Best games
Best games of 2012
The 163 best games released in 2012, ranked from 28,588 critic and player ratings.
The best game of 2012 is Journey, with a critic score of 94/100 — updated September 2026.
How this ranking is built
- Games are ranked on the aggregated critic score out of 100 imported from IGDB and Metacritic, never on Tier's own grades.
- A game only enters the ranking with at least 80 external ratings, so a single enthusiastic review never outranks a proven classic.
- Community grades from F to S are shown next to every game, and only stated as a fact above 5 Tier ratings.
- Release window covered: 2012.
- 50 games are listed on this page, carrying 28,588 ratings between them.
- Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 28 September 2026.
Top 50
01
Journey
A third-person adventure game in which the player, controlling a robed figure, makes a pilgrimage through a desert landscape to a rugged mountain with a beacon of light in the distance while uncovering the history of their people, rescuing and cooperating with friendly creatures, avoiding predatory ones and communicating with other travelers.
94
/100
02
S
Mass Effect Trilogy
Experience all three award winning Mass Effect titles at an amazing value with the Mass Effect Trilogy. As Commander Shepard, rise to become the galaxy’s most elite soldier and lead an all-out war to stop an ancient and ruthless enemy: the Reapers. With over 75 hours of content and more than 300 awards, one of gaming’s most acclaimed franchises is available for the first time in a premium foiled box set. Heart-pounding action meets gripping interactive storytelling where you decide how your unique story unfolds. Assemble and lead your team aboard the SSV Normandy, the most advanced ship in the galaxy, and travel to distant and unexplored star systems. On your journey, meet a cast of intriguing characters each with their own story to tell. Wield devastating weapons and customize them with upgrades to create new and devastating attacks. All the thrilling action and your decisions culminate into a heroic battle against the greatest threat ever known. The fate of the galaxy lies in your hands—how will you chose to fight for it?
93
/100
03
Fire Emblem Awakening
Armies clash as the world burns. As an inevitable war draws ever closer, you must stand with Chrom and his forces--knights, mages, archers, and more--commanding them against the armies of kingdoms, empires, and the dead themselves. Plan your strategery. Move your troops on the battlefield, then choose their weapon and attack. Using the new Pair Up and Dual systems, support your attacks with the help of nearby allies and watch their skills and relationships grow.
92
/100
Journey
A third-person adventure game in which the player, controlling a robed figure, makes a pilgrimage through a desert landscape to a rugged mountain with a beacon of light in the distance while uncovering the history of their people, rescuing and cooperating with friendly creatures, avoiding predatory ones and communicating with other travelers.
94
/100
02
S
Mass Effect Trilogy
Experience all three award winning Mass Effect titles at an amazing value with the Mass Effect Trilogy. As Commander Shepard, rise to become the galaxy’s most elite soldier and lead an all-out war to stop an ancient and ruthless enemy: the Reapers. With over 75 hours of content and more than 300 awards, one of gaming’s most acclaimed franchises is available for the first time in a premium foiled box set. Heart-pounding action meets gripping interactive storytelling where you decide how your unique story unfolds. Assemble and lead your team aboard the SSV Normandy, the most advanced ship in the galaxy, and travel to distant and unexplored star systems. On your journey, meet a cast of intriguing characters each with their own story to tell. Wield devastating weapons and customize them with upgrades to create new and devastating attacks. All the thrilling action and your decisions culminate into a heroic battle against the greatest threat ever known. The fate of the galaxy lies in your hands—how will you chose to fight for it?
93
/100
03
Fire Emblem Awakening
Armies clash as the world burns. As an inevitable war draws ever closer, you must stand with Chrom and his forces--knights, mages, archers, and more--commanding them against the armies of kingdoms, empires, and the dead themselves. Plan your strategery. Move your troops on the battlefield, then choose their weapon and attack. Using the new Pair Up and Dual systems, support your attacks with the help of nearby allies and watch their skills and relationships grow.
92
/100
04
Ōkami HD
Experience the critically acclaimed masterpiece with its renowned Sumi-e ink art style in breathtaking high resolution. Take on the role of Amaterasu, the Japanese sun goddess who inhabits the form of a legendary white wolf, on a quest to defeat Orochi, an eight-headed demon and tyrannical monster responsible for turning the world of Nippon into a ruined wasteland.
92
/100
05
Mark of the Ninja
Mark of the Ninja is a side-scrolling action stealth video game developed by Klei Entertainment and published by Microsoft Studios. It was announced on February 28, 2012 and later released for the Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Arcade on September 7, 2012. A Microsoft Windows version was released on October 16, 2012. It follows the story of a nameless ninja in the present day, and features a themed conflict between ancient ninja tradition and modern technology. Cutscenes for the game are rendered in Saturday morning cartoon animation style.
