The Most Anticipated Games of 2012
Posted on Tuesday, January 10 @ 13:33:35 Eastern by GR_Staff
You may have thought that 2012 might take it easy following 2011's massive release list. You may have thought your wallet would catch a break this year after the exhaustion it suffered at the hands of retail employees last year. You may have--- LISTEN UP! YOU THOUGHT WRONG! Here are 2012's Most Anticipated Games. That is, if the world doesn't end before we get to play them.
The Last of Us
The Last of Us was one of the most exciting titles to be announced at this past Spike TV Video Game awards. And in a time where new IPs are few and far between, it’s a breath of fresh air… or maybe not. The game focuses on a fungus with lethal, mind-controlling spores that has brought humanity as we know it to an end. Naughty Dog is at the helm, so expect a story-driven, cinematic take on a post-apocalyptic world with a heavy focus on character development and the emotional reaction to being faced with seemingly insurmountable adversity. [Release Date: Q4 2012/Q1 2013]
Tomb Raider
Lara Croft is the most recognizable female in video games, but for all of the wrong reasons. This new Tomb Raider drops the large-breasted sex symbol image in favor of a weak, desperate, broken Lara. Throughout the tale, you’ll watch as she goes from helpless to hero, becoming the icon she deserves to be. [Release Date: Q3 2012]
The Last Guardian
It’s a tough call adding The Last Guardian to this list. It was actually on last year’s list but, obviously, never made it to release. It didn’t even show up at any of the year’s industry events. That’s never a good sign. And after hearing about many of the key members of the Team ICO studio parting ways with the project, things look grim. Keeping The Last Guardian on our most anticipated list keeps faith alive, but for how long? [Release Date: Hope?]
Uncharted: Golden Abyss
Uncharted: Golden Abyss is the leader of the pack of PlayStation Vita launch titles due next month. Believe it or not, this dog has more tricks than its PS3 counterpart. It looks the part, too. After playing through the full game, I can say with confidence: Uncharted: Golden Abyss is the first proof that console-quality titles are possible on handheld systems. [Release Date: February 22, 2012]
Street Fighter X Tekken
Either of these two venerable fighting franchises alone demand anticipation. Putting them together is a testosterone-filled overload of kicks, punches, and special moves. Each series plays and feels so different from one another, it’s going to be interesting to see how any sort of balance is struck, without becoming too unfamiliar for fans of either side. [Release Date: March 6, 2012]
Halo 4
Many of the titles on this list speak for themselves, but none more than Halo 4. Aside from the simple fact that this IS Halo, knowing that Bungie is out and 343 Industries is in have expectations running high, but nervously so. They’ve got some big shoes to fill, and we can’t wait to see how they fill them. [Release Date: Holiday 2012]
DmC: Devil May Cry
Reboots seem to be a dime a dozen now, but none have evoked the same amount of emotion from fans as DmC. Although the reaction hasn’t been quite so pleasant for Ninja Theory’s reimagining of emo Dante, they deserve a chance to shine. So cut the shit with the death threats—anything’s got to be better than Devil May Cry 4, right? [Release Date: TBA 2012]
Final Fantasy Versus XIII
Final Fantasy Versus XIII has a seat right next to The Last Guardian as a game we almost feel like we’ll never see. It’s just been too little for too long to have much faith in this game ever seeing the light of day. But then, like a debrillator shock to a cold, flat-lined heart, Yoshinori Kitase brings it up on his own and mentioned that “people will be excited” and gets our blood pumping again. Square Enix is but a former shell of the company it used to be, but anyone who truly considered themselves a Final Fantasy fan at any given time will smile at even the slightest glimmer of hope. Now it’s up to Squeenix Square Enix to deliver on that promise of excitement. That, or hurry up and move on and let the game—and our anticipation—die. [Release Date: TBA 2010]
Bioshock Infinite
With Irrational Games, you know there’s something special being created right before your eyes. Bioshock Infinite’s showing at E3 2011 was particularly chock full of buzzworthy moments where your partner Elizabeth opens up inter-dimensional holes to other worlds and combines her powers with yours to set up electrifying gameplay moments. But the most compelling element of Bioshock Infinite will surely be the story. Let's just hope it makes the date in 2012. [Release Date: TBA 2012]
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I still think that. Compared to 2011, this year is looking pretty shitty.