2011 proved to be an action-packed bank balance draining year for gaming, and 2012 is looking to be no different. If the World is to end in December then we may as well make the most of it by doing what we love doing best – gaming. Here’s a handful of some of the biggies coming out over the year. Don’t be surprised if the 2011 no shows from last year’s article appear again!
Aliens: Colonial Marines (Xbox 360/PlayStation 3/ PC/Wii U – SEGA)
Colonial Marines has been floating about for years now, and with some publicity over 2011 it makes sense that Gearbox Software and SEGA finally bring us the Alien game we’ve always wanted in 2012. If so, expect some tense squad-based gameplay, plus co-op mode. We can’t wait for this one.
Assassin’s Creed 3 (Xbox 360/PlayStation 3/PC – Ubisoft)
Although it hasn’t officially been announced, Ubisoft has already revealed there will be a “major” Assassin’s Creed game in 2012. After the recent Revelations, it only makes sense that this will be Assassin’s Creed 3. If so, expect a new time era, a fresh character and a new country to put through the paces. After the “been there, done that” Revelations, Ubisoft owe it to the the fans and the franchise to progress the saga. Just don’t make Desmond the lead character!
BioShock Infinite (Xbox 360/PlayStation 3/PC – 2K Games)
We’ve had two adventures under the ocean in Rapture, so Ken Levine is taking us to the skies for a franchise overhaul. It may not be as claustrophobic but it’s far more terrifying if you suffer from Vertigo. Location aside, we trust Levine and Irrational Games to deliver a story and atmosphere on par with the first BioShock. Definite game of the year potential.
Borderlands 2 (Xbox 360/PlayStation 3/PC – 2K Games)
We loved teaming up and causing havoc in the first Borderlands. Therefore we are happy to do it all again. Borderlands was one of the surprise hits of 2009, so to surprise us again Gearbox need to produce something much bigger. If that means an extra bazillion weapons to create then so be it.
DMC – Devil May Cry (Xbox 360/PlayStation 3/PC – Capcom)
After the dreadful (yes it was) Devil May Cry 4, Capcom are going about the sequel the right away and completely reinventing it. DMC, as they’re calling it, is a prequel to the previous three, featuring a young unrecognisable and moody Dante. Ninja Theory (Heavenly Sword, Enslaved) are developing, so it’s hard to know what to expect. Expect plenty of hacking n’ slashing and moody attitude. And if that doesn’t get you going, don’t forget about the HD Collection of the first three titles early in 2012.
Dragon Quest X (Wii/Wii U – Square Enix)
It’s been a long time since we last had a proper console Dragon Quest game. That was Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King on PS2 back in 2005. Needless to say it was one of the best games on the PS2. Since then we’ve had countless handheld remakes. 2012 is a great time to have a new DQ adventure, whether it be with a Wii Remote or the Wii U controls.
Grand Theft Auto V (Xbox 360/PlayStation 3/PC – Rockstar Games)
If GTA 5 emerges in 2012 then Call of Duty will be watching its back. Not only will it sell bucket loads but there’s a chance it could be high up on everyone’s game of the year lists too. The long awaited return of GTA sees us return to a modernised San Andreas (albeit maybe not as big). Whether or not it’ll be as fun-filled as San Andreas or follow the more serious style of GTA 4 is still unclear. Either way we want this game.
Half Life 3 (Xbox 360/PlayStation 3/PC – Valve)
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. In my dreams. Or is it? With rumours abound that Gabe Newell is letting people drop hints about the game now, is there a chance that Gordon Freeman’s adventure will finally continue this year? We’re not going to get our hopes up, but at the same time, there is still a spark burning on our Valve-shaped torch.
Halo 4 (Xbox 360 – Microsoft)
It’s hard to know what to expect from the first new Halo game not developed by Bungie. 343 Industries (who handled the recent remake of Combat Evolved) are in charge this time. Not that a change of developer will stop the Chief from making an impact. We’ll see over the coming months whether this is one to get excited about or not.
The Last Guardian (PlayStation 3 – Sony)
My personal top pick of the past two years. Will it finally arrive in 2012? Surely it will. Ico and Shadow of the Colossus are two of the most beautiful and visually stunning games ever created, as we were reminded with the HD ports recently. The Last Guardian is shaping up to be the perfect third chapter, seemingly integrating Ico’s gameplay with help from a huge beast. Expect epic, and expect a tear jerker, all adding up to be an “experience” and not just another game on the hot list.
