Continuing with the Best of 2012 series, we now shift our focus to games. This year has been great for gaming, with some fantastic titles and new IPs as well. Again, only a few games from different genres are mentioned in this article. You might have entirely different views and different games in mind. And that is why you are welcome to leave a comment with the Game you think was the best for you in 2012 and of course, why.
Mass Effect 3 (PC, PS3, X360, Wii U)
Mass Effect 3 is the sequel to the highly successful Mass Effect 2 and the latest entry in the Mass Effect series that started in 2007. This installment finally completes the epic inter-galactic journey and battle against the Reapers. ME3 deviates from the ME2 gameplay and makes it even better. The game felt more of an FPS variety than last time, but then again that's not a bad thing at all.
Graphics and performance is fantastic, at least on the PC. The ending to the game however wasn't well received. Fans were disappointed and and there was a huge uproar in the internet gaming community. The game was recently released for the Nintendo Wii U console as well.
Borderlands 2 (PC, PS3, X360)
Borderlands 2 is the sequel to the surprise hit Borderlands title, and it did not disappoint one bit. The co-op gameplay, open world exploration, cartoony graphics and huge array of weapons and drivable vehicles made this fun game, even more fun!
The game is truly a worthy sequel, something that is hard to achieve when the bar is set so high.
The Walking Dead (PC, PS3, X360, iOS)
The Walking Dead is Tell Tale's master piece. They took a comic and presented it in a way that hasn't been done before, or at least not this well. An episodic adventure, The Walking Dead keeps us on the edge with it's realistic horror and surprise elements as well as it's decision making system that goes on to affect the final outcome. So some decisions you made in Episode 1 might come back to haunt you (or help you) in Episode 3.
The series consists of 5 Episodes, all released.
Fez (X360)
Pixel art was never so pleasant, and frustrating at the same time. Fez has vivid landscapes (courtesy multi-colored pixels) and a nice soundtrack that accompanies you as you explore a 3D world in 2D.
While you can delve into the game and play around without really burning your grey cells, it's when you take the game's puzzles seriously that things can get heated up, topside.
ZombiU (Wii U)
ZombiU is one of the launch titles of the Wii U, and what a title it is. The game doesn't do anything revolutionary new, just does things right. An open world, camera moving according to your head bobbing around, you actually turning into a zombie upon getting bitten, discovering other people's messages (other players who left a message online). The game uses the Wii U's gamepad really well for handling inventory.
Zombi U is set in a modern day zombie ravaged London.
Halo 4 (X360)
343 Industries (studio) took the Halo franchise and churned out a new title that everyone loved. The new installment in the Halo series took what Bungie originally created and refreshed the series with a great multiplayer component.
The game feels refreshed and not a long running franchise all the way from the original Xbox era.
Tribes: Ascend (PC)
Tribes: Ascend is a F2P game in the truest sense. You can completely enjoy the game without ever having to buy a single item or add-on. Tribes Ascend relies on it's super-fast paced futuristic gameplay to keep users engaged throughout. And it does a good job at that too.
You can download Tribes Ascend off Steam today.
Dishonored (PC, PS3, X360)
Potentially a new IP, Dishonored brings refreshing and gruesome gameplay complete with a new story line that a new title brings with it (something we don't see that often) that keeps a gamer busy in it's old 18th Century Britain like world thriving under the Industrial Revolution, powered by Whale Oil.
The game includes RPG elements, stealth and of course it's bloody (literally) gameplay. The protagonist is a Noble accused of killing the Queen, and so you're on the run to clear your name and save the Queen's daughter. Let's hope that like every successful title, this doesn't become a long franchise with successive Roman Numbers stuck ahead of the name in a yearly (or two) basis.
Journey (PS3)
The only PS3 exclusive in the list, the Journey is truly and faithfully a work of art. How do you make a modern day video game without guns, cars, photo realistic graphics, aliens or even space ships (I forgot, suits!) and still make a name? Well, you make a game like Journey.
Journey allows players to wander through a desolate world where civilization was brought to an end (you wonder why). The soundtrack keeps soaking you further into the mood, the groove of the game. The art style of the game is particularly attractive, and wandering through the world has it's own joys.
