So yet another year end and yet another holiday season. In our first part of “What you should buy this holiday season?” we take a look at some of the blockbuster video games which every Xbox 360 owner should own this holiday season. We have mixed it up with some of the early 2009 games along with some of the recently released games. So here goes:
Note: The games listed below are in no particular order.
Forza 3
Forza looks and sounds awesome. Car models are beautifully detailed and frame rate is constant throughout. Menus are slick and accessible. Audio is again top notch with great sound effects and licensed soundtrack is also amazing. Forza Motorsport 3 offers a mind blowing package overall which raises the bar high for racing genre in general. Simulation fan or not, this game is a must for each and every racing fan. Also there are not a lot of choices for the racing genre, yes we do have Need for Speed: Shift, but if you are a 360 owner than you should probably pick this up.
Assassins Creed 2
Assassins Creed 2 is one of those games which you have play regardless of what system you own. If you don’t have either the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3, it’s the best reason to buy one. Assassins Creed 2 is a major improvement from the original, featuring over 200 missions, Ubisoft have nailed it right this time. The amount of depth found in the game play is amazing. Folks do yourselves a favor and pick up this game now.
Borderlands
Borderlands can over come its short comings and is more fun than most other games you will play this year. It is a must by for those looking for a great co-op game and for those who love to shoot stuff, get loot and levels. If you’re on the border about Borderlands just go for it. What the game has to offer is worth your money, which is more than most games can say. Featuring tons of game play hours, 360 owners should not give this a miss. For me it’s the Fallout 3 of 2009.
Left4Dead 2
Left4Dead2 is a worthy addition to any gamer’s collection, whether you own the previous game or not. If you didn’t like the fundamentals behind the last game, then L4D2 is unlikely to change your mind, but the new additions make this an even more complete and feature-rich package than before. Whether you are a L4D loyal fan or novice, you owe it to yourself to pick up this excellent shooter. Left 4 Dead 2 is a game that you have to pick up if you are thirsty for some zombie shooting this holiday season.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
The single player story for Modern Warfare 2 is absolutely stunning. Infinity Ward has kept true to their style of game development by once again making sure you never leave first person view. I enjoy cinematic scenes, but the level of intensity that you get throughout the campaign whilst always being in first person view is great. Modern Warfare 2 is a direct sequel to Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, and picks up right where Call of Duty 4 left off. Modern Warfare 2 adds a lot more to the campaign than Infinity Ward’s last title, including graphics as well as unique missions that you should definitely experience for yourself. The graphics in Modern Warfare 2 are the best I have seen so far in a Call of Duty game while keeping it smooth with a constant 60 frames per second.
Halo Wars
If there was a lack of RTS games on the 360 than we have got you covered. Halo wars should just be the game for the RTS fanatics. Ensemble put a Halo timeline in the in the game that chronicles the time from a little before the story of Halo Wars to the brute takeover over the elites in Halo 2. Along with that there are things to collect in each mission along with skulls to obtain. Along with the co-op which adds a ton of time, there is also the multiplayer which lasts a long time as well. Overall, Ensemble could not have had a much better swan song. Halo Wars is the premier console RTS and the one that other developers will use as a blueprint for many years to come.
Batman Arkham Asylum
Batman Arkham Asylum is the type of game that once you start playing, you lose track of the time and hours have gone by before you realize it. Great graphics, sounds is awesome, action is nonstop controls are easy. Unlocking new gadgets just extends the fun and finding new ways to take down enemies is always a blast. All the classic comic book villains are here, Scarecrow makes a few appearances when Batman has a flash back to his childhood when his parents were killed. Quite easily this is the best super hero game you can play this holiday.
Halo 3: ODST
Halo 3 ODST may have originally began as an expansion, but the final product in some ways surpasses its predecessor. This new take on the universe will push the escapades of the Master Chief to the back of your mind as you focus on all of the excellent content this game offers. Of all the things Bungie did right in ODST, the most important is the characters. Sure the Master Chief is a great guy, but players who appreciate the story will come to care about the squad and its struggles. This emotional connection makes the story as strong as it is and makes it the best story they have told. ODST is the pinnacle of storytelling in a Halo game. All in all ODST is a game that no Halo fan should miss. This was easily one of the best Xbox 360 games released this year. So how can you afford to miss this?
