OtakuDante's "Top 10 Xbox 360 Games of 2012"

This year has been a virtual roller coaster ride for the video game industry. Some developers hit home runs with their games while others failed miserably at their attempts to impress the gamers. I'm here today to give much deserved praise to the games that have truly impressed me this year. With each game nominated (by me, in somewhat numerical order) I will also give you (the reader) my thoughts as to why I think the game in question deserves a spot on my "Top 10" list. The games will range from retail Xbox 360 games to XBLIG titles. There will definitely be credit given across the Xbox 360 gaming spectrum in that respect. I hope that you gain some knowledge as to what was good & what was not this year through my list. Keep in mind though that my opinions are my own, and that opinions are like a**holes. Everybody's got one. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all of you reading this article! May the coming year be a blessed one for you!

TOP 10 OF 2012

1) HALO 4 (Xbox 360) - Halo is the epitome of all that is Xbox. The franchise has been going strong since it's birth as a last-gen Xbox console game. While I haven't really followed the series past "HALO: Combat Evolved" & "HALO 2" I did manage to get in some time with "HALO: REACH" before venturing head first into "HALO 4". After paying a hefty price of $100+ for the pre-order of HALO 4 & it's Season DLC I started playing the game fairly religiously. I found that the campaign was a brilliant masterpiece filled with emotions, and a very sexy Cortana who found herself deteriorating as Master Chief's personal friend, and AI unit. As usual 343 Industries played on the heartstrings of the gamer delivering one of the best HALO campaign stories to date. Along with the fleshed out Spartan Ops missions this game delivered more content than most Xbox 360 games ever do. Even the multiplayer came back with a vengeance. With a new control scheme, fresh graphics, and all the multiplayer madness that us HALO fanatics have grown accustom to, the online experience was brought back to life in a better than ever fashion. The fact that 343 Industries added a new weapon, armor, and specialization setup only complimented the online experience that much more. New additions like the the "Flood" mode type, new weapons, and new vehicles made the game worth revisiting on a daily basis. These are the reasons I have chosen "HALO 4" as the top game of 2012.

2) Soul Calibur V (Xbox 360) - By now most of you know of my passion for fighting games. I absolutely love a fighting game that is playable online, and that offers the gamer more bang for their buck. This is where NAMCO Bandai's fighter, "Soul Calibur V" comes in. Never in my life as a gamer have I seen a game so brilliantly delivered through stunning in-game visuals, and noteworthy content. Not only was the online very playable/enjoyable, but the character customization that accompanied each and every mode of play in the game was also a highly noteworthy addition to the game. In retrospect it's what set it apart from the competition. I actually ended up spending the most money I ever have on a game just to get all the DLC for 'Soul Calibur V' as it was released. I spent countless hours customizing my own unique "Soul Calibur V' characters, which you may have seen while visiting my youtube channel earlier this year. When it came down to customization options the possibilities were endless, and with a good imagination the gamer could design some really amazing characters. This is the reason why 'Soul Calibur V' takes position number two on my "Top 10" list!

3) Pinball FX2 (XBLA) - Mel Kirk of 'Zen Studios' has been hard at work this year bringing us several new tables for 'Pinball FX2'. As a privileged gaming journalist I was able to play, and deliver reviews on each set of tables as they were released. I told Mel not too long ago that the Pinball FX2 tables have been the highlight of my reviewing career, and they truly have been. Being able to experience tables like 'Plants Vs Zombies', and the few sets of 'Marvel Pinball' tables inspired me to post some of the best reviews I've given to date. If I had to pick some favorites out of the 2012 selection of tables they would include "World War Hulk", "Ghost Rider", "Fear Itself", "Plants Vs Zombies", and "Epic Quest". I think Pinball FX2, and Zen Studios will always take an upper place on my "Top 10" lists as they are all about quality gaming entertainment for an affordable price!

4) Gotham City Impostors (XBLA) - This is one XBLA title that took me by surprise. I never imagined that I would be playing an FPS (First Person Shooter) based on the Batman/Gotham City franchise. Warner Bros. Games definitely outdid themselves with the release of this game. Not only was it a blast to play online, but one could not help but laugh when seeing a burly faux Batman/Joker run around in his undies during an online deathmatch. Perks such as the gas one only added to the hilarious moments that would ensue as gamers battled it out online in true FPS fashion. I'm not 100% sure if anyone out there is still playing this game, but after talking about it here I feel like checking it out again!

