{"id":35832,"date":"2012-04-12T10:26:04","date_gmt":"2012-04-12T08:26:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/?p=35832"},"modified":"2012-04-12T11:15:45","modified_gmt":"2012-04-12T09:15:45","slug":"the-best-games-of-2012-so-far","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/features\/35832-the-best-games-of-2012-so-far","title":{"rendered":"The best games of 2012 (so far)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The first quarter of 2012 is done and dusted, and as we head into the second quarter of the year, let\u2019s have a look back at which games have stood out so far.<\/p>\n<p>According to Metacritic, the following games have averaged out the highest scores for 2012 in relation to an average score for all the platforms the games appeared on.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"my-4\"><strong>SSX \u2013 Metascore: 81 (PS3), 82 (360)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Much to the displeasure of fans, EA\u2019s over-the-top snowboard franchise disappeared over recent years after some exceptional entries into the series, but in late February the trick-packed series returned with somewhat of a reboot for the franchise.<\/p>\n<p>SSX delivered\u00a0exactly\u00a0what eager gamers had been waiting for, as everything from the insane tricks, vast mountain ranges, interesting characters and the expected heart-pounding soundtrack was intact and better than ever before.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-33183 aligncenter\" title=\"SSX screenshot 60 zoe_rockies\" src=\"http:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/SSX-screenshot-60-zoe_rockies.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/SSX-screenshot-60-zoe_rockies.jpg 800w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/SSX-screenshot-60-zoe_rockies-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/SSX-screenshot-60-zoe_rockies-80x45.jpg 80w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/SSX-screenshot-60-zoe_rockies-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/SSX-screenshot-60-zoe_rockies-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/SSX-screenshot-60-zoe_rockies-170x96.jpg 170w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/SSX-screenshot-60-zoe_rockies-297x167.jpg 297w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/SSX-screenshot-60-zoe_rockies-530x298.jpg 530w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/SSX-screenshot-60-zoe_rockies-625x351.jpg 625w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/SSX-screenshot-60-zoe_rockies-250x140.jpg 250w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px\" \/><\/p>\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"my-4\"><strong>Street Fighter X Tekken &#8211; Metascore: 84 (PS3), 83 (360)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Fighting fanatics were finally given the chance to let Jin square off against Ryu, King take on Ken, and Heihachi have a shot at Bison, giving fanboys exactly what they had imagined for years.<\/p>\n<p>The crossover of the century finally happened, as Namco and Capcom teamed up to drop Street Fighter X Tekken (developed by Capcom). The game uses the tried-and-tested solid Street Fighter IV engine to produce the fast and frenetic combat synonymous with the SF series, as well as transporting the famed Tekken fighters into the hand-drawn stylised visuals Capcom pride themselves on.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/Street-Fighter-X-Tekken.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-35833 aligncenter\" title=\"Street Fighter X Tekken\" src=\"http:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/Street-Fighter-X-Tekken.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"337\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/Street-Fighter-X-Tekken.jpg 600w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/Street-Fighter-X-Tekken-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/Street-Fighter-X-Tekken-80x45.jpg 80w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/Street-Fighter-X-Tekken-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/Street-Fighter-X-Tekken-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/Street-Fighter-X-Tekken-170x96.jpg 170w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/Street-Fighter-X-Tekken-297x167.jpg 297w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/Street-Fighter-X-Tekken-530x298.jpg 530w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/Street-Fighter-X-Tekken-250x140.jpg 250w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"my-4\"><strong>UFC Undisputed 3 \u2013 Metascore: 86 (PS3), 85 (360)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The Undisputed series has proven itself the unrivalled king of the octagon, but THQ\u2019s fighter didn\u2019t stop there, as it has continued to improve upon itself year after year.<\/p>\n<p>UFC Undisputed 3 is the pinnacle of the series, as it manages to maintain the elements that have made the series such a knock-out hit, while also adding a host of new additions and features to keep it fresh.<\/p>\n<p>The game has opened its cage, allowing inexperienced players to easily access the gameplay, while veteran gamers are now exposed to further depth within the genre.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/UFC-Undisputed-3-screen.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-35834 aligncenter\" title=\"UFC Undisputed 3 screen\" src=\"http:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/UFC-Undisputed-3-screen.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/UFC-Undisputed-3-screen.jpg 800w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/UFC-Undisputed-3-screen-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/UFC-Undisputed-3-screen-80x45.jpg 80w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/UFC-Undisputed-3-screen-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/UFC-Undisputed-3-screen-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/UFC-Undisputed-3-screen-170x96.jpg 170w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/UFC-Undisputed-3-screen-297x167.jpg 297w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/UFC-Undisputed-3-screen-530x298.jpg 530w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/UFC-Undisputed-3-screen-625x351.jpg 625w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/UFC-Undisputed-3-screen-250x140.jpg 250w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px\" \/><\/a><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"my-4\"><strong>Journey \u2013 Metascore: 92 (PSN) <\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Who would\u2019ve thought a small downloadable title would already be one of the big hitters of 2012?<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>While Journey isn\u2019t a conventional game in terms of gameplay ideals and difficulty, it more than makes up for it with beautiful visuals, gorgeous vistas and a soundtrack which will rival that of a Hollywood orchestral score.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/journey1.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-34438 aligncenter\" title=\"journey\" src=\"http:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/journey1.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/journey1.