The Nevada Sagebrush

Find the right game to give during the holidays

Monday, November 30, 2009 - 6:43 PM

The video game shopping season has begun, and according to the Consumer Reports Holiday Shopping poll, games are the season’s hottest choice for a gift. But to anyone who might not have followed the avalanche of releases these past few months, have no fear! This guide will help anyone find that one special game that’ll keep everybody warm inside.

Racing Fans: for gamers with a need for speed

Racing games have really taken different approaches on how to take an expensive car and try not to wreck it. From simulations to the X Games, 2009 has proved there’s still gas in the tank for this niche genre.
“Forza Motorsport 3”- In what is becoming the Xbox’s answer to “Gran Turismo,” Forza delivers a deep and authentic racing experience that is packed with content and cool community features. Online auction houses using in-game money, insanely deep customization tools for a car’s appearance and useful difficulty settings that reward the player for turning off driving assists make this game a complete racing package.
“Dirt 2”- Most racing games keep all four tires on the pavement, but as this game’s name implies, rally racing is king here. Tying the game into the extreme sports culture of the X Games gives this game good appeal to younger racers while at the same time making the player feel part of a bigger event. It’s all unique and very cool.
“Need for Speed: Shift”- While some fans long for the days when the “Need for Speed” franchise was all about illegal street racing and running from the cops, the new, more serious racing direction really produces a rush. “Shift” stands out from the pack with its intense in-car perspective that makes slamming into walls at high speeds more terrifying than most real racing crashes.
“Gran Turismo PSP”- Sony’s flagship racing series finally makes its way onto a handheld, offering hundreds of cars to play around with on-the-go. While it’s not the best racing game of the year by any means, fans of the series should really get a kick out of having their huge garage of cars available to them anywhere they go.

Action-Adventure fans: for gamers who appreciate a good story line and lively, quick gameplay

From Indiana Jones-style treasure hunting to supervillain hunting on an island, these games combine high action game play with narrative storytelling and effective atmosphere.
“Uncharted 2: Among Thieves”- Game developer Naughty Dog has a track record for fantastic games, but the sequel to 2007’s “Uncharted: Drakes Fortune” is easily the developer’s greatest achievement. Superb voice acting sells the story, amazing graphics provide a treat for the eyes and smooth shooting/platforming adventures make this one of the most memorable adventures this year.
“Batman: Arkham Asylum”- This is the best Batman game ever. The game makes the player really feel like the Dark Knight, scaling the rooftops in search of evildoers. The atmosphere really sells the whole package, and this is another must-buy for anyone who enjoys the comics or movies.
“Infamous”- This is a free roaming game that lets you scale buildings like Spiderman, but also requires you to make morally difficult choices with your powers like the Punisher. A longer game than most on this list, it is worth playing through twice just to see how the story can change when the character chooses good versus evil.
“Grand Theft Auto 4: The Ballad of Gay Tony”- The second of two exclusive downloadable add-ons for the Xbox 360 version of GTA4, “Gay Tony” pushes the series back to some of its more over-the-top times, allowing for some frantic and violent fun. (Again, not a game suitable for children.)
“Assassin’s Creed 2”- The sequel to the surprise hit of 2007 recreates Venice, Italy, to striking effect. Free running and stealthy elimination of bad guys are hallmarks of this series, and they are amplified by the setting. Contraptions by Leonardo da Vinci add cool methods of exploration to the game play, and provide interesting historical ambiance to the game. Plus, the whole game can be played in Italian with English subtitles, which is a nice touch.

