Best of 2012
We might be living in an era dominated by multiplatform releases, but the console exclusive is far from dead. Whether a system-selling “killer app,” or just a nice feather in the cap, exclusives are the games which define their consoles and secure their place in history.
Behold, Destructoid’s nominations for Best Console Exclusive in 2012:
FEZ
“FEZ may not look quite so unique these days, but once you start playing it, you’ll notice how its quality, ingenious level design, and lovable personality keeps it in the upper echelons of indie gaming.”
Read the full FEZ review.
Halo 4
“343 Industries have done a remarkable job at continuing the Halo legacy. They’ve gone all out, creating a fantastic sequel that brought forth a major focus on storytelling while upping the visual and audio direction to a level that will be tough for anyone to rival with these few remaining years of the current console generation.”
Read the full Halo 4 review.
Journey
“Its greatest achievement, however, is showing the world exactly how to make a piece of interactive art that is both compelling and fun, without compromising any one element. So many self-styled “art games” feel that in order to evoke a feeling, one must confuse, irritate, or even totally disregard the player. Journey is a defiant bridge between art and game, managing to emotionally connect without being cloying, and succeeding in being mysterious without becoming pretentiously vague and obfuscating.”
Read the full Journey review.
Spelunky
“All of the additions for Xbox Live Arcade — most notably, new graphics and sound, competitive multiplayer, and cooperative play — come together to flesh out what was already impressive in its earlier stages. To avoid Spelunky is to miss out on an incredibly satisfying, well-designed game.”
Read the full Spelunky review.
Tokyo Jungle
“…if you don’t laugh your ass off at Tokyo Jungle, there’s something seriously wrong with you. It’s not the deepest or most polished game out there, but it makes up for any faults with ceaseless hilarity. Reading about how you’ll first control a cute little Pomeranian pup to go up against other animals is one thing, but actually mashing the button to have the little guy swipe his paw at a roaring lion — or a massive, chomping alligator — is another.”
Read the full Tokyo Jungle review.
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Congrats to all the nominees! We’ll be announcing the official winner on Friday, December 14. In the mean time we want you to tell us which game you think is the best console exclusive of the year. Plus, be sure to go vote in our Community Choice Award for your favorite game of 2012.
Check out all our other categories and nominations:
- Game of the Year nominees
- Best visuals nominees
- Best multiplatform nominees
- Best PC exclusive nominees
- Best multiplayer
- Best soundtrack
- Best portable
- Best platformer
- Best action adventure
- Best fighting
