This is the final Holiday Gift Guide and it is devoted to this year’s video games that I believe are worth getting for your friends and family members who love gaming. I know that a lot of the year’s biggest games aren’t on this list but honestly I just haven’t played them all so these are the 10 that I feel most comfortable recommending. Any links inside the recommendation of the game are to the older games article which features other games in the series that should be considered first. Any in the title of the game are to its review. I hope you enjoy the list and that it helps you with your holiday purchases.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Nintendo Wii $49.99, Collector’s Edition $69.99
I figure I’ll start this list off with what everybody definitely needs; a way to justify buying the Wii. Hey I know mine isn’t plugged in right now either but I intend to dust it off and try the latest in Nintendo’s classic franchise once I get through all the other games occupying my current time. This time around Nintendo is actually using motion control as the center for the game design as opposed to just slapping it on because they hand to like in Super Mario Galaxy. It requires the Wii Motion Plus so if you don’t have it you can purchase the collector’s edition that comes with a Wiimote that already has that functionality built-in. The game is supposed to be really slow in the beginning but apparently more than makes up for it later on, because of this I wouldn’t recommend introducing people to Zelda with this title but it is a safe bet for any long time fans that haven’t picked it up yet.
Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary Xbox 360 $39.99
For those looking to relive a very different, but still very much iconic, gaming franchise the re-mastered version of Halo: CE is a terrific nostalgia filled journey back to a game that influenced many gamers and the industry as a whole when it came out ten years ago. The game is still great even by today’s standards and a must have for any Halo fans out there. It also comes with new multiplayer maps for Halo: Reach that have been based on some of Halo 1 & 2’s best maps. If you have any gamers on your list that enjoy FPSs and are at least in their teens this is something they should try especially if they have never experienced a Halo game before. While many older gamers may already own the original and not rush out to buy this version it will still make a great addition to their collection. Plus the discounted price makes it a more affordable gift idea.
Rage Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC $59.99
If they already know and love Halo and you want to get them a different type of FPS this is a solid choice. Rage is a visually stunning game and a lot of fun. It is set in a post-apocalyptic world and features fast paced gun battles and races. The game is long for an FPS but the multiplayer is strictly racing, no standard deathmatch to found here. So if you have someone who enjoys a good FPS but isn’t big on online gaming, this might be the game to get them. Also it is a very violent game so make sure they are at least close to the appropriate age of 17.
Dues Ex: Human Revolution Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC $49.99
For those who like to be a little more methodical and patient as opposed to just running in and shooting things, Deus Ex is a great alternative. It is a stealth game although you can perform some pretty cool attacks and may end up in a fair amount of gun battles. I say “may” because it depends on whether or not the player is any good at sneaking around. I’m not a stealth guy so I got into a lot of gun battles which makes the game really hard. You have to try and remain hidden if you are going to get anywhere in the game, which I’m sure will present a fun change for many. The story centers on human augmentation and the morality around it, so the choices in the game don’t have specific light and dark points associated with them. Due to this it is meant for more mature players, not really something most teens or children would either understand or want to deal with.
L.A. Noire Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 $39.99, PC (comes with bonus content) $49.99
Another game that has a slower pace and different feel to it is L.A. Noire. The game puts you in the shoes of a LAPD detective in the 1940s. It is like stepping into a detective novel or crime drama and solving the cases yourself, which I greatly enjoyed. It is a very unique experience so if you know someone who likes to try different types of games or has just played so many that he might need something to freshen things up this would make a great gift. The best type of person to get this for however is anyone who loves detective stories or watches a lot of crime dramas because like I said; it does give you the feeling of stepping into those shoes. This should be bought strictly for adults because of its mature themes like murder, abuse, drugs and sex. There are also a number of cases where you must examine corpses of women who are naked and severely beaten. It’s still a great game though so you might want to consider it for the grownups on your list.
Gears of War 3 Xbox 360 $59.99
The final chapter in one of the biggest trilogies of this console generation comes to an end in this value packed game. There is the single player story mode, 4-player co-op, online versus modes, Horde mode and Beast mode. The game will keep any gamer busy for a while and if they have any friends who already have the game or are intending to get it the experience will be that much better. If they haven’t played a Gears game before they should start with the earlier ones (see the Triple Pack) but if they have the previous games than they need to see how it all comes to an end. The game is very dark and very dark so make sure this is for those at least in their late teens.
Assassin’s Creed: Revelations Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC $59.99
Another storyline from another popular series comes to an end this year in AC: Revelations. The stories of both Ezio and Altair will come to an end hopefully setting up Assassin’s Creed 3 (but hopefully not next year). Assassin’s Creed is one of the best Action Adventure series out there and the latest game is sure to be high on any fans list. The game has a lot of violence and some sexual themes so it is best if whomever you give this too is at least in their late teens. The game is the fourth in the series though, so if the person you are buying this for hasn’t played the other games you should look into the previous games.
Batman: Arkham City Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC $59.99
Another great Action Adventure game came out this year to follow up what most consider to be the best superhero game ever made; Batman: Arkham Asylum. The game takes everything amazing about the first game and expands upon it. The game is great for any Batman fans and in fact, if you aren’t a fan of Batman (shame on you) you can still enjoy this game a great because of how refined all the mechanics are. The game is challenging and throws a lot at the player in the beginning so it is best to start with the original and then get this one. Also this isn’t a kid’s game, whoever this is for should be at least a teenager or pretty close to it because Gotham is a dark place and this game really captures that.
Bulletstorm Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC $29.99
Another shooter that makes a great gift comes at the lowest price tag on the list so far. This is a ridiculous, over the top, adrenaline rush were you run in and blow up everyone in sight in as creative and devastating a manor as you can. The game doesn’t have support co-op in campaign or have a versus mode, but it does offer time trials and a Horde like co-operative mode. The game isn’t very long but is a nice change of pace from most shooters. The game is also very violent and vulgar so respect the M rating and make sure that they are comfortable with blood, guts and a whole lot of cursing.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC $59.99
This game is without a doubt one of the largest gaming experiences ever released. This means that you should buy this game for anyone who you really need a break from for a little while, because this game will take up all of their free time. The game is amazing and allows you to play pretty much however you want. That being said it has a lot of stuff in it and that will be overwhelming for players who aren’t used to big RPGs with dozens of hours of content. It isn’t overly graphic but has some serious content involved some make sure that any recipients are at least in their teens. For anyone who enjoyed previous Bethesda games like Oblivion or Fallout 3, this is a must.
Bonus:
DC Universe Online PlayStation 3, PC FREE
This is a game that I was really looking forward to and one that I didn’t get around to playing yet. That being said, now that the game is free-to-play all you and your friends need to do is simply download it on your computer or on your PlayStation and play together. Don’t be trick by the copies on store shelves, they just need to clear inventory, the game is completely free; unless of course you choose to pay for extra features. So it is a bonus because you can’t hand someone a free download, or send them a text with the URL to DCUO’s site and call that their present. You can however, give them this delightful bit of news as a bonus gift and it is something that you can easily treat yourself to, even after spending all your money on gifts for others. The site is linked below so go there to download it on your PC or to find out how to download it from PSN.
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