Big, safe sequels like Uncharted, FIFA and Modern Warfare dominated 2011, but as PS3 and 360 reach maturity, 2012 should be a year of experimentation.
Devs are more comfortable with the hardware and are continually learning new tricks to create exceptional games. Here are the 24 projects, announced or still secret, that define the year. No filler. Just 2012's most exciting or innovative games.
This feature is taken from the latest issues of PSM3 and Xbox World. Order them here and have them delivered straight to your door
ASSASSIN'S CREED 3
Format - Multi
Developer Ubisoft Montreal
Publisher Ubisoft
Release Late 2012
Why is it hot? Rejuvenates AC with a new hero and location
THE LAST GUARDIAN
Format PS3
Developer Team ICO
Publisher Sony
Release 2012
Why is it hot? It's unique, beautiful and will make you cry
Comments
69 comments so far...
bamozzy on 1 Jan '12 said:
There are a number of games here that are definitely on my watch list but also a number of games that are on my watch list that are not here too (halo 4, max payne 3, hitman: absolution, mass effect 3 etc.) All in all I think it could be another great (and expensive) year for gamers.
Jentario on 1 Jan '12 said:
What about Mass Effect 3, Halo 4, and Borderlands 2?
bamozzy on 1 Jan '12 said:
Maybe they will be in Part 2.......
Paranoimia on 1 Jan '12 said:
"the open-world RPG of Deus Ex"
Eh?
corkscru74 on 1 Jan '12 said:
I would LOVE an Assassins Creed set in Victorian London. In fact, any game set in that era would be...just groovy!
dicky1993 on 1 Jan '12 said:
i welcome black ops 2 with welcome arms it had good ideas and i liked the cod points system + wager matches were brilliant with mates, and at least they had some customisation, only COD game i have really enjoyed!
also bioshock will own
gmcb007 on 1 Jan '12 said:
They need to incorporate the strike package system though. Some of the kill streaks ruined the game such as pricks calling in that horrible overkilling chopper gunner evry second round of domination.
Stimo65 on 1 Jan '12 said:
Can someone tell me when in Assassin's Creed Revelations it sets up Altair's son as a hero?
Laughlyn on 1 Jan '12 said:
In all fairnes si'd rather Treyarch just make a Zombies mode game instead. thats all i played on with BlOps, basically paid £80 for zombies mode.
I've barely touched MW3 since i bought it too, spent 4hours according to my Elite page, I think CoD needs to have a big change, its not a patch on battlefield
alan666 on 1 Jan '12 said:
just GTA5, Tomb Raider & the new Rainbox Six game or me by the looks of it
Jentario on 1 Jan '12 said:
I swear to god there was no "Part 1" before. Conspiracy!
TheMopFromMars on 1 Jan '12 said:
No nintendo games?
splitter on 1 Jan '12 said:
DISHONERED
Dishonored, shurely?
Lady Gagagged on 1 Jan '12 said:
That is exactly what I was thinking.
djreplay on 1 Jan '12 said:
I think it's a PSM3 feature rather than a CVG one. Loads of quality games there as well.
Fr33Kye on 1 Jan '12 said:
WOOH! Yay for prey 2 making the list. And i really like dishonored but i keep forgetting it exists.
What nintendo games are coming in 2012? o.O
What does it mean to define gaming?
spaceman_DOUG on 1 Jan '12 said:
This articles literally just a list of games isn't it?
Balladeer on 1 Jan '12 said:
Given the two magazines they quote in the article, somehow I don't think Nintendo offerings will feature in either of the lists.
jm3811 on 1 Jan '12 said:
Battlefield Bad Company 3. For the Wii.
Nik666uk2 on 1 Jan '12 said:
GTA is single player, making it coop would ruin my favourite game series
slick loose on 2 Jan '12 said:
Deus Ex isn't technically open World as you can't go where ever you like, when ever you like. Instead it's a series of hubs that you go through during the course of the story; while the hubs themselves are large and can be explored quite a bit, it is essentially a closed world game.
ASSASSIN'S CREED 3 - I got bored of the Assassins Creed games after number 2, the game really needs to something new to tempt me back.
THE LAST GUARDIAN - I haven't played ICO or Shadow of the Colossus, so I'm not excited by this much.
GOD OF WAR 4 - I will get this but this is another series starting to get a bit repetitive...and multiplayer can go f**k itself.
RESPAWN'S GAME - Couldn't give a s**t.
