Best of 2012

For the past week we've tasked you, the Destructoid community, with choosing your favorite videogame of 2012. After nearly 5,000 votes cast, we're ready to declare the winner!

The five games you see in the header were the top voted games of 2012. Abobo's Big Adventure, Borderlands 2, Journey, Mass Effect 3, and The Walking Dead each struck a major cord with the Dtoid community for various reasons, and I wish we could give an award to every one of them! Sadly, though, that isn't the case, and after the dust settled, only one game reigned supreme.

And the winner is ...

The Walking Dead

Hailed as a masterpiece by critics and adored by gamers from all walks (get it?) of life, The Walking Dead is one of those rare games that appeals to almost everyone who spends time with it. From the stellar writing and voice acting, to the focused, story-driven gameplay, to the unique, graphic novel-inspired visuals, every aspect of Telltale's latest offering has been polished to the point of perfection, and is a testament to how episodic gaming should be executed in the years to come.

I know of more Dtoiders who bawled their eyes out at the game's conclusion than in any other game past, so it's no wonder it made such a resounding impact on the Destructoid community. Please join me in giving a hearty congratulations to Telltale games and The Walking Dead, winner of Destructoid's 2012 Community Choice Award!

Thanks to everyone who took part in the voting!

For the record, here are the 10 runners-up, in order of votes received:

Borderlands 2
Abobo's Big Adventure
Mass Effect 3
Journey
Dishonored
Xenoblade Chronicles
Halo 4
XCOM: Enemy Unknown
Far Cry 3
Persona 4 Golden

While each of these received a fair share of your votes, I'd be lying if I said it was even close!