New games for xbox 360 in 2012

If all the pieces fit together tightly, then Tomb Raider might just be one of the best experiences of Borderlands 2. Developer: Gearbox Software. Borderlands, 's cell-shaded, desert-centric, loot-fest, was both hilarious, entertaining, and expansive; but it wasn't for everyone. With this year's sequel, Gearbox Software aims to ratchet up the story, environments, and polish that weren't the high points of the original game. With snowy mountains, grassy fields, and a range of new character classes, Borderlands 2 looks to make everything the original game did better.

And for that, it has the potential to be one of the best games this year. Alan Wake's American Nightmare. Developer: Remedy. As a follow up to the beloved horror game, many gamers initially took issue with the fact that Alan Wake's next game, American Nightmare, would be available as a downloadable title through Xbox LIVE Arcade. However, after learning more about the game, it's pretty safe to say that those fears are unfounded. American Nightmare is as fully-fledged as they come, with a full campaign and even an exciting new arcade mode for those just looking to get their hands dirty against some Taken.

American Nightmare is set to change the way gamers think about Xbox LIVE Arcade titles, but more importantly, we can't be more excited to meet up with Alan again.

Mass Effect 3. Everything we've worked toward for the past five years is finally coming to a head. The Mass Effect story's been building since , and the reality of our decisions in the first two games is starting to dawn on us. Where do we stand with Illusive Man? What are the repercussions of keeping the Reaper technology?

What role does Legion play, will we see the return of the Rachni, and how will the Shadow Broker benefit our goal to save the Earth from invasion? If you haven't played previous games, that probably reads like gibberish, and we can't recommend enough that you rectify this problem. Mass Effect 3 concludes something we've poured hours and emotion into, and much as we're excited to rip the Reaper army a new one, we fear for the fates of our favorite allies.

More importantly, we're afraid of where the end will leave us -- we adore this world, and want to interact with its populous and problems for the rest of our lives. We're dying to see where we leave off, and where Mass Effect will take us next -- with or without Shepard. BioShock Infinite. Developer: Irrational Games. We'd give Ken Levine's team the benefit of the doubt by default -- that BioShock Infinite looks as impressive as it does leaves us vibrating in impatience. The first BioShock was one of this generation's first truly great games.

Gears of War and Oblivion certainly rocked our world, but neither had the strong, thoughtful voice saying powerful things BioShock brought to the table.

It was equal parts game and social commentary, and each complemented the story and message in meaningful ways. Irrational Games has set the bar remarkably high for itself, but we aren't worried. BioShock Infinite, in the limited demos we've seen, has characters with personality and complex relationships that rival any of its progenitor's characterization.

Hero Booker DeWitt swinging on airborne train tracks and accomplice Elizabeth's reality ripping abilities are wonderful complements to Infinite's civil war story setup, political undertones, and distinct aesthetic.

Oh, apparently you can shoot stuff too. We often forget about that part. Halo 4. Developer: Industries. Bungie left Master Chief in capable hands when it retired from Halo. We still only know the basics about Microsoft's second Master Chief trilogy, but its existence is enough to get us excited.

Halo 4 has the opportunity to do a lot of interesting things within a familiar framework. The Halo 4 announcement trailer showed us new weaponry and an intriguing setting, and we're hoping to learn more about Master Chief and Cortana as deep characters, to see their relationship develop, and explore vast new worlds.

Oh, and to shove sticky grenades down enemy throats. We're likely going to have to wait until E3 for concrete details, which only adds to our anticipation. Alan Wake: American Nightmare. The Biggest Xbox Games of IGN's Xbox team weighs in on the 10 games they are most excited about in Have you played Tomb Raider?

YES NO. Skullgirls is a fast 2-D fighting game that puts you in control of fierce warriors in a Dark Deco world. New game systems test the skills of veteran fighting game fans while also making the genre enjoyable and accessible to newcomers. A modern take on classic arcade fighters with a hand-drawn high-definition twist, Skullgirls is an action-packed competition complete with complex combos and an intriguing backstory. Solve mystifying puzzles, learn about the natural environment, get to know exotic animals and get inspired to care for the planet.

