You're reading Reaction Time, a weekly column that claims to examine recent events, games and trends in the industry, but is really just looking for an excuse to use the word "zeitgeist." Now that the Joystiq staff has recuperated from the verbal immolation and bizarre "hipster" categorization of their Game of the Year choices, I've decided to rescue and share my own runner-up list before it sinks even deeper between the couch cushions. These are all games worth playing, and I'd be irritated if I closed off my 2012 before talking about them just a little more.

(Besides, we have a guy on here who writes about games that are much older than, you know, Far Cry 3.)