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/journey1-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/journey1-80x45.jpg 80w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/journey1-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/journey1-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/journey1-170x96.jpg 170w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/journey1-297x167.jpg 297w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/journey1-530x298.jpg 530w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/journey1-625x351.jpg 625w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/journey1-250x140.jpg 250w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"my-4\"><strong>Mass Effect 3 &#8211; Metascore: 93 (PS3), 93 (360), 89 (PC)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>It comes as no surprise to see Mass Effect 3 at top of the list, as Bioware\u2019s epic conclusion to arguably the greatest trilogy this generation has dropped jaws of critics and gamers alike.<\/p>\n<p>ME3 places an emphasis on the decisions and actions players made in previous games, by allowing gamers to transfer their saves in order to benefit from the past accomplishments, but also face future consequences.<\/p>\n<p>Mass Effect 3 ups-the-ante in every department and hits new heights with the story, gameplay mechanics and visuals, to deliver a game that will stand strong, not only in 2012, but for years to come.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Mass-Effect-3-screenshot-24.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-32832  aligncenter\" title=\"Mass Effect 3 \" src=\"http:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Mass-Effect-3-screenshot-24.jpg\" alt=\"Mass Effect 3\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Mass-Effect-3-screenshot-24.jpg 800w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Mass-Effect-3-screenshot-24-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Mass-Effect-3-screenshot-24-80x45.jpg 80w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Mass-Effect-3-screenshot-24-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Mass-Effect-3-screenshot-24-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Mass-Effect-3-screenshot-24-170x96.jpg 170w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Mass-Effect-3-screenshot-24-297x167.jpg 297w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Mass-Effect-3-screenshot-24-530x298.jpg 530w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Mass-Effect-3-screenshot-24-625x351.jpg 625w, https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Mass-Effect-3-screenshot-24-250x140.jpg 250w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"my-4\"><strong>MyGaming\u2019s games of 2012 (so far)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Journalists around the office also have their fair share of comments and opinions regarding what games should be considered as having an impact this year.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"my-4\"><strong>Quinton Bronkhorst<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>\u201cSims 3: Showtime, because I like recreating Snooks, Sitch and rest of the crew from JS.\u201d &#8211; (Don&#8217;t worry, no one really understands Quinton\u2019s nonsensical ramblings.)<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"my-4\"><strong>Jan Vermeulen<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>\u201cHumble Android Bundle &#8211; what\u2019s better than being able to play your games on Windows, Mac and Linux? Being able to play them on Windows, Mac and Android!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Jan then added:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere was also Humble Bundle 2, and yes, equally as awesome.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"my-4\"><strong>Dan Parmenter<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>\u201cBen 10 Galactic Racing, because what\u2019s better than Ben10? Ben 10 in a pimped-out space car.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"my-4\"><strong>Tarryn van der Byl <\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>\u201c<\/strong>I&#8217;ll be controversial, and go with &#8220;Mass Effect 3. I just pretend the ending never happened, and it&#8217;s okay.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"my-4\"><strong>James Etherington-Smith<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>\u201cFor me it&#8217;s a toss-up between Alan Wake on PC, which is satiating my psychological action-horror hunger, and Angry Birds Space, which has really livened up my bathroom breaks.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"my-4\"><strong>Derrick Cramer<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>\u201cAngry Birds Space, because it\u2019s Angry Birds, in space.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"my-4\"><strong>Jeremy Proome<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>\u201cI would like to say Binary Domain, it was a refreshing surprise; but I&#8217;ve gotta go with Call of Cthulhu: The Wasted Land, because no matter how average it is, it\u2019s the most fun to say.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>What is your favourite game of 2012 so far? Sound off in the comments below and in the forums.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"my-4\">Related articles<\/h3>\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/reviews\/34679-ssx-review-xbox-360.html\">SSX review<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/pc\/34680-mass-effect-3-choose-your-own-review-ps3.html\">Mass Effect &#8211; choose your own review<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/ps3\/33254-jak-and-daxter-collection-review-ps3.html\">Jak &amp; Daxter Collection review<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A look back at Q1&#8217;s best offerings.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":196,"featured_media":35836,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sma_x_autopost_status":"idle","_sma_x_autopost_error":"","_sma_x_post_id":"","_sma_x_attempts":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[3364,1658,2409,3363,3362,3180,21,2787,423,1711,2660,2014],"class_list":["post-35832","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-features","tag-2012-video-games","tag-alan-wake-pc","tag-angry-birds-space","tag-best-games-of-2012","tag-best-games-of-2012-so-far","tag-feature","tag-headline","tag-journey","tag-mass-effect-3","tag-ssx","tag-street-fighter-x-tekken","tag-ufc-undisputed-3"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35832","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/196"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35832"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35832\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":35865,"href":"https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35832\/revisions\/35865"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/35836"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35832"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35832"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35832"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}