Question: Q: 2012 Retina MacBook Pro stuck in frustrating restart loop

Can you hook up your MBP to the internet via Ethernet? If so try booting with Option+⌘+R keys held down and see if you and get to Disk Utility to run First Aid or erase the disk and upgrade to the lastest system that is compatible with your Mac.

If you can get to Disk Utility this way and it indicates that the drive can't be repaired it might be failing and have to be replaced.

You can also try booting with the Option-D keys held down to start up to either Apple Hardware Test or Apple Diagnostics over the Internet.

Be sure you are connected to the Internet. You can use Wi-Fi or Ethernet but the latter is preferable. The following assumes you have a functioning Recovery HD.

Install El Capitan or Later from Scratch

If possible, back up your files.

1. Restart the computer. Immediately, at or before the chime, hold down the Command and R keys until the Apple logo and progress bar appear. Wait until the Utility Menu appears.
2. Select Disk Utility from the Utility Menu and click on the Continue button.
3. When Disk Utility loads select the target drive (out-dented entry w/type and size info) from the Device list.
4. Click on the Erase button in Disk Utility's toolbar. A panel will drop down.
5. Set the partition scheme to GUID.
6. Set the Format type to APFS (SSDs only) or Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)
7. Click on the Apply button, then wait for the Done button to activate and click on it.
8. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.
9. Select Install OS X and click on the Continue button.

If you are unable to do the above, then do this:

Internet/Network Recovery of El Capitan or Later on a Clean Disk

     If possible, back up your files before proceeding.

1. Restart the computer. Immediately, at or before the chime, hold down the (Command-Option-R) keys until a globe appears.
2. The Utility Menu will appear in from 5-20 minutes. Be patient.
3. Select Disk Utility and click on the Continue button.
4. When Disk Utility loads select the target drive (out-dented entry w/type and size) from the side list.
5. Click on the Erase button in Disk Utility's toolbar. A panel will drop down.
6. Set the partition scheme to GUID.
7. Set the Format type to APFS (SSDs, only if installing Mojave or Catalina ) or Mac OS Extended, (Journaled.)
8. Click on the Apply button, then click on the Done button when it activates.
9. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.
10. Select Install OS X and click on the Continue button.