Best games of 2012

We’ve had a lot of very different games this year, but what are the games that stood tallest in the various genres and platforms?

The following games are the highest rated games on Metacritic and GameRankings, respectively, in the different categories and platforms.

Best shooter of 2012

Borderlands 2 (91; 90.50%)

Runner up: Far Cry 3

Borderlands 2 is undoubtedly one of the games of the year, and also manages to dominate its genre by being the highest rated FPS of 2012.

While still holding its strengths in its deep RPG elements, the game still manages to excel in the shooting arena. Critics praised everything Borderlands 2 had to offer, and MyGaming’s editor James agreed in his Borderlands 2 review:

“If your trigger fingers have been itching for more of the Borderlands open-world, over-the-top, looting and shooting action, then picking up Borderlands 2 is a no-brainer.”

Best driving/racing game of 2012

Trials Evolution (90; 91.58)

Runner up: Forza Horizon

While not necessarily a pure racing game and more of a puzzle platformer on wheels, Trials was one of those games that developed an instant cult following, so when developer RedLynx announced the sequel, mouths began watering.

Trials Evolution released and was exactly what the name promised – an evolution. The game featured bigger and trickier levels, better physics, and multiplayer; not to mention that players could create their own levels through a great editing system.

RedLynx, we salute you.

Best strategy game of 2012

XCOM: Enemy Unknown (PC) [89; 89]

Runner up: Total War: Shogun 2 – Fall of the Samurai

One of the world’s most revered strategy developers, Firaxis, brought back XCOM this year to a new generation of gamers.

Enemy Unknown redefined the 1994 classic strategy game UFO: Enemy Unknown, and features the traditional and fan-favourite gameplay that strategy enthusiasts have been craving.

Best sports game of 2012

FIFA 13 (Xbox 360) [90 ; 89.6]

Runner up: MLB 12: The Show (PS3)

Canada have flaunted their huge muscle and budget and brought out not only the best FIFA title, and possibly the best football game ever crafted.

FIFA 13 continued the series high pedigree with another brilliant update, and dominates the sporting genre for 2012 with ease.

Read MyGaming’s review of FIFA 13.

Best PS3 game of 2012

Journey (92; 92.46)

Runner up: Mass Effect 3

Who would’ve thought a small downloadable title would be one of the big hitters of 2012?

From ThatGameCompany, the people who brought us Flower, Journey is a unique title which captures the feeling of discovery and adventure by allowing online players to experience the game anonymously without traditional communication.

While Journey isn’t a conventional game in terms of gameplay ideals and difficulty, it more than makes up for it with beautiful visuals and a soundtrack which will rival that of a Hollywood orchestral score.

Best Xbox 360 game of 2012

The Walking Dead: A Telltale Games Series (94)

Runner up: Mass Effect 3

The Walking Dead video game is undoubtedly one of the biggest surprises this year.

Expecting a watered-down tie-in, the episodic game series has captured old-school point-and-click veterans and new gamers alike, and although just released, the Walking Dead boxed set is the highest rated Xbox 360 game in 2012.

The aggregate score of the combined episodes puts the box set above anything else, and is a testament to the love and dedication to classic adventure games.

Best PC game of 2012

Dishonored (91; 90.57)

Runner up: Mark of the Ninja

Bethesda’s new IP stole the show this year and is hands-down one of the most interesting games of 2012.

Like a crossover between Assassin’s Creed, Thief, and Bioshock, Dishonored combines stealth, action and beautifully stylised visuals to deliver a truly unique experience, standing out amongst the other games that came out this year.

If throat-stabbing isn’t enough, Dishonored also throws in some supernatural powers and a government conspiracy that should lure gamers into the new universe – which is surely to become a favourite.

Critics loved Dishonored, consumers loved Dishonored – and we couldn’t agree more.

Read all other news coverage on Dishonored.