Get ready to strap in, go back in time and take stick in the most pivotal battles in the history of air combat. This original IP blends next gen supremacy and the fine details of aerial combat into a historical recreation fit for flight sim fans and history buffs alike. Use your skills to pilot the top planes from all combatants in WWII to recreate history or to change the outcomes of the most prolific battles in history.

Shank 2 returns with a story of redemption as Shank, a former mob hitman with a dark and vengeful past, is thrust back into action when the lives of those close to him are endangered. The game also introduces an intense new, arcade-style survival co-op mode that has gamers working together to take down their foes, relying on the environment and weapon pick-ups for survival.

The tale of Patroklos, son of Sophitia Alexandra, unfolds as his family's destiny intertwines with the Soul swords. Just Dance 4 features more than 40 new tracks, ranging from chart-topping Billboard hits to classic dance party tracks. Powered by the revolutionary FIFA Soccer gameplay engine, and introducing Street Ball Control, FIFA Street will deliver an arsenal of groundbreaking street dribbling styles and trick moves that ignite the one-on-one battles within matches.

Whether performing one panna after another without breaking a sweat the way street soccer is played in Amsterdam, or a physical, fight-for-possession style the way players compete in London, fans will enjoy a superior fidelity of ball control and responsiveness than anything ever experienced in a soccer videogame.

Plus, for the first time ever, utilize aerial skills to maneuver past opponents, an all-new sophisticated one-touch passing system for quick, precision passes, and over 50 never-before-experienced skill moves. The game features the most awesome mercenaries in the galaxy in their fight for territorial supremacy.

Awesomenauts brings Russian monkeys with jetpacks, giant robots, and lots of other mighty aliens to the two-dimensional console battlefield. Combining classic platforming-action with modern online multiplayer functionality, the action-packed gameplay offers everything the bit generation and modern gamers love.

Fast tempo will add more distance to shots. Slow tempo will result in less distance. Shot Setup — Create all possible shot types from one shot setup. Affect the launch trajectory by moving the ball forward or backward in your stance to create flop and punch shots. The possibilities are endless, allowing any real shot to be created in the game. Strike Meter — Using the all-new Strike Meter, place the sweet spot of the club precisely where you wish to hit the ball. While a center strike is the most common, you can use low and high strikes to alter power, spin and trajectory.

Use this arc as a guide to execute your swing with the proper power, trajectory and shot shape. With one of ten former Heismans on your roster, see if you have the confidence and poise to utilize his legendary skill set to capture the Heisman Trophy—this time for your school.

Experience the game like never before with an all-new passing game in which players track and fight for the ball, and feel the excitement of gameday as ESPN Studio Updates bring the game to life in a dynamic football environment. Spec Ops: The Line is a provocative third-person modern military shooter that challenges players' morality by putting them in the middle of unspeakable situations where unimaginable choices affecting human life must be made.

Spec Ops: The Line unfolds within the destroyed opulence of Dubai. Once the playground for the world's wealthiest elite, Dubai has fallen victim to a series of cataclysmic sandstorms.

The city's ultramodern architecture lies half-buried under millions of tons of sand. The very sand that blankets the city plays a marquee role in altering combat situations and serves as a powerful but unpredictable force that will both help and hinder players throughout the course of the game.

While most people have fled the now-barren wasteland before the sandstorms swept through, U. Army Colonel John Konrad and his loyal squad remained behind to protect those incapable of escape. Unable to reach anyone in Dubai after the storm hit, the U. Army feared Konrad and his team dead until they picked up a weak distress signal and launched a rescue operation.

Army Captain Martin Walker, you and your elite Delta Force team are sent to infiltrate the treacherous region to bring Konrad home. It is the line they cross when death and duty become one and the same. It is the end -- of self and sanity -- when their duty is done and only they remain.

In order to find him, players will need to use an Interdimensional Shift Device, allowing them to manipulate space and objects. While on the journey, becoming adept at switching between dimensions will help them trek from one bizarre room to the next.

