Editor’s Note: Counting down the clock has reached single digits as we hit number nine in 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, #15, #14, #13, #12, #11, #10.

After Gearbox revealed it had acquired the rights to the Duke Nukem franchise, it was expected that after Forever launched, we would have an official announcement for Borderlands 2 at E3 2011; however, fans were disappointed to hear that work has begun on a new Brother’s In Arms: Furious Four. It wasn’t until August that we got an official announcement that Borderlands 2 was in development – something that resident Irishman Phil couldn’t believe.

“Having put a good amount of time into Borderlands, in particular with co-op, I have been craving a sequel to one of 2009′s best games for quite a while now,” he started. “Every time I saw a piece of news on Duke Nukem Forever, I face-palmed, wondering when I would hear of the sequel to Borderlands that surely must exist. What we’ve seen so far has only served to whet my appetite for the Gearbox developed shooter-RPG hybrid.”

When it was released over two years ago, Borderlands achieved critical success worldwide and after two months on store shelves, it sold over two million copies. Borderlands merged two of gaming’s most popular genres, RPG and FPS, to create what Gearbox imaginatively dubbed ‘role-playing shooter’. While this massive genre popularity wasn’t seen in sales when compared with the top draw shooters – 4.5 million to date is still very impressive, it was widely considered to be the perfect blend with slick gunplay, classes and one of the best loot systems found in games today.

The cel-shaded title provided one of the greatest and most enjoyable multiplayer experiences this generation. The drop-in, drop-out co-op allowed friends to help you in world on the fly and depending on your combined level, scaled the enemies to provide you both with a challenge. With up to four players available, hectic gunfights, tactical team play and big, badass bosses were the name of the game and it’s this lone gameplay feature that has me excited for the sequel.

With four different classes, your squad was required to think a bit more tactically in the use of your unique special attacks compared to playing single player. Sirens were used for distractions, Hunters for long distance damage while the Soldier offered defensive capabilities and the Berserker was there to provide heavy damage in close quarters. It was a truly amusing, exciting and an all-round terrific affair that encouraged Gearbox to create four very popular and, again, some of the best downloadable expansions seen this generation.

We haven’t seen an awful lot from Borderlands 2 apart from a few screenshots of the new Gunzerker class and the varied environments we can expect but we know that fans are dying for a better story, less repetition and crafting/customisation, something that Editor Davs is anxiously waiting for.

“After the quite superb outing of Borderlands two years ago, how could anyone not be excited for more?” questioned our founder. “Whilst we know very little, the fantastic art style, vast landscapes and superb gameplay from the original should be more than enough to persuade anyone to look forward to Borderlands 2. Hopefully we will see a host of upgrades and additions, with the ability to pull apart and actually create your own guns being top of my list.”

“The first Borderlands had a real sense of character thanks to the visual style and the characters you meet along the way,” agreed fellow writer Dave Irwin. “Playing four player co-operative was perhaps one of the most fun experiences of the year of Borderland’s release. The only reason I don’t play it anymore is that I had done almost everything with it, and then my save got corrupted and I couldn’t justify playing the entire sixty hours I had sunk into it once again! It had me hooked for a long time, and I’m sure that the sequel will cast a similar spell on me.”

“Borderlands 1 was a breath of fresh air to co-operative multiplayer. A beautiful artistic design coupled with terrific gameplay mechanic made it a hugely satisfying experience,” concurred Igor. “If Borderlands 2 can bring that same level of player engagement with a few fresh ideas on top, I have no doubt Borderlands 2 will be a very successful game.”

“Borderlands is a brilliant game that I’ve completed on multiple platforms both single player and cooperatively,” boasted Harry before stating, “I want another Borderlands game, and I want it right now.”

If there’s one thing, or two, that the team here at MediaKick agree on, it’s that Borderlands 2 will be landing in an almighty bang of colour and fabulous co-operative gameplay that should not only deserve your attention but hours of your life.