Top Ten Games of Spring 2012

The May days are gradually passing, bringing players closer not only to the long-awaited summer but also to the so-called "dead season." It is well known that during the summer period, the gaming industry temporarily comes to a halt. The time for vacations arrives, work becomes sluggish, developers sweat in their offices, barely perceiving reality, while the potential audience rolls off to dachas or flies to distant countries to dip their toes in some kind of sea. A global and unrestrained siesta begins; who has time for games? Given this, releasing the remaining projects by the end of spring (or in the first weeks of June) has become a priority task for publishers and developers. Since the beginning of March until now, many good games have been released, and several more projects are on the way. Based on the anticipation rating, we can already summarize the interim results and compile a list of the best projects of the spring period. That’s what I will attempt to do in this top list.

Diablo III

Release Date: May 15 (European version), June 7 (Russian version).
Platforms: PC.
Distributor in Russia: “1C-SoftClub.”
Who doesn’t wait for [Diablo III](/games?search=Diablo III) has no heart/taste/sense of style (choose synonyms as you wish). You won't believe it, but there are players like that in the world. The suffering, tortured, and carefully nurtured project has roots going back to the time when the development of [Diablo III](/games?search=Diablo III) was in the hands of Blizzard North (from 2000 to 2005). Then there followed a new long period of re-creation of the game, and it seemed that [Diablo III](/games?search=Diablo III) would never appear. Representatives of Blizzard Entertainment constantly postponed the release date, not particularly hiding the fact that the game would be in development for a very long time. Gamers understood that all this was done with a good purpose—to polish the game to a mirror shine, but the desire to dive into the dark world of Sanctuary completely overshadowed all reasonable arguments. When the information about the upcoming closed beta testing of [Diablo III](/games?search=Diablo III) appeared, players sighed with relief—this meant that the game itself was not far off. Indeed, the European version will open its doors to everyone in just a few days, while the Russian version will offer participation in the battle of Heaven and Hell a little later—on June 7.

Mass Effect 3

Release Date: March 7.
Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3.
Publisher in Russia: Electronic Arts.
We waited more than two years for the concluding part of the galactic trilogy about Commander Shepard, hoping that the developers at BioWare wouldn’t let us down and would create a truly grand game. Gamers' fears were related to the previous project from the famous studio—[Dragon Age 2](/games?search=Dragon Age 2), which not a single critic spared. They didn’t do this right, they simplified that, cut here, left things undone there. The [Mass Effect](/games?search=Mass Effect) series also followed the path of simplification; just compare the first and second parts of the trilogy. "Where else could it go?" players shouted, shaking their fists wildly in anticipation of the release of [Mass Effect 3](/games?search=Mass Effect 3), but it turned out not to be so bad. Yes, the ending disappointed many gamers, but the narrative about Shepard and his team ended quite respectably, though on a sad note. Let me remind you that in [Mass Effect 3](/games?search=Mass Effect 3), the Reapers unexpectedly attacked the cradle of humanity—Earth, unleashing total terror and flooding the entire planet with blood. The act of intimidation went quite successfully; Earth plunged into chaos, and the alien invaders built factories here and there to churn out zombies from human material. While formal genocide and bacchanalia unfolded on the planet, Shepard quietly slipped away from the blue marble and set off in search of help. In the game, he needs to gather his team again and embark on a long and adventurous journey while negotiating with various races for a joint attack on the crazed Reapers. As always, the strengths of the game remain in place—a well-crafted and intricate plot, dynamic gameplay, as well as numerous puzzles that have tormented players for many years. Players received answers to most questions, but whether they liked the whole truth—that’s a separate topic for discussion.

Max Payne 3

Release Date: May 18 (PS3, Xbox 360), June 1 (PC).
Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360.
Publisher in Russia: “1C-SoftClub.”
Much time has passed since Max was young and full of strength. Perhaps only because of that he was able to survive a series of tragic events without breaking down completely. Eight long years have passed since the last game in the series was completed. Old Payne is losing his sense of purpose and drowning his soul's torments in cheap alcohol. Outside is a noir New York, with which Max only has bad memories. At one point, the main character's apartment is attacked by a mafia group, and [Max Payne](/games?search=Макс Пейн) realizes that it’s time to put an end to this. Surviving a shootout with the gangsters, he moves to sunny Brazil and gets a job at a security agency. Subsequently, Max becomes close with the family that owns the agency, but this is a double-edged sword. Another criminal showdown drags the hero into a new whirlpool of brutality, blood, and problems that need to be resolved. Remembering his old skills, Max, with a weapon in hand, must defend the honor of the Rodrigo Branco family, punish the cursed unholy ones, and finally sort out the cockroaches in his head. Of course, [Max Payne](/games?search=Макс Пейн) had no idea that the inter-clan showdown was just the tip of the iceberg. Rockstar Games assures that [Max Payne 3](/games?search=Max Payne 3) will feature a twisted and multi-layered plot. During gameplay, players will be transported from one time frame to another, so they will witness both a more or less familiar, albeit older Max, and a bulked-up muscle mass with a bald head and a pretty hefty beard. Times change, and so does Max. Realistic physics, an interesting combat mechanics, and breathtaking graphics—all of this we will be able to see and touch with our own hands very soon.

