Most Anticipated Games of 2012
Our staff selects the 12 most anticipated video games of the upcoming year
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With 2012 in full swing, we have once again decided to put the collective minds of New Game Network together and come up with a list of our most anticipated titles for the upcoming year.
Being super-original as we are, votes from staff were tallied and the hottest games to look forward to in 2012 have been narrowed down to 12. We even took the time to reflect on how our nominations from 2011 turned out! Without further ado, here are our picks (in alphabetical order).
Being super-original as we are, votes from staff were tallied and the hottest games to look forward to in 2012 have been narrowed down to 12. We even took the time to reflect on how our nominations from 2011 turned out! Without further ado, here are our picks (in alphabetical order).
BioShock Infinite
The third game in the popular series, BioShock: Infinite breaks away from the underwater setting of the first two games to take players into a floating city held aloft by dirigibles. The game is set in 1912. You play as Booker DeWitt, a disgraced former private detective who’s picked up a new case. Your goal is to find Elizabeth, a young woman who’s gone missing and return her unharmed. The only problem is that she’s being kept on this flying city. “If there was the most emotionally involving game at E3, Infinite would have to be it. Given what I saw during the demo, this is most definitely a game to look forward to,” says Alex.
When: Q4, 2012
Where:
Where:
Darksiders 2
Awakened by the End of Days, Death, the most feared of the legendary Four Horsemen, embarks upon a quest to restore mankind, and redeem his brother’s name. Along the way, the Horseman discovers that there are far worse things than an earthly Apocalypse, and that an ancient grudge may threaten all of Creation. The sequel promises bigger action, tighter combat, and more.
When: June, 2012
Where:
Where:
Diablo 3
This world was saved twenty years prior by a handful of unnamed heroes in Diablo II. Warriors that survived the onslaught of the armies of the Burning Hells have gone mad from their ordeals and it is up to a new generation of heroes to face the forces of evil threatening the world of Sanctuary. One of the biggest RPG titles makes its return, and fans have been waiting a long time for this one.
When: Q1/Q2, 2012
Where:
Where:
Dota 2
Dota 2 is an upcoming action fantasy strategy video game and the stand-alone sequel to the popular Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos and The Frozen Throne mod Defense of the Ancients. “Valve moves into the RTS realm?” wonders Evan. “If you had told me two years ago, I would’ve thought it was a joke. But combining Valve’s high standards of quality with a popular game franchise is the kind of mix that simply cannot hit far from the mark.“
When: Q2, 2012
Where:
Where:
Far Cry 3
The upcoming sequel to the 2008 video game Far Cry 2, Far Cry 3 takes place on a tropical island found somewhere at the intersection of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The main goal of the game is to escape from the islands and its crazed inhabitants. With a new setting and a bolder narrative, this could be a very high quality experience.
When: Q3/Q4, 2012
Where:
Where:
Grand Theft Auto 5
GTA V is an upcoming action-adventure open world game being developed by series creators Rockstar North. The game is to be set in fictional Los Santos in the state of San Andreas and its surrounding areas, based on modern-day Los Angeles and Southern California. A sequel to one of the best-selling and most popular franchises ever (and rightfully so), GTA V aims to reach the high bar set by the franchise.
When: Q3/Q4, 2012
Where:
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The list continues on page 2….
Guild Wars 2
A full 250 years after the original Guild Wars, massive upheavals, cataclysms, and globe-spanning events have changed the world of Tyria. Human civilization is in decline. Other races are rising up, taking control over large portions of the world; the balance of power has shifted. The dragons have awoken. “It’s free to play, it’s huge and it breaks MMO conventions,” proclaims Ben. “Quests are a thing of the past, Dynamic events are the future. And it has jumping and swimming!”
When: Q2/Q3, 2012
Where:
Where:
Max Payne 3
Max Payne 3 continues the tale of former New York City detective, Max Payne. Still haunted by the memories of his traumatic past, Max begins a new life working private security protecting a wealthy industrialist and his family in Sao Paulo, Brazil. When gangs target the family under his protection, Max is forced to fight to save his clients and clear his name, in a bid to, once and for all, rid himself of the demons that have tortured him for far too long. Leaving behind the dark streets of NYC, it will be interesting to see how Noir can exist in a sunny Brazilian city.