Fight on through blockbuster stages as you knock your opponents off of an exotic waterfall, into an exploding oil rig and more. Over twenty of the most popular characters in fighting games including ninjas, assassins, roughnecks and wrestlers. The enhanced story and training modes will acclimate newcomers to the signature Dead or Alive Triangle System, and the online modes will enable the best fighters in the world to compete with one another.

In Zuma the player takes the role of a fearless ball-shooting frog, exploring ancient temples and ruins. After the events of Alan Wake, our eponymous hero finds himself embroiled in a new adventure in Arizona, where his own words again hold the key to defeating his evil twin, the malevolent Mr. Scratch, who spreads darkness where he goes. Now more experienced at dealing with the weird and horrific, Wake is determined to turn the tide.

A legend is born in this open-world adventure. Assume the role of the Arisen, a legendary hero in a land haunted by a feared, omnipotent dragon. As you fight to protect your homeland, you will pick up companions, make enemies, and find yourself embroiled in an even deeper mystery.

Unleash the power of the Blood Katana The Empires war has ravaged the world and the people are suffering in its relentless pursuit of domination using the feared Blood Katanas. The sacrifices have been great, their deaths giving power to these blades. Do you have the strength to lead a small band of rebels to victory in the face of overwhelming odds? Dirt Showdown is an arcade spin-off of the Dirt series featuring over-the-top Hoonigan, Demolition, and Race events.

Behold New York Zero. Prototype 2 extends the experience of becoming the ultimate shape-shifting weapon. Powered by revolutionary shapeshifting powers, you must hunt, kill and consume your way across the ravaged wasteland of New York Zero to take revenge on the man responsible: Alex Mercer. Binary Domain puts players in the middle of a fast-paced and intense battle for humanity in robot-invaded Tokyo.

Fighting through the derelict lower levels of the city, players control an international peace-keeping squad that soon starts to question their surroundings and the choices they are making.

Are the robots becoming more human, or are humans becoming more like machines? Mass Effect 3: Leviathan is a story-driven single player DLC where players are thrust into the darkest corner of space to hunt a mysterious being rumored to be powerful enough to destroy a Reaper. The title will power the series into the future by revolutionizing online play and ramping up the number of playable and support characters far beyond any NARUTO game in the wildly popular franchise.

These are just a few of the many new ninja in the game. It all started from Story Mode, and now there's a wide variety of Modes to play. Choose from among 25 fighters and engage in high-speed combat. These Syndicates have revolutionized the way consumers interact with the digital world.

Consumers no longer require a device to access the world's data and control their technology - they can achieve this with the blink of an eye after a neural chip implant. Civilians clamored to be "chip'd" and to enjoy all that their selected syndicate has to offer. Housing, medical, banking, insurance, education, entertainment, and employment. One complete package - one complete lifestyle.

In return, the syndicates gained unprecedented insights, and control, over individuals and their behavior. With insufficient government oversight, business has become war. The Syndicates stop at nothing for ultimate market dominance. On the front lines of this war are the Agents, the syndicates' bio-engineered and chip-augmented enforcers.

They can breach anything in the wired dataverse including their enemies, their weapons, and the environment surrounding them, making them the most efficient and deadly technological weapons in the world. Assume the role of Miles Kilo, Eurocorp's latest prototype Agent, and embark on a brutal action adventure of corruption and revenge. The Vampire Lord Harkon has returned to power.

By using the Elder Scrolls, he seeks to do the unthinkable - to end the sun itself. Will you join the ancient order of the Dawnguard and attempt to stop him? Or will you become a Vampire Lord yourself? Featuring an all new faction questline and locations, the ultimate choice will be yours. NBA Baller Beats is the 1st motion-based sports video game that requires you to actively play using a real basketball.

Essential Links. Highs and Lows. Highest of the Month. Lowest of the Month. Metascore: 93 User Score: 6. Metascore: 92 User Score: 8. Far Cry 3 Platform: Xbox December 4, In Far Cry 3, players assume the role of Jason Brody, a figure alone at the edge of the world, stranded on a mysterious tropical island. Metascore: 91 User Score: 8. Metascore: 90 User Score: 8. Mark of the Ninja Platform: Xbox September 7, Mark of the Ninja is a side-scrolling stealth action game from Klei Entertainment that combines fluid 2D animation with intense stealth gameplay.