Total War: Shogun 2 – Fall of the Samurai

Release Date: March 23.
Platforms: PC.
Publisher in Russia: “1C-SoftClub.”
The standalone expansion from The Creative Assembly tells about the period of the decline of the samurai and the shogunate. The Emperor of Japan, deciding to initiate a series of military and social reforms, did not take into account one thing—the opinions of proud samurai and conservative residents of the Japanese islands. Pressure from capitalist countries forced the emperor to begin a bloody civil war, in which some Japanese fought with swords, bows, and naginatas, while others used Gatling guns, cannons, and ironclads. The situation in the country was further aggravated by various foreign mercenaries, who were eager to shed the blood of a few more inhabitants of the Land of the Rising Sun on their sabers and bayonets. Historically, the imperial army emerged victorious from this internecine conflict, but in Fall of the Samurai players can rewrite the milestones of history, drive out the interlopers, and punish the emperor for his fawning over the West. Unlike the original game, the “Fall of the Samurai” focuses on the use of firearms, as was the case in [Empire: Total War](/games?search=Empire: Total War). The strategic map now features railroads, designed to speed up the movement of armies from one point to another. Ironclads, which replaced wooden boats, can bombard enemy troops if they are in coastal zones. The number of units in one army was increased from 20 to 40. In general, there were a significant number of innovations in Fall of the Samurai. The Creative Assembly still maintains quality standards at a high level.

Botanicula

Release Date: May 4.
Platforms: PC.
Publisher in Russia: “1C-SoftClub.”
The Czech developers from Amanita Design have once again surpassed themselves, gifting gamers a little masterpiece called Botanicula. The story of the game unfolds on a tree that suddenly comes under attack from nasty parasitic bugs. The wicked creatures have settled in the poor tree's house, gradually destroying it. Moreover, they aim to find and eat the last seed. Seeing that the uninvited guests won't leave peacefully, a brave quintet of local bugs sets off on a perilous journey. The main characters look a bit strange but very cute—there's a stick, a nut, and a little feather; in short, the Czech imagination works wonderfully. While traveling through the tree, the characters encounter not only opponents but other inhabitants of the large sprawling house. Meeting them brings pleasure, as each bug can be interacted with. However, not all of them are friendly; some may even attack. Most of the time, players will have to complete various simple quests, but they are quite straightforward and pose no significant difficulties. Botanicula can be completed in just a few hours, but in that short time, the creators of Samorost and Machinarium managed to pack in a lot of interesting content. Botanicula is a quest that everyone should play. It lifts your spirits, improves karma, and promotes the release of endorphins in the blood.

Risen 2: Dark Waters

Release Date: April 27 (PC), August 3 (PS3, Xbox 360).
Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360.
Publisher in Russia: “Akella.”
Risen 2: Dark Waters is a sequel to the fairly decent role-playing game Risen, released in 2009. After defeating the Fire Titan, the nameless protagonist spends his time lounging on one of the islands, drinking potent rum in coastal taverns and other “vomitoriums.” He is sad, you see. The hero’s melancholy isn’t without cause; the Titans are raging with the same fervor, new terrible creatures have appeared in the seas, and pirate ships with ruthless beard-wearers roam between the continents and islands. How can one not drown their sorrows, seeing such disorder in their homeland? But as it always happens, someone comes along to pull the failed alcoholic from the depths of drinking and debauchery. After receiving a throwaway quest, the protagonist meets a pirate girl named Patty, who has survived a shipwreck. It turns out that the girl is the daughter of Steel Beard, a fierce pirate and terror of the seas. Patty tells the hero the story of how to save this world from various monsters, after which the Nameless One and his new friend set off on a long and winding journey. They have much to do—find Patty's father, learn safe ways to navigate the seas, beat up the Titans, and then live happily ever after. Well, or whatever happens. Risen 2: Dark Waters features a large number of interesting quests, colorful graphics, and many other “delights,” though the combat mechanics can sometimes provoke pure hatred from players.

