PixlBit

So 2011 is drawing to a close and what a year it has been for video games. We got a new portable, a slew of new interface changes for existing consoles and tons...let me emphasize TONS of great games. All year we gamers were bombarded with fantastic games of all genres. I doubt that there are any gamers that didn't get what they wanted...(unless you're a hardcore Playstation Move gamer...). Now we are in December and pretty much the gaming year is over. All the major releases have come out and now its time for us to start anticipating the games of next year. Based off of that, I already feel like theres enough reason for me to be tight on money well into next year.

The year starts off with Final Fantasy XIII-2 which I'm not exactly that excited about in all honesty. It generally looks like more of the same, but that said, I enjoyed FFXIII for the most part. Sure the RPG elements were extremely basic and the plot was somewhat of a mess, but I still enjoyed the characters and battle system. If anything, ill pick up FFXIII-2 when it goes down in price...unless I cave and buy it on launch (it happens sometimes, what can I say?). That same day is the release of SoulCalibur V, which looks to be a solid entry in the series. I'm pretty optimistic about the title, for I feel like it will capitalize on the resurgance of the fightig game genre and avoid the mistakes it made with the last game. Metal Gear Solid 3D also comes out in January if im not mistaken, but im not very familiar w/ the MGS series, but its there for those who want it.

Feburary so far looks a bit dead, but one title has me very excited, and thats Tales of the Abyss 3D. Sure, its a port of a 2006 JRPG which wont appeal to many, but I'm a pretty big Tales series fan so this game is a must. Abyss is one of the games in the series that I still havn't played to completion so the 3D remake seems like enough incentive to finish that goal. Not only that but its been a while since I've played a Tales game so that should definitely fit that need. Also for the 3DS is Resident Evil: Revelations which from all reports is looking to be a major entry in the Resident Evil franchise. I've had the pleasure to go hands on with the game a few times and I can definitely say that it looks like a must have for 3DS owners.

March is where things really begin to get hectic. Street Fighter X Tekken comes out March 6th...the same day as Mass Effect 3 aka THE BIG ONE. Im definitely anticipating both of these releases, and though Im a huge fighting game fan, I simply can't wait to finish the story of my Commander Shepard(s). Its bound to be a shoe in for 2012 game of the year so I know we can expect big things from that. That next week, we have Tales of Graces f, which I am thrilled is finally being localized. I played a little of the game back when it came out for Wii in japan (through wii hacks) and made it about 15 hours in, but gave up due to being lost in translation. Ive always wanted to go back to that game and I will definitely get that chance. Sharing time between Mass Effect 3 and Tales will be a great challenge for me, but Ill make it work. Not to mention, a few weeks after that is Kid Icarus: Uprising which is the long awaited re-imagining of the Kid Icarus seires for the 3DS.

I have to mention Xenoblade Chronicles which comes out in April of 2012 and it looks like just another fantastic RPG experience, and one of the Wii's last gems. That game is definitely on my wish list.

I've only covered the first 3 months but within those 3 months, some great titles are going to be released which has me really excited.The Last of Us and The Last Guardian (hopefully) are also some titles on my radar. Of course there are others that I'm probably skipping over, but I can already see great content on the horizon. Not to mention the new PS Vita and Wii U (which ill try my best to camp out for) come out next year. I have no Idea how Im going to pay for it all...but hey, just gotta deal with it one game at a time. 2012 already looks to be another solid year in gaming and I couldnt be more excited for whats to come!