Skip to main content
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+ The Games, Movies, TV & Comics You Love
UK EditionUK US EditionUS CA EditionCanada AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Black Friday
    • Gaming
      • Black Friday PS5 Deals
      • Black Friday Switch Deals
      • Black Friday Xbox Deals
      • Black Friday Retro Deals
    • PC
      • Black Friday Gaming Laptop Deals
      • Black Friday Gaming Monitor Deals
      • Black Friday Graphics Card Deals
      • Black Friday Alienware Deals
    • Tabletop & Merch
      • Black Friday Lego Deals
      • Black Friday Board Game Deals
      • Black Friday Pokémon Card Deals
      • Black Friday Warhammer Deals
      • Gift Guides
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Quizzes
    • Newsletters
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Total Film
  • home
  • Black Friday
    • View Black Friday
      • Black Friday PS5 Deals
      • Black Friday Switch Deals
      • Black Friday Xbox Deals
      • Black Friday Retro Deals
      • Black Friday Gaming Laptop Deals
      • Black Friday Gaming Monitor Deals
      • Black Friday Graphics Card Deals
      • Black Friday Alienware Deals
      • Black Friday Lego Deals
      • Black Friday Board Game Deals
      • Black Friday Pokémon Card Deals
      • Black Friday Warhammer Deals
      • Gift Guides
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Quizzes
    • Newsletters
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Total Film
Gaming Magazines
Gaming Magazines
Why subscribe?
  • Subscribe from just £3
  • Takes you closer to the games, movies and TV you love
  • Try a single issue or save on a subscription
  • Issues delivered straight to your door or device
From$12
Subscribe now
Don't miss these
Super Pocket Data East Edition with Super Burger Time gameplay on screen.
Retro The best retro gifts 2025 according to experts of all things old-school gaming
Voting Powered By
Games Golden Joystick Awards 2025: Vote for Your Ultimate Game of the Year!
Future Games Show Gamescom 2025
Games Everything announced at the Future Games Show at Gamescom 2025
The best Steam games to play in 2024 - Astarion from Baldur's Gate 3 looking pensive with his hand on his chin
FPS Games The 25 best Steam games for 2025
Best Xbox 360 games: a screenshot of an Xbox 360 console next to a controller and a collection of games.
Games 25 Best Xbox 360 games of all time
Steam logo from Valve
PC Gaming As the Steam Next Fest wraps up, Valve shares some of the seasonal event's most-played demos – and they range from chaotically comedic co-op games to brutal Braveheart-inspired roguelikes
A PS2 games console standing next to some of the best PS2 games and a black controller.
Games The 25 best PS2 games of all time
Grace Ashcroft looks at a computer in Resident Evil Requiem screenshot
Games Everything announced at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2025
Resident Evil Requiem screenshot of Grace Ashcroft, who has white short hair and glasses and wears a black blazer with an FBI badge, sitting at a desk in front of a PC monitor
Games Gamescom Day 1 live coverage – all the news, interviews, and previews as they happen
Two nobles getting married in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
RPGs RPG fans stay winning: 2025 has been a critical hit for the genre, though I'm anticipating a GOTY bloodbath
A picture of a Nintendo 3DS console next to several of the best 3DS games and Nintendo cards.
Games The 25 best Nintendo 3DS games of all time
Golden Joystick Awards
Events & Conferences Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 leads the Golden Joystick Award 2025 charge for most nominations, nudging out Death Stranding 2, Ghost of Yotei, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
best Xbox One games
Games The best Xbox One games of all time to play now
Red Dead Redemption 2
Adventure Games 25 best adventure games to get swept up in right now
Gamescom logo in white with a black background
Games Gamescom 2025 schedule: all of the showcases and biggest reveals
Trending
  • Pokemon Legends Z-A
  • Golden Joystick Awards 2025
  • New Games for 2025
  • Gift Guides
  1. Games

GamesRadar's E3 2012 Most Valuable Games

Features
By GamesRadar Staff published 9 June 2012

We picked the best of the best from this year's show floor

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

E3 Most Valuable Game

E3 Most Valuable Game

The debate over E3 2012's awards was as controversial as ever, as we saw quite an assortment of new announcements and sequels - but in the end, we were able to cut down the list.

Without further ado, here are GamesRadar's MVGs for E3 2012...

