The Essential Video Games of 2012

FIFA 13

FIFA 13 captures all the drama and unpredictability of real-world soccer, and is driven by five game-changing innovations which revolutionize artificial intelligence, dribbling, ball control and physical play.  EA continues to make huge strides with their popular soccer franchise, with 2012’s version feeling like the closest to real thing on the market today.

These gameplay innovations give each match in FIFA 12 an unpredictable feeling, unlike any sports game we’ve seen before.

Far Cry 3

Far Cry 3 places you smack dab in the middle of the worst vacation that you could ever possibly imagine. One minute, you and your wealthy American friends and family are relaxing while vacationing in the fictional Rook Islands, and the next, you are being sold into slavery by island’s overlord.

The multi-dimensional and unpredictable nature of this jungle journey makes each and every mission a crap shoot, and is ultimately what makes Far Cry 3 enjoyable. It’s one of the better shooters of 2012 if just for its variety in its gameplay and sandbox elements.

Max Payne 3

The last we saw of Max Payne, he was under the development of Remedy Entertainment. If there’s anyone better suited to take over this iconic franchise, it was Rockstar Games, and they didn’t disappoint.

Other than adding their gritty take to the franchise, Rockstar kept Max Payne rooted in tradition. Based around grizzly bullet-time shooting galleries, Max Payne 3 is a hyper-violent against-all-odds story of an aging drug addicted body guard and his attempt to take down a Brazilian cartel.

The single player will sets the hook, but there’s a ton of content under the hood in Max Payne 3. A healthy set of multiplayer content, time-attack modes, and other content round out one of the best action games of the year.

Diablo 3

Diablo 3 saw its fair share of criticisms from fans following its May release. And while it might not have the end game content that fans expected it to have, it’s still one massive, well made game.

Dripping with the beautiful art and sounds that are expected from a Blizzard game, and the real money auction house dangles the carrot of potential profiteering from your online loot gathering exploits.

With Diablo III still very much a work in progress, like many Blizzard games, expect that this game is one that will only get better with time.