As a followup to our last GU Fantasy Draft, this one will focus more on the game’s that we’re looking forward to for the Fall 2012 season. I have nothing else to say on the matter, so let’s get to it.

Jake Thomas- OC Editor/Forum Manager
Pick: Borderlands 2 (September 18)

“Originally prime to be as good as Fall of 2011, this year’s hottest season in gaming has lost a bit of its luster. It watched as Bioshock Infinite, as well as many others, made their way to a 2013 release window. However, one major game survived, and is by far my most anticipated game of the year: Borderlands 2.

Borderlands is one of the best co-op games ever made. With fun looting, and plenty of friendly shenanigans to be had, I’ve dumped ridiculous hours into the first Borderlands. Luckily, from what I’ve seen, Borderlands 2 fixes literally everything that disconcerted me about the original. The graphics look crisp, the new classes and skill trees look like plenty of fun, and it appears to actually have a story.

Forget Assassin’s Creed III, all eyes should be on Borderlands 2.”

Joshua Hugo- News/OC Writer
Pick: ZombiU (Release unknown- with Wii U launch)

“This was a hard pick because I’m also looking forward to Assassin’s Creed III and Resident Evil 6 tremendously. The release date is not entirely outright on the Wii U launch, but since rumors say it’s in November and ZombiU will be a launch title I’m pretty much counting it.

Even though I’m not real huge on the first-person shooter game genre, this game has got me quite excited because of all the survival horror elements they’re putting in. The whole fact that we’re dealing with a game where you can die in one hit, where you can’t pause when going through your inventory (thus exposing yourself to danger whenever you switch something out), and where you can actually fight past selves that you played as throughout the game just makes me feel really giddy. This game looks like it will be a tense experience to say the least.

Not big on first-person shooters OR zombie games for that matter, but this game has got me intrigued. You can say whatever you want, but I honestly think this game will sell the Wii U at launch and for good reason: it’s shaping up to be one fine survival horror game.

 

Jeremy Pool- News/OC Writer
Pick: Halo 4 (November 6)

“Perhaps not quite as exciting as the Fall 2011 release schedule, the holiday line-up for this year nonetheless has me excited. PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale, Borderlands 2, and Assassins Creed 3 are notable examples, and their respective disks will likely all see the interior of my Xbox or PS3. Yet, when push comes to shove, I feel I must through my lot in with the almighty Halo 4. In short, this game looks amazing! Microsoft and newly-formed studio 343 Industries appear to be going all-out on this one, and I am very much liking what I’m seeing. High quality visuals, an innovative multi-player mode with Infinity, another top-notch campaign, oft-delivered DLC, and an opportunity to explore a whole new perspective of Halo’s universe has me on the verge of screaming, ‘Shut up and take my damn money!’ “

Chris Penha- News/OC Writer
Pick: Playstation All-Stars Battle Royale (November 20)

“I know that later this year I’ll be playing as Dante, fighting Kratos, Heihachi and Cole McGrath because I’m going to be picking up PlayStation All Stars Battle Royale. For YEARS we as fans have been saying how awesome it would be to have a Super Smash Bros. with Playstation characters, and now that it’s finally happening I can’t wait. If you want to call it a rip off go right ahead, I’ll be calling it a dream come true.”

Ryan Taylor & Felipe Cabrera- News Editor & Staff Writer
Pick: Dishonored (October 9)

RYAN-

“In an attempt to not choose the obvious Borderlands 2, let’s go ahead and change things up a bit. I am not looking to get any more games this year, but Dishonored is one that still has me on its hook. I don’t know exactly what it is about Dishonored, but it makes me feel all tingly inside. I mean, did you guys watch that “Creative Kills” video? You can literally kill people by sending a horde of exploding rats filled with glass shrapnel to vanquish them to their graves. You can also make people shoot themselves with their own bullets. It just seems like a serious game that has so much room to fool around.

Dishonored just looks like a cool game. Though I may be a little off, it reminds me of Bioshock which is my favorite game of all time. The stealth elements look well done, and it seems like you will be able to play the way you want, an element that I really like to see (Deus Ex did it very well). Even though my bank account won’t like it, I will most likely end up picking up Dishonored. Plus, I mean, Bethesda games doesn’t usually disappoint. “

FELIPE-

“2012 has been less than spectacular for this year as I spent most of it playing games I didn’t get around to playing last year and years before. But what is this I see? Among the predictable slew of sequels and HD remakes and rehashes or reboots, a new IP? There is hope yet for 2012, and I see it in Dishonored. Hey, don’t get all pitch forks and torches on me yet. This guy right here is still down with the sequels–Borderlands 2 has my vote of confidence–but the sight of something new and innovative has woken my boredom induced coma brought on by play-it-safe triple A titles of the past year. What isn’t there to be excited about Dishonored? Here we have a proper stealth/action game (finally) set in a beautifully grim dystopian London, supernatural abilities ala bioshock, voice work from the likes of Susan Sarandon and Carrie Fisher (Star Wars nerdgasm), and all of this is developed by Deus Ex veterans with Half Life 2 visual designers leading the art team. Wow, a fanboy’s dreams can really come true.”

I think we pretty much got most of the big releases out of the way on this one. What do you all think? Are there nay that you agree or disagree with? What are your most anticipated Fall 2012 releases? Don’t worry, YOU don’t have to pick just one. We just like to torment ourselves that way.