You Were Gonna Get It Anyway: Holiday 2008 Gaming Guide
By jdevl 1 Comments
After decades of deliberation and analysis, I have narrowed down my gaming choices for the holiday season of 2008 just in time for the flood. Sit back and allow me to convince you that my opinion should become your own.
CANT MISS
You don't have a choice but to buy these games.Dead Space
Event Horizon meets Resident Evil 4. Survival horror in space. The game play will seem familiar as it blends Resident Evil 4 action with the resource management of the earlier games. I fully expect the atmosphere of this game to haunt me for years to come. This is the first big title of the season and it reminded me I needed to make sure I started off my spending spree with a quality title.
Gears of War 2
The only game on this list that I have preordered, and I did it months ago. GoW is my favorite Xbox 360 title and revitalized my interest in shooters. Here's hoping the boys at Epic don't go overboard with the storyline and bring on the action that makes this series great.
Left 4 Dead
Valve's polish on top of innovative zombie killing gameplay. This one is all about cooperative multiplayer. Survival of the fittest where the difficulty level is constantly adjusting to your progress. Just when you think you have the defense of your medical area figured out, you run out of ammo and have to sprint across town to the police station to rearm. Will the zombies ever let up or will you become one of them?
Prince of Persia
If the Ubisoft team can succeed at breathing half of the style that the screenshots and preview videos are displaying of the latest reenvisioning of this series, I will fall in love all over again. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time was one the defining games of the last generation, and I have even higher hopes for the newest adventure.
Rock Band 2
May not be a holiday release for those of us that have been playing it for over a month at this point. However, if you buy one rhythm game ever, make it Rock Band 2. It has the songs you want to play with more coming every week. They polished every minor annoyance from Rock Band 1, to make this the only plastic rock experience you will ever need.
MY KIND OF AWESOME
The games that have the quirks that may keep them from going mainstream, but their charm has already won me over.Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia
The latest DS adventure in my favorite gaming series of all time.
Legend of Kage 2
Classic ninja action reimagined on the DS.
Age of Booty
The multiplayer drinking game LIVE Arcade experience of the season. Plus Pirates.
Pro Evolution Soccer 2009
I hate soccer. I love this game.
Animal Crossing: City Folk
It's been too long since I talked with my animal neighbors and decorated my house. The Wii Speak microphone will make it even easier to talk with guests to you town.
Penny Arcade: Episode 2
Comes out right after Christmas. The 2nd Episode promises more adventure game puzzles with the sense of humor only a gamer can appreciate.
AM I MISSING SOMETHING
These games have a lot of promise, but I will need a few reviews before I'm willing to drop my hard earned cash on them.- Fable 2
- Far Cry 2
- Fallout 3
- Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe
- Mirror's Edge
- Call of Duty: World at War
- Tomb Raider: Underworld
SEE YOU IN THE BARGAIN BIN
Nothing wrong with this group when they cost $30 or less.WOULDN'T SAY I MISSED IT, BOB
I'd be happier if these games didn't exist, but they may sell well anyway, just not to me.- Guitar Hero: World Tour
- Rock Revolution
- Quantum of Solace
- Need for Speed: Undercover
IN ANOTHER LIFE
A special mention to an addition of the greatest gaming experience I have been a part of.World of Warcraft: Wrath of theLich King
There's a part of me that will always want to play World of Warcraft again, but never will. I have read everything there is to know on the new expansion that comes out this November. I may even buy it just to show my support for Blizzard. However, the game will not be installed as I cannot casually play this game. It is all or nothing, and the other demands of my life, regretfully, make me choose, nothing.