The tail-end of 2012 will be one of the busiest times for video game
players as a plethora of exciting titles will make their way onto the
market. While the majority of them are sequels of some kind, it does
not detract from the fact that nobody will be left out in the cold with
nothing to play.
1. Borderlands 2
Borderlands 2 is one of the most eagerly-anticipated games of the
year and follows on from their highly-successful first instalment.
Players will take on the role of five new characters, but the
much-loved troublemakers from the first game will also be present in
the overall story. Sticking to the same RPG-type shooter formula, the
developers promise one of the most engaging title of the year – which
will provide players with a lot of weapon customisations, insane
scenarios and over-the-top music to boot.
Platform: Xbox360, PlayStation 3
2. Assassins Creed 3
Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed franchise has been one of the most
widely-adopted titles since the release of the first game a couple of
years ago. Each title takes place in a different time setting, and for
the third official title, players will get to fight alongside the
Native Americans and British as they battle the American settlers at
the start of the American Revolution. The stealthy action of the master
assassin will once again be brought to the fore, and with stunning
graphics and an action-packed plot, few games will be able to match its
scope.
Platform: Xbox360, PlayStation 3, Wii, others
3. Need for Speed Most Wanted 2012
Need for Speed has been a staple racing game for many generations of
racing fanatics. The franchise spans nearly 20 years, and has a heap of
experience when it comes to developing innovative ways of rubber
burning. Most Wanted 2012 will be a reboot of sorts of the original
Most Wanted, and the general consensus is that it will be one of the
most exhilarating racers this year. Players will be able to relive all
the glory from the original, while looking forward to updated graphics
and shiny new cars.
Platform: Xbox360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita
4. FIFA 13
In terms of football games, there are not a lot of titles that even
come close to the FIFA franchise. Going as far back as 1998, the FIFA
video games brand has established itself as one of the best, and with
every iteration EA Sports manage to cram more features and better
graphics into the finished product. Players can once again look forward
to the latest teams being included into the rosters, stunning graphics
and an updated control scheme that will pose a challenge for returning
players, while welcoming new ones.
Platform: Xbox360, PlayStation 3, Wii, others
5. Call of Duty Black Ops 2
Call of Duty has attracted a cult-like status in the sense that
player are really dedicated to squeezing every ounce of excitement out
of it. So with the release of Black Ops 2, the same formula will be put
in place as the previous titles, and the plot will take place directly
after the events from the original Black Ops 2. There is no doubt that
the FPS will have some of the best graphics in a video game for this
year, and players are almost guaranteed a gripping and whirl-wind story
arc.
Platform: Xbox360, PlayStation 3, Wii U
6. Forza Horizon
Steering off into a different direction, the Forza franchise will
assume a bit more of an arcade-style racer that what players of the
previous three titles are used to. Microsoft will be taking on the Need
for Speed franchise with a title that will appeal to both arcade racers
and serious motor aficionados. Featuring some of the best and fastest
cars commercially available, the next instalment in the action-packed
Forza franchise will definitely excite any thrill seeker.
Platform: Xbox360
7. Medal of Honor: Warfighter
The Medal of Honor and Call Of Duty franchises have been breathing
down each other’s necks ever since the first Call of Duty made its
gaming appearance. While Medal of Honor is completely different to CoD,
players will get to experience the same action-packed scene and
incredible weaponry. Serving as a sequel to the rebooted Medal Of
Honour from a couple of years ago, the first-person shooter will
deliver amazing graphics, familiar controls and a riveting plot.
Platform: Xbox360, PlayStation 3
8. Hitman Absolution
Agent 47 is back, and he is back with a vengeance. Developed by IO
Interactive, players will find themselves in the middle of a dark
conspiracy as the stealth game weaves a path of intrigue and racks up a
rather large body count. Being the fifth game in the franchise, the
title will be made more accessible to a wider audience, so gamers new
to the series will also be able to share in the sneaking action.
Platform: Xbox360, PlayStation 3
9. Far Cry 3
Open world first-person shooter Far Cry 3 has its roots in the
highly-successful two previous version of the title. With stunning
graphics and a wide variety of weapons, it will be up to the player to
figure out a way to escape the island – before the island’s inhabitants
get to them first. The third instalment will do things slightly
different that the previous two – it will feature an overhauled stealth
mechanic, and a possible levelling system.
Platform: Xbox360, PlayStation 3
10. Halo 4
The Halo franchise is Microsoft’s biggest-selling shooter game in
history – and the franchise itself has set some massive records. So it
is actually no surprise that a fourth instalment is on the way, even
though it is being developed by 343 Industries (instead of franchise
stalwarts Bungie Interactive). The fourth game is actually the eight,
and the first game in a three-part series called the Reclaimer Trilogy.
Halo 4 also marks the return of the much-loved Master Chief, which has
been missing from the franchise since 2007.
Platform: Xbox360

