Top 5 Games of 2012

2012 has been a mixed year for gaming. While it saw the release of some great games, as well as an entire new console, a lot of games got pushed to 2013, and it also becomes clear we’re approaching the end of a generation. Many of the big releases were sequels, not many new franchises. But, there still was a lot of fun to be had. Here is the top 5 games we enjoyed the most:

There are three conditions for games to be able to appear in this list: the game must have been released in 2012 in Europe, and we must have played it enough in that same year to be able to give an appreciation of it. Also, we’re not counting rereleases, so that excludes games like Metal Gear Solid Snake Eater 3D and the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection.

Same old, never gets old. The first new Mario game to be released alongside a console since 1996, and the first Mario game in HD. Of course, level design is great as always, and the squirrel suit is a nice addition. Co-op yet again works great and is the perfect blend between chaos, cooperation and comical companionship.

A great new world, a compelling story and plenty of new additions can keep you playing for months. Too bad about the lack of polish and large amount of glitches though. Also, sometimes there’s so much going on on the screen, and the game suffers from a lack of adequate communication. Some necessary information is displayed on the screen constantly, while other, less logical elements aren’t explained at all. But, with its great atmosphere, amazingly detailed setting and fun story line, this is still one of the most impressive games of 2012.

Despite the bad ending (haven’t seen the expanded version yet), this is still the best game in the trilogy. The sense of looming danger, of a whole universe that is uniting to stand against the greatest threat of all time, the addictive leveling system, the interesting lore, and the fantastic music, this is a game I won’t soon forget.

The sleeper hit of the year. A Japanese Gears of War clone, but one with its own identity. The story is surprisingly interesting, and the script is genuinely funny. The trust system is refreshing as well, although voice commands don’t work too great (a good thing you can just use buttons).

The first Mario Tennis game we played, so we didn’t know wether we’d like it. But we did. The game is very addicting and keeps you busy for a long time, with plenty of unlockables and medals to obtain. Can be frustrating at times though.

Honorable mentions: Kid Icarus Uprising, Resident Evil Revelations, Nintendo Land, Final Fantasy XIII-2

Not played yet: Soulcalibur V, The Darkness 2, Lumines Electronic Symphony, Twisted Metal, Uncharted: Golden Abyss, Asura’s Wrath, Wipeout 2048, SSX, Journey, Ninja Gaiden 3, Max Payne 3, Resistance: Burning Skies, Lollipop Chainsaw, Spec Ops: The Line, Darksiders II, The Last Story, Sleeping Dogs, New Super Mario Bros 2, Dead or Alive 5, Resident Evil 6, Dishonored, Zero Escape: Virtue’s Last Reward, Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask, Assassin’s Creed III Liberation, Paper Mario Sticker Star, Call of Duty Black Ops II, Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault