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I'm still inundated with many great games that recently released, but once the holidays roll around I can't help but think about what's in store for gamers next year. With that in mind, here are 15 things I would love to see happen in 2012.
More Skyrim
I'm so immersed in Bethesda's spawning role-playing game that I'm avoiding the main story campaign because I don't want the experience to end. Eventually, Bethesda will announce a substantial expansion pack, which should give me the comfort to charge toward my destiny as Dovahkiin. Until then, it's guild quests and side quests for me.
BioShock Infinite
Among all this talk about social connectivity and online gaming being the future, no scheduled 2012 release has me more excited than a straight up single-player experience. I'm talking about Irrational Games' spiritual sequel to BioShock, one of my favorite games of this generation. I'm curious to see how creator Ken Levine leverages the vitriolic political climate of the floating city Columbia to inform the narrative, and I can't wait to jump on a Skyrail for some rollercoaster gun fights.
An Epic Finale For Mass Effect 3
Mass Effect 2 was one of my favorite games this generation, but I'm a little worried about how BioWare plans to wrap up the fight with the third installment of the trilogy. Pulling off a strong conclusion is crucial to the long-term legacy of this franchise, and I hope the corner cutting that was so apparent in Dragon Age 2 doesn't foretell a downfall for this series.
The Last Guardian
Where the hell is this game? I guess Fumito Ueda has one of those Kazunori Yamauchi development deals where Sony doesn't pressure him to meet deadlines and the game is "done when it's done." Team Ico announced the game at E3 in 2009, but since then it's basically gone dark. Here's hoping it returns to the spotlight soon.
New Battlefield 3 Maps
I'm anxiously looking forward to stepping back into my favorite Battlefield 2 maps with the Back to Karkand expansion pack in December, but I also expect DICE to deliver some new maps sometime early in the new year. If you want to convince your community that you consider the game a service, you can't make them wait six months between map packs.
A Decent Football Game
I couldn't have been more disappointed with Madden NFL 12, a game that promised many long overdue fan-requested features that ultimately fell flat due to poor execution. Is it too much to expect a football game on par with the leading sports franchises like FIFA, NBA 2K, and EA's NHL series? It's time for Madden to stop sucking for Luck and start living up to the quality of the sports league it represents.
A New Direction For Call of Duty
Call of Duty has dominated the shooter market this generation, but it's formula is starting to wear thin. I hope the next installment introduces some new elements to the gameplay that reinvigorate the franchise. I also wouldn't mind more variety in the style of maps they offer in multiplayer. Maybe it's time to re-introduce vehicles to the mix for a few maps like United Offensive had?
Email the author Matt Bertz, or follow on Twitter, Google+, Facebook, and Game Informer.
I can't wait to see the new direction for Call of Duty... Even more so, I would love to see Read Dead Redemption 2, Half Life 3, the new consoles, and an updated XBOX Live.
Last Guardian, ugh I'm sick of the delays. The expectation is unbearable. I want it!!
I want Half-Life 3 and Mirror's Edge 2
I really doubt that this will ever happen, but it would be awesome if (in 2012) a Fatal Frame HD Collection came out. I'm really excited about the Silent Hill Collection, but I'd really love to revisit the (IMO) scariest series in gaming history.
Awesome besides Mass Effect 3 and Bioshock Infinite I'm really waiting for Half-Life 3 and a Skyrim expansion would be welcome.
There are plenty of games that I hope get announced next year, but there is one that I have been holding out hope for for years now. That game is Star Wars Battlefront 3. As unlikely as it is that the game would be announced, I'm still hoping that one day ,either out of the blue or anticipated, that we finally get this game.
In regards to the Vikings, while I can't stand them (I'm a New York Giants fan), it would suck to see them anywhere besides Minnesota. They've been there their entire existence, and should be kept there, and not moved to some new fancy, schmancy stadium in LA that fans may not even come to. Teams only seem to move to, then years later move from that city, and if the Vikings did move to Los Angeles I'd imagine it would only happen again. So even though I don't care very much for the team, here's hoping they stay in Minnesota.
Why has no one mentioned Borderlands 2 yet!? Unless its not scheduled to come out in 2012, in which case im just ignorant to the facts. Also, I want either psychonauts 2 or a psychonauts HD remake.
I want 2012 to be the year of the New IP
From Bertz's list: Bioshock Infinite, New Console Announcements, A Major Xbox Live Revamp, Auteur Releases, Industry Stability
My list: Final Fantasy Versus XIII and Metal Gear Solid Rising (Seriously both of these games need an ETA ASAP!)
My non-realistic list: Mega Man X9. This wish became even more grim this year after Inafune left and Capcom cancelled all subsequent Mega Man games that were in development. I don't blame him for leaving but my hope for a new X anytime soon seems bleak.
Haha new features in COD? You might as well ask ryckert to quit sucking. Ain't gonna happen
I want backwards compatibility on the new console generation! After such an awesome gaming year I am sure I will not have played all of the games and I would like to keep the option of playing them.
i want mass effect 3, kingdoms of amalur and withcer 2 (for the xbox) to all be great rpgs to possibly get me away from skyrim bc its becoming unhealthy and hoping that borderlands 2 and aliens colonial marines both come out in 2012 and are amazing (looking menacingly at gearbox)
most importantly im hoping for the bears to win the super bowl....