2011 was a hell of a year for gamers on all platforms. PC gamers witnessed a resurgence of MMORPGs. Free to Play games defied everyone’s assumptions, while two huge subscription based games redefined the successful launch. 2012 will be no different. AAA titles, indie games and everything in between are on deck. Here’s a list of my 10 most anticipated releases this year.
Diablo 3
Release Date: Q1 2012
A measly 12 years ago, Diablo 2 was unleashed upon PC gamers. The developers continued to release patches and updates to the game up until last October and fans continue to poor countless hours into the dark dungeon crawler. Blizzard, in true fashion, are taking their time to produce a third installment of the Diablo series. Nostalgia be damned, I want to play this game because I know it will be good despite my love for the previous games. Additions to the series include an interactive environment, new classes and separate real money and in-game currency auction houses.
DotA 2
Release Date: TBA 2012
The original Defense of the Ancients started as a humble map mod for the Warcraft 3 map editor. Created and maintained by fans for years and years, a major game developer has finally stepped up to make a full version of the game. Valve will attempt to make their mark on the genre which started with the original DotA and spawned obscenely successful games like League of Legends and Heroes of Newerth.
TERA
Release Date: May 1st, 2012
Of all the big MMORPGs to come out over the past 3 or 4 years, innovations have come in small quality of life changes. TERA has done away with conventional targeting systems for combat in favor of what they call “true action combat.” Players aim their abilities with crosshairs and must avoid taking damage from opponents through positioning and timing. There is a fine line between a hack and slash game which quickly grows old and combat with subtlety and finesse that’s also engaging.
Firefall
Release Date: TBA 2012
What do you get when you combine previous designers from World of Warcraft and Tribes? Beautiful art direction, smooth combat, jet packs, an expansive and open game world and competitive PvP are all on the table. Oh, and it’s completely free. I had a ball at PAX East last March trying out support healing. I can’t wait for the beta to end.
Guild Wars 2
Release Date: TBA
ArenaNet has grown to be one of my favorite PC developers. I absolutely love their all out assault on MMORPG conventions. I could talk for days about the aspects of story and combat which have me anxiously anticipating Guild Wars 2’s release. I believe in ArenaNet’s passion for making games and I believe GW2 will be one of the best games of 2012.
