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Games galore
by the Deseret News staff , Deseret Morning News
In 2008, somewhere in the neighborhood of 750 games were released, not even counting the legion of PC games. They were designed for every age and interest imaginable, including many successful games that never sought a spot on a store shelf but went directly to gamers -- a term that is quickly losing relevance as everybody joins the ranks of players -- right on their console. How do shoppers know where to start?
Our team has put together a few suggestions: For kids
"Hasbro Family Game Night" -- Six classic games ("Connect 4," "Battleship," "Yahtzee," "Sorry!" "Boggle" and "Sorry! Sliders") on your computer hosted by Mr. Potato Head. Why a game system for these classics? Because they are even more fun with animation and automatic scoring. Imagine "Battleship" with animation and sound and "Connect 4" with checkers that freeze the opponent. Wii; rated E for Everyone
"Game Party 2" -- Sometimes simple is better. Lawn darts, beanbags, trivia and hoop shoot are some of the 11 games that make perfect use of the Wii control system. Young kids will love the game, and nobody can argue about scoring or get impaled by a dart. Wii; rated E for Everyone
"Rapala Fishing Frenzy" -- You can cast, reel and set a hook with this fun fishing simulation that offers a variety of lakes and fish. The smallest children will find it less inviting than preteens or older, but it is a good family game. A reel peripheral is available for improved Wii action. Rated E for Everyone
"Sonic Unleashed" -- In video-game terms, the little blue hedgehog has been around for an eternity, and in this edition he has both a day and a night persona that play completely differently. It falls in both 2-D and 3-D play category, with excellent cut-scenes and spiffy new environments and two completely different game experiences because Sonic, and the game, change at night. Preteens and up will enjoy saving the world, but older players will find this fun as well. PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii; rated E10 for Everyone 10 and up.
"LIttleBigPlanet" -- Combines simple run-and-jump action with the ability to create your own levels and share them with friends through the PlayStation network. The game sparkles with creativity, and the little beanbaglike Sackboys the players control are adorable. It's like having access to an infinite number of virtual LEGO sets -- perfect for playing and creating together as families. PS3; rated E for Everyone
"Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People" -- The cast of the popular Internet cartoon "Homestar Runner" comes to this point-and-click exploration game. Players control Strong Bad as he romps through a series of adventures, complete with trademark Homestar style. Kids will love the bright visuals and slapstick, and parents will appreciate the subtle humor. PC, Wii; rated E for Everyone
" NHL 09" -- This is the best hockey game ever made, and one of the best sports games of the year. You don't have to be a hockey fan to enjoy the Be a Pro mode, which teaches you hockey strategy as it places you in the skates of a minor league player and takes you up the ladder to NHL stardom. Online play just sweetens the deal. PS3, Xbox 360; rated E for Everyone
"Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood" -- Sonic the Hedgehog joins a large cast of characters in an action role-playing adventure, combining turn-based strategic battles with traditional Sonic aesthetic and charm. Lots of dialogue and interesting puzzles make this a great game for preteens and up. Nintendo DS; rated E for Everyone
"Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm" -- This game based on the mega-popular anime cartoon contains amazing graphics and excellent fighting game play. It's a treat to watch Naruto and his ninja rivals fly around the screen. A must for fans of the TV show. PS3; rated T for Teen
"Burnout Paradise" -- If you haven't played this arcade-style racing game yet, it's the perfect bargain. Players are unleashed in a huge city and can drive anywhere they wish, joining races and causing massive wrecks as they go. The combination of collecting new cars by winning races, then seeing how badly they can be destroyed, delivers great entertainment. PS3, Xbox 360; rated E10 for Everyone 10 and up.