When: May 15, 2012 (360/PS3), May 29, 2012 (PC)
Where:
Where:
Mass Effect 3
Not everyone will survive. An ancient alien race, known only as “Reapers,” has launched an all-out invasion leaving nothing but a trail of destruction in their wake. Earth has been taken, the galaxy is on the verge of total annihilation, and you are the only one who can stop them. The price of failure is extinction.Set to conclude the trilogy, expectations are high for this RPG, but BioWare is likely ready to deliver.
When: March 6, 2012
Where:
Where:
Metro: Last Light
It is the year 2034.Beneath the ruins of post-apocalyptic Moscow, in the tunnels of the Metro, the remnants of mankind are besieged by deadly threats from outside – and within. Mutants stalk the catacombs beneath the desolate surface, and hunt amidst the poisoned skies above. But rather than stand united, the station-cities of the Metro are locked in a struggle for the ultimate power, a doomsday device from the military vaults of D6. “It’s a title that aims to keep all the thrills and intensity of battling humans and mutants alike in the atmospheric world of Moscow underground,” says Alex. “Improved stealth, new weapons, new enemies, and smarter AI are just a few things that fans can look forward to.”
When: Q3/Q4, 2012
Where:
Where:
Prey 2
The sequel to the 2006 game and a reboot of the series, Prey 2 is an open world sci-fi shooter about a Marshall, Killian Samuels, who is abducted by a cruel race of aliens. Playing as Killian, you find yourself marooned on an alien planet called Exodus. While working as a bounty hunter, you uncover a plot that threatens your home world and it’s up to you to take action. Its unique sci-fi setting and ambitious gameplay design makes this a game to watch.
When: Q3/Q4, 2012
Where:
Where:
Tomb Raider
After a brutal storm destroys the boat she was travelling on, a frightened young woman is left washed ashore on an unknown beach. On her own but not alone she has only one goal, to survive. Here begins the first adventure for a young and inexperienced Lara Croft in a story which charts the journey of an ordinary woman who finds out just how far she must go in order to stay alive.
When: Q3/Q4, 2012
Where:
Where:
A special look back on the next page….
How did we do last year? Let’s take a look at our most anticipated games for 2011 and how they turned out!
Batman: Arkham City
89/100: “Batman: Arkham City is a strong follow up to Arkham Asylum. Numerous improvements have been made to the gameplay and combat system. There is also more content this time around with more villains and more diversions. Fans of Batman and action games in general, be sure to pick this game up.“
Crysis 2
86/100: “Without the numerous AI bugs and respawning issues Crysis 2 would have been a serious match for the original. Instead it is just glorious and worth every cent.”
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
88/100: “Human Revolution might not supersede the original but it still does plenty of things better. This prequel is a superb stealth game with an intriguing narrative that captures the essence of the original: choice. “
Gears of War 3
87/100: “This game is a must play for any action or shooter fans. The campaign is a fitting end to the series, and it would be acceptable if Epic never released another Gears title. The muliplayer modes will keep you coming back after the campaign is over, however most of your time may be spent in Horde mode. While it is similar to Gears 2, I had a lot more fun with this one.“
LA Noire
83/100: “A successful attempt at something unique, L.A. Noire proves that the adventure genre is far from dead. Though not without issues, this is a great start for a hopeful franchise, and comes recommended to anyone who’s tired of today’s formulaic action games.“
Mass Effect 3
Whoops, slipped to 2012!
Portal 2
89/100: “A worthy sequel to one of the most unique games of the last ten years, Portal 2 offers a hilarious and mind-bending, albeit all too brief, romp through the world of Aperture Science.“
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
96/100: “The realm of Skyrim is a beautiful and endlessly enticing one. If you enjoy great video game experiences, then you absolutely should not miss Skyrim.“
Uncharted 3
76/100: “The campaign is the weakest of the series with poor pacing, uninteresting locations and absent characters. Combat isn’t as enjoyable and the platforming can be dull. Multiplayer is merely an average distraction.“
Warhammer 40K: Space Marine
81/100: “Fantastic combat and imposing environments make Space Marine a game that fans of the Warhammer 40k franchise will love; third person action enthusiasts should check out.“
The Witcher 2
88/100: “A deep and remarkable sequel with an abundance of choices and entertaining combat, marred by uneven difficulty and a few unfortunate bugs.“