AQWBlaZer91's Top 10 Countdown:

The Top 10 Most Anticipated Games of 2012

With the Nintendo 3DS already on shelves from last year we get words from announcements of Nintendo's new Wii U console and also with big announcements of impressive games that we've seen impressive trailers of as well as games that we have heard from last but got themselves delayed or canceled like poor Megaman Legends 3. This countdown decides the following 10 games that we hope will impress, innovate and kick 2012 with a huge bang. Which games are your biggest purchases for 2012? Check them out in this Countdown for the Top 10 Most Anticipated Games of 2012.

10: Twisted Metal
Platform: PlayStation 3
Developer: Eat Sleep Play
Release Date: February 14th 2012

The PlayStation exclusive car chaos driving game is finally getting a reboot from the days when it moved on to the PS2. It shown a live action trailer with footage showcasing early stages of the game which set piece of the post apocalyptic wasteland. There wasn't much Gameplay reviled but if you played any of those games in the past then we can expect the impressive car destruction that fans missed for quite a while.

9: BioShock: Infinite
Platform: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Developer: Irrational Games
Release Date: 2012

BioShock Infinite is not a direct sequel or a prequel to the previous BioShock games, instead taking place in an earlier period and different setting, though it features similar gameplay concepts and themes. You control a former Pinkerton agent, Booker DeWitt, as he attempts to rescue a woman named Elizabeth trapped aboard the collapsing air-city Columbia in 1912. The game in expected to have better graphics, plenty of open spaces for the player and also the game will capture the aspect of Bioshock.

8: Max Payne 3
Platform: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Developer: Rockstar
Release Date: March 2012

One of the top Third Person Shooters that showcased Bullet Time mechanics just like the Matrix movies now gets a nice reboot. Max Payne 3 will feature the over-the-shoulder zoom aiming and cover mechanics. However, these will just serve as garnish to the game's run-and-gun shooting. Max Payne 3 makes return of bullet-time in action sequences, which the franchise is notable for. A "Last Man Standing" mechanic, which gives Max a reprieve from death for a small period if he's got one painkiller on him. Max Payne 3 retains the shoot-dodge mechanic from the previous games. Max will also be able to stay grounded after a dive, which enables him to shoot 360 degrees around. Rockstar has blended physics and animation, so that when Max dives around, he does so appropriately according to his surroundings. Through advanced utilization of the Euphoria physics engine, shooting and killing enemies in Max Payne 3 will look noticeably more realistic than in any preceding Rockstar games as well. New to the series are cinematic action movements, essentially interactive cut-scenes. The game's online Multiplayer features maps and modes that dynamically change within a match, as well as reward, ranking and clan systems. It's good to see that Max Payne can still be known as " The Payne to the Max".

7: Street Fighter X Tekken
Platform: PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows
Developer: Capcom
Release Date: NA March 6th 2012, EU March 9th 2012

Capcom has had plenty of Showdowns with their rivals in Marvel but now Capcom and Bandai Namco bring out their bestThe game will feature characters from both the Street Fighter franchise and Namco's Tekken series. As the game is being made by Capcom, with Namco being involved more in the licensing of the Tekken cast, the Gameplay will be based on the 2D Gameplay of Street Fighter as opposed to the Tekken series, and will feature projectile moves such as the Hadouken. Being developed by Capcom, the core Gameplay is similar to that of the Street Fighter series, incorporating elements such as Super Combos, as well as EX Attacks from Street Fighter IV. Players each choose two fighters from the Street Fighter and Tekken series, both sets of characters are controlled using Street Fighters 6-button system, however it has been revealed that the Tekken characters will be able to perform Tekken combos using the primary four buttons in a similar fashion to the Tekken 4-button system. These fighters can be switched out normally, or during certain combos. As fights go on, players build up power in a three sectioned meter at the bottom of the screen referred to as the "Cross Gauge", which allow the player to perform various techniques depending on how much of the gauge is filled, such as EX Attacks, Cancels, Super Arts and various Cross techniques. Will this be the crossover we'll get to enjoy between the 2 competitive fighting game companies? Find out soon when this game is released.

6: Resident Evil Revelations
Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Developer: Capcom
Release Date: JP January 26th 2012, EU January 27th 2012, NA February 7th 2012, AU TBA 2012

The true succesor to one of the greatest games ever made on the Gamecube RE4 makes it's launch on the 3DS. Revelations will see a return to the survival horror Gameplay of earlier series installments, with returning elements such as a limited supply of ammunition, and more emphasis on exploration and puzzle solving. As in Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil 5, the game's camera keeps an over-the-shoulder view from behind the playable character. The player may move the protagonist while aiming a weapon, and has the option to switch between a first-person and third-person perspective. A new item, the supply scanner, detects items hidden throughout the game's environments. We did get a chance to play the impressive demo and so far we're not disappointed one bit to see where the full release will go. The game will also support the upcoming Circle Pad Expansion peripheral.

