Earlier in the year, we gave you some of the top upcoming PC games of 2012. They included console games as well, and since half of the year has gone by, many have already seen the light of day. During these few months, we’ve seen quite a few surprises. Some games that we expected to do well bombed, such as Ninja Gaiden 2 and Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City. A few games were given new release dates in 2013 like Tomb Raider and Bioshock Infinite. Bu the good news is, a few more games were announced and will release in 2012! Thus, we give you the revised top upcoming PC games of 2012! There are a few games notably missing  like Dota 2, we’ve chronicled just the games that have definite 2012 releases.

Top Upcoming PC Games of 2012

Darksiders 2

A sequel to the surprise hit Darksiders released in 2010, Darksiders 2 follows another one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. In Darksiders, players got to play as “War”. Darksiders 2 puts players in the shoes of “Death” in a parallel storyline a la Crysis Warhead. A war has erupted between the forces of Heaven and Hell on earth and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are sent by the Charred Council, a mediating faction to deliver justice to the both forces. Expect more hack and slash action in even larger environments as claimed by the developers.

Developer: Vigil Games
Publisher: THQ
Release: August 14, 2012

XCOM: Enemy Unknown

Back in 1994, a little game called X-COM: UFO Defense (also known as UFO: Enemy Unknown) was released to overwhelming critical success. It incorporated RPG and RTS elements and focused on a war between extremely powerful aliens attacking earth. Players take control of a an elite top secret unit called X-COM (Extraterrestrial Combat) to deal with the threat. As you progressed in the game, you’d come to know more about the alien race, their origins, strengths and weaknesses. It all culminated in a climatic battle with the alien mastermind. It is considered one of the greatest games of all time. XCOM: Enemy Unknown is a remake/re-imagining of this classic by 2K Games and follows the same turn based RTS gameplay. Not to be confused with simply XCOM, another 2K Games tactical FPS set in a different universe.

Developer: Firaxis Games
Publisher: 2K Games
Release: October 9, 2012

Medal of Honor: Warfighter

Medal of Honor: Warfighter is a direct sequel to 2010’s Medal of Honor, itself a successful reboot of the Medal of Honor franchise. Continuing the storyline from the previous game, Warfighter lets you play as tough as nails Tier 1 military special forces operatives in locations spanning multiple continents. It’s looks good too, running on Frostbite 2, the same engine that powers the fantastic Battlefield 3. This time around, Danger Close games will be taking over development of both the singleplayer and multiplayer aspects of the game.

Developer: Danger Close Games
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Release: October 23, 2012

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

We brought you a preview of the new entrant in the Counter-Strike series previously, here. CS fans expected a solid sequel long since Counter-Strike 1.6, Counter-Strike Source was met with not such great enthusiasm. All the changes to gameplay were not well received by Counter-Strike veterans and Valve is looking to satisfy their huge fanbase with Global Offensive. It features new graphics, new weapons, a new UI but retains the much loved original gameplay and even recreates classic maps like de_dust and de_aztec. Global Offensive could just turn out to be the best multiplayer game since well, Counter-Strike 1.6, we just have to wait and watch.

Developer: Valve Corporation
Publisher: Valve Corporation
Release: August 21, 2012

Need for Speed: Most Wanted

The long running Need for Speed series gets another game this fall. Even though there have been many games released these past few years, none have been as critically and commercially successful as 2005’s Need for Speed Most Wanted. Electronic Arts finally got the drift (no pun intended) and set Criterion Games, creators of the Burnout series to develop a reboot/remake of the 2005 Most Wanted. According to them, the gameplay will follow the model of the original Most Wanted, and the driving style will be somewhere between Burnout and Shift. So they’re aiming for something not too arcade-like, nor too simulator-like. It looks great as of now!

Developer: Criterion Games
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Release: October 30, 2012

Borderlands 2

Borderlands was a also a sleeper hit, when it was released back in 2009. Although it didn’t sell as well it should have, critics praised it to the sky. This first person shooter also included RPG elements and was praised for its humor and space western setting. It was also noted to bring cel-shaded graphics back into vogue. The cryptic start and myriad of quirky characters immediately drew players into this alien world. Players were able to choose from 4 different classes with unique abilities and customize their abilities as they progressed. Borderlands 2 is set 5 years after the first game and builds upon the same elements that made the original game awesome. The world is now bigger and more seamless, AI characters can be seen following a schedule and interacting around you at different times, which makes for a more immersive experience. Questlines are more dynamic as well and player actions have a larger impact on the storyline. Ever since its announcement, unlike the previous game, it has graced many lists of top upcoming PC games of 2012. Check out this really cool trailer!

Developer: Gearbox Software
Publisher: 2K Games
Release: September 18, 2012

Far Cry 3

Far Cry was the game that brought developer Crytek, developer of the Crysis series, into the limelight. Since the sequel, it’s been completely handled to Ubisoft though. Unlike the first game, Far Cry 2 was set in an African savanna but Far Cry 3 is again set in a tropical island. You play as Jason Brody, a tourist who is stranded on an island filled with violent and crazy mercenaries. The goal is to reunite with your girlfriend, whom you’ve been separated from. The Dunia 2 engine used to power Far Cry 3 looks fantastic and aims to capture the look and feel of the original Far Cry. Developers claim it will be a realistic, intense experience and will really instill the constant sense of danger in the player.

Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Publisher: Ubisoft
Release: December 4, 2012

Assassin’s Creed III

The popular Assassin’s Creed series also returns this fall with Assassin’s Creed III. Unlike previous games set in Europe, Assassin’s Creed III is set during the American Revolution. Players assume the role of Connor Kenway, a half-British, half-native American drawn into the war when his home is attacked by colonists. You get to interact with many historical figures such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and Paul Revere. The story is set over 30 years of Connor’s life from 1753-1783. Players will notice the change in environments, instead of hustling-bustling cities, most of the playable areas are more open world full of trees, cliffs and mountains but mechanics will be similar to previous games. The shift in setting looks promising, as does the trailer!

Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Publisher: Ubisoft
Release: November 23, 2012

Hitman: Absolution

Bald badass Agent 47 returns in Hitman: Absolution, the newest iteration of the Hitman series. The last Hitman game was released way back in 2007 and rumors of a 5th game were floating around since long. In 2011, Absolution was announced. IO Interactive claims the gameplay will be “familiar yet different” and focus more on action. While the exact setting of the game hasn’t been revealed in the Hitman series timeline, the plot involves Agent 47 being betrayed by the agency he once trusted. In fact, the trailer begins with Agent 47 confronting his long time handler, Diana Burnwood. Apparently, he is embroiled in a dark conspiracy and must unravel the truth about the betrayal.

Developer: IO Interactive
Publisher: Square Enix
Release: November 20, 2012

Call of Duty: Black Ops II

Last but not least is Black Ops II, sequel to the hugely popular Call of Duty: Black Ops. It is the first game in the series set in the future and follows parallel and connected storylines set in different eras. One part of the story takes place in the 1970’s and will feature the previous game’s protagonist, Alex Mason. The other part is set in 2025, during a future cold war between China and the United States of America. It will also be the first to feature “Strike Force” missions, that feature permanent death and can affect the storyline. Written by David S. Goyer, the write of films such as Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises and the upcoming Superman reboot, The Man of Steel, Black Ops II will probably have a killer story. We can’t wait!

Developer: Treyarch
Publisher: Activision
Release: November 13, 2012

Do leave us your comments about the top upcoming PC games of 2012 below!