What's coming in 2012?

2011 was a massive year for Android gamers.  So what's on the horizon?

So Android is a big boy now.  The Google play store is no longer filled with dodgy copycat games and pepeated arcade clones.  But since late 2010, we have seen more game developers jumping on board with Android and some big boys too.  

The Xperia PLAY played a massive part in boosting game experiences on Android.  Ultimately it wasn't a commercial success but it achieved great things and educated third party developers on the implemtation of the classic game pad.  During it's life it has played home to many exclusives like Minecraft, SleepyJack, Fifa 12 and the upcoming Virtual Tennis.

So during 2011 we saw some amazing tittles appear on Android, high quality console games like; Pro Evolution Soccer, Sonic the Hedgehog, Grand Theft Auto and Need for Speed.  As well as that, we saw some titles worthy of being console games like Shadowgun, SleepyJack & Riptide GP.  All of which we have covered here in XperiaGamer.  

So what can we expect in 2012?  Well, quite a few studios have announced that they are working on Android versions of their home console hits.  Some are ports of classic versions and some whole new games entirely.  A few other top boys like Sega are working on bringing their portfolio to Android and more importantly, titles available on iOS.  Below are just a few ones to mention for now.  Rest assured when these titles come to release, we will be one of the first to let you know.

 

Lara Croft: Guardian of the light

Us Xperia PLAY owners were promised this game ages ago.  Since the announcement back in October 2012, which even we covered here at Xperia Gamer, there has been no word... not even a whiff of Lara Croft.  However, that doesn't stop us from still being excited, because this is a such an awesome game.  Since the PSOne, this game has influenced a whole genre of adventure, role playing nut jobs, which helped product one of my favourite PS3 games to date Uncharted.  I will happily bet money on this game still being completely optimised for the Xperia PLAY.

Source - XperiaGamer.com

 

Max Payne - Rockstar Games

You know the game, it's as grewsome and filthy as it's sibling Grand Theft Auto.  Although the official press release from Rockstar Games doesn't state Android specifically, all of us know what '...mobile devices...' actually means.  Plus, when GTA III was launched, we saw it on iOS and Android within the same week.  So they are definitley on board with it.  There is no confirmed date but this should be coming out in the next few months.

Source - Geek.com

 

Final Fantasy Legends

The game series that put Square Enix on the map back in the early nineties is Final Fantasy.  Xperia PLAY owners have been screaming for this title for ages across the world and it finally looks like its going to happen.  To be honest, I would have been perfectly happy with just a port of FF7 from the PSOne.  So way back in September, they announced an Android version of Final Fantasy Legends and back in earlier March, they released FF3 but only in Japan.  It's only a matter of time now before the rest of the world gets to play this timeless game.

Source - PocketGamer.co.uk

Resident Evil 

The original Zombie thriller and series responsible for all kinds of franchises, including a collection of Hollywood attemps at bringing the game to the big screen.  So now it's coming to the Android screen in the form of beautiful HD graphics and even more torso slashing, limb ripping and head rolling action.  We are unclear of when this will come and what it is at all.  However a recent test in London using augmented reality, might indicate a whole new way to play the game.

Source - ShackNews.com

 

Street Fighter IV

I am still hacked off that iOS users have had this for ages now and Android users have been left out.  Well it might wind you up to know that it is out for Android, just exclusive to a few LG devices since last year.  I don't know how much LG paid for the excusivity for this Capcom title, but I didn't think that there was much of a gaming following for LG.  I could be mistaken.  SF4 looks like it shall be released to the rest of the Android community later this year and fingers crossed, optimised for Xperia PLAY too.

 

The LG exclusive didn't stop us from getting it on one of our phones.  Mwahahaha!