Games of the year 2012

Our top 5. Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

1. Far Cry 3

Eliminated almost all of the faults that made Far Cry 2 so frustrating to so many (no malaria!) and relocated the shooting, survival and animal massacring to a self-contained, compelling tropical island.

2. Max Payne 3

It’s Max Payne, but not as we knew him. Gone are the noirish colours, in comes blazing Brazilian sunshine. A triumphant reinvention.

3. Halo 4

With original creator Bungie ditching the series, hopes were not high for Master Chief’s return. How wrong we were. This can stand proudly alongside the best games in the franchise.

4. Dishonored

It’s spelled the American way, but otherwise it’s difficult

to find much to fault in this stealth-focused, steampunk adventure.

5. Need For Speed: Most Wanted

As close as we got to a sequel to Burnout Paradise. A life-absorbing mix of racing and multiplayer challenges.