Page 1 of 17
Page 1 of 17
Far Cry 3

Far Cry 3

What did we say about it in our preview: "Offering an intoxicating mix of stealth, action, and psychological scares, our time with Far Cry 3 impressed at every turn. We look forward to getting more tats, gutting more goons, and coming off our meds when the open-world FPS hits this fall."

Page 2 of 17
Page 2 of 17
Need For Speed Most Wanted

Need For Speed Most Wanted

What did we say about it in our preview: "Theres no other way to put it: Criterion Games has created the sequel to Burnout Paradise that we all wanted, albeit with a different name. As was unveiled during EAs press briefing, Most Wanted is the developers latest racing title. It is, by Websters admission, not a sequel to 2005s racer of the same name, but a reimagining, not unlike 2010s reboot of Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit. And by 'reimagining,' we think Webster means 'updating Burnout Paradises best features for a more socially connected age.'"

Page 3 of 17
Page 3 of 17
Resident Evil 6

Resident Evil 6

What did we say about it in our preview: "Resident Evil 6s best elements work well. The gameplay additions, like the inventory wheel and sonar directions, help keep you engaged in the action (instead of pausing and micromanaging) and add great flourishes to the RE4/RE5 formula. As long as Capcom makes those aforementioned adjustments, RE6 should offer an exceptionally robust action experience in October."

Page 4 of 17
Page 4 of 17
Injustice: Gods Among Us

Injustice: Gods Among Us

What did we say about it in our preview: "Injustice has already got a lot going for it. On top of the fan-pleasing roster of pugilists and aforementioned features, it sports near-photorealistic visuals, silky smooth animations, and more comic book call-outs than you can shake a Batarang at. Oh, and then theres that tag line: What if our greatest heroes became our greatest threat? That tease alone has us dusting off our capes, cowls, and fightsticks in anticipation of its 2013 arrival."

Page 5 of 17
Page 5 of 17
Call of Duty: Black Ops 2

Call of Duty: Black Ops 2

What did we say about it in our preview: "Its not especially surprising how thrillingly captivating Black Ops 2 is the Call of Duty formulas gone through enough iteration that movie-caliber moments are practically a regular occurrence. What is unexpected is how different the game feels from Modern Warfare 3, beyond the different timeline and settings. Our E3 demo of the game showed off an entire level, one that promoted wandering off the beaten path instead of rigidly locking you to it. The Strikeforce mode was icing on the cake but that may turn out to be one of the most satisfying singleplayer FPS modes in awhile."

Page 6 of 17
Page 6 of 17
Beyond: Two Souls

Beyond: Two Souls

What did we say about it in our preview: "One of the biggest surprises out of E3 2012 was Quantic Dream's Beyond: Two Souls. Revealed during the Sony press conference, the Heavy Rain developer's next title looked amazing, and featured some of the best visuals of the generation. The addition of actress Ellen Page playing protagonist Jodie Holmes got us excited, and proved that the developer had learned from some of their last game's mistakes. Or, at least the ones that involved casting actors who can't fake an American accent."

Page 7 of 17
Page 7 of 17
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

What did we say about it in our preview: "When we first saw Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (back when it was called Metal Gear Solid: Rising) a few years ago, we were interested in the premise, but unsure as to how the Metal Gear Solid team's experience with stealth-based titles would translate to an action-packed slasher. The answer, apparently, was very poorly... until Vanquish and Bayonetta developer Platinum took over. It quickly turned Revengeance into a game we finally got to play at E3 2012 - and one that we want to play more of. Like, right now."

Page 8 of 17
Page 8 of 17
Tomb Raider

Tomb Raider

What did we say about it in our preview: "Visibly shaken and splattered with her victim's brains and blood, Lara seems a far cry from the buxom fortune-and-glory hunting heroine we've gotten to know over the years. There's still much to learn about young lady Croft's gritty survival story, but our recent peek of the promising reboot left us as breathless as its physically and psychologically scarred star."

Page 9 of 17
Page 9 of 17
Watch Dogs

Watch Dogs

What did we say about it in our preview: "Of the many games weve seen this week at E3, few have impressed us as much as Watch Dogs. From its amazing visual splendor to innovative gameplay and approach to issues that we worry about today, such as privacy and surveillance, this is a title well be eagerly anticipating. In a minute-to-minute world in which every program, app, and TV show fights for a sliver of our attention, were looking forward to Watch Dogs stealing all of it."