METAL GEAR SOLID RISING - I don't like Platinum Games at the best of times, never mind when their butchering my favourite game series.
TOMB RAIDER - I really want this to be good and give Uncharted a run for it's money.
DISHONERED - Never heard of it.
GRAND THEFT AUTO 5 - Sure it will sell a s**t load, I won't be one of them though...it's become less about humour and more about realism.
CASTLEVANIA LORDS OF SHADOW 2 - Haven't played the first one but I heard good things...might give it a blast at some point.
CALL OF DUTY BLACK OPS 2 - Nope.
BIOSHOCK INFINITE - OH GOD YES! The first game was amazing and was soaking with atmosphere. The second game had a more heart felt story and improved gameplay, but had a s**tty multiplayer. I really hope BioShock is my first perfect trilogy for this gen.
PREY 2 - Not played the first one.
God I sound like a right miserable f**k!
gnokgnik on 2 Jan '12 said:
What about Far Cry 3? And when is it out?
jm3811 on 2 Jan '12 said:
I read the mod's post although it was so long that it f**ked up the whole layout.
slick loose on 2 Jan '12 said:
How's that?
anik_lc on 2 Jan '12 said:
For me in 2012-
Tomb Raider
Assassin's Creed III
Max Payne 3
Hitman Absolution
Far Cry 3
wishface on 2 Jan '12 said:
AC3 ancient egypt? Who told you lot that? Altair's son couldn't have been around in ancient egypt since Altair existed a couple of thousand years later!
slick loose on 2 Jan '12 said:
Does it have to be Altair's son or just another ancestor of Desmond's?
Padua on 2 Jan '12 said:
Are all these games really going to define gaming? 2011 was great for gaming defining games.
In fact, every year has been a gaming defining year if you really think about it
I love sequels but I can't wait to new original games also. I am looking forward to "Last of us" and, Elite 4 as always
rhyfel on 2 Jan '12 said:
2012 the year of experimentation? NO CHANCE, game devs will be to reluctant to deviate from the darkside, ie brown fps and the odd sports and driving game, games that tried to be different like shadows of the damned sold hardly no copies at all so the game devs are going to stick to the formula that does sell so all ya going to get are more sequels and fps.
martinawatson on 2 Jan '12 said:
Does it have to be Altair's son or just another ancestor of Desmond's?
Do you mean Desmond the hairdresser by the way, Bioshock infinite looks totally stunning, a real step forward, dont think we will actually see GTA5 out in the shops this year (i'd be amazed), and im afraid to say but black ops 2 with more zombie action is a day one purchase yes bloody please
Very_Silver_Ownz on 2 Jan '12 said:
Only game I'm looking forward to in 2012 is GTA V if it does come out and Black ops 2 ( for zombies mode ). I guess its a good year to play through the games I already have and some games I still need to get.
bamozzy on 2 Jan '12 said:
Me too although I think the 'Last of Us' may not arrive until 2013.
TheLastDodo on 2 Jan '12 said:
It's a Bethesda game, the story and the title of the game is based on their shoddy treatment of PS3 owners with broken ports.
Very_Silver_Ownz on 2 Jan '12 said:
lmao
jdizzy on 2 Jan '12 said:
Games I'm looking forward to:
Call of Duty: Black Ops 2
Halo 4
BioShock: Infinite
Prey 2
Metro: Last Light
nb_nmare2 on 3 Jan '12 said:
As I said in a previous article, 13th Century Egypt is most certainly not "ancient" Egypt. The country is over 5000 years old, so a mere 800 year or so is barely a blip.
Even if it weren't that old the word "ancient" would hardly be accurate. Heck, England is less than 1500 years old and I don't think many people would call 13th century England "ancient England".
slick loose on 3 Jan '12 said:
No, but there is no such thing as "ancient England". I believe that period was called 'The Middle Ages' or 'Medieval' times. And I could be totally wrong (most likely) but I thought I read somewhere that Ancient Egypt lasted three millennia until it got taken over by the Romans...
Augustus_aka_AG on 3 Jan '12 said:
"CALL OF DUTY BLACK OPS 2" This game won't be hot, it will be steaming! Like a big pile of...
Joe90_Remy700 on 3 Jan '12 said:
the only game on that list i'm vaguley curious about is dishonoured. everything else is meh for me
MANYOO4EVA on 3 Jan '12 said:
ALIENS COLONIAL MARINES all the way!!!!!
nb_nmare2 on 3 Jan '12 said:
Then you're seriously missing out. Bioshock Infinite in particular has the potential to be one of the best games of all time.