"PixelJunk Eden" -- Beautiful visuals, unique game play and a smooth soundtrack make this downloadable game a fun experience, as players guide the seedlike Grimps through 10 neon-colored gardens. The low price and high replay value make this game a steal. PS3; rated E for Everyone
"Mega Man 9" -- A throwback to the days of the original Nintendo system, "Mega Man 9" contains the classic run-and-shoot game play (and brutal difficulty) of the series. Perfect for the old-school gamer on your list. PS3, Xbox 360, Wii; rated E for Everyone
"Space Invaders Extreme" -- This revamp of the classic arcade game adds new weapons, brightly flashing graphics and great effects to the space-shooter formula. The action is fast-paced and addictive. Nintendo DS, Sony PSP; rated E for Everyone
"Tiger Woods 09" -- Golf games come every year, but this version will be difficult to beat down the line. It manages to be easy to play, even for first-timers, and yet have depth and beckoning power for golf vets. The variety of holes, the customization of the characters, including incorporating the player's own face, and the outstanding online features make this a classic. All platforms; rated E for Everyone
"NCAA Football 09" is the best release from the series yet. The recruiting has been upgraded, and the look and feel all have had nice tweaks. Best of all, it has never been as much fun, thanks to an expanded online dynasty mode. Xbox 360, PSP, Wii, PS2, PS3; rated E for Everyone
"Indiana Jones/Batman LEGO" -- The LEGO franchise of games started with the "Star Wars" universe but expanded to include "Indiana Jones" and "Batman" this year. These games are uniformly great for families, and that doesn't mean only the kids. There is humor and puzzle-solving and co-operative features, unlockable characters, rooms and trophies. We liked Indy, but Batman is the best so far. All systems; rated E10 for everyone 10 and up.
"Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise" -- The original "Viva Pinata" game was an attempt to bring children's games to the Xbox 360, a hard-core gamer's platform. The game turned out to be great, but not the hoped-for commercial hit. A lame racing follow-up landed with a thud. But this installment takes the gentle fun of the original game and improves on it. The basic idea of tending a garden to attract humorous pinatas is back but with significant game-play improvements. Xbox 360; rated E for Everyone
"Spore" -- is a a fairly complex game where you play a god by creating life and helping it evolve from a cell to a full-blown, thinking creature. It's your baby, and you get to decide how it looks, what it eats and how it interacts with other creatures. It takes simlike games to a new level of real fun and excitement. Do you want a large mouth and hooks for battle or the ability to sing and dance to impress other tribes? Spore is as much fun for adults as kids. Better yet, it's something parents can play with their children. PC and Mac; rated E for Everyone
"Animal Crossing City Folk" -- A great addition to the "Animal Crossing" game family. This time gamers not only dig up fossils, design house floor plans, go fishing, write and receive letters, catch insects and visit a museum, but they can also take a bus ride to the city. There they can get their fortunes, get a makeover, which incorporates the use of the Wii's Mii gallery, and auction off or buy items placed in the auction house. Or hook up to Wi-Fi and visit other towns across the globe. Wii; rated E for Everyone. Teens and older
"Fallout 3" -- A deep, rich role-playing game set in the wide-open radioactive wastelands of Washington, D.C., this title contends for best of the year. It isn't for kids because of the vivid violence, strong language and the horrors of the apocalypse. But its pitch-perfect design, strong plot, cool customization and an excellent combat system (not the focus of the game) make the game hard to put down. PC, PS3, Xbox 360; rated M for Mature for blood, violence, gore, adult themes, language.
"Mirror's Edge" -- Only rarely do games really innovate in style and game play rather than improve on or tweak previous ideas, but when they do they are difficult to ignore. "Mirror's Edge" runs players through obstacle courses atop and inside skyscrapers with innovative game controls and action but also a plot that sucks you in. The game is brilliant in design and execution with some gunplay and PG-13 curse words. The stakes are intense, making it a great game for older teens and adults. Xbox 360, PC, PS3; rated T for Teens
"Guitar Hero: World Tour" -- "Guitar Hero" was out in front on the incredibly popular rhythm gaming front, but "Rock Band" answered the bell and left the innovators behind. With "World Tour," the franchise picks up a lot of ground, and this is a great party game. The great news is that for some consoles, your "Rock Band" instruments work with "World Tour" and vice versa. Check with a game-specialist retailer if that is important to you. Xbox 360, PS2, PS3; rated T for Teen
"The World Ends With You" -- Thisaction/role-playing game glows with graffiti-infused style, an intricate plot and complex game play. Set in a trendy district of Tokyo, players control Neko as he battles various fantastic monsters and shops for the latest fashions. It sounds like a strange mix, but it works. A unique experience. Nintendo DS; rated T for Teen
"Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction" -- If you haven't discovered this series, do it. Players control Ratchet and his robot sidekick, Clank, as they battle across an assortment of colorful planets, blasting enemies with a vast arsenal of upgradeable weaponry. The colorful visual style and humor add to the package. PS3; rated T for Teen
"Soul Calibur IV" -- The best one-on-one fighting game on the market gets better with the addition of "Star Wars" characters -- Yoda for the Xbox, Darth Vader for the PS3, The Apprentice for both. This game is equally fun whether collecting weapons and levels by yourself, or button-mashing with friends. PS3, Xbox 360; rated T for Teen
"Valkyria Chronicles" -- One of the deepest game-play experiences available for PS3, this strategy war game features a unique combat system, where tactical placement of your troops matters almost as much as their abilities. Beautiful hand-drawn visuals and an epic story round out this complex game. PS3; rated T for Teen.
