The Last Guardian, but this game is as sure as Zeus being Krato’s father. Using all the features that the Vita has to offer, Gravity Rush is about a girl named Kat with strange powers that control gravity, who then ends up finding others with these powers and as a result is required to save the world from those abusing those powers. It utilizes the touch screen pads and gyrosensors in order to control Kat and her powers.
2) The Last of Us
Sony
Naughty Dog
System(s): PS3
Third-Person Shooter, Horror
ESRB: M
Release Date: TBA
Did Naughty Dog grow up? Don’t tell me that the creators of Crash Bandicoot announced an M rated game?! AM I DEAMING?! I am not good…well in that case it’s still shocking they have sneaked this title in without some sort of leak of the press during Uncharted 3’s development. You take charge of Joel and Ellie in an fungus infested US, and in order to survive you must protect yourselves from those infested. Though the tiresome “zombie” and “Apocalypse” themes rear their ugly head, players will be taken where both themes rarely go and that’s dept of characters.
1) Diablo III
Blizzard Entertainment
System(s): PC
MMO
ESRB: M
Release Date: 05/15/2012
…did I read that right? Diablo III? I can remember a time back when I was 13 when my friend’s dad was sitting at the computer playing Diablo II. The most insane and respected MMO on the market. It’s been awhile since I’ve heard the title and am glad to be around to see this third installment. Sure my laptop probably doesn’t have the power to run this beast of a game, but I can say I was there when this released. Though many say that about Duke Nukem: Forever, at least for this game we all know it won’t disappoint.
