Sol Lekz’s Top Genre Games of 2012

Now that we have crossed the boarder into the New Year, I’d like to change the pace of the typical hindsight top 5-10 listings of 2011 games and focus more into the future of gaming and what we should all be looking forward to. So without further ado here are The Sol Lekz Pics For Most Anticipated Genre Games of 2012.

 

 

Racing

Twisted Metal (PS3)

Release date – February 14, 2012

 

Alright, so I know this game isn’t exactly part of the typical racer genre but this is my list, I do what I want and I doubt anyone is going to argue anyway. Besides lets face it, what other category can you really put it in? In actuality the beauty and lore of Twisted Metal lies within the fact that you aren’t just simply racing from point A to B in tricked out vehicles! Your participating in a survival race for your life in crazy cars,buses, motorcycles and even ice cream trucks armed to the teeth with some of the nastiest weaponry known to man. Include that with some highly unique and rather insane characters as the drivers, let them do battle across the globe and you have a recipe for timeless fun.

 

It’s been years since Calypso and the Twisted Metal participants last wrecked our living rooms with heavy napalms and guided missiles. The same idea still applies, fight to the death for the grant of any wish you could possibly imagine. Hopefully our contestants have learned to choose their words a lot more carefully than numerous prior blunders which have resulted in non canon deaths and misfortune. Although the roster is taking a sizable cut in the eighth title, players will have the choice of now playing under 1 of the 4 factions lead by a respective leader which include The Preachers (Preacher), The Dolls (Dollface), The Clowns (Sweet Tooth) and The Skulls (Mr.Grimm).

 

With a heavy focus on the multiplayer component, Twisted Metal PS3 looks to not only make a powerful return from it’s past success but to also make said impact to last with staying power. 16 players will battle online in various modes including the classic death match, all new Nuke Mode and more. With destructible environments, modern day high def visuals, over the top weaponry and power ups in which include the ability to transform your vehicle into robotic killing machines, Twisted Metal is definitely the most fun your going to have behind the wheel in 2012.

 

 

 

RPG (Role Playing Game)

Mass Effect 3 (PC,XBOX360,PS3)

 

Release Date – March 6, 2012

 

Each year there are a handful of RPG’s that seek out to captivate the role playing audience with new game play elements enriched with a powerful storyline which feature unforgettable characters that pull us into their worlds each time we pick up the controller. But really only one game ever emerges in every console generation that truly succeeds in doing so in unique fashion.

 

The Mass Effect series is not only that stand out RPG of the current generation but unlike many other role playing series, it manages to raise the bar through each sequel rather than struggling to maintain the lore of it’s previous installments. Mass Effect 3 shows no signs of breaking the trend of improvements, promising extended long hours of game play, further depth in dialogue which made the series so popular, an insanely impressive cast of characters you can’t help but invest yourself in and further expansion on a fully interactive and massive world which plays sandbox to it all.

 

The conclusion to the battle with the Reapers will be nothing short of epic and will of course lead to multiple endings which all will be determined by all player actions leading up from the first game up until the final moments of the third. An all new 4 player co-op mode which enables players to assist others in their own campaign to prep for the final battle makes Mass Effect 3 the first and only RPG experience of it’s time to really bring it’s community together for what promises to be it’s most memorable moments.

 

 

Shooter

Bioshock: Infinite (PC,XB360,PS3)

 

Release Date: TBA

The shooters genre has become the victim of inflation over the last couple of years. Yearly releases and multiple clone competitors have made the shooter experience to feel like a mainstream cash cow that comes a dime a dozen. Bioshock Infinite is seemingly the only shooter in development with those stigmas in mind. Breaking free of the typical run and gun experience because another section of the world is in conflict yet again, actual adventure awaits players here in Infinite. Former private detective Booker DeWitt is on a mission in the fictional floating city of Columbia to find a young woman named Elizabeth. Problem is, the city is rumored to have vanished into the clouds with no trace but tales of an unruly and deranged population.

 

Telekinetic combat in combination with traditional gun play return with all new powers and elemental abilities that require players to use more brain than brawn against the many enemy types in the Bioshock world which hold unique strengths and weaknesses. Visuals are treated with a much more colorful and vivid breathing world in comparison to the underwater based previous games and more stylish cinematics to better push the action along this thrilling ride. No doubt, given this formula looks to not only be one of the most anticipated games of 2012 but also an easy candidate for Game of The Year, provided it delivers in the manner expected.

 

 

 

Fighting

Street Fighter X Tekken (PC, XB360,PS3)

 

Release Date: March 6, 2012

 

There is only one name that goes almost instantly synonymous with the fighting game genre and that is the Street Fighter series hands down. While there are seemingly tons of fighters up on the horizon during the recent boom of the genre over the last couple of years, along with the success of Marvel Vs Capcom 3, it comes to no surprise the that Capcom flagship cast of Street Fighter would see another cross series of their own. The most well known fighters of both brands will join the melee in Street Fighters traditional 2d plane, as well as a handful of iconic characters from past generations making their return.

 

 

The popularity of Tekken and it’s diverse roster makes so much sense for the sake of a current generation rivalry. Art style, game mechanics and engine will favor the Street Fighter play style with slight nods towards Tekken such as the ability to juggle combos and their famed tag system. A new element in the guise of ‘Gems’ have been incorporated which grant each character unique fighting abilities towards their offense, defense or supportive arsenal and all require a certain criteria to be met in game to be activated.

 

 

 

Action Adventure

Tomb Raider

 

Release Date: QT3

 

The upcoming Tomb Raider is an original take on the origins of the ever famed Laura Croft and lets face it, we’re already sold. The backdrop is a much more dark, gritty and mature setting than we’ve ever seen in the entire series with the youngest character model of Laura in history. While details aren’t currently anything to sink our teeth to deep into, released screenshots and videos have gamers across the world already questioning if this title might just be the next coming of Uncharted. The story promises to be a well fleshed telling of how Ms. Croft matured from a rather innocent and thimble young woman to a hardened survivalist expert.

 

The Internet will be buzzing with every leaked drop of info about this major well into it’s release and no doubt, well all be clinging on to each and every minor detail!