My Top 3 Most Anticipated Games Of 2012

#3: GRAND THEFT AUTO V
You can tell it's certainly going to be quite a year when Rockstar's new Grand Theft Auto isn't top of the list, but I don't think we've quite seen enough of GTA V yet for me to make up my mind as to how excited I am about the game. Don't get me wrong, though- GTA IV stands as one of this console generation's greatest acheivements, and I can't wait to see how Rockstar North our current global recession with their satirical outlook on life, not to mention how the already excellent graphical engine will have improved since 2008 and what directions the storytelling can take in 2012. Game of the Year? If it isn't delayed until 2013, then Los Santos may just be in with a chance of becoming the most immersive game world of the year, and if so then this stands a big chance of sweeping the award!

#2: HALO 4

Who wouldn't be excited about the Master Chief's return to our screens? Away since 2007, the Chief is back to discover an ancient Forerunner planet's secrets in the first instalment of a new trilogy, and I can't wait to see why his armour has changed, what the effects of Cortana going rampant are going to be, and best of all how the classic Halo gampeplay has improved under 343 Industries five years on from Bungie's Halo 3. Expect Halo 4 to be the ultimate Xbox 360 release of the year, perhaps the last great title of its generation.

MOST ANTICIPATED GAME OF 2012: MASS EFFECT 3

 For me, though, the title of my Most Anticipated Game Of 2012 couldn't go to any other game but Mass Effect 3. BioWare look to have crafted a masterful climax to this classic trilogy of science-fiction adventures, bringing meaningful conclusions to each of our personal stories in the universe by depicting the useful or dire consequences of our past actions while saving the galaxy, but all the while shifting the focus on the refined shooter gameplay to appeal to a wider audience. Don't worry, the RPG elements of the Mass Effect universe are still going to remain fully intact for those who crave them, ensuring that this should be the next huge time-filler after Skyrim, however I have a feeling that by throwing in more epic setpiece battles against the Reapers and working to provide a stellar multiplayer component that feeds into the main campaign, BioWare has the best chance of all of giving us the Game of the Year come March! Then again, I've been wrong before...