2012 Game of the Year Nominations Thread

It appears most of the big games have already been released with the exception of Far Cry 3, so it's not too early to start collecting nominations for the 2012 GOTY. I'll specify a cut-off date a relatively soon - depending on the game release schedule, probably mid-to-late December. Then we'll actually vote on the top nominees.

Rules:
- You can nominate up to 3 games in order
- Your top game gets 3 points 2nd game gets 2 points and 3rd place game gets one points.
- You can't nominate the same game more than once, so the maximum number of nomination votes is 3 points.
- You can nominate any game released this year on any platform. So Dark Souls is eligible because it was released this year.
- Just as a note, since this is a PC-centric board, PC games are more likely to get more nominations.
- I'll probably total 'em all up and do a vote-off based on the top 16 (#1 vs #16, etc.) at the end of December. Or not. - When we get to actually voting on the nominees, it will probably be weighted based on likes. But nominations are strictly on a 3, 2, 1 point system.
- If you try to nominate twice not only do your nominations don't count, but your votes won't either. You may go back and edit your nominations up to the cut-off date.

Commentary:
The top game has been obvious the past few years, but I'm not sure about that this year. I believe 2012 has been one of the strongest gaming years in history, but there's really been no "supergame". Instead, we have had a constant stream of really strong releases all year long. It'll be interesting to see what comes out on top.

Remember, you can go back and edit your nominations up until the cut-off date.

So my top 3 (as of 11/27/12, since I have no interest in Far Cry 3):
1. Guild Wars 2 - I've spent a ton of time on this. While it doesn't entirely reinvent the MMO genre, it does modify it enough to make it feel fresh again - something I doubted any game would do for me.
2. Eador - Brilliantly executed TBS game.
3. Walking Dead - I don't like adventure games and this is more of an interactive story than it is a game. But in the 30-odd years I've been PC gaming, I've never had a game tear me up like the ending of this one did. It was an unbelievable gut-wrenching journey.


Honorable Mention: FTL, ME3, XCOM
Note: Gnomoria not eligible due to it hasn't been released yet.

NOMINATIONS WILL CLOSE ON DECEMBER 25TH, 2012

1. Crusader Kings II
2. XCOM
3. Diablo 3

Here's a handy list of 2012 releases, courtesy of Wikipedia. Maybe worth editing into the first post.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_in_video_gaming

Still mulling my nominations.

EDIT: Very tentatively, subject to change:

1. The Secret World - GW2 didn't do it for me, but to me TSW reinvented the MMO in a different way. I love this game. This will unquestionably be in my final list somewhere.

2. Borderlands 2 - still thinking about this one, as I've only just started it. Enjoying it immensely so far though. I wish the characters felt more distinctive, though, the skill trees are boring.

3. ??? - haven't decided on this one yet.

I'm guessing Dishonored will show up in lots of people's lists. I've only just bought it thanks to the Steam autumn sale, and haven't played it yet, Xenoblade was this year too, and got a lot of love; it hasn't motivated me to get super far in it yet, though.

1. Asura's Wrath
2. Hakuoki: Demon of the Fleeting Blossom
3. XCOM

Order subject to change as I play more XCOM, but like it will need the help to be at or near the top.

1. Xenoblade Chronicles - I don't think I'm actually allowed to vote for anything else with the hours I put into this. Even if it was last year, technically.

2. Kid Icarus: Uprising - Absolutely bizarre mishmash of genres with very arcadey sensibilities, except for the Diablo-lite loot mechanics. Incredibly unwieldy, both on a controls and systems level, but absolutely glorious once you get a handle on things. You're sliding around stages like greased lightning, tearing through everything without getting hit, and then returning after the boss with 40 new weapons to start fusing with. Manual should probably be hardbound, as opposed to a fold-out POS, and should devote 20 pages to "How To Physically Play This Game." And then another 20 to explaining the byzantine algorithm they use in weapon fusions.

3. Gettysburg Boys Love III - I need some time to think about this entry!

1. Crusader Kings II
2. XCom
3. Jagged Alliance: Back in Action

1. Dishonored
2. Civilization V: Gods & Kings
3. Pinball Crystal Caliburn 2 (iOS)

That's all. Everything else I either haven't played or it does not deserve to be on the same list as Dishonored.

edit: Okay, since we're allowed to nominate expansions I've added G&K in second place!
edit: And since someone added an iOS game, I can do that too.

Aw man, Xenoblade was this year. I played the import last year, so didn't mentally count it.

Totally unscientific submission lacking any real thought or consideration:

1. Mark of the Ninja
2. Borderlands 2
3. Sleeping Dogs

1. Mass Effect 3 - Ending or no, this is the finest game Bioware's made
2. XCOM - This was never not going to be on the list
3 Spec Ops - Liked the gameplay, loved the storytelling. Third person shooter Heart of Darkness was much more enjoyable than expected.

1. Mass Effect 3 - Not as good as 2, but still very good. Man, I love(ed) that universe.
2. Borderlands 2 - Really good shooting, really funny, great multiplayer implementation.
3. Dishonored - Just beat out X-Com. The level design in this game is mind blowing.

Honorable mentions: Legend of Grimrock (because it was so different and had such an absurd end boss), Asura's Wrath (BURST!!), and Trials Evolution (because it was so spot on with the control and leaderboard stuff).

