1. Call of Duty: Black Ops II
Platform: Xbox 360
US Release Year: 2012
Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Genres: Action (First-Person Shooter)
ESRB Rating: M
Developer: Treyarch
Publisher: Activision
Synopsis: Spanning years from the 1980s Cold War to a near-future scenario dominated by technology and weaponized mechs, Call of Duty: Black Ops II features both returning characters and new faces as players must navigate two distinct, playable time periods where their decisions will affect the outcome of the game.
2. RetroArch
Platform: PC
US Release Year: 2012
Overall Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Genres: Compilation
Developer: Libretro
Publisher: Libretro
Synopsis: The world's greatest all-in-one emulator is available on PC, Android, and a variety of closed platforms via jailbreaking. Its unique core-based architecture allows for individual emulators for different classic platforms to act like plug-ins in a unified interface.
3. Xenoblade Chronicles
Platform: Wii
US Release Year: 2012
Overall Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars
Genres: Role Playing (RPG) (Action RPG)
ESRB Rating: T
Developer: Monolith Soft
Publisher: Nintendo
Synopsis: The third in the "Xeno" series of games, which previously featured "Xenogears" and the "Xenosaga" Trilogy. "Xenoblade" takes place in a world that resulted from a battle between two gods: the Colossus and the Machine God. These two deities struck each other mortal blows, which locked them in their final battle for all time. But the world was not ended: Life sprung up upon the backs of these eternally frozen gods and continued the war anew.
4. Halo 4
Platform: Xbox 360
US Release Year: 2012
Overall Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
Genres: Action (First-Person Shooter)
ESRB Rating: M
Developer: 343 Industries
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Synopsis: Master Chief returns as he finds himself shipwrecked on a mysterious planet where an ancient evil stirs. New enemies and frightening technology await, along with a plan that could threaten the universe. Features up to three player split-screen multiplayer as well as online modes that take you beyond the story. Keep track of the weekly Spartan Ops updates that delves deeper into the Halo 4 Reclaimer Saga.
5. Journey
Platform: PlayStation Network
US Release Year: 2012
Overall Rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars
Genres: Adventure
ESRB Rating: E
Developer: ThatGameCompany
Publisher: ThatGameCompany
6. The Last Story
Platform: Wii
US Release Year: 2012
Overall Rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars
Genres: Role Playing (RPG) (Action RPG)
ESRB Rating: T
Developer: Mistwalker, Artoon
Publisher: Nintendo, Xseed Games
Synopsis: The latest RPG developed by Hironobu Sakaguchi, the father of "Final Fantasy."
7. Sniper Elite V2
Platform: Xbox 360
US Release Year: 2012
Overall Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Genres: Action
ESRB Rating: M
Developer: Rebellion Developments
Publisher: 505 Games
Synopsis: Players take control of a WWII sniper in war-torn Berlin between the final battle of German and Russian forces. Skill, patience and cunning will all have to be employed and choices and sacrifices will have to be made. The game features advanced ballistics for the most authentic experience, along with the x-ray kill cam for exceptionally skilled shots.
8. Dishonored
Platform: Xbox 360
US Release Year: 2012
Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Genres: Action (Action/Adventure, Sandbox)
ESRB Rating: M
Developer: Arkane Studios
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Synopsis: Once a bodyguard for the empress, you have been framed for her murder and turned assassin - leaving a disturbing mask as your calling card. Steam-punk inspired technology meets with supernatural abilities in this immersive first-person action game as you search for the truth behind your betrayal.
9. Borderlands 2
Platform: PC (Steam)
US Release Year: 2012
Overall Rating: 4.1 out of 5 stars
Genres: Action (First-Person Shooter), Role Playing (RPG) (Elements)
ESRB Rating: M
Developer: Gearbox Software
Publisher: 2K
Synopsis: Welcome back to Pandora, stranger. Your quest for revenge and redemption begins on the frozen tundra and leads right up to the top: Handsome Jack, founder of the Hyperion Corporation. Come out guns blazin' as the hybrid FPS/RPG brings out the big guns: new environments, new enemies and the new Gunzerker class (who can dual wield the weapon of his choice) await you. Featurs online and LAN multiplayer support.
10. Mass Effect 3
Platform: PlayStation 3
US Release Year: 2012
Overall Rating: 4.1 out of 5 stars
Genres: Action (Third-Person Shooter), Role Playing (RPG) (Elements)
ESRB Rating: RP
Developer: BioWare
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Synopsis: Commander Shepard and his crew will return... but not all will survive. Earth has been decimated by The Reapers - an alien race bent on nothing less than the total annihilation of against the entire galaxy. Whether importing a game or starting new, each decision you make will determine not only your fate, but that of the galaxy.