Page 10 of 17
Page 10 of 17
Pikmin 3

Pikmin 3

What did we say about it in our preview: "Rumored for what seems like ages, hardcore Nintendo fans have been dying for Nintendo and developer mastermind Shigeru Miyamoto to return to the Pikmin series. A novel approach to the RTS genre that mixed in naturalistic elements, we hadnt seen the little carrot-ant men since the GameCube. E3 2012 marks their big return, with the distinction of being one of the first and biggest Wii U games, and after our first playthrough with the HD sequel, it looks to be what fans of the cult series are looking for."

Page 11 of 17
Page 11 of 17
XCOM: Enemy Unknown

XCOM: Enemy Unknown

What did we say about it in our preview: "XCOM: Enemy Unknown is a bit of a tough sell. On top of convincing fans of the classic series that the multi-platform reboot hasn't been watered down, it must prove to the console crowd that managing resources is just as exciting as emptying magazines. If our recent hands-on time is any indication, though, Firaxis Games is on the right path to pleasing any fan with an appetite for exterminating alien scum."

Page 12 of 17
Page 12 of 17
Dead Space 3

Dead Space 3

What did we say about it in our preview: "The Dead Space series has been making derelict spacecrafts scarier than anyone could have imagined since 2008. Chronicling the trials and tribulations of the once mild-mannered Isaac Clarke, each new frontier is filled with hideously deformed creatures known as Necromorphs and humans driven mad by ancient artifacts known as Markers. Now, after two adventures lost in space, Isaac is fighting those enemies on solid ground alongside new friends in Dead Space 3 (provided he doesnt freeze to death first)."

Page 13 of 17
Page 13 of 17
The Last of Us

The Last of Us

What did we say about it in our preview: "Its too early to comment on the core gameplay, other than to say it looks similar to Naughty Dogs Uncharted series in both quality and accessibility. But already we see some real confidence in the storytelling. The dialogue and interaction is believable. Even the music is special: instead of coaxing and cajoling our emotional responses with movie-like swells and trills, we hear silence and ambient noise or, at most, the lonesome twang of country tune in the background. Its almost counter to what most games do, more in line with what some movies offer, and it further signals a confidence in the characters and their connection to each other and to us."

Page 14 of 17
Page 14 of 17
Assassin's Creed III

Assassin's Creed III

What did we say about it in our preview: "While the freshness of the New England forests and naval fights of Assassins Creed III have gotten all of the attention, were glad to see that the urban battles of Ubisofts sequel are evolving in a logical fashion. Amidst a strong E3 with plenty of titles to be excited about, few have us as excited as this one."

Page 15 of 17
Page 15 of 17
ZombiU

ZombiU

What did we say about it in our preview: "After our 10 minute demo, we can say that ZombiU is more than just a fancy trailer. Its a very real FPS for the Wii U and one of the most full featured games weve seen on the Wii U yet. Though no release date has been announced, based on Ubisofts history with Nintendo, were betting well see this one out at launch. "

Page 16 of 17
Page 16 of 17
You've seen our Most Valuable Games; what were yours?

You've seen our Most Valuable Games; what were yours?

Still riding the E3 high, or want to see who won in previous years? Check out the top 7 sequels we wanted announced at E3 (but knew wouldn't be) or the GamesRadar E3 2011 Awards: Best of Show from last year.

Page 17 of 17
Page 17 of 17
CATEGORIES
iPhone PC Gaming Wii-u Nintendo PlayStation Xbox Platforms Mobile Gaming
GamesRadar Staff
Social Links Navigation

GamesRadar+ was first founded in 1999, and since then has been dedicated to delivering video game-related news, reviews, previews, features, and more. Since late 2014, the website has been the online home of Total Film, SFX, Edge, and PLAY magazines, with comics site Newsarama joining the fold in 2020. Our aim as the global GamesRadar Staff team is to take you closer to the games, movies, TV shows, and comics that you love. We want to upgrade your downtime, and help you make the most of your time, money, and skills. We always aim to entertain, inform, and inspire through our mix of content - which includes news, reviews, features, tips, buying guides, and videos.

Read more
Voting Powered By
Golden Joystick Awards 2025: Vote for Your Ultimate Game of the Year!
 
