We’re halfway through 2012 and there have been a ton of games released in the last six months. These are the best
Final Fantasy XIII-2
- Release Date – January 31, 2012
- Developer – Square-Enix, tri-Ace
- Publisher – Square-Enix
- Metacritic Score – 79/100
What is Final Fantasy XIII-2 about?
Three years after the events in Final Fantasy XIII, Lightning has gone missing, and Snow is nowhere to be found. In a rebuilding world, Serah notices that something is amiss. After a fortuitous encounter with a mysterious man named Noel, the two set off to find Lightning.
What did critics have to say about it?
Ryan Clements of IGN says: Final Fantasy XIII-2 proves itself the better game, but it lacks the same focused storytelling employed in the original. It benefits from an improved battle system, open environments, and an overall level of polish that deserves a nod of respect.
Kevin VanOrd of Gamespot says: Just remember to keep your expectations in check: Final Fantasy XIII-2 isn’t a timeless adventure in the grand tradition of the beloved series. But if you’re curious to see the next stage in this ongoing tale, there’s no reason you shouldn’t chase after Lightning. After all, she can’t defeat Caius without you.
Joe Juba of GameInformer says: Progression is player-driven, combat is even more entertaining, and an array of other adjustments makes it one of my favorite RPGs from a mechanical perspective. I just want all of that integrated with a story that isn’t laughable and borderline insulting, and that’s where Final Fantasy XIII-2 falters.
Where can you buy this?
SoulCalibur V
- Release Date – January 31, 2012
- Developer – Project Soul
- Publisher – Namco Bandai Games
- Metacritic Score – 81/100
What is SoulCalibur V about?
SoulCalibur picks up 17 years after the events of SoulCalibur IV with new heroes and returning warriors clashing in an epic showdown between good and evil. The tale of Patroklos, son of Sophitia Alexandra, unfolds as his family’s destiny intertwines with the Soul swords.
What did critics say about it?
Stephen Lambrechts of IGN says: Soulcalibur V is at its absolute best with friends, when it’s testing your skill, reaction times and trash talking ability. The combat is still great and the graphics are still beautiful. Outside of that, it’s a slight disappointment, as this is the weakest single player experience in the series yet. The game just never attempts to give us something we haven’t seen before.
Maxwell McGee of Gamespot says: Fans looking to relive the experience of SoulCalibur’s early entries may be irked by this game’s new additions. But once the steep learning curve is surmounted, you will find a fresh-yet-familiar fighting system that’s fun to explore.
Adam Biessener of GameInformer says: Soulcalibur V is the next-gen Soulcalibur that I’ve been wanting as a fan for years. At the same time, it’s nothing if not more Soulcalibur. Now if Namco Bandai would release a DLC pack with the full Soul Calibur II roster, I could finally retire that disc.
Where can you buy this?
The Darkness II
- Release Date – February 7, 2012
- Developer – Digital Extremes
- Publisher – 2K Games
- Metacritic Score – 79/100
What is The Darkness II about?
The Darkness II continues the story of Jackie Estacado, head of a New York crime family and wielder of an ancient and brutal force of chaos and destruction known as the Darkness.
What did critics say about it?
Anthony Gallegos of IGN says: The combat in The Darkness II is vastly superior to that of its predecessor, but the story takes time to warm up.
Kevin VanOrd of Gamespot says: Levels are linear and predictable, focused on ushering you from one straightforward encounter to another so that you can go crazy with those deranged arms of yours. If you are a fan of the original game, bear this in mind: The Darkness II is a fun, very short FPS without the authentic atmosphere and subtle touches that made its predecessor so intriguing. Still, if you’ve got a lust for virtual blood, The Darkness II leaks enough of it to satiate you.
Andrew Reiner of GameInformer says: More of a rebirth for the series than the sequel it’s trying to be. The action is mindless and fevered, and Jackie has transformed from a vengeful protagonist into someone who probably listens to “Dream Weaver” as he cries himself to sleep. I found it to be an interesting journey.
