Five Sequel Games from 2012 to Blow Your Tax Refund On
It seems to be the year of the sequel: Game makers are capitalizing on the popularity of their best-selling games, and have been releasing increasingly better games. With improved graphics and better gameplay, there can be no better purchase, especially with tax season come and gone. Use that extra money you receive to buy a stellar game experience, one that will last more than the excitement of, say, a new tie or a dinner out.
These five games are some of the best-reviewed and most anticipated of the year. Get one and enjoy the hours you’ll get to spend playing it. But remember to call your girlfriend once in a while.
Assassin’s Creed 3
The award-winning game series gets a third installment in Assassin’s Creed 3. Featuring Desmond Miles, the assassin from a long line of assassins, this game will complete his story as he uses the skills he gained from Ezio and Altaïr. Players are promised a bigger game and overhauled new features, such as chain kills and double weapons. You can use weapons other than the Hidden Blade during assassinations, and automatic enemy selection is now a feature. A new ancestor appears, adding another facet to gameplay. Players won’t be disappointed or bored with all the tweaks made and new things added.
Diablo III
Diablo III has been hailed as one of the most anticipated games of 2012, and was finally released twelve years after Diablo II. Fallen angel Tyrael abandons Heaven to come to Tristram to fight Diablo, who becomes the Prime Evil. A 3D game view and ability to upgrade to a hardcore character enhance game play, along with new classes of Witch Doctor and Demon Hunter. Players can also choose a gender with no effect on abilities. Diablo III can stand on its own, so if you haven’t played the first or second installment, you can still play the third and thoroughly enjoy the new features.
Halo 4
Centered on an interstellar war between mankind and theocratic aliens known as the Covenant, Halo has been praised as one of the best first-person shooter games. While other games aspire to be better than Halo, you can play Halo 4 and play the actual best. Slated for release on November 6 later this year, this game again features John-117 and Cortana from Halo 3. Major changes include more of a focus on mystery and discovery, rather than straightforward shooting, creating a more intimate experience for gamers.
Max Payne 3
The third-person shooter game is back in Max Payne 3, featuring the same over-the-shoulder camera and bullet-time sequences as the first two games. However, Max Payne 3 features much more realistic graphics than its predecessors. Released nine years after the second installment, spending your tax refund on this game will get you a more cynical Max Payne who can use humans as shields and the ability to wield two weapons. It will also feature a multiplayer mode that has maps that alter the gameplay, making things more interesting for multiple players.
Mass Effect 3
Commander Shepard is back in the third installment of the Mass Effect trilogy, again trying to save the galaxy from the mechanical Reapers. Hailed as one of the best new franchises, with an exceptionally well-developed gameplay world, Mass Effect 3 marks the return of non-gender-specific Shepard, who takes part in the final battle against the Reapers. While dependent on the first two games, Mass Effect 3 will be a stunning close to the trilogy with improved cover systems, more options for moving around the battlefield, instant melee kills, and more grenades. A four-player mode is available, and players can upload saved files from Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2 that can influence their game. A complete experience wrapped up in a spectacularly designed package, Mass Effect 3 is one of the best games released this year.
If you are a gamer, any of these five games will prove a great investment for hours to enjoyable game play. Since these are all sequels, you can count on improved graphics, voice overs, play, and effects. Available on a variety of consoles, each player can get a game to fit their wants and needs. Escape into stellar worlds and gameplay this year with a well-deserved new game.
Sara Stricker is writing articles at the speed of light, making the world a better place one link at a time.