This year was a banner year for games but RPG's had it especially well seeing the release of several premier titles that have been both critically and publicly acclaimed. Several big shooter franchises also released new games, and have raked in the dough. There were was also some cake and some big, tough, manly men getting emotional. So what were the best games of each genre?
Best Shooter: Gears of War 3
Gears of War 3 is the kind of shooter I wish I had growing up. The campaign solidly wraps up the Gears trilogy, along with plenty of emotional moments and chainsawing fun. The multiplayer is solid and has plenty of modes and features to keep you playing. Horde mode is back and better than ever, and coupled with the new Beast mode there is more than enough to keep you playing for hours upon hours. The gameplay is just as good as it's always been in the Gears series, and the visuals are stunning. Apart from a few bugs here and there this is the kind of shooter you can find yourself playing for a long time.
Image Source: G4TV
Best Action Game: Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
I felt that I should let a real big Zelda fan cover this one, so my good friend Bryan will be covering this one. Take it away!
Legend of Zelda, is one of the most respected game franchises around. Many of the games titles are beloved classics. So when I say that Skyward Sword is the greatest Legend of Zelda game ever, you know it is one incredible experience. The storyline is intense and refreshingly different, giving players a new take on the relationships between key characters. The really impressive part of the story though, is how it links the past games together and how it sets some of the really interesting parts of the franchise up. The gameplay is extremely solid as well, utilizing the Wii’s motion controls in a way that hasn't really been seen before and provides a whole new spin on the combat. The games graphics are also gorgeous and different, using a watercolor style that sets Skyward Sword apart from most other games in the graphics department. All of the new ideas and features that Nintendo created for Skyward Sword were implemented with incredible execution, and the end result is perhaps the greatest Legend of Zelda experience ever.
Image Source: Digital Trends
Best Puzzle Game: Portal 2
Portal 2 is a prime example of a sequel that rises above the original. Every last part of this game improves one the already incredible foundation that Portal built. The voice acting is absolutely incredible and the visuals are awesome. The levels are much more impressive this time around. Part of that has to do with the game no longer being set only in a sterile lab environment now that plant life has invaded the Enrichment Center. But it's the puzzles that, once again. really make this game a lot of fun. The new elements are added in wonderfully, and don't feel forced and the scale of some of the levels is just insane. The co-op mode is brilliant as well, and really utilizes having an extra person around for puzzle solving. If you liked the first one at all, there is no reason to avoid Portal 2.
Image Source: Squidoo.com
Best RPG: Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
The Elder Scrolls Series has always been about huge, detailed worlds, where you can do pretty much whatever you want. With the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim though, Bethesda may have created one of the finest open world RPG's ever. From the second you step foot out of the games tutorial section the land of Skyrim is your playground. If you want to go do the main story, go so it. If you want to join the Mages College, you can make your way the frozen town of Winterhold, or maybe the Dark Brotherhood is more your speed. And if none of that really appeals to you, you could just go roam the wilderness, looting every last tomb, cave, and residence you find.You can essentially play the game how you want too, with no real restrictions on styles of combat. You want to go into a battle wearing heavy armor but blasting spells left and right, you can. Want to dual wield an axe and a sword? You can do that too. The game is downright gorgeous as well, and the soundtrack always sets the mood just right when trekking through the mountains. And of course...you know....dragons. Really, apart from a somewhat disappointing main quest line, the only big flaw Skyrim has is being a bit too big.
Image Source: Videogamer.com
Best Fighting Game: Mortal Kombat
Mortal Kombat returned this year, and it's just as ridiculously fun and bloody as always. The game is largely the dame it has always been but tweaks the combat mechanics and controls and you have a pretty solid fighting game. Add in all of the unlockable features, costumes, fatalities and you have a game that you can get sucked into for quite a bit of time. The number of modes is fairly impressive as well including the Challenge mode, a tower of 300 objective oriented levels, as well as the classic tournament mode. Online play is fun too, including with it a new King of the Hill mode where groups of players wait turns to take on each other, while those not fighting take in the show. The story mode is a bit cheesy and unimpressive, and the sounds aren't particularly impressive but every single fighter has different movesets and fatalities. This is the best version of Mortal Kombat so far, and is defiantly the best fighter of this year.
Image Source: Mortal Kombat Wiki
Best Sports Game: FIFA 12
FIFA 12 doesn't do anything particularly new and interesting, but it further refines the gameplay, modes, and presentation. The real big change in this years version is the new tactical defense system. No longer is it just a button press or two for you to essentially shut down defense. Now you have to actually time your tackles and sometimes the decision to simply hold back an opposing player is a smarter decision. The animations are also much smoother and more realistic now, making the game not just play realistically, but look the part as well. The online modes are compelling and football fans will love the way that matches are arranged when playing on versus one matches. You now pick your team before you start matchmaking, the servers then take into account your team, division, your personal ranking, did not finish percentage, and location which makes matches much, much fairer and fun. Ultimate Team is now included right out of the box, instead of being offered up as DLC which is really nice as well. All in all, this is the kind of football game you can not miss if you enjoy the sport. There is plenty to do, both online and off, and the presentation is slick and intuitive, even if the game doesn't take many chances.
Image Source: Soccergaming.com
Best Racing Game: Forza 4
If you like cars, racing, or racing cars, Forza 4 has everything you can ask for. Over 450 cars, including everything from a Suzuki SX4 to a 1993 Mclaren F1. And with 25 tracks, many with multiple stages and layouts, there are plenty of different places to enjoy your vehicles on. There's a bevy of tuning and customizing options for every car, meaning that gearheads who link fine tuning every aspect of their ride can get lost for hours. Then you've also got the paint shop Then there's the online racing that now allows 16 players to race at once, not to mention Rival mode where you and your friends can try to outdo each other on various challenges and trials. There are also Car Clubs, where you and some friends can put cars that become available for everyone in the club to drive. The visuals are very impressive, especially the landscapes, and the sounds (except the music) are exceptional. The only real problem with Forza 4 is it offers virtually no tutorials or guides, so beginners can become somewhat overwhelmed, but there are enough driving aids that novice racers can get comfortable before too long. The Kinect features aren't really worth the trouble, headtracking was a particularly large let down, but it never takes anything away from the experience to be found here.
Image Source: Gamereactor.eu
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