Notably absent: Diablo 3 (because of the RMAH), and Assassin's Creed 3 (because of bugs, inadequate tutorials, superfluous systems, and too many bad mission designs)

Also, I'm pretty sure Walking Dead might be #3 on that list if I had been able to play beyond episode 3.

A handy guide in case it helps

1. Journey
2. Torchlight 2
3. Guild Wars 2

And I just realized that I immediately thought about writing down a few games that were all released end of last year. Bummer.

Well,

1. Crusader Kings 2
2. Xcom
3. Dishonored

In a perfect world I could put Dwarf Fortress 0.34 up there, but I guess that is out of the question, or ?

Very useful, thanks! This reminded me that Civ5: Gods & Kings also came it this year. Are we allowed to nominate expansions?

I have so many holes in my 2012 gaming, that I shouldn't be eligible to vote =)

1. XCom
2. Borderlands 2
3. Legend of Grimrock

1) Faster Than Light
2) Mass Effect 3
3) Drox Operative (if Beta don't count, change to Borderlands 2)

Still too early for me to vote. I've got a big backlog of stuff that's come out recently. Is there a deadline for this?

Is Dark Souls eligible even though it came out for consoles last year? If so, Dark Souls. If not... I guess I don't have a nomination.

1. Guild Wars 2
2. Tokyo Jungle
3. Mark of the Ninja

Everyone has holes, whether or not they admit it. I haven't played anything on your list, so I probably have more.

You still playing that?

It says right in the OP that the PC version is and the console version isn't. The console DLC might be eligible, but it's not clear if expansions are kosher.

1. Xenoblade Chronicles
2. Borderlands 2
3. dunno about 3 yet

Don't give me that holier than though attitude!

Well first of all, I obviously did not read the OP. Second, they're the same game. So I nominate Dark Souls.

Edit: ok I read the instructions. Might as well use all my points:

1. Dark Souls
2. Jetpack Joyride
3. Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3

Edit edit: one of these spaces is probably going to be replaced with Jet Set Radio HD pretty soon. But which?

1. Mass Effect 3
2. X-COM
3. Sleeping Dogs

1. Mass Effect 3
2. XCOM: Enemy Unknown
3. FTL

Wait, on what basis are you nominating The Witcher 2? Was there a console release this year?

1) Legend of Grimrock
2) Black Mesa Source
3) ...

Yep. That's the only version I've played, in fact.

1. Mark of the Ninja
2. XCOM: Enemy Unknown
3. The Pinball Arcade

Doh, I forgot to check the release list that I had quoted myself...

1) Guild Wars 2 easily. I have 1 80 ranger, 1 75 mesmer and I just started a warrior-- and each time I start a new character, I enjoy it as much as I did the first time. This was the first time that I did not buy a WoW expansion pack- I assume I will at some point but the MMO'ing in GW, for me, is so much more enjoyable than the WoW model.

I honestly think the only other new game that I played and finished this year was ME3 so lets just call that

2) Mass Effect 3

Most of the other games I am playing are older one- lots from the Steam summer sale or other great deals but none are 2012 games. I totally fail as a gamer.

I see that despite a lot of big talk in the thread for it, nobody has nominated Frog Fractions yet.

Literally 1 minute before my Frog Fractions ballot. /shakefist

EDIT:

And a real ballot:

1. XCom
2. ME3, he said grudgingly
3. ...this year kind of sucked, honestly. Maybe I'll decide something is worth putting here later. Oh derp. Diablo 3. Dunno why it feels like it came out last year to me. After all the patches and the change to monster power this is now a really good game.

HONORABLE MENTION: Botanicula. Only doesn't make the top 3 because really it only barely qualifies as a game, but it's a fabulous bit of art.

1. Dark Souls
2. FTL: Faster Than Light
3. The Binding of Isaac - Wrath of the Lamb

If expansions end up being a no go probably X-Com or Diablo 3.

1: Guild Wars 2
2: The Walking Dead
3: Dishonored

1. Dark Souls because what else could it possibly be.

Uhh... can I pick Dark Souls again? :)

2. Guild Wars 2; I may not be playing it as much as I thought I'd be (mainly because of what a freaking awesome game year we're having) but I can see I'll be in it for the long haul. Everything in it just works, and when you get into a mad sequence of EVENT NEARBY! time just flies in a shower of furious combat, loot and XP.

3. Dishonored.

Expansions are fine - Gods and Kings almost made my list. Remember, Dark Souls is for the PC, warts (resolution, frame rate) and all. Much like Witcher 2 is for the Xbox only.

Charles, if you'd like to explain your preferred voting system, feel free to do so.

1. Thirty Flights of Loving - for being short, inventive and capturing a mood better than any other video game ever
2. Spec Ops - for the story, and the reveal
3. Borderlands 2 - for the guns and the co-op

Other games played this year that I don't think were a net negative use of my time: Mass Effect 3, Hotline Miami, Diablo 3 (the first 30hrs, anyway).

(And next month a new Eve expansion comes out, so I can technically vote for that! Yay!)

I still have Walking Dead and Far Cry 3 left to play and with some time coming up this next week, I'll feel more comfortable voting then.