Legend of Grimrock

Release Date: April 11.
Platforms: PC.
Publisher in Russia: None.
An old-school game through and through from Almost Human takes gamers back to a time when games were harsh, monsters were dreadful, and puzzles were engaging and difficult. A couple of decades ago, there was no opportunity to create beautiful projects, so every game focused on story, atmosphere, and hardcore. The folks at Almost Human decided to revive the good old traditions, creating a completely unaccommodating RPG. The plot of [Legend of Grimrock](/games?search=Legend of Grimrock) is quite simple. Heroes, imprisoned for vague transgressions, are thrown together into dark and dreadful dungeons. Their punishment is rather specific, resembling the ancient method of identifying witches. Let me remind you that in the Middle Ages, there was a special ritual—women suspected of witchcraft were tied up and thrown into a river. If the poor soul drowned, that meant she was not a witch, and all sins were forgiven in advance; but if the woman remained on the surface, it became clear what to do. Angry men would take aspen spears and deal with the infernal creature. In [Legend of Grimrock](/games?search=Legend of Grimrock), a similar principle operates—if the heroes escape from the dungeon, they can be considered innocent; if they perish in the darkness—well, that’s their fate. Before starting the game, you can create your own party of characters from four races and several combat classes to choose from. There are countless parameters and settings, allowing even the selection of an “old school” mode. If this is enabled, the game map disappears, and gamers literally have to feel their way through dark mazes, getting lost in corners and twists. It can be said that [Legend of Grimrock](/games?search=Legend of Grimrock) is not a game for everyone. It’s like a giant ancient mammoth that suddenly appeared in a herd of little Indian elephants. Youth will likely run away, but a more adult audience will likely be very intrigued by the project.

DiRT: Showdown

Release Date: May 25.
Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360.
Publisher in Russia: “Buka.”
Not a simulator but an arcade. [DiRT: Showdown](/games?search=DiRT: Showdown) is not a direct continuation of the famous DiRT series but is positioned as a spinoff, focusing on arcade and reckless races. Various wreckers and junkers in this game are matched with some pretty decent cars, but keeping a vehicle intact in [DiRT: Showdown](/games?search=DiRT: Showdown) won't be possible, nor is it particularly desired, to be honest. Speed, drive, adrenaline—that’s what players need, and there’s plenty of it in [DiRT: Showdown](/games?search=DiRT: Showdown). Cars collide with each other with howls and crunches, shattering into tiny pieces—delighting players and computer onlookers. The game has multiple diverse modes, including more or less familiar races a la catch-up-and-overtake, as well as special racing categories focused on stunts or total destruction of the opponent’s vehicles. What could be more fun than a head-on collision of two cars speeding toward each other? Right, the encounter of three, four, or more vehicles. Whoever crumbles more beautifully at the crash wins. Delight!

Dragon’s Dogma

Release Date: May 25.
Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360.
Publisher in Russia: “1C-SoftClub.”
This creation from Capcom can be called a console Skyrim with a focus on medieval themes. The game features a vast open world full of numerous locations and scattered castles, caves, settlements, and villages across its territory. One can forget all storylines and side quests and go, as they say, where the eyes lead. In unsafe journeys, reliable companions will always help, who can deal with bandits, capture a bandit fort on the fly, and trample a fat and stinky troll. After that, one can enter a tavern and celebrate the day with a good mug of ale while simultaneously driving away a gang of goblins that had the audacity to covet someone else's goods. Have you gone too far during the skirmish and offended the respectable residents of the kingdom? Then it’s off to jail, gentlemen, and prepare a ransom for yourself. If funds are lacking, you’ll go begging in the local slums, defending yourself with a wooden stick against competing bums. Anyone with an Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 will be able to appreciate all the charms of Dragon’s Dogma on May 25 this year. I don’t think the game will compete with the famous creation from Bethesda Softworks, but the fact that we will receive a quality and very interesting RPG is certain.

Silent Hill: Downpour

Release Date: March 13.
Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360.
Publisher in Russia: “1C-SoftClub.”
The convict Murphy Pendleton sits in prison, suffering from bad memories and terrible dreams. A rather unfortunate life, to put it simply. At one point, he is put in a police van and transported somewhere (presumably to another prison), but along the way, a disaster occurs—the bus with the staff of knife and axe falls into a ravine; everyone scatters, including poor Murphy. Finding himself in an unclear and frightening place, he begins his slow and measured journey through the surroundings of Silent Hill. Everywhere is fog, rain, and complete desolation. Contemplating that it would have been better to stay in prison, where dinner and macaroni awaited him, Murphy wanders among abandoned homes, encountering various problems in the form of horrid creatures. Sometimes he is transported to a distorted reality filled with strange objects and even scarier monsters. Murphy Pendleton realizes that he needs to get out of this cursed area as soon as possible—give him a life sentence, as long as he can escape this nightmare. Trying to flee the damned city, he is unaware that there is only one road to Silent Hill. It is easy to get in, but nearly impossible to get out. Gradually losing his sanity, Pendleton finds himself ever closer to the center of demonic chaos and fanaticism, no longer hoping to return to a normal sunny world. [Silent Hill: Downpour](/games?search=Silent Hill: Downpour) is a pretty solid horror game, with a terrifying atmosphere and consistent style. Of course, it doesn't reach the heights of [Silent Hill 2](/games?search=Silent Hill 2), but it's still very good. It's recommended to play at night with the lights off, after making sure to have a supply of valerian and toilet paper.