91
/100
06
Batman: Arkham City - Game of the Year Edition
91
/100
07
B
Mass Effect 3
Earth is burning. The Reapers have taken over and other civilizations are falling like dominoes. Lead the final fight to save humanity and take back Earth from these terrifying machines, Commander Shepard. You'll need backup for these battles. Fortunately, the galaxy has a habit of sending unexpected species your way. Recruit team members and forge new alliances, but be prepared to say goodbye at any time as partners make the ultimate sacrifice. It's time for Commander Shepard to fight for the fate of the human race and save the galaxy. No pressure, Commander. Fight smarter. Take advantage of new powers and combat moves. Shepard can now blind fire at enemies and build tougher melee attacks. Plus, when you fight as a team you can combine new biotic and tech powers to unleash devastating Power Combos. Build the final force. Build a team from a variety of races and classes and combine their skills to overcome impossible odds. You'll be joined by newcomers like James Vega, a tough-as-nails soldier, as well as EDI, a trusted AI in a newly acquired physical form. Keep an eye out for beloved characters from your past, but beware. Some may not survive the final battle... Face off against friends. Enjoy an integrated co-op multiplayer mode and team up with friends online to liberate key conflict zones from increasingly tough opponents. Customize your warrior and earn new weapons, armor, and abilities to build war preparedness stats in your single player campaign.
91
/100
08
S
Dishonored
Dishonored is an immersive first-person action game that casts you as a supernatural assassin driven by revenge. With Dishonored’s flexible combat system, creatively eliminate your targets as you combine the supernatural abilities, weapons and unusual gadgets at your disposal. Pursue your enemies under the cover of darkness or ruthlessly attack them head on with weapons drawn. The outcome of each mission plays out based on the choices you make.
90
/100
09
Spelunky
Spelunky (also known as Spelunky HD) is a remake of Spelunky (now known as Spelunky Classic), an open source indie platformer video game created by Derek Yu and originally released as freeware for Microsoft Windows. The player controls a spelunker who explores a series of caves while collecting treasure, saving damsels, fighting enemies and dodging traps. The caves are procedurally generated, making each run through the game unique. Spelunky is one of the first examples of a roguelike-like, borrowing concepts from the roguelike genre, and was the influence for many later roguelike-like games.
90
/100
10
Max Payne 3
Max Payne 3 is a third-person shooter in which the player assumes the role of its titular character, Max Payne. A new feature to the series, introduced in Max Payne 3, is the cover system, which allows players to gain a tactical advantage, and avoid taking damage from enemies. To progress through the linear story, players take on enemies throughout levels. The game features interactive cutscenes which transition seamlessly into continuing gameplay; there are no loading screens across gameplay and cutscenes.
89
/100
11
XCOM: Enemy Unknown
88
/100
12
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings - Enhanced Edition
88
/100
13
A
Far Cry 3
88
/100
14
Diablo III
88
/100
15
Animal Crossing: New Leaf
88
/100
16
Thirty Flights of Loving
88
/100
17
Warsow
88
/100
18
Halo 4
88
/100
19
S
Euro Truck Simulator 2
88
/100
20
Sound Shapes
87
/100
21
Trials Evolution
86
/100
22
A
Hotline Miami
86
/100
23
Tribes: Ascend
86
/100
24
Darksiders II
86
/100
25
Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward
86
/100
26
Torchlight II
86
/100
27
Fez
86
/100
28
Dark Souls: Prepare To Die Edition
85
/100
29
B
Forza Horizon
85
/100
30
Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair
85
/100
31
Need for Speed: Most Wanted
85
/100
32
S
The Walking Dead
84
/100
33
FTL: Faster Than Light
84
/100
34
PlanetSide 2
84
/100
35
New Super Mario Bros. U
84
/100
36
Crusader Kings II
84
/100
37
A
Diablo III
83
/100
38
Super Hexagon
83
/100
39
WipEout 2048
83
/100
40
Orcs Must Die! 2
83
/100
41
Gravity Rush
83
/100
42
Tekken Tag Tournament 2
83
/100
43
Yakuza 5
83
/100
44
Angry Birds Space
83
/100
45
Pokémon Black Version 2
82
/100
46
Need for Speed: Most Wanted - A Criterion Game
82
/100
47
Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
82
/100
48
Legend of Grimrock
82
/100
49
Botanicula
82
/100
50
Realm of the Mad God
82
/100
Ōkami HD
Experience the critically acclaimed masterpiece with its renowned Sumi-e ink art style in breathtaking high resolution. Take on the role of Amaterasu, the Japanese sun goddess who inhabits the form of a legendary white wolf, on a quest to defeat Orochi, an eight-headed demon and tyrannical monster responsible for turning the world of Nippon into a ruined wasteland.
92
/100
05
Mark of the Ninja
Mark of the Ninja is a side-scrolling action stealth video game developed by Klei Entertainment and published by Microsoft Studios. It was announced on February 28, 2012 and later released for the Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Arcade on September 7, 2012. A Microsoft Windows version was released on October 16, 2012. It follows the story of a nameless ninja in the present day, and features a themed conflict between ancient ninja tradition and modern technology. Cutscenes for the game are rendered in Saturday morning cartoon animation style.
