2012 is geared up to be an incredible year for gamers of all types. Whether you play games on your PC or you own an Xbox 360, they are continuing to blow everyone’s mind out of the water with their amazing design and out of this world graphics. It seems every year, the games are getting better and 2012 will not fall short of this. For Xbox 360 users there were some huge hits released recently and some even bigger ones waiting to be released as time ticks by. The following list makes up our top ten games and let me tell you, each and every one brings something new and amazing to the table.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – This action packed role playing video game hit the market hard selling over 10 million copies. So what makes it so popular? Well that is a question for the person that plays it because it is different for every user. It could be the non-linear style allowing players to pretty much do what they want within the game or even the vast amount of activities available to users. Skyrim also allows players to play either in 1st person or 3rd person depending on the the players preferences. If you have not tried Skyrim out yet then you are definitely missing out. I like to explain it as a mix between Assassins Creed and World of Warcraft. Gameplay such as exploration, raiding dungeons and going on quests are all present in Skyrim.
Street Fighter x Tekken - Set to be released March 6, 2012, Street Fighter x Tekken is nothing but highly anticipated. Everyone remembers the old school arcade version of Street Fighter right? Well its about time they release a game from this series for Xbox 360 that is not just a downloadable arcade style game. Gameplay is the same as it has always been featuring 2D player vs computer battles using projectile like moves. With two new game mechanics and a much better overall design as well as amazing graphics, Street Fighter x Tekken has way more to offer than any of its predecessors.
Battlefield 3 – This first person shooter video game has a much more realistic look and feel to it than most games like it out there. Battlefield 3 sold over 5 million copies within its first week of release and had great reviews all around. Players simply take on multiple various roles of different military officials within the single player campaign. The multiplayer mode is very similar to any first person shooter game where two teams battle it out against one another until a certain point limit is reached. If you are someone looking for a more realistic warfare game then you got to check out Battlefield.
Mass Effect 3 - Mass Effect 3 is an action role playing game set to be released on March 6, 2012. The game has settings throughout the galaxy including planets such as earth and mars. It has multiple features that were not available in either of the first two Mass Effect games. The combat system as well as the cover system have both been improved with more options to move around the battlefield. There is improved artificial intelligence as well as a variety of new weapons including more conventional grenades. Another great new feature is the four player multiplayer co-op mode they have made available in the game.
Final Fantasy XIII-2 - The Final Fantasy series is back with yet another game set to be released January 31 2012. The game features an evolved battle system yet keeps its originality that all its users love. Another thing that is so different about Final Fantasy XIII 2 is that the monsters no longer roam the map like in its predecessors. Instead they randomly appear within the area when the player gets close enough. I don’t know if this is a good thing or a bad but we will find out soon enough. The over all setting of Final Fantasy XIII 2 is pretty much the same as all the other Final Fantasy games except players will be able to revisit old areas from previous times which will be a refreshing feature to the game.
Rage – Rage is a first person shooter video game with some role playing game features. Players take the role of a survivor of a 2029 Apophis asteroid impact. Gameplay mostly features shooting segments as well as driving segments. The players vehicle is his/her way of exploration between missions which is a refreshing and unique feature. This vehicle is fully up-gradable with different weapons and items available for it. Rage also features two multiplayer modes which are called Road Rage and Legends of the Wasteland. I’m not going to spoil what goes on in these modes but I will say one has similarities to a car derby with other added features.
Batman: Arkham City - Batman: Arkham City is an action adventure video game which incorporates elements of stealth and predator tactics. The game has its main story line or plot but also features a variety of side missions which is also a refreshing break for some users. Batman: Arkham City was one of the highest rated games released in 2011 and that alone should be enough for players to check it out. Players obviously take the role of Batman completing certain objectives and missions. There are a number of key characters from the Batman series throughout the game including Catwoman and the Riddler.
Assassins Creed: Revelations – Assassins Creed: Revelations is the third and final game of the all so popular Renaissance era Assassins Creeds. There are two huge new features in Revelations including an item called the hookblade which is used to zipline from building to building as well as a new mini-game feature that allows players to defend parts of the city that they control in a tower defense type mode. Developers have also made improvements on the graphics and the design making it even more eye catching and more exciting to play. This is easily my favorite game out of this bunch and I strongly recommend it to everyone.
Gears of War 3 – This is a third person shooter video game that is exclusively for Xbox 360. It had over 1 million pre-orders before its release and is the 3rd and final installment of the Gears of Wars series. Gears of Wars 3 was said to be a much easier game to play compared to its two predecessors but from experience I did not see much change. Players can still hold up to four weapons including a pistol, grenades and two primary weapons and the overall design is the same. Like the first two, it holds a strong emphasis on the use of cover and squad tactics during combat situations as well.
Halo 4 - There is not much to say about Halo 4 because of the fact that it is not set to release until December 31, 2012. I will tell you that it does start up right where Halo 3 left off which is awesome because we were all left to dry at the end of that game. Halo 4 should be a highly anticipated game and every Xbox 360 user should look forward to its release!
You can check out IGN’s Xbox 360 list as well!
Look at a list of top Playstation 3 games as well!
Best Xbox 360 Games 2012 - Top 10,