Girls play games, right? Here are 12 titles I'm really looking forward to playing this year. From the new Tomb Raider (gotta love Lara) to a third Max Payne, there's lots to look out for.
TOMB RAIDER
Archaeologist Lara Croft is one of the most well-known videogame characters of all time. Portrayed by Angelina Jolie in the film adaptation of the game series, the British explorer has become a female icon, capable of everything from melee combat to deciphering ancient puzzles. But who was Lara Croft before she acquired these highly-skilled moves? Crystal Dynamic’s new Tomb Raider goes back in time, telling the origin story of Lara Croft. It’s an intense and gritty tale, where you’ll see a Lara like you’ve never seen her before.
Only 21 and armed with instinct, it’s a survival story, it’s dark and we cannot wait to play it.
BIOSHOCK INFINITE
Say goodbye to the underwater city that is Rapture as you’re catapulted into the sky. With no scary Big Daddies or Little Sisters, BioShock Infinite is set to redefine 2K’s award-winning first-person shooter experience. You’re Booker DeWitt, a former Pinkerton agent on a mission to rescue a girl named Elizabeth, trapped in Columbia. But will DeWitt be able to save her before the city falls from the sky? Expect high-speed air battles, combat in the clouds and exciting new abilities.
BioShock Infinite has more weapons, dangerous enemies, an animation engine and AI system built specially for the game.
XCOM
An intense sci-fi thriller from 2K, XCOM is a gripping tactical action experience set in 1962. You’ll lead an elite field team of specialised government agents into battle. As FBI agent William Carter, you’re tasked with tough decisions as you struggle to identify a mysterious and growing alien threat. Staying true to the original franchise, XCOM has both strategy and combat elements. So from conducting field research, to commanding a science and engineering team, how you the win battle against this hostile, extraterrestrial invasion is up to you.
The narrative is rich, the choices are yours – and everything you think you know about the enemy is about to change…
METAL GEAR RISING: REVENGEANCE
What makes Revengeance different from other games in Hideo Kojima’s Metal Gear Solid series is that it’s not stealth-based. It’s also going to be available on multiple consoles. That said, Revengeance is a spin-off action game starring the katana-wielding cyborg-ninja Raiden. Taking place several years after Guns of the Patriots, the slice-and-dice gameplay will have you disabling robots to reuse their parts and cutting through enemies and vehicles.
While not too much has been said about the storyline, we can’t wait to play this breath-taking action title.
MAX PAYNE 3
How far away will NYPD detective Max Payne go to escape his past? Now in São Paulo, Brazil, Payne is working private security, but it isn’t as cushy as it sounds… not when the family under Payne’s protection is targeting by gangs. This is the 3rd and much-anticipated game from Rockstar. Staying true to the original game, MP3 is a first-person shooter but with revolutionary gunplay physics that feel true to the beloved original.
Not only will there be an extensive single-player campaign, it will be the first title in the series to introduce a multiplayer mode, maps and all.
HITMAN: ABSOLUTION
Your favourite cold-blooded assassin, Agent 47, is back. Absolution takes the protagonist on a personal journey, as well as on his most dangerous assignment yet. Bald and barcoded, you’ll play 47 as he runs from the police. The game promises constant choices that will determine how you will solve challenges – will you use stealth, sneaking past security, or go at them with guns a-blazing? There are several ways to play out every level, challenge and situation, as well as an Instinct Mode to help those new to the game tackle tricky AI.
As expected, Hitman: Absolution will play beautifully, with excellent cinematic graphics and a great soundtrack.
RIDGE RACER: UNBOUNDED
Drive, destroy and dominate – this is the mantra of the latest addition to Namco Bandai’s racing series. While some car games are all about realism (Gran Turismo) and others about unlockables and fun power-ups (Mario Kart), Unbounded will take you on a Burnout-like track. From trashing everything in sight to being the last player on the road, there’s even an arcade drifting and duelling mode. And in addition to all the destruction physics, there’s a City Creator that will let you create and share unlimited tracks.
Unbounded looks set to be the most visceral racing game of 2012.
TOM CLANCY'S GHOST RECON: FUTURE SOLDIER
Cutting-edge technology, high-tech weaponry and state-of-the-art single-player and multiplayer modes are what make up the upcoming Tom Clancy title. So what’s a Future Soldier? Only the very best soldiers with a unique mix of skills on and off the battlefield get to wear the coveted Ghost insignia and in the game, that’s you. You’re Sergeant John Kozak, a new squad member who will get to fight alongside 3 veteran operators in a character-focused, 10-hour storyline.
There are 14 campaign missions (that can be played through with up to 3 friends) as well as 4 innovative multiplayer modes.
DIABLO III
Is Diablo III the action RPG that everyone is waiting for? This Blizzard game may be taking its time to come out, but with talk of a real-money auction house and PvP mode in addition to the campaign, there are a lot of high hopes for the fan-loved franchise. What we do know is that Diablo III will require a constant Internet connection to play, and that the dark, moody atmosphere and engaging item-grabbing gameplay is similar to previous titles. What has changed, however, is the character customisation for the 5 classes. There are also smarter combat, improved controls and new difficulty levels.
Let the battle between good and evil begin!
MASS EFFECT 3
Blending shooter combat with interactive, cinematic storytelling, it’s the end of the trilogy and not everyone will survive. This is Mass Effect 3, a game from BioWare, where an ancient alien race known only as “Reapers” has launched an all-out invasion of the galaxy, leaving nothing but a trail of destruction in their wake. Earth has been taken, the galaxy is on the verge of total annihilation, and you (as Commander Shepard) are the only one who can stop them. The price of failure? Extinction.
You can expect blockbuster action and heart-wrenching emotion from this epic sci-fi shooter. Pre-order this!
DARKSIDERS II
The 4 horsemen of the Apocalypse have returned! Interestingly enough, Darksiders 2 is not a sequel but rather a story running parallel to the events of the original game. It’s set to be an addictive, action-adventure title (with added RPG elements) that takes Death through light and dark realms in an attempt to redeem his brother War. It features a full weapon and armour upgrade system – hammers, clubs, maces, spears – as well as more challenging dungeons and combat.
Other new additions to the Darksiders II gameplay include quests, enemies that drop loot and over-the-top environments to explore.
PREY 2
Published by Bethesda (the people behind Fallout), Prey 2 is a first-person shooter with a bit of a kick. You were a US marshal, but after being abducted (circa the original Prey game), Killian Samuels is now an interstellar bounty hunter on the alien world Exodus. What we’re most excited to try out is the agile combat, a system of jumping, sliding and hanging that gets you to the enemies quicker and keeps the action fast-paced – it’s all about profit!
Prey 2 is the sandbox, single-player experience to keep your eyes open for.