91
/100
06
Batman: Arkham City - Game of the Year Edition
91
/100
07
B
Mass Effect 3
Earth is burning. The Reapers have taken over and other civilizations are falling like dominoes. Lead the final fight to save humanity and take back Earth from these terrifying machines, Commander Shepard. You'll need backup for these battles. Fortunately, the galaxy has a habit of sending unexpected species your way. Recruit team members and forge new alliances, but be prepared to say goodbye at any time as partners make the ultimate sacrifice. It's time for Commander Shepard to fight for the fate of the human race and save the galaxy. No pressure, Commander. Fight smarter. Take advantage of new powers and combat moves. Shepard can now blind fire at enemies and build tougher melee attacks. Plus, when you fight as a team you can combine new biotic and tech powers to unleash devastating Power Combos. Build the final force. Build a team from a variety of races and classes and combine their skills to overcome impossible odds. You'll be joined by newcomers like James Vega, a tough-as-nails soldier, as well as EDI, a trusted AI in a newly acquired physical form. Keep an eye out for beloved characters from your past, but beware. Some may not survive the final battle... Face off against friends. Enjoy an integrated co-op multiplayer mode and team up with friends online to liberate key conflict zones from increasingly tough opponents. Customize your warrior and earn new weapons, armor, and abilities to build war preparedness stats in your single player campaign.
91
/100
08
S
Dishonored
Dishonored is an immersive first-person action game that casts you as a supernatural assassin driven by revenge. With Dishonored’s flexible combat system, creatively eliminate your targets as you combine the supernatural abilities, weapons and unusual gadgets at your disposal. Pursue your enemies under the cover of darkness or ruthlessly attack them head on with weapons drawn. The outcome of each mission plays out based on the choices you make.
90
/100
09
Spelunky
Spelunky (also known as Spelunky HD) is a remake of Spelunky (now known as Spelunky Classic), an open source indie platformer video game created by Derek Yu and originally released as freeware for Microsoft Windows. The player controls a spelunker who explores a series of caves while collecting treasure, saving damsels, fighting enemies and dodging traps. The caves are procedurally generated, making each run through the game unique. Spelunky is one of the first examples of a roguelike-like, borrowing concepts from the roguelike genre, and was the influence for many later roguelike-like games.
90
/100
10
Max Payne 3
Max Payne 3 is a third-person shooter in which the player assumes the role of its titular character, Max Payne. A new feature to the series, introduced in Max Payne 3, is the cover system, which allows players to gain a tactical advantage, and avoid taking damage from enemies. To progress through the linear story, players take on enemies throughout levels. The game features interactive cutscenes which transition seamlessly into continuing gameplay; there are no loading screens across gameplay and cutscenes.
89
/100
11
XCOM: Enemy Unknown
88
/100
12
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings - Enhanced Edition
88
/100
13
A
Far Cry 3
88
/100
14
Diablo III
88
/100
15
Animal Crossing: New Leaf
88
/100
16
Thirty Flights of Loving
88
/100
17
Warsow
88
/100
18
Halo 4
88
/100
19
S
Euro Truck Simulator 2
88
/100
20
Sound Shapes
87
/100
21
Trials Evolution
86
/100
22
A
Hotline Miami
86
/100
23
Tribes: Ascend
86
/100
24
Darksiders II
86
/100
25
Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward
86
/100
26
Torchlight II
86
/100
27
Fez
86
/100
28
Dark Souls: Prepare To Die Edition
85
/100
29
B
Forza Horizon
85
/100
30
Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair
85
/100
31
Need for Speed: Most Wanted
85
/100
32
S
The Walking Dead
84
/100
33
FTL: Faster Than Light
84
/100
34
PlanetSide 2
84
/100
35
New Super Mario Bros. U
84
/100
36
Crusader Kings II
84
/100
37
A
Diablo III
83
/100
38
Super Hexagon
83
/100
39
WipEout 2048
83
/100
40
Orcs Must Die! 2
83
/100
41
Gravity Rush
83
/100
42
Tekken Tag Tournament 2
83
/100
43
Yakuza 5
83
/100
44
Angry Birds Space
83
/100
45
Pokémon Black Version 2
82
/100
46
Need for Speed: Most Wanted - A Criterion Game
82
/100
47
Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
82
/100
48
Legend of Grimrock
82
/100
49
Botanicula
82
/100
50
Realm of the Mad God
82
/100
Frequently asked questions
What is the best game of 2012?
Journey currently tops the ranking with a score of 94/100 across 1,142 ratings. Ranking updated September 2026.
How is this ranking built?
Games are ranked on their aggregated critic score out of 100, with a minimum vote threshold so a single glowing review never outranks a proven classic; the Tier community's own F-to-S grades are shown alongside each game.