Batman: Arkham City is an excellent production and undoubtedly one of the strong candidates for the "game of tye year" title. The sequel is a better game in all aspects. It doesn't allow you to step away from the screen due to great gameplay solutions, a really interesting story and rich content. I assure you that Arkham City isn't a game to be put on a shelf after one or two nights. If you're a fan of the pervious game, you don't need a recommendation. If you're new to the franchise - quickly get to know the entire series. I wish there were more games like this one.

Perfect games do not exist and Skyrim is no exception. Bethesda's new game is faithful to the tradition of the series - it's an extremely well built and inviting sandbox that still has some minor flaws that you cannot overlook. On the other hand it has an unparalleled freedom, great atmosphere, a ton of different quests, many beautiful places that you simply have to visit and a total freedom with creating and customizing your character... Freedom and grandeur are the keywords here.

For me BioShock: Infinite is one of the most important games in recent history. It is the first game that bravely takes on social and religious problems and doesn't avoid the opportunity to criticize extreme views. It's a great shooter, with a glorious world, fantastic co-star (Elizabeth!), unique opponents and lots of memorable characters and events. Another masterpiece from Ken Levine.

Minecraft is not a game, it's a complicated tool, a true phenomenon that sneaked into our culture and gained nothing short of a cult following. It's a creation of the decade, a game that will be remembered the same way we remember the classics that never get old. Yes, it requires a different approach -for example, when you define your next goal, but it can absorb you totally and deliver an unforgettable experience.

It's an amazing game with an engrossing singleplayer campaign and a complex multiplayer mode that allows for months of fun. But don't expect a massive quality leap from Uncharted 2.

Many contemporary action games lead the player through a script-filled corridor and Dishonored is a breath of fresh air in this particular area. The developers have proven that there is still a place for new brands and unique ideas. The concept of a small, simulated virtual world has been pushed further than ever before. Freedom in Dishonored is greater than in the Thief and Deus Ex series, but basic gameplay elements - combat, movement and stealth - are pristine as well. Arkane's game is simply a great achievement.

Forza 4 is great, probably the greatest, but still it lacks a breath of fresh air. It's a polished, upgraded, patched up, expanded Forza Motorsport 3. Or at least it's what Forza 3 should have been in the beginnig. Still - the game sucks you in and that's the best recommendation I can give.

A perfectly crafted, complex game that offers loads of fun in single and multiplayer alike. It has a diverse campaign, an arcade mode, co-op mode for 4 people, tons of entertainment in 8 online modes and a worthy plot that summarizes Delta Team's adventures. Microsoft hasn't got many exclusives left, but clearly has some aces up their sleeve and Gears of War 3 is one of the strongest aces there is.

The guys from Red Lynx made a good decision to keep the game's formula intact. You don't change what's been tested and what works. The base of the game is the same as before, but the amount of changes is big enough to make the game feel more than just a money grab. The title says it all - it's a well-prepared evolution.

FIFA 12 is a better game than its predecessor. A modified defense module and control scheme work perfectly and allow to "feel" the game better, and a new physics engine (although not ideal) looks impressive. This new EA Sports game is worth every penny. It's a great investment for long months of gaming, giving the player lots of joy when scoring goals and brewing those great football emotions. It's a next step on a road to perfection.

The new Deus Ex is a remarkable game that will gather a lot of praise, I'm sure. Its level of complexity made me believe that there are still some developers out there capable of creating an original action game filled with content that is aimed at a demanding gamer. For me Human Revolution is a worthy counter-part for the original Deus Ex, something that BioShock was supposed to be for System Shock 2: a complex action RPG, not a simple shooter with some story turning some pipes as the most challenging puzzle.

Pretty much everything here appeals to me. Guild Wars 2 is a game that meets most requirements and it will definitely stay on my hard drive for a long time (and I can't say that about The Old Republic). Playing this game reminded me of the first impressions after launching World of Warcraft. I'm not comparing these two games in terms of content or which game will become victorious in a long run. It's about this strange feeling I had after playing WoW - that MMO games can be so pleasant and cool to play. Guild Wars 2 is just like that. It's a new quality in the genre, a standard for others to implement in their games.

FIFA 13 demonstrates that virtual football in the hands of EA's Vancouver studio is getting closer and closer to perfection. The number of novelties and changes is a very pleasant surprise and should make the owners of 2012 edition want to buy the newest installment. The developers made sure that there will no boredom: frequent updates, additional challenges, many online tournaments and a complex career mode create an image of a complete sports game with tons of things to offer.