5: Tales of Graces F
Platform: PS3
Developer: Bandai Namco Games
Release Date: NA March 13th 2012, EU Summer 2012

We've seen the recent English trailer which reveals plenty of familiar yet fresh new battle mechanics and the storyline told in this newest installment of the Tales series, Tales of Graces F is finally ready for it's launch into the west in March for America and sometime in Summer for Europe. As Asbel Lhant a boy responsible for his actions in failing to protect his dearest friends, he decides to enlist himself in a Knight's Academy within the capital in order to gain the power to protect others. The term F in the title stands for Future as it showcases the events following 6 months after playing the events of the main storyline. It's been over 3 years since it's launch as a Japan oly Wii game but fans should be excited that the Tales Series is finally answering to the English fans that want the games so badly. Square Enix should learn a thing or two from this installment with their terrible Final Fantasy installments.

4: Tomb Raider
Platform: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Developer: Crystal Dynamics
Release Date: Q3 2012

Lara Croft is back for a reboot of the Tomb Raider series. 21 year old Lara Croft journeys to an island off the coast of Japan. Before anchoring at bay, the ship is cleaved in two by an unforeseen storm leaving Lara separated from any other survivors and washed ashore. She must endure physical and emotional torture in order to survive the island. The game begins with Lara devoid of any weapons, tools or essentials such as food and water, which you must search for in order to survive. Sections of the island are restricted until Lara is able to perform specific physical abilities achieved via a "skill system", or obtained the necessary equipment to advance. At frequent base camps throughout the world, you can combine pick-ups to create new items, improve Lara's abilities and/or fast travel to previously discovered base camps to avoid copious amounts of backtracking. There is a "much larger emphasis" on combat, as instead of using a lock-on aiming system akin to previous Tomb Raiders this game will employ a manual "free aim" mechanic. The game introduces a "survival instinct" that Lara can use to solve puzzles. It will highlight useful items for use if the player is stuck in solving a puzzle. Some elements of the world crumble when Lara stands on them for too long. The player will also be able to change direction mid-air. Puzzles will be more complex than previous titles, it will use elements of fire, water, wind, and friction. Helping hands and UI will be kept to a minimum, except for indications of burnable objects, health items, and during quick time events. This Tomb Raider game will most likely the reboot of an old franchise with the famous heroine being taken to a much darker tone.

3: XCOM
Platform: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Developer: 2K Marin
Release Date: NA March 6th 2012, EU March 9th 2012, AUS TBA 2012

The critically acclaimed Strategy game title on the PC UFO Enemy Unknown now gets a reboot but it did go through some different decisions. It was thought the game would be a more linear FPS experience in similar Bioshock series, however, more recent info suggests the game should be closer to its original roots than expected, with the only major difference being the setting and viewpoint. 2K Marin assured they would keep elements from the original game, such as squad and base management, free-form non-linear mission progression, and squad-based tactical combat. The game was well praised on the day it was first released on PC's but with the reboot coming much closer to it's original roots we can expect to relive the Best Strategy game as we enjoyed it 18 years ago.

2: Halo 4
Platform: X-Box 360
Developer: 343 Studios
Release Date: Holiday 2012

Master Chief and we thought that the war was over in the original trilogy but now we're wrong, Master Chief's back for the upcoming new Trilogy of the series. 343 Industries continues the story from the ending in Halo 3 Master Chief returns to confront his own destiny and face an ancient evil that threatens the fate of the entire universe. The story of Halo 4 will be focused less on the Halo series' traditional straightforward first person shooter genre, instead relying more on mystery, exploration and discovery. Developers described the game as being grand in scope and scale. Forerunner elements will be featured extensively in the game's environment. Developers also suggested that the game will reveal how humanity and the UNSC have adapted to the galaxy after the end of their war with the Covenant, particularly how they have co-opted Forerunner technology. Unlike the original trilogy, the story has been designed to be part of a three-game arc from the beginning. In addition, developer 343 Industries is aiming for a more complete connectivity between all of their future media than before. We can expect the enjoyable Multiplayer and Single Experiences then what we've seen so far with other games in the series alongside it's competitor Call of Duty.

1: Mass Effect 3
Platform: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Developer: BioWare
Release Date: NA March 6th 2012, AU March 8th 2012 EU March 9th 2012

Mass Effect 3 marks the final chapter in the Mass Effect trilogy of video games, completing the story of Commander Shepard. Gameplay in Mass Effect 3 will be influenced by decisions from Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2 and have settings throughout the galaxy, including Earth and Mars. Combat has been changed and refined; in particular, the cover system has been improved, there will be more options for moving around the battlefield, instant melee kills and more conventional grenades will be introduced as well as improved artificial intelligence. A four player Multiplayer co-op mode will also be available. Mass Effect 3 will follow from the events of the Mass Effect 2 DLC expansion Arrival and follows Commander Shepard's mission to save the galaxy from the Reapers by rallying civilizations of the galaxy together, while also having to deal with Cerberus, who have decided to turn against him. Mass Effect 3 will offer a Multiplayer co-op mode called "Galaxy at War". In the mode, players will be able to play alongside up to three other players in unique missions that can impact the outcome of the single player campaign. The game may have been delayed to this year but we can hope there won't be anymore delays and we hope to finish the trilogy which makes it the Most Anticipated game of 2012.

Written By Anthony Hayball (AQWBlaZer91)

GAME ON!!!!!