Editor’s Note: Ten down, fifteen to go. We’re up to number fifteen of our twenty-five most anticipated games of 2012. After culminating a comprehensive list of the confirmed games for next year, the MediaKick team voted on the games they are most looking forward to for next year, and after processing the results through a methodical algorithm we’re here to bring you the results. Taking a closer look at both what we know so far and why the team are excited for each game, we’ll have an article at midday everyday until Christmas – when we’ll reveal our most anticipated game of 2012. Be sure to check out the previous games so far if you haven’t already - #25, #24, #23, #22, #21, #20, #19, #18, #17, #16.

The choir chimes in, the drums roll, what you are about to witness is what will become a generation defining FPS. This is Halo: Combat Evolved. It has been ten long years since this moment, and in this time we have seen sequels, novels, movie rumours, merchandise and a whole lot more. Halo has become the Xbox flagship, and even with the departure of Bungie at the helm, there is still a lot that this series can offer with the release of Halo 4 in 2012.

I am the biggest of Halo fans, ever since I watched in awe as a friend opened the pod door and walked onto Halo’s surface, I have been hooked. There was something so fresh, inventive and awe-inspiring that this game did, that no others could touch. Ever since this moment, Bungie have redefined what Halo is and what it is to become, but now with Bungie moving on to more broad spectrums, 343 Industries have a job at hand to deliver a definitive experience – especially given that the title has already been in development for a “couple of years”.

And I’m not the only one, fellow MediaKick contributor Igor had this to say: “It’s certainly a valid argument that Halo can be considered the most iconic and well-known modern franchise in video gaming. A beautiful universe seen through the perspective of a terrific lead protagonist, Halo is the number one title on Microsoft’s consoles. Now that Bungie have given up the reigns to 343 Industries, I think just about every Xbox 360 owner is dying to see what will happen to their beloved franchise – will this be the evolution of Halo or a disappointed step backwards? 343 Industries must surely be feeling the pressure as the world awaits their final creation.”

It was back in E3 2011 where we were first introduced to Halo 4, albeit spoilt by numerous early reveals and rumours – with the worst being from Microsoft. Master Chief, still in cryostatis, is awoken by the familiar voice of the AI, Cortana. The Forward Unto Dawn (the ship from the end of 2007’s Halo 3) is a crumbling wreckage, spitting fire as it is falling apart in space. The Chief awakes, snags Cortana from the Holodeck and coolly grabs a magnum as he floats into his makeshift exit. As he comes to a halt on the precipice of the ship, an unknown pale planet comes into view.

From this short but still enthralling trailer we know that John 117 is back, after a four-year absence, in which we have since controlled an ODST squadron and a Noble team. Although both ODST and Reach were solid games, none quite reached the characteristics of their forbearer. It’s great to know that once more you’ll be in the familiar Spartans boots. Aside from this it may also be apparent that we are going to further our knowledge of the Forerunners, the ancient civilization who created the Halo rings. The ending scene from the trailer shows a white planet like structure that appears Forerunner in nature, which can only mean great things for those heavily invested in Halo lore.

We don’t know a great deal outside of the above, but this hasn’t stopped me hoping for all nature of things from my game of 2012. How will Kinect integrate? With Microsoft’s internal studio 343i doing the work this time, it’ll be likely we’ll see all manner of Kinect support. We have already seen small initiatives in Halo: Anniversary Edition, from grenade throwing to scenery scanning, so I am looking forward to even more immersive integration this time around. Will we see more innovation from the multiplayer? Halo single-handedly created the universal Xbox Live interface we know and love today and even pioneered such services as Online Service Records, Heat maps and Waypoint (which has since been improved and monetised via Call of Duty: Elite). Halo has always been at the forefront of online play on the Xbox, so it has to be expected that something big is to be launched alongside it. Last but not least we know this will be the first in a new trilogy, so that will definitely mean placing it on the next Xbox console (whatever and whenever that may be). A very exciting prospect indeed, considering the array of extra features Halo 3 carried with it when released.

And Editor, David Howard, agreed: “I’m intrigued to see where 343 takes the Halo franchise more than anything. Part of me hopes for a radical shift as Halo, despite its fantastic qualities, has never been my favourite shooter. Also as part of a new trilogy – that we will certainly see spread across two console generations like the first – it should set up another gripping tale for Master Chief and the brilliant Halo universe.”

To me, Halo will always be what sold me on the Xbox. I found it hard to love the gigantic controller, the hideous black box, but with Halo, I was urged to love not only it, but the console that it launched. And now with this console’s lifespan nearing an end, Halo 4 is rearing its head to make me fall in love with the Xbox all over again. That jaw dropping feeling I once had may have since diminished, but it is now replaced with child like wonderment in anticipation for what the first of a new Halo trilogy will offer come Holiday Season 2012.