The lights are on
As is usually the case, many of the year's biggest titles were first-person shooters. Despite this, 2012 also saw the release of several fantastic games that fit more snugly under the action umbrella. Read on to discover Game Informer's picks for our favorite action experiences of the year.
Best Story: Dishonored
Dishonored begins with a bang, with the protagonist being framed for the assassination of an empress and tossed into prison. Stepping into the shoes of the nimble Corvo Attano, gamers were tasked with taking out several high-ranking officials of Dunwall with the help of an underground resistance group. It's a classic revenge story, and each kill on your way to those responsible had an impact on the player and Corvo's quest for justice.
Best Graphics: Journey
In a year filled with the ultra-realistic visual style of Call of Duty: Black Ops II, Assassin's Creed III, and Far Cry 3, it's a breath of fresh air to see Journey's gorgeous world. Its sand-filled world may be sparsely populated, but every inch of it is vivid and beautiful. If you've played the game, you no doubt remember the breathtaking visual of the sun reflecting off the sand as you slide down a massive hill.
Best Multiplayer: Assassin's Creed III
Ever since multiplayer was introduced to the series in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, fans have loved the ability to sneak up on unsuspecting opponents. With Ubisoft's newest blockbuster, a new cooperative Wolfpack mode was introduced, as well as the team-based Domination mode. Third-person action games aren't usually the source of many great multiplayer experiences, but the Assassin's Creed series has bucked the trend once again.
Email the author Dan Ryckert, or follow on Twitter, Google+, Facebook, and Game Informer.
These are some great picks. I loved Dishonored and Journey.
Shouldn't Journey be on an Adventure list, not an Action list?
good thing dishonored is currently sale on steam. so... might try it
While I think Dishonored receives most interesting locale, its story is not very interesting (unless we consider all the side content that really flourishes the city of Dunwall). Out of what I consider to be the better action/adventure games for the year, on a pure story level, Asura's Wrath was far more interesting (albeit, very confusing). But then again, I am a sucker for modern interpretations of asian lore.
How is Journey classified as an action game?
not a big fan of asura and journey.
asura is not a game, it is an interactive manga. what a waste of gaming possibilities. oh and that boss as big he was, was no where close to the size of the milk way
Asura's Wrath is so *** good. Dishonored is great too, though.
No love for Sleeping Dogs? T_T
It's great to see Dishonored get the props it deserves. It's been a long.. long.. long time since a stealth game of this caliber has popped up on the radar. With such a phenomenal debut, I can't wait to see what they polish up for next one; provided they hold on to this gem. I don't see how people could walk into something new like Dishonored, and walk away anything but impressed. I do however understand peoples mediocre experience. It takes a fair amount of patience to find stealth games enjoyable. If you played it as a head on lay waste to the enemy game, which you certainly can, any mode outside of the highest difficulty probably wasn't that challenging.
Dishonored effin' kills it - bravo for you guys for recognizing it over the samey, over-produced, easy mainstream choice (Assassin's Creed).
That being said, I completely disagree that Journey is here. No offense - it's a great game should be recognized too. But it's subtle where action is not. It's atmospheric, it's inventive, and there's not conflict. They replace all that with mystery and exploration. I'm sure it's a weird one to stuff into a genre, but it doesn't go here, right? Action is for Transformers: Fall of Cybertron, Lollipop Chainsaw, Darksiders 2, etc. Right?
Still great games, so I'm not peeved too much. I'm just confused.
Dragon's Dogma takes my action/adventure GOTY. I loved every second of that game. It was simply amazing.
Assassin's Creed III is definitely the best!
I completely agree with Dishonored taking those categories! I have yet to complete the game (playing through now actually) but the game is such a classically unique experience while bringing an array of action to boot! Man what a game! I was looking forward to it since I first learned about it and to simply sum it up, it does not disappoint!
Sigh...reading this makes me wanna play journey again..
Absolutely signed!