The 100 most anticipated games of 2012

70) Starhawk

Release: May 8
Platform: PS3

The follow-up to 2007’s Warhawk looks to be a pretty substantial improvement over the original, featuring gameplay that combines on-foot and vehicle-based shooting with tower-defense elements, enabling players to build their own automated structures to keep enemies at bay. It also features a single-player campaign (something the original lacked) and pilotable jets that transform into robots, so it’s got our attention.

69) FIFA Street

Release: March 13 (NA), March 9 (EU)
Platforms: 360, PS3

Is the fourth time the charm for FIFA Street? Despite big sales, the feel and flavor of street ball has often escaped EA’s team. After a four year hiatus, FIFA Street returns with a feature that millions asked for: club teams. But will the ability to play as the likes of Chelsea, Real Madrid, or LA Galaxy hold footy fans’ attention? If that doesn’t, the depth that EA’s team has borrowed tech from the sublime FIFA 12 should pique your curiosity.

68) I Am Alive

Release: Early 2012
Platforms: XBLA, PSN

Its development history is a storied one, and just as we were about to give up hope, 2012 is the year that finally brings I Am Alive to our consoles. From the first trailer way back in 2008 it was hard not to get excited: post apocalyptic worlds are nothing new, but they’ve never been done like this. A sparse, drab colour palette filters into gameplay with a clear emphasis on calculated progression, and forget about waves of enemies with guns akimbo - they’re just scared, lost people trying to survive. You’ll use more intimidation than ammunition as you pave your way forth, and stamina must be managed down to the last pixel. We can’t wait to get our hands on this unique, dark game.

67) Theatrhythm Final Fantasy

Release: Likely 2012
Platform: 3DS

A Final Fantasy rhythm game? We may have been just as skeptical as you, but the series is known for its music.  If you just take a look at the colorful art style and adorable chibi versions of your favorite Final Fantasy characters, how can you not fall in love and say, “aww.”

66) Dust 514

Release: Summer 2012
Platform: PS3

Expanding the EVE Online universe into the FPS world is a bold move, but by incorporating action gamers into EVE’s sprawling universe on a smaller scale, there’s a weird synergy brewing. Players level up and upgrade gear as they play like most shooters, but the fact that they’re actively manipulating (and being manipulated by) the labyrinthine world of EVE gives all those headshots some extra purpose.

65) Escape Plan 

Release: TBA 2012
Platform: PS Vita

Making great use of Vita's touchy-feely interface, the demo for this launch game can be completed in just a few minutes. So it says a lot about Escape Plan that we've been solving its puzzles over and over. We've developed a real soft spot for the lovable, oddly-shaped heroes Lil and Laarg and can't want to guide them to safety so they can both live happily ever after.

64) Animal Crossing 3DS

Release: TBA 2012
Platform: 3DS

Logic tells us we shouldn't be this excited about a game where you spend hours and hours of your actual life pretending to live in a village with a bunch of animals. Especially when these animals include a bastard Raccoon, obnoxious pigeon and heartbreakingly cute chipmunk who LEAVES WITHOUT SAYING GOODBYE. Sure, it'll be the same game as we've been playing for years, but this time you get to be the mayor. Day. One. Purchase.

63) Fez

Release: Early 2012
Platform: XBLA

This game has been coming out forever. Please hurry up already indie-developer Polytron. We want to play Fez. First announced in 1984, Fez is a perspective-bending 2D/3D 8-bit styled platformer. It's won lots of awards even though it hasn't been released yet. Awards like 'Excellence in Visual Arts' and 'Story and World Design'. Fez is supposed to be released very soon on XBLA. We'll believe it when we've downloaded it and are playing it for ourselves.

62) Papo & Yo

Release: TBA 2012
Platform: PSN

The real-life story behind this PSN game makes it more than just an adventure-puzzler about Quico, a boy from the slums, and his frog-addicted best-friend monster companion, Monster. Papo & Yo (Father & Me) is a metaphor for creative director Vander Caballero's childhood experiences growing up with a father addicted to drugs and drink. Touching, personal and - from what we've seen so far - full of neat ideas.

61) Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D

Release: February 21 (NA), March 8 (EU)
Platform: 3DS

Another chance to play as Big Boss himself, fighting against the embodiments of pain, fear, sorrow, rage and death while uncovering the conspiracy behind his mentor’s treasonous defection? Count us in. It might not offer much that the original game didn’t – other than juicy 3D visuals, of course – but that is more than enough for us to give the tactical espionage classic another go.