Top 10 Most Anticipated Games of 2012 (XBOX 360 and PS3)

10. Far Cry 3

Perhaps the most exciting announcement Ubisoft made during their E3 press conference was their big reveal of Far Cry 3. Bringing the series back to lush and vibrant jungle environments undoubtedly made fans of the original tingle with joy. And if the gameplay demonstration back in June was anything to go by, the game's cast of characters will have a lot of personality.

9. Max Payne 3

Rockstar rarely (if ever) makes a bad game, so when they announced that Max Payne 3 would launch in March 2012, gamers' fears of a weak Q1 were instantly quelled. After seeing how Rockstar elevated the Red Dead franchise to new heights, there's little doubt that Max Payne - a franchise started by Remedy - is in good hands.

8. Twisted Metal

David Jaffe has made it clear that fun and stimulating gameplay is what he is all about and Twisted Metal looks to provide gamers with endless amounts of fun. The classic car combat franchise that got its start so many years ago on the PlayStation is back and better than ever on the PS3 sporting a plethora of unique and inventive multiplayer modes that will keep fans of the franchise busy for months.

7. Overstrike

Insomniac has decided to spread its wings from the confines of Sony exclusivity to try something new. While we have yet to see any actual gameplay footage of Overstrike, the impressive track record of the development team is reason enough to go out and reserve the game right now. If they've made anything clear through their work on the Resistance and Ratchet franchises, it's that they know how to create unique and exciting weapons. Expect Overstrike to come packed with some of the most inventive guns the shooter genre has ever seen.

6. Final Fantasy XIII-2

Yeah, I know... I was burned by Final Fantasy XIII as well. Having been a huge fan of the franchise up through the tenth installment, I was disappointed with the direction Square has taken since, but I'm hoping that they can win me back with XIII-2. If they truly are taking the criticisms they received from XIII to heart and are making the necessary changes in the direct sequel, we could have another solid JRPG on our hands. Plus, games in this genre are so few and far between these days, so a quality Final Fantasy title that capitalizes on the genre would be a huge win for Square.

5. Metal Gear Solid: Rising

We haven't heard much on Rising in quite some time and I'll admit it is scaring me. Everyone hated the feminine blond-haired wimp of MGS2, but when he toughened up in MGS4, gamers instantly fell in love with the new and improved Raiden. Having the ability to witness that transformation in Rising is one reason why this game is so high on the list, that and the fact that you can slice dudes through a pretty awesome combat system.

4. Halo 4

With 343 Industries taking the reigns, there is a lot to be concerned about, but the more we see and hear about this game the more faith we have in the team. Halo Anniversary is shaping up into one heck of a remake, so if their work on that project is anything to go by, Halo 4 will be a fantastic entry in the series. With the return of Master Chief and an entirely new planet to explore, there will be enough fresh content here to breath life into the franchise and propel the series to new heights as it kicks off a brand new trilogy.

3. The Last Guardian

The development team behind ICO and Shadow of the Colossus is one of the most respected in the industry, and for good reason. Their ability to think outside the box and provide gamers with completely unique experiences has proven that games are more than just a means to kill time. Their artistic approach to storytelling is unparalleled and enhances their ability to tell emotionally captivating stories. There's no doubt that when The Last Guardian does launch, a lot of gamers will be playing the game alongside a box of Kleenex.

2. Mass Effect 3

The epic finale to a trilogy that was started by one of the most respected developers in the industry launches next year, and you can bet that role-playing fans everywhere have been salivating for this game since it was first announced. The ability to craft your very own Commander Shepard to your liking has tied so many gamers to this franchise. Everyone has a different and completely unique story surrounding his/her character, and that epic tale comes to an end when part three launches next year. Will BioWare be able to deliver a satisfying conclusion that neatly wraps up all of the branching paths? It looks like we'll have to wait and see.

1. BioShock Infinite

Ken Levine and the guys at Irrational Games can only be described as geniuses. After bringing us one of the best, most atmospheric games of this generation with BioShock, they decided to step up their game even further and take the franchise in a completely new direction. There is just so much going on in this game it is hard to know where to start. From the compelling and complex relationship of Booker and Elizabeth to the disturbingly detailed world of Columbia, this is hands down the most promising game of 2012. If you don't believe me, then you clearly haven't seen the backstage demo from E3.