Christmas Video Games Roundup 2007

• By MILES THORPE
• 2theadvocate.com staff
• Published: Dec 20, 2007

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Picking up a new title for that video gamer on your holiday shopping list can sometimes seem like the impossible task. With so many titles and several different platforms, how do you know which one to get?

Well, hopefully this guide will help in making that important choice.

First thing, of course, is to make extra sure they don’t have the game you’re thinking of getting them. I know it sounds obvious, but us gamers tend to be spontaneous and will pick up a new game when we’re sent to the store to get bread and some milk.

The second factor, and probably as important as the first, is for which platform should you be buying? Does your special video gamer use the PC most of the time, or is he on the console scene? Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and the Wii are all the rage right now, and some games are only available on certain systems. For example the Bioware role-playing game Mass Effect is only available on the Xbox 360.

And the last component for a good game choice is the genre of game. From sports and racing sims to RPG’s (role-playing games) and action shooters, there is a lot of variety in the style of game from which to choose.

Here are some of my top suggestions:

Bioshock
(Xbox 360, PC)
2K Games
Released in August of this year, “Bioshock” swept away gamers to an incredible underworld utopia. This sci-fi action shooter game pushes not only all the graphical bells and whistles, but also moral choices of what to do or not do. It oozes with detail, dazzling environments and pulse-pounding action sequences.

The Orange Box (Xbox 360, PS3, PC)
Valve Software
You can’t deny that Valve Software have forever left their mark on the gaming world with “Half-Life.” Several years later they upped the bar again with “Half-Life 2.” The Orange Box is now on store shelves and contains “Half-Life 2” plus two additional “episodes” of game content, an online team game called “Team Fortress 2,” as well as a small puzzle game called “Portal.” Yep, all of that is in The Orange Box. This is a must-have for action shooter fans out there. Even if they have the original “Half-Life 2,” this bundle expands upon it and gives the player plenty of new things to do.

Crysis (PC)
EA Games, Crytek
This PC title recommendation comes with a hefty warning: It requires a beast of a machine to run. We’re talking a top-notch computer, lots of RAM and one of the top video cards on the market are needed. If, by chance, you’re sure the recipient of this game can indeed run it, buy it now. It is the top of the food chain right now in the action shooter market for game play, graphics and immersion. Stranded on remote South Pacific islands, you are tasked with, initially, a search and rescue mission. What you uncover while exploring these islands, however, has a more profound global significance.

World in Conflict (Xbox 360, PC)
Sierra Entertainment
The RTS (real-time strategy) genre gets a good shot in the arm with this 1980s-era war game. What if Russia invaded the United States? Sure, it sounds a lot like the Patrick Swayze movie “Red Dawn,” and the game does hold a similar context. “World in Conflict” really pushes the genre forward with less building unit management and pushes it more toward keeping what units and troops you do have alive. The game also has a map editor and movie maker.

PGR 4 (Xbox 360)
Microsoft
“Project Gotham Racing 4” pushes the racing scene along with updated weather effects, seasonal racing periods in-game and the new addition of motorcycles. This is a great gift for those gamers who enjoy cars and racing.

Super Mario Galaxy
(Wii)
Nintendo
“Super Mario Galaxy” arrives for the Wii just in time for the holidays. Explore the galaxy as you track down the creature that has kidnapped Princess Peach. Bend, jump, tilt and bounce your way across planets in this family-friendly game.

Mass Effect
(Xbox 360)
Bioware
Released just last month, “Mass Effect” has been the shining example of a well-done Xbox 360-only RPG (roleplaying game). How you behave, act and speak to characters in-game will have an effect on outcomes as you play. Based in a science fiction world where you are tasked to, of course, save the galaxy. This game is a must for Xbox 360 users yearning for good RPG.