We’ve already bought you our list of E3 2012’s most wanted announcements, now it’s the turn of the games we’re most looking forward to seeing. There’s some absolute crackers in here. 

Below you’ll find a list of the most exciting and intriguing titles we’ll be hoping to get our peepers on in L.A. next week. Not all of them are guaranteed to be in attendance, but these are the ones we most want to see. The cream of the crop as it were. God we love this time of year.

Assassin’s Creed III

We’ve waited a long time for Assassin’s Creed III and it looks like our patience is paying off. Brotherhood and Revelations kept us warm, but the third, numbered sequel is the real deal, taking the series to colonial America, introducing a new hero and adding a bucketful of fresh ideas. It looks insanely good. 

Set against the backdrop of the American Revolution, Assassin’s Creed III follows the half-English, half-Mohawk warrior Connor as he gets mixed up in a series of major historical battles. Epic is a horribly overused word, but that’s exactly what this game promises to be. If you’re not excited about Assassin’s Creed III, then you’re probably dead inside.

Tomb Raider

Another one we’ve seen relatively little of since its announcement last year, Tomb Raider is a reboot, taking the series in a much darker, more grown-up direction. Seriously, the physical abuse dished out to Lara in that reveal was wince-inducing. This game looks grim, in the best way possible.

With the Uncharted series on the back burner, for now at least, the timing is right for Lara’s return. We’re gagging for some more treasure hunting adventures and who better to deliver them than the girl that kicked it all off back in 1996. One of the most iconic series in the history of games, Tomb Raider is the real deal.

Halo 4

Do we really need to explain why we’re looking forward to seeing more of this one? Master Chief’s return has to be one of the most widely anticipated events of the year. He’s the king of Xbox, the daddy of the console shooter and the thief of many a late night. Welcome back, Chief. 

We’re fascinated to see what new custodians 343 Industries are going to do with the series. Most coverage thus far has centered on multiplayer, but now we want to see where they’re taking the campaign. They’ve promised a new focus on exploration, mystery and discovery, with Master Chief going up against an ancient evil. Sound blummin’ brilliant to us. We can’t wait to get our hands on it. 

Call of Duty: Black Ops 2

Love it or hate it, there’s no denying that Call of Duty is the biggest thing in gaming. In sales alone, it dominates the industry, beating records and topping charts with alarming regularity. But countless sequels have seen its appeal wane in recent years. Black Ops II is Treyarch’s opportunity to set things right.

Thankfully, it looks like they’re going about it the right way. From what we’ve seen so far, the future setting, the branching narrative and the light real-time strategy elements promise to deliver something we’ve been waiting on for a long time: fresh ideas. And that’s why we’re so eager to see more of the game. Will it win over the haters? Probably not. But it’s a fascinating twist on the blueprint.

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance probably isn’t on this list for the reasons you think. It’s not here because we reckon it’ll be a nailed-on classic. Indeed we’re a little concerned about it. It’s here because we’re fascinated by the journey it’s been on. 

First it was Metal Gear 5, then it was the 360-exclusive Metal Gear Solid: Rising, then it was multiplatform, and then when Kojima dropped out and called in Platinum Games it became Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. After all that can the game possibly be any good? We don’t know. That’s why it’s one of our most anticipated games at E3 this year. Platinum are unrivaled in the action title stakes, but they have their work cut out here. One of E3’s most interesting games.

Resident Evil 6

Come on, it’s Resident Evil! This latest iteration may see the series slipping even further from its survival horror roots, but everything we’ve seen of the game so far is very, very exciting. Yeah, so now it’s action horror, get over it. This is Capcom flexing a bit of Japanese muscle. 

It’s huge, with a massive campaign encompassing storylines for Chris Redfield, Leon Kennedy and Albert Wesker’s son Jake. Capcom reckon each of those storylines are almost as long as Resident Evil 5. That means we’re going to be running around, shooting zombies, solving puzzles and generally blowing the crap out of everything for about 30 hours in total. And next week, we get to take a big bite out of it at E3. Eff yes!

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Dawnguard

When something appears on our most anticipated list that isn’t even a game, you know we’re pretty excited about it. Dawnguard is the first chunk of DLC for Bethesda’s RPG epic Skyrim, the winner of 2011’s Game of the Year and the highest rated game we’ve ever reviewed. We can’t wait to jump back in. 

So far we’ve only got the trailer to go by, but what we see we like. This isn’t just a few extra quests and weapons, but a whole storyline stuffed with new realms, characters, abilities, areas, giants and flaming death horses. Oh, and quests and weapons too of course. Something for everyone! As far as add-ons go, Bethesda know what they’re doing. This is as exciting as it gets. 

Rainbow 6: Patriots

Remember the awkwardly revealed footage released for Rainbow 6: Patriots? It was amazing, swooping from domestic bliss to unwilling suicide bombers and tactical team-based murder all in the space of 6 minutes. That was target gameplay footage. Let’s see if they’ve hit bullseye.

That’s if the game is at E3. So far, we’ve had no official confirmation. But we do know one thing: Vegas was one of the best shooter experiences we’ve played this generation, with a cover system to rival any other game out there. It was awesome. If Ubisoft can bring that experience up to date and throw in a few new elements, we’ll be chuffed. And if Terrorist Hunt doesn’t make a return, we’ll start a riot. Fingers crossed the game makes an appearance next week.

Gears of War: Judgement

Fresh from the big reveal machine, we have to say Gears of War: Judgement took us by surprise. But it was a good one. Painkiller and Bulletstorm devs People Can Fly have proved their worth. If we could choose anybody to move the series on then it’s them. 

So what do we know? Well, not a lot. It would appear that Baird and Cole are the main characters, taken hostage by those nasty Locust chaps. But that’s all we’ve got. Will it be a Pheonix Wright-style courtroom drama with the grizzled duo attempting to clear their name? Will it be a buddy road movie game, with Baird being all grumpy and Cole doing the wise-cracking Cole Train routine? No, it’ll be a third-person shooter. We’re expecting all kinds of awesome.

Forza Horizons

Open-world Forza. Those two words alone should be enough to get you pumped about the prospect of Forza Horizon. And if they don’t then you’re out of luck, because we don’t really know anything else about how the game will play. Sorry. 

We do know who’s behind it though. The spin-off is in development at UK-based outfit Playground Games. Made up of a string of seasoned devs with titles like Split Second, Project Gotham Racing, Blur and Pure to their names, you wouldn’t bet against this being great fun. All we need now is details. Expect those to come roaring out of E3 next week. Vroom!

Are you going to E3 this year? What are your most anticipated games? Let us know in the comments.