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The Big Games Of 2012
How do you follow up a year that saw the release of Portal 2, Batman: Arkham City, Deus Ex: Human Revolution, Uncharted 3, and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim? 2011 was one of gaming’s biggest years in recent memory. Let’s take a look at some of the confirmed titles for 2012. Your wallet is going to cry next year, too.
We can't list every game. So tell us what your most anticipated of 2012 is in the comments below.
Final Fantasy XIII-2
Square Enix surprised many when it announced a sequel to Final Fantasy XIII. Taking place three years after the original, players this time will investigate the disappearance of Lightning, the main character from the first title.
Publisher - Square Enix
Developer - Square Enix
Platforms - Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
Release Date - January 31, 2012
Twisted Metal
Sony hopes to inject new life into its aging car-combat franchise with a new take from series creator David Jaffe's new studio, Eat Sleep Play. Originally pegged for release in 2011, Sony shifted the game out of the busy holiday months for a more appropriate Valentine's Day date.
Publisher - Sony Computer Entertainment America
Developer Eat Sleep Play
Platforms - PlayStation 3
Release Date - February 14, 2012
Mass Effect 3
Perhaps the biggest game coming out in the first quarter of the year, Mass Effect 3 will put the icing on the Commander Shepard's trilogy with the Reapers finally invading Earth. BioWare looks to refine the gameplay and combat further in hopes of putting out the best Mass Effect yet.
Publisher - Electronic Arts
Developer - BioWare
Platforms - Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC
Release Date - March 6, 2012
Max Payne 3
The originator of bullet-time is finally coming out. Baring Rockstar Games getting scared, the long-awaited action title is coming this March. The development team in Vancouver is promising a lot and will look to revolutionize action games with the game's impressive animations and physics.
Publisher - Rockstar Games
Developer - Rockstar Vancouver
Platforms - Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC
Release Date - March 2012
Borderlands 2
Gearbox Software hopes to build upon its surprise hit Borderlands from 2009. The team hasn't revealed too much, but players can expect everything that made the original so great, see more wacky weapons, bigger environments, and new characters.
Publisher - 2K Games
Developer - Gearbox Software
Platforms - Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC
Release Date - TBD 2012
Diablo III
Blizzard fans have been waiting forever for the third title in the popular Diablo series. Gamers have already gotten a taste of the game through the beta, however, and job listings point to Diablo III eventually making its way to consoles, but Blizzard has not confirmed the news just yet.
Publisher - Blizzard
Developer - Blizzard
Platforms - PC
Release Date - TBD 2012
(See More 2012 Games)
Darksiders II
Death takes center stage in the sequel to one of the most solid action titles we saw in 2009 with Darksiders. Darksiders II is one of the very few confirmed titles for the Wii U. THQ isn't sure if the game will be a launch title for the system, though.
Publisher - THQ
Developer - Vigiil Games
Platforms - Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, Wii U
Release Date - Summer 2012
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
Fans were shocked to learn that Platinum Games was taking over development of Metal Gear Rising, a spin off title from the Metal Gear Solid series, which was re-unveiled at this past Video Game Awards show. Creator Hideo Kojima and his studio is still overseeing the project in a producer role.
Publisher - Konami
Developer - Platinum Games/Kojima Productions
Platforms - Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC
Release Date - TBD 2012
New Assassin's Creed
Ubisoft confirmed it will release a new Assassin's Creed title in 2012. Whether it will be Assassin's Creed III or some other spinoff title, fans of the series can expect to see another game this holiday.
Publisher - Ubisoft
Developer - Ubisoft
Platforms - Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC
Release Date - TBD 2012
Halo 4
Halo fans will get to see what a Bungie-less game will look like with Halo 4. Microsoft's own internal studio, 343 Industries, took control of the series and has been assembling an all-star team of some of the best game developers in the country. A new trilogy begins this coming holiday.
Publisher - Microsoft Game Studios
Developer - 343 Industries
Platforms - Xbox 360
Release Date - Holiday 2012
BioShock Infinite
Irrational Games wants to create the same shockwaves in 2012 that it did when it released the original BioShock way back in 2007. Featuring an all-new setting and cast of characters, BioShock Infinite looks to take storytelling in games to another level.
Publisher - 2K Games
Developer Irrational Games
Platforms - Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC
Release Date - TBD 2012
Other Notable Releases Confirmed For 2012
Dishonored - Bethesda - Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC
Dragon's Dogma - Capcom - Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
Prey 2 - Bethesda - Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC
Spec Ops: The Line - 2K Games - Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC
South Park: The Game - THQ - Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC
Tomb Raider - Square Enix - Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC
Call of Duty - Activision - Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC
Ninja Gaiden III - Tecmo Koei - Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii U
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