The racing genre had some big hitters this year, with some returning franchises revitalising themselves in 2012.
The following games are the highest rated games on Metacritic and GameRankings, respectively.
Trials Evolution (90; 91.58)
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.
Forza Horizon (85; 86.02)
Turn 10 Studios returned with a new Forza this year, although marked as a spin-off to the track-bound racing sim.
Unlike previous Forza iterations, Forza Horizon takes a new direction from the series’ simulated roots and heads in a more arcade-oriented and no-holds-barred direction.
Horizon is a free roaming, open world racing experience, that will combine the class and precision of the Forza franchise with the edgy off-track racing scene.
Read MyGaming’s review of Forza Horizon.
Need for Speed: Most Wanted (82; 84.86)
A lot of eyes were on Most Wanted to see if the reboot can get the Need for Speed series back on track, and EA’s second lap at the Most Wanted brand definitely delivered.
Criterion mixed it up with new features and old-school thrills, and the Burnout developer did a stellar job at bringing back the Need for Speed we all love to play.
As Lee Josephs said in his MyGaming review: “[Most Wanted] brings back a feeling of nostalgia that we’ve missed from NFS titles for so long.”
Read MyGaming’s review on Need for Speed: Most Wanted.
F1 2012 (84; 84.27)
Whether F1 2012 is a worthy buy after owning 2011 is questionable, but for hard-core enthusiasts as well as newcomers interested in trying it out –F1 is a solid game that won’t leave you disappointed.
Codemasters did it once again with F1 2012 and polished-off another great F1 simulator that will leave racing enthusiasts enthralled.
Read MyGaming’s review of F1 2012.
Sonic & All Stars Racing (82; 83.19)
Sonic & All Stars Racing was one of the pleasant surprises of 2010 with it’s over-the-top speed and vibrant tracks; and while it was always compared to Mario Kart, it found a place of its own amongst karting fans.
A sequel to the Sega racer brought back the over-the-top and colourful racing, and taking a page out of Mario Kart 7’s book, added sea and air racing.
Terraforming racetracks also helped Sega’s wacky racer get onto the best racing games of the year list.
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