The entire video game community is gearing up for Spike's 10th Annual Video Game Awards. The VGA's celebrate the best in video games and airs LIVE Friday, December 7 on Spike TV at 9:00 PM ET/6:00 PM PT. This year's show is being hosted by Samuel L. Jackson and features musical performances by Linkin Park and Tenacious D. In addition to airing on Spike TV, the show will simulcast on MTV 2, MTV Tr3s, Spike.com and GameTrailers.com. Also, Spike TV and Microsoft unveiled plans to broadcast the 2012 Video Game Awards to Xbox LIVE users.
Leading the way this year is Borderlands 2, Halo 4 and Journey with seven nominations each. While fans can choose their favorites for each category, the only viewer voted categories are "Most Anticipated Game" and "Character of the Year." Here at GameZone, we have a very vocal, opinionated staff, and we'd like to share our opinion on what game should win some of the best categories.
Best Xbox 360 Game
Nominees: Assassin's Creed III, Borderlands 2, Dishonored, Halo 4
Our Choice: Halo 4
Master Chief is the face of the Xbox 360, and he made a triumphant return in Halo 4. With better graphics, a great story, and tons of emotion now added to his character, there's no game that can top Halo 4 for the 360.
Best PS3 Game
Nominees: Assassin's Creed III, Borderlands 2, Dishonored, Journey
Our Choice: Journey
A PS3 exclusive, Journey is a game like no other. It manages to be a cathartic experience and showcases some of the most gorgeous graphics on the PS3. Journey proves that you don't have to have dialogue or complicated controls to be considered one of the best for the system.
Best Wii/Wii U Game
Nominees: New Super Mario Bros. U, The Last Story, Xenoblade Chronicles, ZombiU
Our Choice: Xenoblade Chronicles
This was one of the first games to make it to the US after a heavy petition by Nintendo fans. And boy, did it pay off! Featuring massive amounts of content, including an epic storyline, tons of side quests, and gorgeous graphics for the Wii, Xenoblade Chronicles was a RPG gamer's dream come true.
Best PC Game
Nominees: Diablo III, Guild Wars 2, Torchlight II, XCOM: Enemy Unknown
Our Choice: Guild Wars 2
Guild Wars 2 was a massive improvement over its predecessor. Featuring a vast open world that encourages players to help each other and explore, GW2 focused less on the grind and more on the player experience.
Best Graphics
Nominees: Assassin's Creed III, Dishonored, Halo 4, Journey
Our Choice: Halo 4
Halo 4 pushed the Xbox 360 to the graphical limit, surprising a lot of people with just how much better Master Chief can look after five years. From the environments and enemies to the particle effects and cutscenes, Halo 4 is a shining example of graphical prowess.
Best Handheld/Mobile Game
Nominees: Gravity Rush, LittleBigPlanet Vita, New Super Mario Bros. 2, Sound Shapes
Our Choice: Gravity Rush
Gravity Rush is a sure winner thanks to its unique gameplay. With RPG elements and some cool gravity-based combat and navigation, this game is a thrill in an otherwise lackluster Vita library. Not to mention, it looks amazing.
Studio of the Year
Nominees: 343 Industries, Arkane Studios, Gearbox Software, Telltale Games
Our Choice: Telltale Games
Telltale Games have delivered numerous adventure games based on popular movie franchises, but none have been so expertly crafted as The Walking Dead. Featuring a nail-biting storyline, split decision making and an intriguing cast of characters, your decisions affect how the story plays out in each episode. And that is truly groundbreaking. Did we mention that it's great on consoles, PC, and even mobile phones?
Game of the Year
Nominees: Assassin's Creed III, Dishonored, Journey, Mass Effect 3, The Walking Dead: The Game
Our Choice: Mass Effect 3
Despite its lackluster ending filled with controversy, Mass Effect 3 was a compelling story with heartbreaking moments, combined with great visuals and intense action. It was one more hurrah for Shepard and his team, which lived or died based on your decisions.
So there's our choices. Make sure to cast your vote on Spike TV's VGA TEN Showpage: http://www.spike.com/events/video-game-awards