Shooter Fans: for gamers who like the realistic, adrenaline rush of guns and a lot of high speed action

If the words “headshot” and “kill-streak” get a lot of use in your house, then you might be living with some shooter fans — nothing to be alarmed about, since shooters have become some of the most popular genres in the industry and 2009 was jam-packed with some intense shoot-em-ups.
“Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2”- If you are looking for some full-on Russian warfare, “Modern Warfare 2” provides the thrills of a big budget summer blockbuster while also offering the best online multiplayer in the genre. If your intended gift receiver isn’t one of the millions who bought the game at midnight, they are in for a bloody good time. Just remember, this title is not for kids under 17.
“Halo 3: ODST”- Any game that has “Halo” in the title is going to generate a lot of interest, but this adventure takes “Master Chief” out of the story, instead focusing on the tactics of Orbital Shock Drop Troopers. This Xbox 360 exclusive is a solid choice for any “Halo” fans on Santa’s list.
“Killzone 2”- Some people might have forgotten about this little gem since it was released early in the year, but this PS3 exclusive is like the sci-fi equivalent of “Saving Private Ryan.” The graphics in this game are some of the prettiest of the year, making this shooter’s gritty battles all the more epic.
“Borderlands”- Don’t let the first-person perspective fool you; this shooter has more in common with “Diablo” than “Halo,” with its collection of RPG elements. With online co-op for up to four players, this game stands out as one of the most unique shooting experiences of the year, sure to please any addicts of the loot-heavy games of the past.
“The Conduit”- For all the Wii owners out there who feel left out of the first-person thrill, Sega made “The Conduit” just for you. “The Conduit” takes advantage of the unique Wii controls to give this shooter an accurate and fun pace. This is one of the few Wii games that brings the experience online for some competitive shootouts.

Sports Fans: for gamers who enjoy lifelike sports action

Sports games are an annual tradition of the video game industry, and they have a pretty distinct audience. If you are buying for a sports fan, it really comes down to their sport of choice and which controller they prefer. As a general tip, EA Sports is the industry leader, and their titles are often the best options, with few exceptions (trust 2K Sports for basketball).
“Madden 10”- Madden is the juggernaut of sports titles, but beyond the cultural hoopla, it’s a really deep and involving football game. This game should be the go-to choice for anybody looking to play some virtual pigskin.
“NBA 2K10”- If your tastes involve a hard court, hoops and a buzzer-beating good time, “NBA 2K10” is the game for you. Great graphics, realistic AI and solid shooting mechanics make this game the definitive basketball game of 2009.
“NHL 10”- Hockey might not be the most popular sport among these titles, but that works to “NHL 10’s” advantage, with developers willing to take risks and innovate. EA’s NHL franchise has been one of their most critically acclaimed sports franchises of the past few years, and this game sets a new bar for quality among the series, a must-have for serious fans of the ice.
“FIFA 10”- Soccer fans, rejoice! Continuing the trend of quality sports titles from EA, “FIFA 10” has modes and depth to suite the most hardcore of players, while still leaving plenty of game for those looking for some casual fun. Everyone who prefers their “football” of the European variety owes it to themselves to try this game.
“Fight Night Round 4”- Boxing fans will have a lot to love in this latest iteration of Fight Night. Realistic boxing physics will have punches slipping and heads crumpling, just as the “sweet science” should.

Fighting Fans: for gamers with a penchant for blood

2009 saw the successful rebirth of some fighting franchises, while new contenders made their bid at the title. As a result, there are a lot of quality fighting games to choose from this year, so which one fits your fighting style?
“Street Fighter IV”- One of the biggest fighting franchises of all time made a splash this year with the fourth iteration of the franchise. Online multiplayer, precise combos and colorful graphics make this game a worthy addition to any fighting fan’s collection.
“Blaz Blue: Calamity Trigger”- A new contender in the 2D fighting scene, “Blaz Blue” smashes expectations with a unique cast of strange characters, stages and background stories. The visual rush this game provides sets it apart from the more traditional fighters on this list.
“Tekken 6”- Making its debut on the next generation consoles, Tekken definitely looks pretty, but where it really shines is in its large roster of fighters and customization options. Similar to “Soul Calibur 4,” all the fighters have many unlockable clothing items that add an extra sense of accomplishment to the game. It also has a feeling of nostalgia, since Tekken plays primarily the same as its previous entries.

Garrett Estrada can be reached at arts-entertainment@nevadasagebrush.com.