Best PC Games of 2012

Now, who can forget the 2012 London Olympics? Wasn’t it a great time to be British. Everyone thought it would be a huge disappointment, with congestion on the roads, overcrowding on the streets, and underperformance in the arenas. As things turned out, it wasn’t like that at all. It was brilliant.

We like to think that the success of the 2012 Olympic Games in some way spurred on game developers, inspiring them to create the best work of their lives for the PC and other platforms. It also seemed to encourage console releases, with the Wii U, PS Vita and 3DS XL all hitting the market.

Maybe you’ll remember it as the year Risen 2: Dark Waters was released for PC. It would be an odd way to remember the year, consider many better games hit the platform, including Max Payne 3 and Guild Wars 2. Here are the best PC Games of 2012.

  • 9
    1

    XCOM: Enemy Unknown

    XCOM works best as a panic management simulator.

    Reviewed on: 08 October 2012

    Platforms: Android, iOS, macOS, PC, PlayStation 3, PS Vita, Xbox 360

  • 9
    2

    Lone Survivor

    This indie wonder proves that survival horror isn't dead.

    Reviewed on: 16 April 2012

    Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PS Vita, Wii U

  • 9
    3

    Might & Magic Clash of Heroes

    Sparks will fly.

    Reviewed on: 15 March 2010

    Platforms: iOS, Nintendo DS, PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

  • 9
    4

    Joe Danger 2: The Movie

    Joe Danger 2 can be an incredibly tricky game, but it’s one that always puts a smile on my face.

    Reviewed on: 14 September 2012

    Platforms: Linux, macOS, PC, PlayStation 3, PS Vita, Xbox 360

  • -
    5

    Hotline Miami

    Reviewed on:

    Platforms: Linux, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PS Vita, Xbox One

  • 9
    6

    Far Cry 3

    Far Cry 3 shines in its campaign, which is more layered and compelling than any game proffering a power trip through escapist ultraviolence has any right to be.

    Reviewed on: 21 November 2012

    Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One

  • 9
    7

    FTL: Faster Than Light

    Even on easy mode, FTL is another capital-D Difficult game and its random nature means even the most careful of explorers might find themselves unexpectedly asphyxiated.

    Reviewed on: 25 September 2012

    Platforms: iOS, Linux, macOS, PC

  • 9
    8

    Dear Esther

    The beauty of Dear Esther is that it raises questions about content rather than mechanics.

    Reviewed on: 10 February 2012

    Platforms: iOS, macOS, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

  • 9
    9

    Journey

    Alone or with others, thatgamecompany's latest is an atmospheric triumph.

    Reviewed on: 01 March 2012

    Platforms: iOS, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4

  • -
    10

    Borderlands 2

    Reviewed on:

    Platforms: Android, Linux, macOS, PC, PlayStation 3, PS Vita, Xbox 360

  • 9
    11

    Halo 4

    This is no longer Bungie's Halo, but much of what made the series such an irresistible proposition has remained intact for this new beginning.

    Reviewed on: 01 November 2012

    Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One

  • 9
    12

    Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

    Counter-Strike: Global Offensive's multiple avenues of approach cater to various styles of attack and defence, and its dense and layered environments mean you'll still be discovering new things months, if not years, from now.

    Reviewed on: 23 August 2012

    Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

  • 9
    13

    FEZ

    Ultimately, Fez is a game about tinkering around in a labyrinthine world while wearing a funny hat. Maybe you'll stubbornly insist on gathering every collectible, maybe you'll just want to cruise through its cubist countryside.

    Reviewed on: 12 April 2012

    Platforms: iOS, Linux, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PS Vita, Xbox 360

  • 9
    14

    The Walking Dead: Episode 5 – No Time Left

    No Time Left provides an emotional, tear-jerking and ultimately satisfying conclusion to the year's best gaming narrative.

    Reviewed on: 23 November 2012

    Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

  • 9
    15

    FIFA 13

    EA had to sit and watch as PES 2013 lapped up critical plaudits earlier this week, so it's only fitting FIFA 13 arrives in generation-defining form.

    Reviewed on: 20 September 2012

    Platforms: iOS, Nintendo 3DS, PC, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PS Vita, PSP, Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360

  • 8
    16

    Sine Mora

    Sine Mora strikes a deft balance between madness and shoot-em-up fun.

    Reviewed on: 21 March 2012

    Platforms: Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PS Vita, Xbox 360, Xbox One

  • 8
    17

    Civilization V – Gods and Kings

    Gods & Kings will certainly rekindle the attention of those faithful to Civilization V's streamlined focus.

    Reviewed on: 18 June 2012

    Platforms: PC

  • 8
    18

    Transformers: Fall of Cybertron

    High Moon Studios has created something that allows us to fondly recall bygone times.

    Reviewed on: 28 August 2012

    Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

  • 8
    19

    Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair

    Goodbye, cruel world.

    Reviewed on: 05 September 2014

    Platforms: iOS, Linux, macOS, PC, PlayStation 4, PS Vita, PSP

  • 8
    20

    FIFA 12

    FIFA 12 feels like a brand new and more realistic football experience. The King is dead. Long live the King: FIFA 12.

    Reviewed on: 23 September 2011

    Platforms: iOS, Nintendo 3DS, PC, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PS Vita, PSP, Wii, Xbox 360

  • 8
    21

    The Walking Dead: Episode Three – Long Road Ahead

    The team at Telltale Games have done an incredible job keeping the series fresh, and they don't look like they're going to rest on their laurels anytime soon.

    Reviewed on: 30 August 2012

    Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

  • 8
    22

    Max Payne 3

    Max Payne 3 is the closest our consoles have come to making us feel like an action hero

    Reviewed on: 14 May 2012

    Platforms: macOS, PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

  • 8
    23

    Quantum Conundrum

    Quantum Conundrum's elegant first-person puzzling is only marred slightly by one very obvious comparison, but it's unfortunately something that this downloadable title never really manages to get away from.

    Reviewed on: 21 June 2012

    Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

  • 8
    24

    PES 2013

    PES 2013 manages to do something only the best arcade experiences achieve. It offers playability to those who want to dip their toes in and hardcore techniques for the serious gamer.

    Reviewed on: 17 September 2012

    Platforms: Nintendo 3DS, PC, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PSP, Wii, Xbox 360

  • -
    25

    Binary Domain

    Reviewed on:

    Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

  • 8
    26

    Rayman Jungle Run

    Jungle Run works so well because it remembers that the core joy of platform games comes from the kinetic thrill of movement.

    Reviewed on: 20 September 2012

    Platforms: Android, iOS, PC

  • 8
    27

    Devil May Cry HD Collection

    At its best Devil May Cry is complex, punishing and befuddling.

    Reviewed on: 03 April 2012

    Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One

  • -
    28

    Botanicula

    Reviewed on:

    Platforms: Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, PC

  • 8
    29

    Mass Effect 3

    Mass Effect 3 is one for the fans, and few who buy it will be left unsatisfied by how the story ends.

    Reviewed on: 07 March 2012

    Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One

  • 8
    30

    Dustforce

    Dustforce comes into its own after you've invested some time, transforming into a frantic and occasionally frustrating experience that manages to eke out repeat play.

    Reviewed on: 19 January 2012

    Platforms: Linux, macOS, PC, PlayStation 3, PS Vita, Xbox 360