Jump to content

My 2012 GOTY list


LiQuid BioniX

Recommended Posts

 

 

2393132-game_of_the_year_logo_super.jpg

I enjoy all game platforms, but my primary one (by far) is the Xbox 360, and it's the only platform that I feel I am (somewhat) qualified to create a Game of the Year list for, and that's what's down below. I just want to preface this by saying that these are my opinions and based on my personal enjoyment that I get from these games, also, these are only games released on Xbox 360 (and XBLA) in 2012, hence the name. That being said, let's rock.

 

10. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive2393143-2302957-i2cs9uzmq4yua_box_art_super.jpg

 

When I knew that CS: GO was coming out this year, I pretty much peed my pants. This was one of the first real competitive online shooters I played as a kid, and I loved it, so much so that I think it's the reason why I have such an affinity for first person shooters and competitive online play. I know that few people think that this would deserve a mention on a Game of the Year list, but I have had a ton of fun playing this game. It's probably a ton of nostalgia towards Counter-Strike: Source, but even still, I gave it the last position on the list, not because of some fantastical story telling or player-made choices, but because this game brings out the little kid in me, as strange as that sounds.

9. Mark of the Ninja 2393148-Mark-of-the-Ninja-222x300_super.jpg

 

 

 

 

So I hadn't planned on picking this game up until hearing my friends rave about it, and seeing it on lots of Game of the Year lists around GiantBomb. Let's just say that I'm very glad that I did. I played through the game in two sittings, and enjoyed every second (except for a few very frustrating gameplay moments). It offers a new, fresh take on stealth, and revived the genre for me a little bit. I wish that I had more time to play through it before making this post, but from what I've played, it's definitely top ten worthy.

8. Dust: An Elysian Tail 2393157-screenlg6_22990.sgsb_super.jpg

This game is unique, and I think that's why I love it so much. The art style isn't what I usually enjoy, but in this case, I'm in love with it. All in all, the game isn't my typical style of game, but I'm glad that I deviated from the path a little bit, because I was pleasantly surprised when I played it. It's also got a great story behind the game! Dean Dodrill had previously thought that the game would take him three or four months, but instead it took him about three years! Sounds a little bit like the story of Miasmata!

7. XCOM: Enemy Unknown 2393185-xcom_super.jpg

Let me start by saying that the strategy games I play are Starcraft II and Age of Empires, so XCOM: Enemy Unknown came to me as not only a different experience, but a new learning curve. This game struck me as similar to Civilization Revolution, which I had heard many people talk about but I had never actually played. Needless to say, after Brad's consisted persistence on the Bombcast, I picket up XCOM and I was in it immediately.

6. Sleeping Dogs2393183-sleeping_dogs_super.jpg

Oh look, a Grand Theft Auto rip off. At least that's what I had thought before I put this in my 360. Boy was I wrong (again). As many of you know, this game resembles the GTA series, but only by virtue of the fact of it being an open world action-adventure game, though while playing this game, I was reminded of many of the great memories I had while playing Grand Theft Auto. Sleeping Dogs does a great job of making it it's own game, and it's a road that I hope is continued in the future by Square Enix.

5. Borderlands 22393180-borderlands_2_super.jpg

After finishing the first Borderlands game, I was conflicted. On one hand, I really wanted to play the next Borderlands game that second. On the other hand, if I had to hear Claptrap say "Hey, I'm dancin'" one more time, I was going to punch a hole through the wall. Luckily, Borderlands 2 is a great game that makes me remember why I love the looting and the different guns of Borderlands, and I realized immediately why this game was going to land a spot fairly high on my Game of the Year list. I'm a huge fan of the cell shading art style, and I don't think any other game can quite pull it off like Borderlands does.

4. Halo 4 2393182-halo_4_super.jpg

 

What a game this is. It's a testament to the quality of games that have come out in 2012 that Halo 4 is number four on this list and not higher. Halo 4 is 343 Industries' first full fledged game release, and they really knocked it out of the park, whether it comes to the slick matchmaking that we have all come to know and love from the Halo series, the epic soundtrack which I had to immediately purchase, or the fantastic graphics. I didn't know that the 360 could support a game that looked this good. It's one of the many things that keeps drawing me to play Halo 4. Well, that and the fact that Cortana's a model now. It's a Halo game, folks, but a great one at that.

