With 2012 gone, it's time to take a look back at a few of the great games that it brought us. 2012 was another good year for games, though if we're to be honest, it also had it's share of disappointments. We'll cover the biggest disappointments later, however, so for now let's focus on the best games of the year, trying to limit it to one per system.
First off, however, let's take a look at Gamespot's version. Their users voted Far Cry 3 to be the best game of 2012, beating out other greats such as Persona 4 Golden, Devil Survivor 2, Zero Escape, and Mass Effect 3. Far Cry 3 did not, except for the final match, obtain less than 60 percent of the vote each time, decimating Crusader Kings II, The Walking Dead, Awesomenauts, Forza Horizon, and even Borderlands 2. In the end, Mass Effect 3 almost pulled through, garnering 49.7% of the votes, however it wasn't quite popular enough to unseat the victor.
But what were some of the best games for each console? If we are to only choose one game per console, this examiner's picks would be as follows.
DS: Devil Survivor 2. A sequel to arguably the best Strategy RPG of 2009, Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 does not disappoint. In this game, you are put in the shoes of a demon tamer (once you have defeated the demon that emerges from your COMP and you, along with 12 other tamers, have a mere 7 days until the end of the world. Will you be able to make the decisions necessary to save it?
PSP: Final Fantasy III. Another classic JRPG graces the system, and manages to snag first place here. Final Fantasy III puts you in control of four orphans that live in the village of Ur. An earthquake opens up a nearby cave and the four decide to explore. In the cave, they come across a crystal which grants each of them a portion of its power and instructs them to restore balance to the world. Can the four fulfill the crystal's wish?
3DS: Resident Evil: Revelations. Returning the series to its roots, Resident Evil: Revelations has plenty of scares to offer as you explore the SS Queen Zenobia. Jill and her new partner are sent out to look for Chris and his partner, who have reportedly gone missing. As they search Chris's last known location, the Queen Zenobia, Jill and Parker encounter BOWs. Will they be able to find Chris and his partner? And perhaps more importantly, will they both be able to escape the ship alive?
Vita: Persona 4: Golden. Another Shin Megami Tensei classic, Persona 4: Golden takes all that was good about the PS2 game and adds quite a bit of contact on top of it. Persona 4 revolves around a group of friends who tried to watch the Midnight Channel, which, according to rumour, will show you your soulmate during the rain. Unfortunately, they see a murder victim instead, and soon discover that they can use their televisions to phase into another world inhabited by shadows. Will they be able to find a connection between the Midnight Channel and murders and kidnappings occuring around the town?
PS3: Mass Effect Trilogy. With all three Mass Effect games, it manages to beat out a few others. Though the three tales of Shepard differ in quality, the 3-for-1 set earns its seat on the bench. Admittedly, this may be largely because this examiner apparently hasn't played many PS3 games released in 2012 (most were 2011)...
Wii: Xenoblade Chronicles. Thanks to a delay, this game hit NA shelves in 2012, earning it the spot. You are placed in the role of Shulk, and find a sword called the Monado, which allows you to see the future. On the day you find the sword, a large army of mechs attack the inhabitants of Bionis, soon overrunning the entire surface of Bionis. Will you be able to answer the call for a hero?
360: The Walking Dead. Games based on movies/shows/books/etc. typically aren't that great, however The Walking Dead is an exception to this rule. Containing all five episodes, it places you in the shoes of Lee Everet. You must make the decisions necessary to ensure your survival, but can you also protect any that may accompany you?
Wii U: New Super Mario Bros U. Without much to compare it to (this examiner lacks a Wii U and thus hasn't played any of the games), Mario squeezes out the victory. Featuring the same thigns that made the DS version popular, and enhanced for the Wii U, New Super Mario Bros U is guaranteed to take up quite a bit of your time.
So now that you've seen my picks, what do YOU think the best games of 2012 for each console were? Do you agree with some of my choices? Do you believe Far Cry 3 deserved the award on Gamespot? Do you disagree with all the above? Let us know in the comments!
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