Shogun 2 is the best installment in the Total War series. Well-known patterns, due to many years of evolution and constant introduction of new elements, have reached their peak in Creative Assembly's new creation. Even though the game isn't perfect, I have to admit, I had enormous fun with it. The newest Total War's force of attraction is astounding.

NBA 2K12 is one of the best sporting games in history. Visual Concepts and 2K Sports continue their best traditions - the new NBA is a step towards perfection. Even though it has some flaws (mainly technical), it's difficult to find a game that suits the definition of a perfect virtual basketball production better. It'a complete game with a variety of modes and content that guarantees months of serious gamepad training.

There were many very good, or even outstanding games in the fall of 2012, but this little adventure game is something I will remember as the best, the most powerful product. No game (perhaps ever) has made such an impression on me. After finishing the story I sat motionless for a few minutes - the ending is superb! The Walking Dead is something truly exceptional and my personal game of the year. It's worth every penny.

Dark Souls is a game for many hours and one of the most intriguing journeys this year. But unlike most games, it's not a trip to a lovely holiday resort where all your whishes come true. On the contrary - From Software's game doesn't want for you to get to know it. But after some hard work and battling all the odds you get to the end. And then you know: it's an experience that will stay in your memory for a long time.

FEZ is an effect of many painful years of creation, but it was worth the wait. Right now it's definitely the best adventure platformer for XBLA. Perhaps FEZ is two years late to be called a milestone, but it can most certainly be called a work of art.

Borderlands 2 is a complete, exceptional game. A perfect example for other developers on how to make sequels. Not only does it have a well made, very long campaign that can be completed solo or in co-op mode, but there are lots of smaller and bigger changes and tweaks that make the gameplay so much more enjoyable. All the things that were imperfect before are better now. I have a feeling that there won't be a better game this fall.

Many hours spent with XCOM: Enemy Unknown turned out to be breathtaking. The atmosphere is unforgiving, but the immensely satisfying gameplay convinced me, that Firaxis Games are true masters of their craft. This is an XCOM game that should bring new fans to an almost dead genre. This game is a truly engrossing strategy and one of the contenders for the game of the year title.

Mass Effect 3 surprised me in a very positive way. BioWare has delivered an excellent product that won't allow us to forget about Normandy's crew for years to come. The trilogy's conclusion should satisfy everyone and the grand finale itself is simply perfect - you will all be awestruck.

What kind of game is Battlefield 3? Well made, extremely impressive, pretty and rich in content. But still it has some flaws and suprising peculiarities.

Many people have been expecting L.A. Noire to be Rockstar's answer for Mafia II. They are bound do be disappointed - the games don't have much in common. Team Bondi's game is a detective story, a new generation of adventure games, an original, unusual and extremely absorbing product. I had the best time playing L.A. Noire. I grew to like Cole Phelps and was glad to help him fight evil lurking in dark corners of The City of Angels, especially that each case was interesting and intriguing on its own.

Brotherhood is a must have for all Assassin's Creed fans. It doesn't blow your mind the way Assassin's Creed II did, but it certainly doesn't leave an impression of wasted money. If forthcoming sequels keep the same level of quality, they can be released every six months. I don't mind.

Far Cry 3 is one of the most interesting games of the year. The single-player mode is a great mix of a big sandbox and an atmospheric story with interesting characters. There are some mistakes here and there, but all in all everyone should be satisfied - sandbox lovers and fans of good storylines alike. What's more, the multiplayer isn't something added just because it needs to be - it's a great, big, rightful mode focused on cooperation (an additional co-op mini-campaign that borrows character progress from the standard multiplayer is a welcome bonus). Far Cry 3 is a package full of pleasant surprises. An insanely good game.

Torchlight II is a meaty chunk of a great hack'n'slash that appeals to all gamers disappointed with new mechanics introduced in Diablo III. The developers have added some new, interesting ideas and the game's future looks bright. Of course, there are some minor flaws, but they won't prevent you from having lots of fun. I personally think that Diablo III is an overall better production, but the most important thing in any game is to enjoy playing it, and both of them provide that.

The Witcher 2 on the X360 is a masterpiece. It's easy to prey on the developers that are unable to create a good port of an original game, but that's not the case. I don't have to be patriotic to see the gigantic amount of work the authors have done - I have seen this port in action almost a year ago and I was far from being ecstatic.

Will we be playing Diablo III ten years from now and be as happy with it, as we are with its predecessor? No doubt. Even though the new Diablo has some technical issues and some solutions create controversies, the gameplay model is timeless. An interesting quest system, engrossing battles, versatile gameplay and a masterpiece of a multiplayer are only some of the game's qualities.