Metascore: 90 User Score: 7. FIFA Soccer 13 Platform: Xbox September 25, The way players control the ball has been transformed, eliminating near-perfect touch for every player on the pitch, and creating more opportunities for defenders to win back possession. Metascore: 90 User Score: 6. Borderlands 2 Platform: Xbox September 18, Play as one of 4 new vault hunters facing off against a new world of creatures, psychos and the evil mastermind, Handsome Jack. Metascore: 89 User Score: 8.

Fez Platform: Xbox April 13, This quirky platformer stars a little white creature with a bright red fez. Metascore: 89 User Score: 6. Dark Souls: Artorias of the Abyss Platform: Xbox October 23, The Dark Souls DLC, Artorias of the Abyss grants you access to new maps and environments, boss characters, enemies and non-playable characters, weapons and armour, and additional challenging content for stalwart heroes to face and an online match-making feature for co-op or player vs.

Dishonored Platform: Xbox October 9, Dishonored is a tactile first-person action game that thrusts you into the role of a supernatural assassin driven by a thirst for revenge. Metascore: 88 User Score: 7. The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Platform: Xbox April 17, The second installment in the RPG saga about the Witcher, Geralt of Rivia, features a thoroughly engrossing, mature storyline defining new standards for thought-provoking, non-linear game narration.

Metascore: 88 User Score: 8. Halo 4 Platform: Xbox November 6, Master Chief re-emerges to battle an ancient evil force determined to wreak vengeance and annihilation. Metascore: 87 User Score: 7. Spelunky Platform: Xbox July 4, Spelunky is a platformer with randomized levels that offer a unique and challenging experience each time you engage it.

Metascore: 86 User Score: 7. Dance Central 3 Platform: Xbox October 16, Includes a soundtrack featuring forty plus new tracks, from the disco hits of the seventies to current top 40 dance hits. Metascore: 85 User Score: 8. Forza Horizon Platform: Xbox October 23, Combining the traditional Forza with a music festival vibe, Horizon promises to take freedom of the open road to the next level.

Metascore: 85 User Score: 7. Metascore: 84 User Score: 6. The Walking Dead: Episode 2 - Starved for Help Platform: Xbox June 27, 3 months after the events of episode 1, starvation forces the group to look for food from strangers. Metascore: 84 User Score: 8. Metascore: 84 User Score: 5. Borderlands 2: Mr. Metascore: 83 User Score: 8. Metascore: 83 User Score: 5. Persona 4 Arena Platform: Xbox August 7, Persona 4 Arena uses hand-drawn, high definition 2D anime-style fighters and colorful, over-the-top special effects to bring to life a roster of fighters from Persona 3 and Persona 4.

Metascore: 83 User Score: 4. Metascore: 83 User Score: 6. Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Platform: Xbox September 11, The Tekken Tag Tournament returns with fighters from across the Tekken spectrum taking each other on two by two for the second time. Metascore: 83 User Score: 7.

Minecraft: Xbox Edition Platform: Xbox May 9, The game involves players creating and destroying various types of blocks in a three dimensional environment. Metascore: 82 User Score: 7. Metascore: 82 User Score: 6. Metascore: 82 User Score: 8. Joe Danger 2: The Movie Platform: Xbox September 14, On the set of the greatest blockbuster "Movie" ever made, create your own action film scene by scene, performing every stunt yourself.

Metascore: 81 User Score: 7. Metascore: 81 User Score: 5. Metascore: 81 User Score: 6. Metascore: 80 User Score: 8. Skylanders Giants Platform: Xbox October 21, Skylanders Giants is an all-new adventure for existing Skylanders toys that also adds 20 new characters--including eight giant ones--to the existing roster. Metascore: 80 User Score: 6. Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning Platform: Xbox February 7, Immerse yourself in an all-new massive universe from the minds of bestselling author R.