5) Black Knight Sword (XBLA) - As morbidly, and perversely twisted as SUDA 51's fairy tale, "Black Knight Sword" is I still have to give it a spot on my "Top 10" list. I was totally mesmerized as I did my playthrough of this game for review purposes. It's various in-game elements seemed to be a mixture of a "Monty Python" film, and a "Grimm Fairy Tale". It also had that SUDA 51 signature art style which is entirely unique to his games. If you are looking for a freaky yet fun 2D platformer then I highly suggest you pick this XBLA title up ASAP! You will most definitely not be disappointed. Just remember this is not a game to be shared with children as it will likely give them nightmares for the rest of their lives. I kid you not!

6) SINE MORA (XBLA) - Shmups (shoot'em ups) will always have a special place in my gaming library. As such it's only right that I include 'Grasshopper Manufacture's/Digital Reality Ltd.'s' hardcore shmup masterpiece, "Sine Mora'. Released in March of this year this challenging shmup found it's rightful place in the XBLA marketplace. The in-game visuals offered to the gamer were nothing short of breathtaking, and the 2D-3D renderings really made this game stand out from other shmups before it. The back story that took place within the game was very mature in nature, and offered a more realistic yet fantastical display of character driven emotions. The developer, in essence was able to create a fictional universe that could have easily been converted into a full blown sci-fi/fantasy novel. I tip my hat off to 'Grasshopper Manufacture' & 'Digital Reality Ltd.' for making this game as awesome as it is! If you are a fan of shmups as I am then definitely get this game as it will not disappoint!

7) The Walking Dead (XBLA) - I won't lie. This game probably deserved a higher place on my "Top 10" list, but after dealing with TellTale Game's PR BS I decided that it should get a lower place. I never actually got to complete the story that the game had to offer as a result of the PR's unwillingness to provide all episodes of the game, but I did watch others complete their own story paths via youtube. What makes "The Walking Dead" so amazing besides the fact that it's based one one of the best comic book series available today is that it gave the gamer the opportunity to influence the outcome of  the story with choices they made during the interactive point & click episodes. Often times during my partial playthrough I found myself making some really tough choices that in turn cost certain character's their lives. With each decision I made I felt as if what I did really mattered. This is the reason I have included the game in my "Top 10". It's not often that a game developer is able to get the gamer so emotionally involved with the characters that they shed a tear when the story arc is completed. If you haven't gotten all of the episodes of this most impressive zombie game then I highly suggest you do so ASAP!!!

8) SNOPS ATTACK! Zombie Defense (XBLIG) - When it comes to this year's selection of XBLIG shmups (shoot'em ups), "Snops Attack! Zombie Defense" takes the cake! This game excels in almost every aspect. The graphic design is beautiful, and and the sound is amazing. This is one XBLIG title that could have easily been an XBLA game. The developer delivered to the the gamer a quality shump for a very affordable price. In my opinion this is likely the best XBLIG game out this year. If you love shmups, and are looking for something that is both fun, and unique then I STRONGLY suggest you get this one!!!

9) SUSHI CASTLE (XBLIG) - This game which was developed by 'Milkstone Studios' was deemed as a copy of the ever popular "Binding of Isaac". It featured the basic setup that "The Binding of Isaac" had offered, but had a completely different visual appearance. While I do have to admit there were shades of grey when it came to the game's copycat nature I still thought it was nice that I  was finally able to play a game like "The Binding of Isaac". I'm not a PC gamer, and as such I've always felt like I missed out on the whole "The Binding of Isaac" experience. Luckily 'Milkstone' thought of us Xbox 360 gamers, and delivered their own unique take on the gaming experience. Not only that, but 'Milkstone' also promised the gamer additional free DLC content as more copies of the game were sold. I loved it, and definitely think that "Sushi Castle" is worth the 80 msp asking price. I also think it deserves a spot here on my "Top 10" list.

10) MTG: Duels of the Planeswalkers 2013 (XBLA) - What kind of "Magic the Gathering" player would I be if I failed to mention this amazing arcade installment of the popular franchise? From the opening cinematic, and narrative to the online multiplayer experience itself you will no doubt be impressed by what this MTG experience has to offer this year. Keeping true to the original TCG (Trading Card Game) the player will be given a proper tutorial to educate them, or refresh their memory on how to play the game. Aside from the tutorial you will also experience a story driven offline set of duels that gives substance to the story arc that is presented when you start up the game. The multiplayer stays true to game types that have been presented in the TCG version of MTG as well as adds something new for those interested in a unique experience. Through online duels you will be able to prove your worth amongst the thousands of MTG duelists as you rank up with each victory. When it's all said, and done "MTG: Duels of the Planeswalkers 2013" is complete experience that should not be missed by any fan of the TCG game. If you haven't picked this one up yet you should. Aside from the core set you'll also find new DLC/decks that you can use to best your online opponents.

Happy Holidays & Merry Christmas!,

Brad (OtakuDante)