With 2012 proving to be a bit of a mystery in terms of hardware announcements and developer commitment to current-generation technology, Andy takes a look at what might make a lasting impression:
7. Max Payne 3
It wasn’t until recently that I became interested in Max’s third outing. Like the majority of people who saw the first handful of images, I was a little concerned that Max didn’t look like Max, and was worried that it would be a completely different experience to original classics. However, having heard more information from developer Rockstar and after seeing the trailer, my expectations have been raised significantly. Now, where did I put those painkillers?
6. Street Fighter X Tekken
When it was announced that Namco and Capcom were combining forces with their respective flagship fighting titles, needless to say I was more than a little intrigued. Being a big fan of both series, the most exciting aspect is seeing how the Tekken fighters handle when transitioned to the 2D world of Street Fighting. Best of all, if it turns out to be a disappointment (looks doubtful), there is always Tekken X Street Fighter to look forward to.
5. Halo 4
With the reins of Microsoft’s most lucrative franchise passing from Bungie to 343 Industries, it’s no exaggeration to say that the whole of the videogaming world is watching and waiting to see what lies in store for Master Chief. The big question is whether or not Halo 4 can live up to its predecessors, but also whether it can it take the series in new, interesting directions. If they are so bold to proclaim it as the first in a new trilogy, I just hope that they don’t tarnish the legacy so lovingly crafted out by Bungie. Time will tell.
4. Assassins Creed 3
After polishing off the final entry in the ‘Ezio Trilogy’ with Revelations, I contemplated reporting Ubisoft to the authorities under crimes of breaching the Trade Descriptions Act. Not many revelations were actually made and if anything, the whole experience left me with more questions than answers. Just like the previous three years, come November another AC title will hit the streets. The difference this time being there promises to be a new hero, a new setting and hopefully some more answers to those annoying questions about those people. Whether or not the new assassin turns out to be as great as Ezio however, remains to be seen.
3. Mass Effect 3
Some bemoaned the shift away from some of the more complex RPG elements seen in the original to the more streamlined, action based experience seen in the second. Not me however, I feel it made Mass Effect an even more exciting experience and just enough RPG trappings existed in ME2 that I got my fill of character development, strategy and fun action gameplay. What is clear however, is that Bioware knew that the change had to be made. Not just to make a better game which appeals to a greater crowd, but to set up the epic final chapter in their space opera. Some are still moaning of course, but now they are moaning how ME3 looks too action oriented. There are clearly some very talented and smart people over at Bioware, and I trust their experience and obvious love for the series to feel confident that ME3 will be a force to be reckoned with come March.
2. Bioshock Infinite
The original Bioshock was a masterclass in story telling. The combat, whilst competent, was not quite up to the same standards. The sequel went some ways to correct this but from the looks of it, Infinite looks like combat will be just as engaging as the story telling. Just the thought alone of soaring through the clouds on those sky rails is enough. Every little glimpse has revealed new and exciting facets, and it’s not hard to get the impression that we’re only getting a tiny peak behind the curtain, and behind it all will be a game which could raise the FPS bar to a whole new level.
1. GTA 5
Ok ok. So a date hasn’t officially be announced yet, but if rumours are to be believed, a 2012 release is scheduled for the return of Jack Thompson’s least favourite game series. All we have to go on is one trailer, and well, very little else. The protagonist is unknown, the story is shrouded in secrecy and even the tone of the title is as yet truly anyone’s guess. Will it be a straight faced experience akin to GTA4 or will some of the San Andreas craziness return? There are elements of GTA4 which have still to this day not been matched, and therefore it is not unreasonable to conclude that this latest installment could change the future of gaming as we know it, just as GTA3 did just over ten years ago. I have no doubts that if anyone can pull it off, the Houser brothers can.
I'm a gamer of diminutive size who has been playing games since the days of the NES. I also enjoy long walks on the beach. "
