2012's Big Xbox 360 Releases ~ RajakaruGames

2012 is finally here and we know that after Christmas and the New Year you’re probably as broke as I am but listen anyway…. You need to start saving every penny you can now if you want all the best games on offer in 2012. It’s going to be a big year and one that I think might well trump 2011 which itself had some fantastic new games.

So today is the day where I will be looking at some of the biggest games listed for a release over the next 12 months and let’s face it each of these really needs a spot in everyone’s collection (pending terrible reviews of course).

Final Fantasy XIII-2

The first big release of the year looks to take all the bits from the first game that we loved and fix those that we didn’t. With its release coming at the end of January for both Xbox 360 and on the PS3 it will feature the same fast paced strategy combat we all enjoyed and also throw in a less linear world. I’m exceptionally excited about this release and loved the first game even with all its problems.

Mass Effect 3

The final part of the trilogy is set to hit our stores in the UK during March and should be the best in the series. Mass Effect 2 was 2010’s big game and this looks to build on the successful history in a bigger, sexier and more expansive way. If you liked either of the last two outings with Commander Shepherd then this is due to be one of your favourite games this year. The addition of multiplayer can only be a good thing too.

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

This may have passed you by so far but is shaping up to be the action RPG of the year that could bridge the gap between the intense Dark Souls and the epic Skyrim. All the major previews have expressed just how brilliantly this is shaping up and everyone seems to be consistently impressed with the new EA published title. With 4 playable races and 5 distinct areas this game could eat up several dozen hours of your life.

Bioshock Infinite

If you loved the previous games than this is sure to have caught your eye, the underwater city of Rapture has been replaced with the floating hub called Columbia but looks to keep everything that make a Bioshock game great. The trailers look exciting and the gameplay appears to still be fast paced. If you’re a fan of killing Splicers then this won’t disappoint. It should also be an interesting dynamic between Booker (your playable character) and Elizabeth (your more then helpful ally). To say much more might ruin the story for you so just keep your eyes pealed for this and watch Ken Levine’s twitter for more information.

Halo 4

Master Chief is back for his forth outing in the hit franchise. Of course Cortana will be back too in a supporting role but both will have undergone serious character changes since the closure of Halo 3. Finally we can play as every budding space soldier’s hero again but where and when we are still unsure. Expect new gameplay features and possibly a new enemy too. 343 Industries have shown us their potential with their Halo Reach map packs and I’m sure they will live up to the history Bungie have given them to play with.

Street Fighter x Tekken

So this looks like every Beat’em Up fans wet dream… and rightly so. What I saw at the Eurogamer Expo this year was a fast, fluid combat system that allows fans of both games to get stuck right in. With a growing list of playable fighters this is shaping up to be the fighting game of the year and possibly of the generation.

Grand Theft Auto V

I’m sure you have all seen the trailer by now and in 2012 we can expect the new GTA to hit even more dazzling heights than the last. We don’t know the story, the protagonist or much else except that this will be set back in San Andreas but that is all we need. It’s time to get excited this will be out of this world.

Borderlands 2

The first Borderland is still a regular in my 360 as I attempt to slowly creep towards level 50… I know I’m slow right? Pandora was a wonderful place to explore even if it was rather brown. Borderland 2 though promises to be bigger, better and thankfully more colourful. I can’t wait to zap some bandits and aliens with another green rocket launcher that also makes enemies turn to ice.

Aliens: Colonial Marines

The Alien series has seen it’s up and it’s down with video games but after the horrendous outing of Aliens vs. Predator surely Colonial Marines can only head in the right direction. Gearbox Software have a history of creating well rounded shooters and I’m hoping this one lives up to the hype of the last game and gives the player a real sense of horror.

XCOM

Anyone who remembers the original game will know exactly why we are excited for this new instalment. The gameplay looks fresh and the visuals are stunning which can only be a good thing. Recently it was also announced that XCOM will have a new strategy title too that is sure to follow in the footsteps of its predecessor. For me though the real thrill will be playing this in the first person perspective.