'Walking Dead' heads USA TODAY's best 2012 video games

The best video games aren't just on discs anymore. Although traditional retail titles dominate our 2012 list, a handful of games reach eager players through digital channels, or other platforms such as the smartphone or tablet. USA TODAY's Brett Molina and Mike Snider, assisted by columnist Marc Saltzman, present their top 12 video games of 2012:

1. The Walking Dead ($4.99 per episode, $24.99 for all five episodes on PC; PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Mac, Apple iOS devices; ages 17-up)

Next time anyone questions the video game industry's ability to tell stories akin to movies and television, point them to Telltale Games' brilliant interactive adventure. Players follow ex-convict Lee Everett as he guards a young girl, Clementine, during a zombie outbreak. The five-episode series is an emotionally gripping journey, and the best video game offered in 2012.

2. Mass Effect 3 ($59.99; PC, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U; ages 17-up)

Whether players appreciated the controversial ending or not, this intergalactic epic delivered a powerful finish for the rising sci-fi franchise. Commander Shepard returns to finish the battle against the Reapers, in a game that deftly combines sharp dialogue with continuously improving combat.

3. Journey ($14.99 on PlayStation Network or $29.99 on Journey Collector's Edition disc; PS3; ages 10-up)

Indie developer thatgamecompany's interactive parable served as a non-violent yet powerful palate cleanser. Players direct their nondescript traveler through the game's exotic vistas, occasionally meeting others. Beyond the astounding visuals, Journey boasts the first video game soundtrack nominated for a Grammy.

4. Halo 4 ($59.99; Xbox 360; ages 17-up)

The Xbox's signature hero returns in an explosive first-person shooter, with Master Chief thwarting an ancient race of aliens from destroying the universe. With a powerful story, outstanding online multiplayer mode and promising Spartan Ops cooperative missions, Halo 4 is arguably the series' best endeavor.

5. Dishonored ($59.99; PS3, Xbox 360, PC; ages 17-up)

This dark, covert action adventure proves sequels aren't the only game in town. This original title stars Corvo, a bodyguard seeking to clear his name after he's framed for killing an empress. Players have several strategies - both traditional and supernatural - for completing tasks, such as possessing rats to move through a home's ventilation systems.

6. Assassin's Creed III ($59.99; PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, PC; ages 17-up)

A change of scenery works wonders for Ubisoft's popular action series, this episode exploring colonial America during the 1700s. Native American assassin Connor fights British Redcoats during the American Revolution on land and in a variety of intense naval battles.

7. Borderlands 2 ($59.99; PS3, Xbox 360, PC; ages 17-up)

The first-person shooter boasting a 17-million gun arsenal returns even bigger and better. Players can tackle the expansive campaign alone or with three other friends, slaying bandits and menacing native creatures, and gathering endless supplies of weapons and gear.

8. Far Cry 3 ($59.99; PC, PS3, Xbox 360; ages 17-up)

The lush palm trees and white, sandy beaches hint at an island paradise, but this open-world adventure is far from a vacation. Players fight for survival against hordes of pirates, taking over strongholds, racing buggies and other vehicles, collecting plants for health boosts and even hunting animals to craft equipment.

9. Max Payne 3 ($59.99; PC, PS3, Xbox 360; ages 17-up)

The New York City detective born in the PS2 era finds new life working private security for a wealthy family in Brazil. The Matrix-style Bullet Time mechanics that slow combat proved consistently entertaining during the single-player campaign and online multiplayer mode.

10. Diablo III ($59.99; Mac and Windows PCs; ages 17-up)

It had been a dozen years since the last appearance of this legendary action role-playing franchise. During that time, Blizzard painstakingly crafted a dynamic 3-D world to ransack. Fending off the attackers from the underworld is as much fun as outfitting your demon hunter, wizard, barbarian, monk or witch doctor.

11. XCOM: Enemy Unknown ($59.99; PC, PS3, Xbox 360; ages 17-up)

A turn-based strategy game with real consequences, as players guide a squad of special agents against an alien invasion of Earth. You create a home base, research the enemy, promote and train soldiers and - if you're not careful - get them killed with the wrong decision.

12. LEGO: Lord of the Rings ($29.99-$49.99; PC, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, DS, 3DS, PS Vita; ages 10-up)

The clever creators at Traveller's Tales continue to find fun ways to adapt licensed source material into LEGO adventures, without the post-play cleanup. Cute enough to catch kids' attention, but detailed enough to keep older siblings or parents engaged, too.

USA Today