Although not many games were released yet, 2012 promises to be a generous years for hardcore gamers, some sequels of famous franchises as well as new games being awaited over the next following months. So, we thought that it would be a good idea to put together a list with the coolest and best games we look forward to play this year.
Furthermore, this year will also bring some new hardware for us to play games on, devices like Playstation Vita from Sony or Wii U From Nintendo. However, when building the list below we considered only the games with announced release dates for this year and we avoided games like Grand Theft Auto V game about which we don’t know many details yet.
Also, we made some compromises in what Blizzard Entertainment games are concerned who, although they were promised for 2012, they might suffer some delays. This being said, let’s take a look at some of the most awaited video games this year.
ALAN WAKE
(Remedy Entertainment)
Platform: PC
We have started to notice that exclusive Xbox 360 video games are also released, sooner or later, for the PC platform. Alan Wake follows this trend, and the PC version of the game is expected to be released next week, being distributed through Steam, Origin, or even retail thanks to Nordic Games. Yet, regardless of the distribution platform, Alan Wake for PC is a SteamWorks game and will need the Valve client in order to be played.
Besides some graphic improvements, Alan Wake for PC will also come with the two DLC packages released for Xbox 360: The Signal and The Writer. Alan Wake is going to be released for PC on February 16, 2012.
MASS EFFECT 3
(BioWare/Electronic Arts)
PC/Xbox 360/PS3
There is no doubt: we want to find out how the story of Commander Shepard ends, we want to know if Earth is free of the threat of the ruthless Reapers. We want to play Mass Effect 3!
Also, for the first time in the history of Mass Effect, players will be able to embark in co-op multilpayer missions that will unlock additional content for the single player Mass Effect 3 campaign. Another premiere is the fact that the Xbox 360 version of teh game will accept vocal commands through the Kinect sensor.
Just like the Mass Effect 2 game, the new version of the game allows you to import the character you created in previous games. Also, in case you opt for the PC version of the Mass Effect 3 game, you should know that you will need to install the Origin client, as well as a valid account for activating the game. Console versions of the game will use a online pass for activating the online section of the Mass Effect 3 game.
TEST DRIVE: FERRARI
(Bigben Interactive/Slightly Mad Studios)
PC/Xbox 360/PS3
Even without a Need For Speed game announced, yet, for 2012, it was not hard to find an alternative, an alternative from a former NFS developer. We are talking about Slightly Mad Studios, the studio behind Shift, which is now working on Test Drive: Ferrari.
As the name suggests, the new Test Drive: Ferrari wants to be a lesson of interactive history in what Ferrari is all about. Players will get the opportunity of driving legendary Ferrari cars from different ages, starting from the beginning of the brand until the present, on famous circuits from all over the world.
So, get ready to race on your PC or gaming console. Test Drive Ferrari will be released in March of 2012.
MAX PAYNE 3
(Rockstar Games)
PC/Xbox 360/PS3
After the release of the Max Payne 2 : The Fall Of Max Payne game in 2003 , the life of former NYPD Detective changed a lot. The detective left the NYPD and started a new life in South America, where he became the bodyguard of an important business man.
When his life is threatened, Max Payne decides to start doing what he does best: using tens of weapons to kill hundreds of enemies, helping himself with the immortal Bullet Time ( slow motion ). However, many periods of the life of Max Payne will be approached in this new version of the game, and as a first gamers will also get a multiplayer module.
RockStar Games will release Max Payne 3 game in May of 2012 for Xbox 360 and Playstation 3, the PC version of the game being released a bit later on.
DiRT: SHOWDOWN
(Codemasters)
PC/Xbox 360/PS3
The main objective of Codermasters regarding the DiRT Showdown game was toe expand the arcade side from the most recent titles of the franchise, highlighted in DiRT 3.
In Showdown we are no longer going to race from point A to point B, and the focus will be on executing dangerous maneuvers, destroying other opponents or closed circuit races.
The DiRT Showdown game will be released in May of 2012 for PC, Xbox 360 and Playstation 3.
DARKSIDERS II
(Vigil Games/THQ)
PC/Xbox 360/PS3/Wii U
The first Darksiders game was one of the most pleasant surprises of year 2010, the story developed by Vigil Games focusing on War, one of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse, who had to prove his innocence in front of the Council that ensures the balance between Heaven and Hell.
The Darksiders II game will take the formula of it’s predecessor, however with some gameplay improvements.
This time, we are going to play Death, another horseman of the Apocalypse, the events of Darksiders II taking place in parallel with the story of the first game of the franchise.
Darksiders II game will be released at the beginning of the summer for Xbox 360, Playstation 3, PC, and a version of for the new Nintendo Wii U is also expected to arrive.
RESIDENT EVIL 6
(Capcom)
PC/Xbox 360/PS3
One of the most important announcements at the beginning of 2012 was about the Resident Evil 6 game, which, according to Capcom, will try to combine the horror and action genres.
The leading characters of the game will be Leon S. Kennedy and Chris Redfield who will have to face armies of zombies, creatures infected with Las Plagas or other mutations caused by the G-Virus. The co-op mode of R.E. 5 will be kept and there are rumors according to which Resident Evil 6 will benefit from a co-op online module that will support up to six players.
Resident Evil 6 will be released on November 20 for Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and a PC version will be released later.
DIABLO III
(Blizzard Entertainment)
PC
If we were to create a top of the most awaited games in 2012, then probably Diablo III would be right up there in front of the other games. Unfortunately, just like other Blizzard games, Diablo III was delayed again and again and again.
The game continues the Sanctuary story, after the disappearance of the there supreme daemons: Diablo, Mephisto and Baal. The action starts in New Tristram, a city built near the ruins of the village where the events of the first version of the game took place. And when a comet crashes on the city monastery, things start to become familiar again.
According to the newest rumors, Diablo III Game will be released in the second trimester of the year, somewhere between April – June 2012.
STARCRAFT II: HEART OF THE SWARM
(Blizzard Entertainment)
PC
Heart of the Swarm is the second episode of the StarCraft II trilogy, the story continuing the events from Wings Of Liberty. The action takes place two years later, and the action now focuses on Sarah Kerrigan and her attempt to regain control over the Zerg race.
The multiplayer mode of the game will also be improved, and new units are being created for StarCraft II: Heart Of The Swarm.
Just like the Diablo III, the newest financial report issued by Activision – Blizzard confirms the fact that Blizzard intends to release the StarCraft II: Heart Of The Swarm game sometime in 2012.
BIOSHOCK INFINITE
(Irrational Games/2K Games)
PC/Xbox 360/PS3
After you had the chance of exploring the Rapture underwater city in the first two titles of the game, Bioshock Infinite moves the action in Columbia, a suspended city, built in the sky, a symbol of American values.
From a narrative point of view, the new Bioshock Infinite does not have anything common with the two games, the main hero being Booker DeWitt, a former Pinkerton agent. The action takes place in 1912, DeWitt being sent in Columbia to free Elizabeth, a girl with extraordinary powers. Over the course of the game, these powers will be used to travel between dimensions and to transport objects from one dimension into another.
BioShock Infinite will be released this year for Xbox 360, PC and Playstation 3.