2012’s Most Anticipated Games (pt. 2)

Another day passed in 2012 and another Top 10 most anticipated from fellow writer Justin Cangelosi, hope you enjoy his picks for 2012 and look for reviews he will be doing throughout the year. 

We will have our third list coming sometime soon.

10. Soul Calibur 5 (Namco Bandai) Jan. 31, 2012

As you can probably tell my now, I am a huge fan of Japanese developers and their games. One series that is very successful in that region are the SoulCalibur games. With the reveal of SoulCalibur 5, it ushers in a new tale of heroes and villains to the lore of the world, giving you sons and daughters of the recent games, and some of the old favorites. SC 5 shows us why it’s still one of the top fighters around, showing off stunning graphics and intense looking battle, with unique characters and powers that only the wildest of minds could imagine. SoulCalibur 5 will be a great game to play with your friends, as my fellow editor Justin Vachon, will probably not tell you because of the ass whooping I ensued on him in the previous game (sorry, I just had to)! But seriously, you, your friends, and the ones you play against online will have a blast with this game and will not disappoint you when it comes out soon.

9. Borderlands 2 (Gearbox Software) Jul. 30, 2012

Finally! Borderlands returns to consoles to, once again, make us shoot and loot anything we can! With the teaser trailer they showed us, it looks like it will take place in a new area filled with some intimidating enemies and new ways to combat them. Even if the trailer was less revealing than most, I couldn’t be happier with the result! It showed me that they listened to fan responses and put in some features that they missed in the first. If dual wielding guns weren’t enough to make you come back, hopefully they’ll grab our attention with new classes to perform with! Borderlands 2 will be part of my game collection when it (hopefully) comes out in few months. I’m just hoping Claptrap will play a bigger role in this one, but I’ll be fine if he just cracks joke like always!

8. BlazBlue: Continuum Shift Extend (Arc System Works) Feb. 14, 2012

As we move ever closer to the release of the Playstation Vita, I already have an idea for my first game purchase for it. BlazBlue: CSE is the newest installment to the franchise and one series that I have truly enjoyed! With great character design and identities, crisp animation, and fast paced combat, BlazBlue:CSE looks and plays in absolute brilliance on Sony’s new handheld. Engaging (and confusing) story with each character having their own play style breeds a game with new flare and puts together a fighting game like no other! With a very competitive multiplayer filled with extremely advanced players, CSE will give you a challenging yet fun experience that anyone, including me, will enjoy when it comes out soon.

7. Armored Core 5 (Namco Bandai) Apr. 1, 2012

 Kyodai robotto! Oh, sorry about that. I just remembered that we’ll be seeing plenty of giant robots when Armored Core 5 comes to U.S. soil. The Armored Core series is definitely one of a required taste, as I found out that NONE of my friends have ever played it, but hey I don’t care. Those of us, who do know, should be expecting a game with super- quick- paced bullet and rocket dodging action with just a dash of too much customization. With a never ending combination of parts and weaponry, anyone will be able to find a play style that fits them, making this game one that anyone can enjoy. After seeing giant robots in jaw dropping graphics and intense combat, I will definitely be turning Japanese when this game gets released!

6. Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Future Soldier (Ubisoft) Mar. 6, 2012

 The arrival of a new Ghost Recon title means that my prayers were answered! After Advanced Warfighter 2, I thought we would never see another Ghost Recon, since they made us wait 4 years before throwing hints at us through conferences and websites. But after seeing the gameplay reveal at E3 last year, I totally forgot about the torturous wait they gave me! With enhanced graphics, precise tactical warfare, and beyond-our-time tech and weapons, Future Soldier shows that even in the not so distance future, the U.S. military still knows how to kick ass. Even though a new Rainbow Six will be coming in 2013, it’s nice to know we’ll be getting a stellar military action game earlier than we expected. 

5. Dragon’s Dogma (Capcom) Mar. 27, 2012

For years I have been a loyal fan to Capcom and their games, but at times some of their games have been a hit or miss to me. But the introduction of Dragon’s Dogma gives me a huge boost of confidence, insuring me that their next game release will be a hit! This 3^rd person action RPG is brimming with giant monster combat and entertaining battle scenarios. With the ability to grab onto enemies and climb all over them to attack, its gives you a good sense of scale, showing you that just beating on something’s legs won’t kill it, but getting to their skull and stabbing through it will! With multiple classes to choose from and the option of building your own custom team, you’ll be slaying baddies in no time with swords, magic, and strategy. Dragon’s Dogma looks to be a must buy in my book when it hits shelves this year.

4. Kingdom of Amalur: Reckoning (38 Studios) Feb. 7, 2012

 At first, I was not really interested in this game, as I usually decide on a game once I see how the actual gameplay will function. When I finally saw some, I was very impressed. KOA looks to be an action packed RPG, filled with intense magical battle and fierce melee combat. The combat in this game is just pure awesome! From swords, to staves, to daggers and even chakrams, every move looked cool and unique which breaths individuality to every weapon style. Plus the fact that you can switch weapons and magic during combat makes the way you handle your enemies even more diverse. This game looks like a great action title, and one that I’m anxiously awaiting!

3. Tales of Graces: f (Namco Bandai) Mar. 13, 2012

 Japan has finally heard the call of its western fan base with the localization of Tales of Graces: f. Namco Bandai’s newest installment of the ‘Tales’ series features an improved combat system (known as  SS-LiMBS, look it up) which is considered the best in the series. From watching videos, combat does look a whole lot better and complex, but anyone can probably get the hang of it in a few hours, including me. With enhanced graphics, flashy combat, and interesting characters, Tales of Graces looks like it will provide a great experience for Tales fans and those who wish to try it out. Luckily for us, Namco Bandai is giving us the ‘f’ version, which includes more gameplay and features than the original. This is good, since we don’t know if we’ll get the next one in the U.S., so this will keep us busy for a while! Hopefully this release (and success) will make the Japanese branch bring over the other great Tales titles that never got their permission slips signed!

2. DmC: Devil May Cry (Ninja Theory) TBD 2012

 When I saw the first trailer for this game and saw some random teenager, my first thought was “Who the hell is this?”, but as more videos came in and explanations were given, I started saying, “Who cares, when is this coming out?” The Devil May Cry series is one of my favorite lines of games to be released, so getting this one is a no brainer. Imaginative enemies, twisted landscapes, and over-the-top action is a great selling point to me, and I totally bought it. This will be like Devil May Cry 3 since it jumps back to the past, but it’s one that I’m glad they’re making because I always wanted to know how Dante became the way he is. If you like to kick a lot of ass in style, you should check this one out. 

1. Mass Effect 3 (Bioware) Mar. 6, 2012

 The time for war against the Reapers is almost here with the coming of Mass Effect 3! I keep telling myself it’s only a few months away, but after hearing and seeing all the new additions Bioware put in, who knows when I’m going to crack! Voice commands, new weapons, old faces, and even multiplayer? This game is just trying to keep me from going to work! As I wait for a grueling 2 and a half months, I think I will replay the first and second Mass Effects, just so when the 3^rd one comes, I can be at the top of my game to how it’s gotten to this point. Mass Effect 3 may end the series, but the experience I will get from this game will be one I won’t soon forget.  Mass Effect 3 will definitely be one of the best games I’ll play this year! DEFINITELY.