 
Future Games Show Gamescom 2025
Everything announced at the Future Games Show at Gamescom 2025
 
 
The best Steam games to play in 2024 - Astarion from Baldur's Gate 3 looking pensive with his hand on his chin
The 25 best Steam games for 2025
 
 
Steam logo from Valve
As the Steam Next Fest wraps up, Valve shares some of the seasonal event's most-played demos – and they range from chaotically comedic co-op games to brutal Braveheart-inspired roguelikes
 
 
Best Xbox 360 games: a screenshot of an Xbox 360 console next to a controller and a collection of games.
25 Best Xbox 360 games of all time
 
 
A PS2 games console standing next to some of the best PS2 games and a black controller.
The 25 best PS2 games of all time
 
 
Latest in Games
Elden Ring Nightreign The Forsaken Hollows
Elden Ring Nightreign DLC The Forsaken Hollows adds 2 new characters and 2 more bosses when it launches in December
 
 
arc raiders fireball burners
After Arc Raiders AI voice actor controversy, owner Nexon says people should just assume "every game company is now using AI"
 
 
Hi-Fi Rush
Hi-Fi Rush director says "don't panic" as the soundtrack gets delisted and the rhythm action game disappears from third-party PC stores: "This is likely publisher transition related"
 
 
Baldur's Gate 3
Baldur's Gate 3 icon Maggie Robertson would love to voice the "silliest, goofiest" character after being Orin the Red: A squirrel
 
 
Marathon game PS5 reveal screenshots
Former Bungie director spent their time on Marathon "dying to create a new genre name" because an extraction shooter is "the only genre where its name is a mechanic"
 
 
Kirby Air Riders
Kirby Air Riders' fan-favorite racer is a hilariously fast, oversized hamster named Rick who's been dominating beta lobbies: "Why is THIS the face of carnage and destruction?"
 
 
Latest in Features
Monster trucks and jeeps parked outside a church in Mexico in Forza Horizon 5
Forza Horizon 5 is one of gaming's greatest car modding games, and I'm flying like a Bulleit in my restomod monstrosities
 
 
Black Ops games in order: A group of soldiers holding guns during Black Ops 7.
How to play all the Call of Duty: Black Ops games in order
 
 
N7 Day 2025 could be hinting that Mass Effect 5 will make a specific Mass Effect 3 ending canon, but I can't tell which one
 
 
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
"It's really fateful" – Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth director on charting a new course for the JRPG series with a return to Nintendo, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and outdoing AI
 
 
A man shaking a dog's paw while a child stands behind him in Pentiment, with an Xbox Series X Five Year Anniversary banner to the left
Pentiment's medieval setting remains the perfect backdrop for a detective tale focused on faith and truth
 
 
A dragon flies above adventurers in a forested background
I've been playing D&D for years, but I think this starter set is the best it's ever had
 
 
  1. Key art for Possessor(s) with Luca and Rehm against a demonic city - used on the PS Store
    1
    Possessor(s) review: "Smart ideas are quickly buried in this demonic Metroidvania that's far too mundane and dull in a sea of sharp competition"
  2. 2
    Lumines Arise review: "Just as effective as Tetris Effect, block matching to a beat becomes a transcendent experience"
  3. 3
    Anno 117: Pax Romana review: "Whether dealing with rivals through warfare or diplomacy, there's a great deal to like in this engrossing city builder"
  4. 4
    Arc Raiders review: "The most memorable multiplayer experiences I've had all year – this shooter is tense but wonderfully approachable"
  5. 5
    Battlefield Redsec review: "Ticks all the right boxes for a battle royale, but it's not especially unique"
  1. Glen Powell as Ben Richards in The Running Man
    1
    The Running Man review: "Some fun action and Glen Powell's star power aren't enough to energize this disappointing Stephen King adaptation"
  2. 2
    Predator: Badlands review: "Die-hard fans may be disappointed, but as a blockbuster action-adventure, Badlands kills it"
  3. 3
    Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc review "Storytelling just as compelling as the chainsaws, devils, and visually excessive fight scenes"
  4. 4
    Tron: Ares review: "Misses out by swapping the Grid for the real world"
  5. 5
    One Battle After Another review: "One of the best studio movies in years and an instant classic"
  1. Rhea Seehorn as Carol Sturka, looking scared, in Pluribus.
    1
    Pluribus season 1 review: "Easily one of the year's best dramas"
  2. 2
    The Witcher season 4 review: "The Henry Cavill-less fourth season is the best yet"
  3. 3
    IT: Welcome to Derry review: "A supremely confident step back into the history of Stephen King's cursed town and killer clown"
  4. 4
    Splinter Cell: Deathwatch review: "A pale imitation of the long-dormant stealth franchise"
  5. 5
    Marvel Zombies review: "A fun expansion of the What If episode with delightful MCU Easter eggs and truly gross R-rated kills"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...