247wkman on 6 Jan '12 said:
guardian- just by looking i can easily asume this is by the same group that did ico and colosus, they seem to retain this lighting scheme of bright light-washing out the colours. the isolation in which you play (and expect to play) mirroring this of the previous games where you have so much oppotunity to stop and look about and be calm. this i think is gonna be like ico with a new twist, yorda was fragil and vulnerable- but this time your partner has more trouble fitting through doors than climbing walls! finally a ps3 game i actuall want and no dought a future classic....
Dr Bob on 8 Jan '12 said:
Hahaha, Call of Duty 2012 will "define gaming"! That's funny.
bamozzy on 8 Jan '12 said:
I don't think that it will define gaming in 2012 as the series already has!!! Nearly all shooting games are compared to it.
It will no doubt be a very popular game and I must admit I am looking forward to see what Treyarch deliver.
But as for defining gaming in 2012 - I think we need to see something that we were not expecting delivering something unexpected and great...
TimHotston on 14 Jan '12 said:
The ones I want on here are Dishonoured, Bioshock Infinite and Prey 2. A strange choice for a guy who dislikes FPS shooters.
Mobius01 on 17 Feb '12 said:
Haha, I had to take a second glance because I thought your remarks on Bioshock were for BLOPS2
But yeah, I agree with everything you said about the Bioshock series.
MKMCI on 23 Feb '12 said:
Diablo 3.
niroe on 24 Feb '12 said:
Diablo 3, Torchlight 2, Borderlands 2, GTA 5 .. Those are the games that will define 2012, at least they'll define MY 2012
Bandreus on 24 Feb '12 said:
Castlevania LoS2... I hope it doesn't end up being as bad as the first one.
Last Guardian in 2k12? Yes please.
Sn3aky P3t3 on 24 Feb '12 said:
Diablo III, Darksiders 2, Halo 4 (Even though it's not Bungie, I still have hopes for it)
CollisionAlert on 24 Feb '12 said:
Where is Diablo 3 on this list?
tunnard on 24 Feb '12 said:
I am looking forward to The Last Guardian, it should be really different from a lot of games out there. Also, yeah, Borderlands 2, wooooo!!
octancz on 24 Feb '12 said:
no diablo? shame on you CVG
1Nightmare1 on 24 Feb '12 said:
How's Black Ops 2 going to define gaming in 2012?! What will BO 2 have that other MW games since MW 2 launch didn't?
sharwood on 25 Feb '12 said:
GTA V will be HUGE
xRamzz on 25 Feb '12 said:
Guys, this is part one, the missing games are coming up in the next parts (duuuhhh)
Spirit6666 on 25 Feb '12 said:
Im really looking foward that new Tomb Raider game.
I totally love that new look they gave her.
Xenohort on 25 Feb '12 said:
Wheres the Diablo 3 love?
Ploza on 25 Feb '12 said:
I'm looking forward to: Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 and d3!!
Boci on 25 Feb '12 said:
Exactly the same games for me:)
saphiroth40 on 25 Feb '12 said:
Castlevania Lord of Shadow on Ps2 was such a letdown, hope they do better in the next sequel.
MonkIsHere on 25 Feb '12 said:
Lots of good games here. :3
Coldcuts on 26 Feb '12 said:
Dishonored is what caught my attention. First time ive heard of it and the info on it looks good.
bacardi1988 on 26 Feb '12 said:
lara is lookin good!
tudul on 26 Feb '12 said:
2012 gonna be a great year
omageus on 27 Feb '12 said:
Cmon, Borderlands 2 will be amazing !
ApollosKeeper30 on 27 Feb '12 said:
Definitely looking forward to the new Assassins Creed
relixo on 29 Feb '12 said:
Bioshock Inf. is looking really good.
And Lara is still my favorite girl
Prey 2... cant wait...
alphadumera on 1 Apr '12 said:
How bout... iunno the definitive action role playing game that people have been waiting for 10+ years for by the PC juggernauts behind WoW and Starcraft? you know a little game called DIABLO 3! Seriously? CoD? how ignorant and pathetic. Its just going to be another crappy rehash of the same game that's been done over and over and over and over and over (did i mention over?) I mean seriously stop being view whores and notice what games a really definitive!