3. Asura's Wrath 2393179-asura_s_wrath_super.jpg

This has to be the uniquest game on this list that I played this year. Take your pick. Is it the crazy anime style, the massive bossfights, or the quick time events that grab your fancy? All of them? Me too. I'm not an anime guy, not by a long shot, but everyone kept saying just how fantastic this game was, and I had to see for myself. It's such a unique experience (especially for me) to be, instead of looking down a sniper scope, mashing the A and B buttons and still be having a blast. I've always seen the quicktime events of games to be kind of a cop-out, but not in Asura's Wrath. Good thing too... that's what the majority of the game is, and the fact that it held my attention should tell you that it's a game that I really enjoyed. My favorite aspect of the game isn't one particular section - it's the fact that Asura's Wrath actually combines tons of genres of games into one great experience.

2. The Walking Dead 2393184-the_walking_dead_video_game_super.png

I was really debating about whether this game should be on this list, because I almost don't consider this an actual video game. My favorite parts of the game are when you have an important decision to make, and you're running out of time to make it. Oh right, that's the whole game. My controller has never had quite that much sweat on it. The way that The Walking Dead implements player choice is unprecedented, and I think that it has forever influenced the way games will tell stories.

1. Far Cry 3 2393181-far_cry_3_super.jpg

I know that many people won't consider this to be their number one Game of the Year, but I do, hands down. Where do I even start. When I got thrown in this lush jungle, only to be captured by Vaas, I was in immediately. I'm all about first person shooters, so I was a bit wary of the open-world element. As it turns out, that's the best part of the game! Every time I have an encounter with a stronghold, I want to jump up and tell my friends about it. I can't tell you how crazy fun it was to lure an entire stronghold over to a group of Cassowary's who tore the pirates apart while I sat in a bush, laughing gleefully. Everything in this game grabs my attention and keeps it for hours on end. The shooting feels very good, the crafting keeps me doing many different hunting missions, and the stealth aspect of the game is what makes every encounter with pirates that much more intense. I have to say, the first time that I stalked a group of pirates for a while, I was doing well. "This isn't that hard" is what I thought to myself, only to turn around and have three dogs tear me up. That was the moment I knew that this game was for me, and I haven't stopped playing it since.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think we both know what i would pick for game of the year lol

 

But anyways good list man havent played some of these games but i will look into them now

 

If I can suggest anything... make it Mark of the Ninja. I'd say Far Cry 3, but it is a sixty dollar game. Mark of the Ninja is XBLA and it's really, really good.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Glad youve put The Walking Dead on the listm, I'v loved playing that as each episode came out, slightly disappointed in the last episode as it was way too quick. but overall the storyline was brilliant, and you could really get an attachment to the characters, something sadly lacking in most games of today

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would suggest getting ME3 in there as well Assassins Creed III and Dishonored. Those are all amazing games too. Plus Skyrim.

 

As much as I love ME3, the ending really, really sucked. The whole "What's behind door number one?" deal at the end really killed it for me. It wouldn't have been so bad if the build up wasn't years in the making...

 

And, at least in my experience, AC3 was a great game, just not my style.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As much as I love ME3, the ending really, really sucked. The whole "What's behind door number one?" deal at the end really killed it for me. It wouldn't have been so bad if the build up wasn't years in the making...

 

And, at least in my experience, AC3 was a great game, just not my style.

 

See I loved the original ending and the extended cut made it even better. Plus the rest of the single player DLC added to it as well.

 

And in the end what did you really expect? Your given blatent choices with results that are determined through out the entire game (gathering resources...ect). Anybody going into it thinking otherwise kind of jipped themselves...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

See I loved the original ending and the extended cut made it even better. Plus the rest of the single player DLC added to it as well.

 

And in the end what did you really expect? Your given blatent choices with results that are determined through out the entire game (gathering resources...ect). Anybody going into it thinking otherwise kind of jipped themselves...

 

I expected some epic shooting, ships blowing up, soldiers getting mowed down, explosions everywhere, (which we did get), but most importantly I wanted diverse endings, because I picked different choices than other people. The original ending was hashed out the same way basically and the whole god child thing was silly. The ending was ok but I would not consider it a good ME ending, especially for the 3rd one.

Game was overall great, the trilogy was amazing its just the ending did not really hit it. I would put it in top 6.

 

I overall agree with your list Bionix, I am probably going to get Far Cry for christmas or when price drops.

 

XCOM+Civilization Revolution FTW!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am probably going to get Far Cry for christmas or when price drops.

 

 

 

Oh please do. PC or 360? I recommend PC if you've got a solid gaming PC, but it runs reasonably well and is still loads of fun on the Xbox. I'm playing on the Xbox and I'm not noticing anything bad about it at all as of yet.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...