In no particular order..
1. Max Payne 3
I'm a huge fan of Rockstar Games so no surprise that this game made my Top 5. Every game they release is a gem. To me, they can do little wrong and you can call me a fanboy for all I care..
But besides that, this is a great game. For the price you pay, the single player is enough to make it worth the price. Max Payne's 3rd adventure, 1st in current-gen systems, is a master-piece. Mixing stealth with all-action gun play, this has everything an action shooter can ask for. Plus, it has the coolest video game move, ShootDodge. The dark and gripping story-line will keep you at the edge throughout the whole game. With varying difficulty levels and game-modes, this is worth several playthroughs to test your capability.
That's not all, while the Single Player game mode is enough to warrant the price for the game, now more so due to price drops and year-end sales, there is still the very-addictive multiplayer. Plenty of item and weapon unlocks as your level progresses makes time spent online worthwhile. With the legend levels, what seems like a common in Rockstar games, there are plenty of rewards pulling you back again and again.
2. Assassin's Creed 3
Been hooked on the Assassin's Creed franchise ever since the first game was released. While the yearly release has bored some fans, this is still one of the best games of the year. Yes, the core game-play has pretty much remained unchanged. Free-running across obstacles, tailing suspects, assassinating targets.. Same old stuff but essential to defining what Assassin's Creed is all about.
However, Ubisoft has done more than enough to keep the latest edition refreshing.. All new setting in Colonial America, new Assassin Connor, new hunting missions and the critically-acclaimed Naval Battles developed by Ubisoft Singapore (Hey! Hey! Feel so patriotic now!) kept the excitement fresh.
The stylish Connor and his Tomahawk were a deadly combination and I had plenty of fun with this new Assassin, probably my favourite of them all.
3. Diablo 3
Don't think I have ever mentioned it here but I did play Diablo 3. Played Diablo 1 and 2 back in the days and I love it. Battling hordes of monsters while searching for the best loot were a great combination. It never gets old.
I hardly play games on PC anymore ever since I got a PS3 but this game was worth getting back into PC gaming. It was a whole load more fun playing with my work colleagues who were all into this game. Hours and hours just searching the dungeons for better loot was like a drug.
While I feel that it didn't compare to Diablo 2 and have kinda gotten a little bored of it, this was still of the best games of 2012 for me.
4. Borderlands 2
Did I mention killing enemies and loot hunting? Another sequel that had the same was Borderlands 2. The prequel brought a group of 4 strangers together who had plenty of laughs and fun. The same group came back together in the sequel and had as much fun even though our lives have changed so much.
The sequel brought back everything that we loved in the first and multiplied it, while correcting the little minus points. Memorable bosses and places within the game will keep you talking about this game long after you put down the controller.
One of the best games of 2012 which gives you months of playtime. Plenty of DLC will only extend the fun. Best played with friends so get sociable!
5. AC Milan Fantasy Manager 2013 / Real Madrid Fantasy Manager 2013
A surprise inclusion to this list. I first started playing the 2012 version of this iPhone Mobile App last December and was hooked on it ever since.
This football fantasy manager is based on real life player stats. The better the real-life player does in a game, the better stats your in-game player has for that week till the next real-life match. The better your team play in real, the stronger your team in-game becomes. Earn more money to buy better players. Build facilities, complete jobs and challenge AI opponents and other players to earn experience and money to improve your team.
Guess which player will have a good match that week and buying him for your team before his value goes up is vital to get value for the money. Tracking your players' injuries and suspensions in real-life is crucial to get the best out of your players. Updating yourself on players' matches week-in, week-in out is addictive and watching your players score goals and keep clean sheets in actual games gives you a high (Double the High if they are players from teams you support) knowing their stats will be given a boost that week.
The game gets a little boring during the off-season when they aren't any real matches and I stopped playing for a while... But when the new version for the 2013 season was released with an all-new look, I was hooked on it all over again.
Defnitely a must-try game for all Football Fans, the app comes in various club themes even though all of them are the same concept and linked together via challenges. Game is also available on Facebook and best part of it is that the game is free!
---
So there you have it.. my top 5 games of 2012... Agree with me? What are your favourite games? Tell me about them in the comments below!
The games that didn't make it..
Darksiders 2: My most anticipated game for this year.. Was so excited for this after the first game but glitches and a patch that can't install meant that I can't even try out this game. Chances that these issues will be fixed are looking slimmer after the publishers, THQ filed for bankruptcy..
Borderlands Legends: This mobile app game aims to expand on the Borderlands Universe after the success of the console games. A good game that I have enjoyed so far but misses out on the top 5..
Spec Ops: The Line: From what I have seen, this game looks exciting and might be good enough to make the list but problem is I don't have the game yet. Lack of time is delaying me getting this under-rated game.. Hopefully will have some time for next year..
---