Where can you buy this?
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning
- Release Date – February 7, 2012
- Developer – 38 Studios, Big Huge Games
- Publisher – Electronic Arts
- Metacritic Score – 81/100
What is Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning about?
Your body was left to rot in a pile of corpses, another failed experiment. But you are alive. Unbound by the chains of Fate, you are free to choose your Destiny. And with the Faelands enveloped in the Crystal War, your power will not go unnoticed—by friend or foe.
What did critics say about it?
Colin Moriarty of IGN says: No matter what you’re looking for, whether it be amazing gameplay, immersive storytelling or perhaps a riveting new world to explore as you fully customize and re-customize your character at will, Reckoning has it all.
Kevin VanOrd of Gamespot says: Kingdoms of Amalur’s combat and character advancement are fantastic enough to overshadow how bland everything else is.
Phil Kollar of GameInformer says: Despite its problems, Reckoning is a good game with a lot of stuff worth checking out. But even with all of the talent backing it, it’s just on the edge of being something much greater than it is. For a game that’s all about breaking out of the confines of fate, it’s a shame that so much of the content feels stuck within such narrow conventions.
Where can you buy this?
Mass Effect 3
- Release Date – March 6, 2012
- Developer – Bioware
- Publisher – Electronic Arts
- Metacrtic Score – 93/100
What is Mass Effect 3 about?
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. You, as Commander Shepard, must lead the counter assault to take it back. Only you can determine how events will play out, which planets you will save from annihilation and which alliances you will form or abandon as you rally the forces of the galaxy to eliminate the Reaper threat once and for all.
What did the critics have to say?
Colin Moriarty of IGN says: An absolutely amazing game, one that successfully puts a bow on the Mass Effect trilogy while still leaving us hungry for even more. It looks and plays great, but Mass Effect 3′s true strength lies in its ability to tell a deeply-woven story.
Kevin VanOrd of Gamespot says: A remarkably satisfying conclusion to a beloved trilogy, and a poignant and memorable role-playing action game in its own right.
Andrew Reiner of GameInformer says: As bleak as this story is, it’s offset by war sequences so large in scale and beautifully animated that you cannot help but look upon them in awe.
Where can you buy this?
Street Fighter X Tekken
- Release Date – March 6, 2012
- Developer – Capcom
- Publisher – Capcom
- Metacritic Score – 84/100
What is Street Fighter X Tekken about?
Tekken characters such as Kazuya Mishima and Nina Williams will make the transition into the Street Fighter universe having been re-imagined using the much loved art style of these seminal titles; while retaining their unique characteristics and signature moves as they go head to head with classic brawlers from the Street Fighter franchise in what promises to be the ultimate match up.
What did the critics say about it?
Steven Hopper of IGN says: The fast pace of the combat and fluidity of the tag mechanics truly bring Street Fighter X Tekken to the top of the fighting game heap…A fantastic fighting game that nails the basic fighting mechanics while daring to take a few risks with the formula as we know it; the pressure is on Namco Bandai to deliver something better with Tekken X Street Fighter.
Maxwell McGee of Gamespot says: Street Fighter X Tekken is fun for a wide range of players while still offering the complexity serious fighting fans have come to expect.
Jeff Cork of GameInformer says: If you’re a casual player looking for some throwaway fighting fun, this isn’t for you-especially if you like playing online against strangers. On the other hand, moderate to hardcore players are going to find a lot to absorb in Street Fighter X Tekken, and players with patience will be rewarded for it.
Where can you buy this?
Journey
- Release Date – March 13, 2012
- Developer – thatgamecompany
- Publisher – Sony Computer Entertainment
- Metacritic Score – 92/100
What is Journey about?
