Game you've enjoyed most this year

[Reyold]

Tales of the Abyss. I loved the characters, music, and the battle system. Almost done with it.

 

[DanielBrown]

I think Diablo 3 and ME3 are the only games released this year that I've played...
ME3 wins that contest hands down.

Damn you, Blizzard. :'(

 

[Thatguyky]

I'm at a toss up between Mass Effect 3 (Despite the utterly terrible ending I have logged plenty of hours into campaign/multiplayer), and the good ol' ssx reboot. Once you get good at ssx cruising down slopes without a care in the world and music cranked makes for a good time

If the EC for Mass Effect is good that will probably make it my favorite

 

[Eddie the head]

I am going to say Journey and Mass Effect 3.

 

[kyogen]

Dragon's Dogma.
Great action, smart story, a lot of customization, hard to stop playing.

Legend of Grimrock would be a close second, though. Nice pick, OP.

 

[OctoH]

Mass Effect 3 and Max Payne 3. I wish I could think of another game that was also the 3rd in a series so I could round this out as a trio, but alas...none.

 

[Tohuvabohu]

Easy: Max Payne 3.

This game may very well end up being my personal choice for Game of the Year: 2012

 

[neonsword13-ops]

Easily Gravity Rush. Best game I've had the pleasure of playing since Persona 4.

Other than that? Disgaea 1, 3, and 4.

 

[Aarowbeatsdragon]

Mass effect 3!!! also this year i started playing the MGS series and i finished every game in it, not new i know but im counting it, loved all of the games 4 being my favorite!

 

[FreeCookies]

I just downloaded the Civ 5 demo, expecting to dislike it. I now can't wait for the next two days to pass so I can finish my exams and buy it.
If the OP means a game released this year, then mass effect 3 because it's the only thing i've bought since Christmas.

 

[TheYellowCellPhone]

Haha... I haven't bought any games in so long.

Team Fortress 2.

 

[Eldrig]

game released this year? Mass effect 3 easily.

 

[BathorysGraveland]

How would you say it holds up to the original Risen? Is it better, worse or more or less just the same game with a different setting? I quite liked Risen and the pirate setting of 2 really intrigues me but from all the videos I've seen it looks kind of unpolished and buggy in places.

Hmm, I would actually say it holds up to the early Gothic games more than Risen. The beginning can be a damn nightmare, and you'll always be horrible at the game if you don't take the time to learn how the mechanics work. But once you invest time and patience into the combat, it'll ultimately reward you very well. It has some of the most enjoyable combat I've ever played in a game. The issue is: without skills, you suck and will die a lot. Skills take time to get, so this seems to drive a lot of people from the game. But if you spend the time to learn these skills, and then personal time to learn how the skills themselves work, you'll see a noticeable progress in your character.

A word of warning to the wise: do NOT base your opinion on YouTube videos. 99% of them really do not do this game justice at all.

As for the pirate theme. It is pretty clichéd Pirates of the Caribbean styled stuff, but it is done rather well. The only thing the setting has in common with the first game, is the tropical island feel the land has. The pirate thing is pretty -lite though. There aren't naval battles, or crew management or anything you'd see in, say, Age of Pirates. But then, this isn't that kind of game.

I enjoyed it more than the first Risen myself, and would say it is one of Pirahna Bytes' best efforts yet.

 

[Shoggoth2588]

Final Fantasy X for sure...as for games actually released this year...I don't know if I've played any 2012 games actually, outside of demos. I'm having a lot of fun with Final Fantasy XII as well and finally beat Wind Waker this year.

 

[Sarah Kerrigan]

Cry of Fear (the mod), Mass Effect 3 && Lollipop Chainsaw /a loud gasp rings through this forum/ Yes guys, I did (and still am) enjoying this game!!!

Also, Resident evil revelations made me not put my 3DS down for a couple of days XD

 

[TheDuckbunny]

How would you say it holds up to the original Risen? Is it better, worse or more or less just the same game with a different setting? I quite liked Risen and the pirate setting of 2 really intrigues me but from all the videos I've seen it looks kind of unpolished and buggy in places.

Hmm, I would actually say it holds up to the early Gothic games more than Risen. The beginning can be a damn nightmare, and you'll always be horrible at the game if you don't take the time to learn how the mechanics work. But once you invest time and patience into the combat, it'll ultimately reward you very well. It has some of the most enjoyable combat I've ever played in a game. The issue is: without skills, you suck and will die a lot. Skills take time to get, so this seems to drive a lot of people from the game. But if you spend the time to learn these skills, and then personal time to learn how the skills themselves work, you'll see a noticeable progress in your character.

A word of warning to the wise: do NOT base your opinion on YouTube videos. 99% of them really do not do this game justice at all.

As for the pirate theme. It is pretty clichéd Pirates of the Caribbean styled stuff, but it is done rather well. The only thing the setting has in common with the first game, is the tropical island feel the land has. The pirate thing is pretty -lite though. There aren't naval battles, or crew management or anything you'd see in, say, Age of Pirates. But then, this isn't that kind of game.

I enjoyed it more than the first Risen myself, and would say it is one of Pirahna Bytes' best efforts yet.

That sounds pretty good. I've played a bit of Gothic 2 back in the day and have fond memories of it. What you describe with the combat does sound similar to Risen (and indeed the Gothic games) in that player skill plays quite a big role in winning battles, and while it could be a steep learning curve it made the small victories in those games all the more rewarding.

I think you might've convinced me to pick it up then. Pyranha Bytes' games are always a unique and welcome flavor in today's crowded RPG market. There's something very authentic and handcrafted about them that I really like. Plus while clichéd they may be, there can never be enough pirate themed games!

 

[NnyTheV]

For me definitely Batman Arkham City.

 

[BathorysGraveland]

snip

Indeed. Happy to help. Just be sure you get the update/patch. Apparently the initial launch didn't have a dodge or effective blocking feature. I got the game after the patch was released, so I didn't have any problems, but I'm sure it'd be a nightmare without it.

 

[mateushac]

I actually haven't bought any games released in 2012 yet, as for playing this year, probably RO2

 

[deserteagleeye]

I finally got around to playing Okami. One of the greatest games I've ever played. The music and gameplay is just so beautiful. Until I get P4 Arena or the Golden, this will be pretty high up there.