"Rock Band 2" is without a doubt the best Christmas gift a kid, or maybe even an adult, could get this year. If you already have the instruments from the previous "Rock Band," you could avoid the hefty cost and just buy the game. The drums are wireless and much quieter than before, but the guitar is still not nearly as good as the "Guitar Hero" guitars. Even if you own the first "Rock Band," either buy "Rock Band 2" with the drums or price them out to buy the new wireless drums separately. Xbox 360, Wii, PS2, PS3; rated T for Teen
"Okami" -- A visually stunning game with a beautiful story, this will keep you enthralled for hours. As the white wolf, you must rid ancient Japan of enemy invaders. Use your brush to conjure up various weapons to defeat enemies. The brush also transforms the darkened landscape into beautiful trees, flowers and grasses. Wii's controls shine brightly here, allowing you to use your Wii remote as a paintbrush. The soundtrack is also interesting, and the story includes some unique characters and funny dialogue. It's also long, guaranteeing you'll get your money's worth. There's also a PS2 version. Rated T for Teen
"Grand Theft Auto IV" -- A video game for adults, it can be brutal at times, but that doesn't stop it from being one of the most addictive games ever created. Niko Bellic is destined for the big screen and hopefully "GTA" sequels. The best part of the game is that you choose Niko's destiny. Does he have a soul? Yes or no? You decide. With a massive city at your fingertips, this may be the best game released in 2008. Xbox 360, PS3, PC; rated M for Mature Miscellaneous and MMO
"Half-Life" -- This grand sci-fi adventure shooter just turned 10. Developer Steam now offers it for 98 cents. If you haven't played it, or if want to give a gift for under a buck that will get you a big "thanks," this is the one.
Steam bundle -- Should you happen to know a PC gamer who doesn't love Steam games already, spend less than $100 and buy them the company's entire catalog -- 22 games -- most of them very good. This includes the brand new zombie shooter "Left 4 Dead" ($50 retail), all the "Half-Life" versions, as well as "Portal," "Team Fortress 1 and 2" and a lot more.
"World of Warcraft" rules PC and massive multiplayer online gaming, but it doesn't stand alone. Its new installment "World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King," is well received and probably as addicting as the original game. Buyer beware, it is known as "online crack" for its addictive nature.
"Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria" -- It isn't exactly J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, but it's a pretty good approximation and a little more gentle than other games like it. It's really fun and deep with details. Turbine develops updates for the PC-only game, most of them free. Prepare to pay a monthly subscription fee, but it can become your entire game focus if you wish.
"Warhammer Online" -- War is in the title -- and everywhere else -- in this game that is a bit like "World of Warcraft" but with its own public battle feature. Yes it will drain your time, but it is an exercise worthy of some devoted leisure time.
Games downloaded and purchased online at Xbox Live's Arcade are never on store shelves and are usually cheaper, lighter and shorter than games from traditional outlets. Users need a high-speed Internet connection to purchase through consoles but no special subscriptions.
Portal -- This is a masterpiece no longer available only as part of the Orange Box collection but on its own at a cheaper price. However, it is virtually identical to the Orange Box version but with only a bell or whistle -- or two -- added. If you have it, skip this, but if you don't, stop depriving yourself. It is pure, gaming brilliance.
"Kingdom for Keflings" -- Developed by Utah studio NinjaBee, this downloadable game is the first to take Xbox's avatars directly into game play. While that is novel, the game is also fun and appropriate for the whole family. It's fun to play a giant in a developing village. Check out "Band of Bugs" while you are at it from the same studio. Accessories
Wii Zapper makes shoot-'em-up games more fun by locking and loading your Wii remote in this gunlike device. Pair it as a gift with "Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles" (rated M for Mature), the "Call of Duty" games (rated T for Teen) or any of the hunting games out there.
Nyko's wireless nunchuck for Wii -- Game-related gifts can also be hardware or peripherals that add to the gaming experience. Having a Wii nunchuck without the wires may seem a small thing ... until you use it. There are also great charging stations for wireless controls that will keep you from scrambling for batteries. Contributing: Larry Curtis, Charlie Craine, Ben Winslow, Layton Shumway, Lois M. Collins and Scott Iwasaki.
| Copyright 2008 The Deseret News Publishing Co. | |
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