The Top 5 Games of 2012...So Far

As we reach the mid-point of 2012 it's time to look back on the first part of the year and all of the games that released to either glorious fanfare, or relative secrecy. While the quality of products available in the first part of the year was a little lackluster when compared to 2011, there were still a few notable standouts — games that should definitely be played for one reason or another.

Gamers might have still been reeling from a 2011 that saw the release of some pretty substantial titles like Skyrim, Arkham City, and Assassin's Creed Revelations. Hard acts to follow, but some titles boldly launched with the hopes of dragging players to even newer worlds. Many failed, but a select few were able to kick the first part of the year off right.

Let's start with number five.

5. Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

What we said: "Engaging combat and lovely visuals, engrossing fiction, and an enormous quest all come together to deliver the most accessible open world role-playing game yet. The freedom players have to exist in the world of Amalur – to explore it as they see fit – is hugely compelling, and there are plenty of reasons to keep playing long after the primary quest is complete."

Why you should play it: While in the long term much more attention will be paid towards it's developers financial struggles, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning made a strong case for why it shouldn't go overlooked. A blend of Skyrim and Fable, Reckoning offered a world worth exploring, and combat that kept the player involved. It's a shame that, post-Elder Scrolls, it felt much too similar. Because there actually was a lot of interesting content to be found.

Available on: PS3, Xbox 360, and PC.

4. Max Payne 3

What we said: "A lot has been made of the developer’s strides to incorporate the fluidity, control, and weight of an FPS into Max Payne 3’s third-person formula; with Bullet Time at its best, a rock-solid targeting system, and gorgeous physics, it possesses a killer finesse that any top-tier shooter can aspire to. It’s a well-oiled, hardboiled shooter that gamers of all interests (though certainly not all ages) should enjoy."

Why you should play it: It's been a long time coming for Max Payne and, while he has taken on many of the mechanics of the current generation of shooters, he's still as gritty and tough-as-nails as ever. Many of the features that Payne's first outing introduced, like the iconic bullet-time sequences, have been copied ad nauseum, but re-experiencing them in this new context feels fresh and exciting. There was a reason Rockstar wanted to keep the franchise going, and they more than proved it with this game.

Available on: PS3, Xbox 360, and PC.

3. Fez

What we said: "In all likelihood, players will get lost, confused, and even a bit stumped (in a good way) at some point during their journey, but none of that compares with the experience of being inside this vibrant world. Fez is an homage to classic gaming, yet something entirely modern."

Why you should play it: Part of the brilliance of Fez lies in its ability to be wholly original, yet completely familiar. The ways in which the mechanics reveal themselves to the player come not from instruction, but an innate understanding of how video game worlds work. Yes, the puzzles Polytron has created for the game are tough, often to the point of impossibility, but the uniqueness of it all and the accomplishment felt when a puzzle is solved is hard to match.

Available on: XBLA

2. Mass Effect 3

What we said: "Despite a disappointing final act which doesn’t let players truly make game-changing decisions, Mass Effect 3 does mostly round out the Reaper and Illusive Man storylines, at the same time solidifying the Mass Effect series as the ultimate sci-fi gaming experience. Looking back on what brought us to that point is a powerful realization in and of itself."

Why you should play it: Beyond the controversial ending and the subsequent Extended Cut DLC release, Mass Effect 3 is a phenomenal game. From the combination of gunplay and biotic powers to the moving cut scenes, very few games pack as much content as a BioWare title, and this was a case of that development team firing on all cylinders. The fact that fans were so disappointed by the ending only further proves how important this trilogy-ender was, and why even onlookers would be wise to play it themselves.

Available on: Xbox 360, PS3, and PC

1. Journey

What we said: "Journey is an uplifting, ultimately joyous exploration of what games can accomplish and convey. It is a celebration of the medium and its myriad possibilities, and a gift of great and singular beauty to players – all players."

Why you should play it: Besides being a steal at $15 and a breeze to zip through, Journey provides players with a unique experience whether they are going it alone, or travelling with a mysterious companion. Thatgamecompany's unique visuals alone are enough to recommend it, but the way in which the game kept us engaged from beginning to end was simply mesmerizing. If ever there was a case to be made for games as art — a claim critic Roger Ebert loves to refute — this is it.

Available on: PSN 

Conclusion

Even though there were some titles — like Street Fighter X Tekken, Asura's Wrath, Kid Icarus: Uprising, and Diablo 3 — that came close to making the cut, we felt these were the best games released in the first part of 2012. Some will still be talked about in future years because of their creative visuals, disappointing endings, or developer fallout, but all should be proud of the experiences they delivered.

What makes a great game is purely subjective, but there's no arguing the fact that these titles generated quite a bit of attention. Yes, by the end of the year many of these might not stand up against the likes of Halo 4 or Assassin's Creed 3, but for now they remain must-plays.

Which of the games released in the first part of 2012 have stood out to you? What game do you predict will be the year's best game when all is said and done?

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