Metascore: 80 User Score: 7. Hitman: Absolution Platform: Xbox November 20, Don the suit of the ultimate assassin, you have the ability to hide in plain sight, cause death with your bare hands and fashion a weapon from almost anything.

Metascore: 79 User Score: 7. Metascore: 79 User Score: 8. Metascore: 79 User Score: 6. Quarrel Platform: Xbox January 25, A war of words, combining anagram action with simple strategy, all wrapped up in a distinctive, friendly style. Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Future Soldier Platform: Xbox May 22, The Ghosts are an untraceable unit of soldiers who hunt down high value targets in the highest-risk conflict zones around the world. Anomaly: Warzone Earth Platform: Xbox April 6, Blending fast-paced, explosive action with tactical battlefield command, Anomaly puts players in charge of a military convoy tasked with fighting back against the mysterious alien war machines that have begun to spring up in many of the world's largest cities.

Pool Nation Platform: Xbox October 31, Slow down and rewind time with the replay system which lets you review the action close up. WWE '13 Platform: Xbox October 30, WWE '13 features the franchise's Creation Suite, enabling players to develop and customize Superstars, entrances, arenas, finishing moves, storylines, highlight reels and more, as well as share and download creations with others from around the world.

Metascore: 78 User Score: 8. Metascore: 78 User Score: 6. Skullgirls Platform: Xbox April 11, Skullgirls is a fast 2-D fighting game that puts you in control of fierce warriors in a Dark Deco world. Metascore: 78 User Score: 7. Marvel vs. Metascore: 77 User Score: 8. Birds of Steel Platform: Xbox March 13, Get ready to strap in, go back in time and take stick in the most pivotal battles in the history of air combat.

Shank 2 Platform: Xbox February 8, Shank 2 returns with a story of redemption as Shank, a former mob hitman with a dark and vengeful past, is thrust back into action when the lives of those close to him are endangered.

Metascore: 77 User Score: 6. Just Dance 4 Platform: Xbox October 9, Just Dance 4 features more than 40 new tracks, ranging from chart-topping Billboard hits to classic dance party tracks. Metascore: 77 User Score: 7. Awesomenauts Platform: Xbox May 2, The game features the most awesome mercenaries in the galaxy in their fight for territorial supremacy. Metascore: 76 User Score: 5.

Spec Ops: The Line Platform: Xbox June 26, Spec Ops: The Line is a provocative third-person modern military shooter that challenges players' morality by putting them in the middle of unspeakable situations where unimaginable choices affecting human life must be made.

Metascore: 76 User Score: 6. Dead or Alive 5 Platform: Xbox September 25, Fight on through blockbuster stages as you knock your opponents off of an exotic waterfall, into an exploding oil rig and more. Metascore: 76 User Score: 8. Zuma's Revenge! Platform: Xbox July 11, In Zuma the player takes the role of a fearless ball-shooting frog, exploring ancient temples and ruins. Metascore: 76 User Score: 7. Alan Wake's American Nightmare Platform: Xbox February 22, After the events of Alan Wake, our eponymous hero finds himself embroiled in a new adventure in Arizona, where his own words again hold the key to defeating his evil twin, the malevolent Mr.

Metascore: 75 User Score: 7. Akai Katana Platform: Xbox May 15, Unleash the power of the Blood Katana The Empires war has ravaged the world and the people are suffering in its relentless pursuit of domination using the feared Blood Katanas. Metascore: 75 User Score: 8. Metascore: 75 User Score: 6. Metascore: 74 User Score: 7. Binary Domain Platform: Xbox February 28, Binary Domain puts players in the middle of a fast-paced and intense battle for humanity in robot-invaded Tokyo.

Metascore: 74 User Score: 8. Mass Effect 3: Leviathan Platform: Xbox August 28, Mass Effect 3: Leviathan is a story-driven single player DLC where players are thrust into the darkest corner of space to hunt a mysterious being rumored to be powerful enough to destroy a Reaper. Metascore: 74 User Score: 6. Syndicate Platform: Xbox February 21, - No longer governed by politicians, the world is divided into regions controlled by mega-corporations known as Syndicates. Metascore: 73 User Score: 7.