Mass Effect 3 (PC, PS3, X360, Wii U)
Mass Effect 3 is the sequel to the highly successful Mass Effect 2 and the latest entry in the Mass Effect series that started in 2007. This installment finally completes the epic inter-galactic journey and battle against the Reapers. ME3 deviates from the ME2 gameplay and makes it even better. The game felt more of an FPS variety than last time, but then again that's not a bad thing at all.
Graphics and performance is fantastic, at least on the PC. The ending to the game however wasn't well received. Fans were disappointed and and there was a huge uproar in the internet gaming community. The game was recently released for the Nintendo Wii U console as well.
Borderlands 2 (PC, PS3, X360)
Borderlands 2 is the sequel to the surprise hit Borderlands title, and it did not disappoint one bit. The co-op gameplay, open world exploration, cartoony graphics and huge array of weapons and drivable vehicles made this fun game, even more fun!
The game is truly a worthy sequel, something that is hard to achieve when the bar is set so high.
The Walking Dead (PC, PS3, X360, iOS)
The Walking Dead is Tell Tale's master piece. They took a comic and presented it in a way that hasn't been done before, or at least not this well. An episodic adventure, The Walking Dead keeps us on the edge with it's realistic horror and surprise elements as well as it's decision making system that goes on to affect the final outcome. So some decisions you made in Episode 1 might come back to haunt you (or help you) in Episode 3.
The series consists of 5 Episodes, all released.
Fez (X360)
Pixel art was never so pleasant, and frustrating at the same time. Fez has vivid landscapes (courtesy multi-colored pixels) and a nice soundtrack that accompanies you as you explore a 3D world in 2D.
While you can delve into the game and play around without really burning your grey cells, it's when you take the game's puzzles seriously that things can get heated up, topside.
ZombiU (Wii U)
ZombiU is one of the launch titles of the Wii U, and what a title it is. The game doesn't do anything revolutionary new, just does things right. An open world, camera moving according to your head bobbing around, you actually turning into a zombie upon getting bitten, discovering other people's messages (other players who left a message online). The game uses the Wii U's gamepad really well for handling inventory.
Zombi U is set in a modern day zombie ravaged London.
Halo 4 (X360)
343 Industries (studio) took the Halo franchise and churned out a new title that everyone loved. The new installment in the Halo series took what Bungie originally created and refreshed the series with a great multiplayer component.
The game feels refreshed and not a long running franchise all the way from the original Xbox era.
Tribes: Ascend (PC)
Tribes: Ascend is a F2P game in the truest sense. You can completely enjoy the game without ever having to buy a single item or add-on. Tribes Ascend relies on it's super-fast paced futuristic gameplay to keep users engaged throughout. And it does a good job at that too.
You can download Tribes Ascend off Steam today.
Dishonored (PC, PS3, X360)
Potentially a new IP, Dishonored brings refreshing and gruesome gameplay complete with a new story line that a new title brings with it (something we don't see that often) that keeps a gamer busy in it's old 18th Century Britain like world thriving under the Industrial Revolution, powered by Whale Oil.
The game includes RPG elements, stealth and of course it's bloody (literally) gameplay. The protagonist is a Noble accused of killing the Queen, and so you're on the run to clear your name and save the Queen's daughter. Let's hope that like every successful title, this doesn't become a long franchise with successive Roman Numbers stuck ahead of the name in a yearly (or two) basis.
Journey (PS3)
The only PS3 exclusive in the list, the Journey is truly and faithfully a work of art. How do you make a modern day video game without guns, cars, photo realistic graphics, aliens or even space ships (I forgot, suits!) and still make a name? Well, you make a game like Journey.
Journey allows players to wander through a desolate world where civilization was brought to an end (you wonder why). The soundtrack keeps soaking you further into the mood, the groove of the game. The art style of the game is particularly attractive, and wandering through the world has it's own joys.
Buying a new phone? Or a tablet? Need help with something everyday-tech related? Ask me and I'm sure to help!
— Preetam Nath (@hipreetam93) April 18, 2013
— Preetam Nath (@hipreetam93) April 18, 2013
