eGamer Awards 2012: Best PlayStation 3 Game

With the PlayStation 3′s most exciting titles being delayed to next year, we were left with only a handful, but thankfully they turned out to be pretty good games. Of course, one stands out above all the rest, so let’s look at the top PS3 exclusives of this year and determine which one was the best of them all.

 

For the best console game awards, we’re only going to be considering exclusive and semi-exclusive titles as nominees for the platform, as that arguably makes the most sense to us, and would prevent the same games – or multiplatform games – from being nominated across multiple platforms. To define a semi-exclusive title, we’re talking about a game that may have originally been exclusive until it was ported somewhere else, or a game that has its origin primarily on one platform and was clearly designed for a specific platform. This award acknowledges the greatest exclusive games on each console, and allows us to choose which of them was the best, and evaluate the consoles entirely.

 

Twisted Metal

Twisted Metal was as eccentric and crazy as we remembered it, and there was just no better game to turn to if you wanted to experience vehicle combat. It was just pure entertainment, and its few flaws didn’t do anything to detract from the awesome gameplay. This really was some of the best fun you could have on the PlayStation 3 this year, and it was highly enjoyable to play both its single-player and multiplayer components, the latter of which had a wide variety of options which included online and offline support. The music in the game was definitely a highlight as well, and this title was a prime example of how pretty graphics don’t make a game. This was a great return for the franchise.

 

Journey

Journey was a stand-out game this year, and not just for the PlayStation 3. It was a powerful, captivating experience that gave you something you probably wouldn’t have found anywhere else. And with one of the most powerful audio and visual experiences around in gaming, it really felt like something extraordinary. There’s just no way to praise this game without totally giving away how much it meant to us, and that’s what makes it special. Its artistic excellence and unique co-operative multiplayer component also went a long way in making it an outstanding title, and the fact that you could have such an experience at such a low price made it almost seem unfair. This, was a damn fine game.

 

Starhawk

Starhawk was a highlight for the PlayStation 3 this year, although we felt it was a little bit under-appreciated. It may have had some issues, and an average single-player offering, but its multiplayer was where it really shined, and delivered some one of the finest online experiences on the console to date. It was admirable to see that what gamers considered the spiritual successor to Warhawk turned out to be quite a fresh take on the formula, and it was both unique and an absolute blast to play. Often, it felt extremely rewarding, and it was great to see that it turned out pretty in line with its ambition. It was accessible, addictive and just a great game, humbly adding to the PlayStation 3′s library.

 

PlayStation All Stars Battle Royale

Many dismissed PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale as nothing more than a Smash Brothers rip off, but really the game had quite a lot going for it. The game played easily, although there was a bit of a steep learning curve for a number of characters, the entertainment value was always there especially with friends and the character roster was extremely varied. It’s a game that we didn’t have to take all that seriously, and we could enjoy it easily enough if we wanted a diversion. Most importantly, the fighting mechanics were sound and although it would mostly be those that enjoy Smash Bros. who would get the most out of this, practically any gamer could have some fun with this title, provided they are attracted to the characters of course. There wasn’t anything damning to fault the actual gameplay for, and the overall title was approachable and a good addition to Sony’s lineup of exclusives.

 

We could probably go through why each title didn’t legitimately win, but we’re entirely confident that you know the result already. Really, one title stands miles above the other offerings from the PlayStation 3 this year, great as they may be. But there’s nothing we could do short of deception to make this any less obvious, so let’s just skip any further delays and get straight to the winner.

 

The WINNER of eGamer’s Best PlayStation 3 Game Award of 2012 is.. (click to reveal)