An exotic adventure with a more serious tone, Journey presents TGC’s unique vision of an online adventure experience. Awakening in an unknown world, the player walks, glides, and flies through a vast and awe-inspiring landscape, while discovering the history of an ancient, mysterious civilization along the way.
What did critics say about it?
Ryan Clements of IGN says: Journey celebrates the poignancy of nature, it startles you with the unexpected, and empowers you in an exhilarating, unforgettable conclusion…The hours spent completing Journey will create memories that last for years.
Jane Douglas of Gamespot says: By the alchemy of developer thatgamecompany’s skill and vision, it is also unique, exciting, mysterious, and utterly lovely, with mesmerising landscapes and stirring music. It deploys more ‘gamey’ elements than any of the developer’s works before it, and does so successfully, while maintaining the feel of an evocative, interactive art piece.
Matt Miller of GameInformer says: Journey is a visual stunner thanks to some remarkable sand movement technology and excellent animation work, both on the main character and the strange creatures encountered along the way. For a game all about dry, harsh deserts, the way things move in the world make everything feel much more like a vast ocean. The graphical beauty is accompanied by an equally breathtaking musical score, which responds to character actions and changes in location with ease.
Where can you buy this?
The PlayStation Network
Starhawk
- Release Date – May 8, 2012
- Developer – Lightbox Interactive
- Publisher – Sony Computer Entertainment
- Metacritic Score – 78/100
What is Starhawk about?
Starhawk puts the player in the boots of Emmett Graves a hired gunslinger ostracised from society due to his own exposure to Rift Energy, leaving him partially mutated, but still able to retain his humanity. Taking on the powerful role of Graves the player will be drawn back to his home settlement of White Sands on the planet Dust to face a mysterious outlaw and his band of Outcast warriors to only find out that this assignment may mean more to him than he could ever imagine. He will soon find out that his family is involved in the clash between the Outcast and the Rifters and therefore must decide between those close to him and those he swore to protect.
What did critics say about it?
Mitch Dyer of IGN says: This is multiplayer at its finest, and it’s among the best you’ll find on any platform.
Chris Watters of Gamespot says: Figuring out these tactics and tricks makes Starhawk a lot of fun to play, but it’s a shame that the transitions between modes are so rocky. Learning harsh lessons and recalibrating your approach isn’t a pleasant process, but it’s well worth pushing through. These online battlefields are unlike any others.
Simply G of GamerXChange says: While Starhawk does not have the best campaign mode, it deserves loads of praise for this innovative gameplay, pure fun, and high-flying, non-stop action and build and battle system that surprisingly doesn’t bring the game down, yet enhances the experience. Starhawk borrows elements from varying gaming genres and owns them in a spectacular way.
Where can you buy this?
Max Payne 3
- Release Date – May 15, 2012
- Developer – Rockstar Vancouver
- Publisher – Rockstar Games
- Metacritic Score – 87/100
What is Max Payne 3 about?
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.
What did the critics say about it?
Daniel Krupa of IGN says: The gameplay is simple yet satisfying, but it’s entirely in the service of a strongly-authored narrative. Players aren’t at the liberty to roam, to explore, or to shake things up. Some might find this too controlling, but in return for your freedom, you’re rewarded with a mature genre piece which is also a finely-realised character study.
Carolyn Petit of Gamespot says: With savage gunplay and an absorbing personal story, Max Payne 3 is an exhilarating shooter that grabs hold of you and doesn’t let go.
Andrew Reiner of GameInformer says: As much as Max Payne 3 is a fascinating portrait of a man, it tells a great, action-packed story that runs in-stride with Max’s inner turmoil.
Where can you buy this?
Don’t agree with our list? Did we leave one of your favorite games off? Hate our guts? Leave a comment and tell us what you think below!
You can check out the worst games of 2012 here.
Editor’s Note: iGo Gaming is a PlayStation-centric video game website. Don’t expect any Nintendo 3DS, Xbox 360, Wii or any other games not on PS3 and PS Vita on this list.
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