Here is a list of games I played in 2012. First part - my personaöl favourites!
1. Batman - Arkham Asylum | Rocksteady Studios | Steam | Release: 2010
This game is one of the best approaches to the original comic. You really feel like being Batman - walking and swinging the cape alone is worth getting this game. The story is quite stupid, but the details of the game and in the whole world design show a huge love for the source material. I also appreciate how Batman becomes a detective again and how his gadgets are used to support the gameplay in an awesome and reasonable way.
2. Botanicula | Amanita Design | Humble Botanicula Bundle | Release: 2012
One of the most beautiful little adventure games with an unique and sweet style. The music is so atmospheric and adorable thanks to selfmade sounds. Just awwwwwwwwww!
3. To the Moon | Freebird Games | Royale Indie Bundle | Release: 2011
One of the deepest, funniest, saddest, most clever adventure game presented in JRPG look I've ever played.
4. Don't Starve | Klei Entertainment | Steam | Release: 2012
Open world sandbox survival adventure game with a very unique 2D look. The game is extremely fun, especially dying in a thousand ways - except starving.
5. 10000000 | Eightyeight Games | App Store | Release: 2012
This game really got me in its fangs for a very long time. Match-three gameplay combined with dungeon crawling. The minimalism is just perfect and addicting.
6. Tiny&Big - Grandpa's Leftover | Black Pants Studio | Steam | Release: 2012
3D platform puzzle slicing rocketing and grappling adventure with an extreme rad look, great indie music and sandboxy gameplay.
7. Cursed Mountain | Sproing Interactive Media | Box Edition | Release: 2010 (PC)
You play a mountain climber on the search for his brother who got missed in the Himalaya. Very atmospheric and thrilling horror adventure game placed in a very unique setting seldomly used by computer games.
8. Proteus | Ed Key and David Kanaga | Developer's website | Release: 2012
Beautiful journey on an island. Find out for yourself what you need or want to do in Proteus. Although there are no elements that introduce the player to the game, there is plenty of motivation for exploration. Inspiring piece of art and game.
9. Against the Wall | Michael P. Consoli | Developer's website | Release: 2012
3D platformer in first person perspective. Your only tool is the wand you can push and pull stones from the wall to jump on them. The game is still in beta phase, but very intriguing because of the non-linear and minimalistic gameplay.
10. Sword & Sworcery | Superbrothers | iOS, Steam | Release: 2012
I have to confess that I played this game never very far, because of the gameplay. I wish it would have been just an adventure where you can walk through and enjoy the beautiful music by Jim Guthrie. But the graphics are still very fascinating. Heart-breaking beauty!
11. Bastion | Supergiant Games | Humble Bundle | Release: 2011
This game started as a rogue-like. I'm glad they tried something new and developed a game like Bastion. The gameplay is quite repetitive and hack'n'slash, but the atmosphere and story of loneliness in a destroyed world really got me. The music alone made it for me!
12. They Breathe | The Working Parts | Indie City | Release: 2012 (PC)
This weird little action game is so unique! You play a frog swimming down into the unknown, darkness where strange creatures ("Are these cows?") ascend from. Take a deep breath and find out what they really are.
13. Zen Bound 2 | Secret Exit Ltd. | Steam | Release: 2010 (PC)
Pure beauty combined with intuitive gameplay.