Best Games of 2012

NXTO's catalog has 460 games released in 2012. These 30 rank highest once player ratings, Metacritic scores and Steam reviews are combined. The top three: Dishonored, Journey and Hotline Miami.

How it's ranked: a blend of RAWG player ratings, Metacritic and Steam reviews, adjusted so games with very few ratings can't outrank well-proven ones. Times are average player-reported playtime, so treat them as rough guides.

1. 1
   

   Dishonored

   2012Adventure, ActionPC, Xbox One, PS4 ★ 4.5/5⏱ ~12.2 h to beat
2. 2
   

   Journey

   2012Family, IndiePC, PS4 ★ 4.5/5⏱ ~2 h to beat
3. 3
   

   Hotline Miami

   2012Indie, ShooterPC, Xbox One, PS4 ★ 4.5/5⏱ ~5.2 h to beat
4. 4
   

   Mass Effect 3

   2012Action, RPGPC, Xbox One ★ 4.4/5⏱ ~24.6 h to beat
5. 5
   

   The Walking Dead: Season 1

   2012Adventure, ActionPC, PS4, Xbox One ★ 4.4/5~8 h avg. playtime
6. 6
   

   Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair

   2012Casual, AdventurePC, PS4 ★ 4.4/5⏱ ~33.6 h to beat
7. 7
   

   Ib

   2012Indie, AdventurePC, Switch ★ 4.4/5~4 h avg. playtime
8. 8
   

   XCOM: Enemy Unknown

   2012StrategyPC ★ 4.4/5⏱ ~26.7 h to beat
9. 9
   

   FTL: Faster Than Light

   2012Strategy, IndiePC ★ 4.4/5⏱ ~12.1 h to beat
10. 10
    

    Fire Emblem Awakening

    2012Strategy, RPG ★ 4.3/5
11. 11
    

    The Cat Lady

    2012Indie, AdventurePC ★ 4.3/5~3 h avg. playtime
12. 12
    

    Animal Crossing: New Leaf

    2012Casual, Family ★ 4.3/5~37 h avg. playtime
13. 13
    

    Sleeping Dogs

    2012Adventure, ActionPC ★ 4.3/5⏱ ~15.3 h to beat
14. 14
    

    Mark of the Ninja

    2012Platformer, IndiePC, Switch ★ 4.3/5⏱ ~8.4 h to beat
15. 15
    

    Forza Horizon

    2012Racing, Arcade ★ 4.3/5~13 h avg. playtime
16. 16
    

    FEZ

    2012Adventure, ActionPC, PS4, Switch ★ 4.2/5⏱ ~6 h to beat
17. 17
    

    Euro Truck Simulator 2

    2012Indie, SimulationPC ★ 4.2/5⏱ ~45.8 h to beat
18. 18
    

    Borderlands 2

    2012Shooter, ActionPC ★ 4.2/5⏱ ~30.1 h to beat
19. 19
    

    The Room

    2012Indie, PuzzlePC, Switch ★ 4.2/5⏱ ~2.6 h to beat
20. 20
    

    Pokémon Black 2, White 2

    2012Adventure, RPG ★ 4.2/5
21. 21
    

    Diablo III

    2012Action, RPGPC, PS5, Xbox One ★ 4.1/5⏱ ~18.2 h to beat
22. 22
    

    Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward

    2012Adventure, Puzzle ★ 4.1/5~34 h avg. playtime
23. 23
    

    Torchlight II

    2012Action, RPGPC, Xbox One, PS4 ★ 4.1/5⏱ ~20.7 h to beat
24. 24
    

    Mad Father

    2012Indie, AdventurePC ★ 4.1/5~4 h avg. playtime
25. 25
    

    Botanicula

    2012Adventure, PuzzlePC ★ 4.1/5~3 h avg. playtime
26. 26
    

    Chaos on Deponia

    2012Indie, AdventurePC, Xbox One, PS4 ★ 4.1/5~5 h avg. playtime
27. 27
    

    Guild Wars 2

    2012MMO, AdventurePC ★ 4.1/5~3 h avg. playtime
28. 28
    

    Super Hexagon

    2012Casual, IndiePC ★ 4.1/5⏱ ~5.3 h to beat
29. 29
    

    Stronghold Crusader HD

    2012Strategy, SimulationPC ★ 4.1/5~3 h avg. playtime
30. 30
    

    Pro Evolution Soccer 2013

    2012SportsPC ★ 4.1/5~17 h avg. playtime

More game lists