Mass Effect 3 (Xbox 360/PlayStation 3/PC – EA)
To many gamers Mass Effect 3 is the one to have in 2012. The final part of the trilogy sees Commander Shepard fighting a war much closer to home, on Earth. “But I don’t want it to be set on Earth,” says many disappointed fans. Those fans should know better. Expect to see a lot of space travel in an epic adventure, and not just another generic battle to save our little planet.
Max Payne 3 (Xbox 360/PlayStation 3/PC – Take Two Interactive)
Max Payne 3 is so overdue now, with an initial release date for early 2011. The new Max looks a lot more sunny and more hardcore in the gun department, but the gameplay remains faithful. Fans of run n’ gun gameplay will love this, but the hardcore fans may miss the noir style theme and story that made Max famous all those years go.
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (Xbox 360/PlayStation 3/PC – Konami)
Sure, it’s not as exciting as Metal Gear Solid 5. Heck, some will be more excited for the MGS HD collection, but that doesn’t mean Rising won’t be worth playing. The game was almost canned by Kojima, but luckily for us Platinum Games has taken over. We know they are more than capable of making a kick-ass game. Rising may very well surprise us when it arrives and could be the perfect warm up for the next MGS.
Ninja Gaiden 3 (Xbox 360/PlayStation 3/Wii U – Tecmo)
Hardcore gamers will be looking forward to this one. Most of us never had the patience to complete the previous games due to their tormenting difficulty. That’s not to say they’re bad games though. No doubt we’ll punish ourselves a third time around, or at least try. Maybe Team Ninja will even, dare I say it, bless us with an easy mode that’s actually easy!
Resident Evil: Revelations (Nintendo 3DS – Capcom)
Resident Evil fans will be flocking to buy themselves a 3DS just to experience this brand new story in the Resi saga. Chris and Jill are together again in a game that actually looks more survival horror than action. That’s a big deal to us long time Resi faithful, many of whom have already been majorly teased by the very brief demo included with Mercenaries 3D. This could be the game that builds up to that all important Resident Evil 6 announcement. Please!
Silent Hill: Downpour (Xbox 360/PlayStation 3/PC – Konami)
While we’re on the subject of survival horror, Downpour should have been with us by now, but was pushed back onto this year’s anticipated list. Konami are once again handing out development duties outside of Japan. Czech-based Vatra Games have the privilege of bringing shocking horror to us once again with the eighth instalment of the popular survival horror game, Silent Hill. Let’s hope the return to Hill is the best trip there for many years. It certainly needs to re-stamp its mark on the horror genre.
Street Fighter X Tekken (Xbox 360/PlayStation 3/PC / PS Vita– Capcom)
Some of you grumbled when I failed to mention any fighters in last years list. Silly mistake on my part, Marvel vs. Capcom 3 was awesome. I’m not making the same mistake twice. Street Fighter X Tekken looks to be one to be excited about. Two of the biggest fighting franchises are coming together to create some fighting awesomeness. If that weren’t enough, don’t forget that Tekken X Street Fighter will follow it at a later date!
The Last of Us (PlayStation 3 – Sony)
Now that the Uncharted series is done and dusted (well, except for the forthcoming Vita game), Naughty Dog are moving on to another cinematic action adventure game, The Last of Us. Not too much is known, other than it’s apocalyptic and stars a man and a young girl. The Last of Us is definitely one to keep two eyes on.
Tomb Raider (Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 – Square Enix)
What a way to end a list, with some Lara. The next Tomb Raider is one to be excited about. Played one you played them all, I hear some of you grumble. Perhaps Crystal Dynamics agree, that is why the next Tomb Raider is set to be slightly different. A young Lara is shipwrecked on an platform/puzzle-filled island and must learn how to survive, ultimately becoming the hardcore chick we know her as today. I can’t wait for this one.
What a list huh? That’s not including this year’s Call of Duty (Black Ops 2 perhaps), or Battlefield 4. Every year there are also several surprises that come along to delight us, not to mention that we’ve got a brand new hand-held and a new home console coming from Sony and Nintendo respectively in the next few months! This is merely a taster of how much money we’ll all need to save to see us through the gaming year. Bring it on. Happy gaming folks.
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