The tail-end of 2012 will be one of the busiest times for video game players as a plethora of exciting titles will make their way onto the market. While the majority of them are sequels of some kind, it does not detract from the fact that nobody will be left out in the cold with nothing to play.

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With that in mind, IT News Africa rounded up ten games that we are most looking forward to playing – and remember, we will also be reviewing the titles when they are released.

The characters from the highly-anticipated Borderlands 2 (image: Gearbox Interactive)

1. Borderlands 2

Borderlands 2 is one of the most eagerly-anticipated games of the year and follows on from their highly-successful first instalment. Players will take on the role of five new characters, but the much-loved troublemakers from the first game will also be present in the overall story. Sticking to the same RPG-type shooter formula, the developers promise one of the most engaging title of the year – which will provide players with a lot of weapon customisations, insane scenarios and over-the-top music to boot.

Platform: Xbox360, PlayStation 3

2. Assassins Creed 3

Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed franchise has been one of the most widely-adopted titles since the release of the first game a couple of years ago. Each title takes place in a different time setting, and for the third official title, players will get to fight alongside the Native Americans and British as they battle the American settlers at the start of the American Revolution. The stealthy action of the master assassin will once again be brought to the fore, and with stunning graphics and an action-packed plot, few games will be able to match its scope.

Platform: Xbox360, PlayStation 3, Wii, others

3. Need for Speed Most Wanted 2012

Need for Speed has been a staple racing game for many generations of racing fanatics. The franchise spans nearly 20 years, and has a heap of experience when it comes to developing innovative ways of rubber burning. Most Wanted 2012 will be a reboot of sorts of the original Most Wanted, and the general consensus is that it will be one of the most exhilarating racers this year. Players will be able to relive all the glory from the original, while looking forward to updated graphics and shiny new cars.

Platform: Xbox360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita

4. FIFA 13

In terms of football games, there are not a lot of titles that even come close to the FIFA franchise. Going as far back as 1998, the FIFA video games brand has established itself as one of the best, and with every iteration EA Sports manage to cram more features and better graphics into the finished product. Players can once again look forward to the latest teams being included into the rosters, stunning graphics and an updated control scheme that will pose a challenge for returning players, while welcoming new ones.

Platform: Xbox360, PlayStation 3, Wii, others

5. Call of Duty Black Ops 2

Call of Duty has attracted a cult-like status in the sense that player are really dedicated to squeezing every ounce of excitement out of it. So with the release of Black Ops 2, the same formula will be put in place as the previous titles, and the plot will take place directly after the events from the original Black Ops 2. There is no doubt that the FPS will have some of the best graphics in a video game for this year, and players are almost guaranteed a gripping and whirl-wind story arc.

Platform: Xbox360, PlayStation 3, Wii U

6. Forza Horizon

Steering off into a different direction, the Forza franchise will assume a bit more of an arcade-style racer that what players of the previous three titles are used to. Microsoft will be taking on the Need for Speed franchise with a title that will appeal to both arcade racers and serious motor aficionados. Featuring some of the best and fastest cars commercially available, the next instalment in the action-packed Forza franchise will definitely excite any thrill seeker.

Platform: Xbox360

7. Medal of Honor: Warfighter

The Medal of Honor and Call Of Duty franchises have been breathing down each other’s necks ever since the first Call of Duty made its gaming appearance. While Medal of Honor is completely different to CoD, players will get to experience the same action-packed scene and incredible weaponry. Serving as a sequel to the rebooted Medal Of Honour from a couple of years ago, the first-person shooter will deliver amazing graphics, familiar controls and a riveting plot.

Platform: Xbox360, PlayStation 3

8. Hitman Absolution

Agent 47 is back, and he is back with a vengeance. Developed by IO Interactive, players will find themselves in the middle of a dark conspiracy as the stealth game weaves a path of intrigue and racks up a rather large body count. Being the fifth game in the franchise, the title will be made more accessible to a wider audience, so gamers new to the series will also be able to share in the sneaking action.

Platform: Xbox360, PlayStation 3

9. Far Cry 3

Open world first-person shooter Far Cry 3 has its roots in the highly-successful two previous version of the title. With stunning graphics and a wide variety of weapons, it will be up to the player to figure out a way to escape the island – before the island’s inhabitants get to them first. The third instalment will do things slightly different that the previous two – it will feature an overhauled stealth mechanic, and a possible levelling system.

Platform: Xbox360, PlayStation 3

10. Halo 4

The Halo franchise is Microsoft’s biggest-selling shooter game in history – and the franchise itself has set some massive records. So it is actually no surprise that a fourth instalment is on the way, even though it is being developed by 343 Industries (instead of franchise stalwarts Bungie Interactive). The fourth game is actually the eight, and the first game in a three-part series called the Reclaimer Trilogy. Halo 4 also marks the return of the much-loved Master Chief, which has been missing from the franchise since 2007.

Platform: Xbox360

Just to assert that crazy, zany and incredibly awesomeness of Borderlands 2, check out the trailer below – featuring a very distinct tune from the jungle.