Our pick of the best upcoming PC games of 2012 points out that it just might turn out to be a year for the somewhat sidelined computer gamers. The titles listed below comprise of some amazing PC-focused offerings as well as a few console cousins, which we think will be equally spectacular as their counterparts.
2011 endowed us with so many exciting offerings that there was never a dull moment for gaming in the entire year. And if the eminence of the games listed below is anything to go by, 2012 promises the same. So, here you go with the lineup.
1 – Hitman Absolution:
Agent 47 made a thrilling appearance at last year’s E3 with the debut trailer of Hitman: Absolution and since then, fans of the series just can’t get enough of this title. The challenging stealth-action from Hitman games has always proved engrossing for gamers, and we hope IO Interactive has cooked up more of that in this title.
2 – Guild Wars 2:
A sequel to one of the most top-rated MMORPGs ever, this game is all set to be a phenomenal offering which is expected to surpass the success of its precursor. And akin to Guild Wars, it will feature a subscription model that should enable gamers to buy it through retailers or online, while also being able to play it for free. Guild Wars 2 is yet to get a definite release window.
3 – Counter Strike: Global Offensive:
CS fanatics can brace themselves for some extremely long hours of gaming as CS: GO is on the anvil of being released for PC along with Mac, PS3 and Xbox 360. One of the main highlights of this version is that it will support cross-platform play over PC, Mac and PS3. And if that’s not enough, PS3 gamers will be able to jump into the action using either a keyboard and a mouse, a DualSock controller or – get this – the PS Move. But alas, Microsoft’s console will see nothing of that sort.
4 – Borderlands 2:
Few had predicted Borderlands would perform so exceptionally well in sales when it was released back in 2009. And hence, the coming of its sequel has been surrounded with intense anticipation. Often touted by its maker to be a hybrid of an RPG and a shooter, Borderlands 2 will allow gamers to select from a total of four new characters, with each of them having special skills and expertise in certain weapons.
5 – StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm:
StarCraft II proved to be an incredible breakthrough for the RTS genre. And now, with the game’s first expansion on its way, we’re sure that plenty more invigorating gaming hours lie in store for us. Apart from about twenty new missions, this fifth entry in our list of upcoming PC games 2012 will also introduce additional units and multiplayer changes from the original game.
6 – BioShock Infinite:
The mere mention of BioShock is enough for hardened fans to start going gaga over the first two games in the series. Now with BioShock Infinite, things go a little differently as instead of being set in the wonderfully rendered underwater city of Rapture, this title will take place in a metro suspended in the air by giant blimps and balloons. And moreover, the trademark political themes and steampunk visuals will all form a part of this first person shooter.
7 – Kingdoms of Amalur Reckoning:
This worthy addition to our list of upcoming PC games 2012 is expected to be an RPG par excellence. It is being worked upon by an ensemble team of sorts which includes Ken Rolston, the man behind the designs of Morrowind and Oblivion, and a few other known faces with fantasy writing backgrounds. This game is planned for a February 7 release.
8 – Mass Effect 3:
Nothing can be compared to BioWare’s prodigious saga of Mass Effect games. The final chapter in the trilogy will feature improved combat as well as enhanced AI. But the highlight among the lot is the whopping 40,000 lines of dialogue that’ll be stuffed into it. This number is almost twice as much as in the earlier game. Moreover, fans are also looking forward to the new online co-op multiplayer mode that will be seen making its debut with Mass Effect 3.
9 – Dota 2:
When there’s a game which has Valve at its helm, you just can’t expect it to be anything less than superb. Currently in a closed beta phase, this game looks all set to spawn you into hours and hours of non-stop, session-based, online multiplayer activity. Developed for PC and Mac, Dota 2 will be released through Steam, with further distribution models yet to be announced.
10 – Tomb Raider:
As this complete reboot to the series gets ready to enter our gaming libraries, we can’t help but be enthused about what feature in it. The 21-year-old Lara Croft who’s seen bruised and scarred in the trailer surely promises to take the series to new grounds. We are eagerly awaiting this Q3 title which promises to be a thriller.
11 – Max Payne 3:
Max’s bad memories might still be haunting him, but the pleasant remembrances we have about some of the finest gaming hours we’ve experienced while playing the first two games will never wash off our minds. And hence, Max Payne 3 is expected to be a fabulous treat for fans. Apart from the campaign which is set in Brazil and has Max in an older and world-weary avatar, this game will also kick in a full-fledged multiplayer mode, making it another much awaited offering from our roster of upcoming PC games 2012.
12 – Diablo III:
Even before it releases, we would like to take the liberty to say that this title will probably be one of the best games to come out this year. If you’re wondering why, you’re not familiar with the phenomenon called Diablo II and in that case, you better jump right into it before this one launches. The sequel has been under development by Blizzard for five year and it is expected to release in Q1 of this year.
So there you have it – the best upcoming PC games 2012. As we’ve mentioned before, if you’re strictly a PC gamer, this year definitely doesn’t look disappointing at all.