In an industry where creativity is often lacking, it’s always interesting to see what happens when a new IP is brought into the mix.

Runners Up:

Dishonored (by Kyle Orr) – Rarely do new IPs come with such high production values and a well thought out world as Dishonored. Bethesda has crafted a dark world filled with mystery and intrigue that is one of the most unique in recent memory.

Xenoblade Chronicles (by Kyle Orr) – Xenoblade boasts a massive world filled with lore and personality. Memorable characters, cool monster designs and great combat result in one of the best RPGs this year.

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning (by Patrick Cassin) – Created from the ground up, Kingdoms features a rich story and vibrant world crafted by master spinners of the proverbial yarn. While all those talky and ready bits may have been too much for outrageous popularity, take that with a grain of salt — not everyone appreciates Shakespeare, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t good.

Asura’s Wrath (by Addam Kearney) – Last year, you would have said that a game based almost solely around quick-time events would have been one of the most stylish of the year, you would have been laughed at. Thankfully Asura’s Wrath, quick-time events and all, delivers one what could be the most unique games released at retail this year.

AND THE WINNER IS:

Sleeping Dogs (by Addam Kearney) – Sure, technically Sleeping Dogs is True Crime Hong Kong. However, it’s clear that the team at United Front took a long look at what they had developed and made drastic changes. They were able to take their history working on the, quite frankly bland franchise of True Crime, and were able to mold a new, open world IP in the form of Sleeping Dogs. One could even say that some of the open-world elements that United Front Games are better than what Grand Theft Auto has done in the past, and that’s saying a lot.