For anyone looking back over 2008's catalogue of titles, or looking to buy for a friend or a loved one, this guide covers all the top multiplatform games. There is something on this list for everyone – from the most hardcore of shooter fans to RTS enthusiasts – so sit back and discover some of the best gifts for this Christmas.
Christmas Buyers Guides:
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Battlefield: Bad Company
Release Date: Out now
Format(s): Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
Players: 1
Developer: DICE
Publisher: EA
The Battlefield franchise has been pioneering the multiplayer scene for years, and Battlefield: Bad Company introduces the Xbox 360 and PS3 to some of the best in FPS online mayhem. DICE's latest endeavour also includes a lengthy single-player campaign, with the misfits of Bad Company providing hilarious comic relief. Environments and buildings in Battlefield: Bad Company are highly destructible, so don't be surprised if an enemy charges though the wall you're standing next to.
Our review said: Bad Company's Frostbite Engine not only allows for some great explosions and deformation but has also allowed its developers to create an incredibly visually impressive world in which to follow the exploits of its band of misfit soldiers. It truly is one of the best looking games on the Xbox 360 currently out there. From a hilltop you can peer out at the surrounding landscape, its wooded areas cradling scattered enemy outposts in hills and valleys which all rendered beautifully and distant objectives can be seen regardless of how far away they are. [FULL REVIEW: 8.5]
Burnout Paradise
Release Date: Out now
Format(s): Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
Players: 1-2
Developer: Criterion
Publisher: EA
The Burnout series has provided some of the best in crash-and-bash racing, and Burnout Paradise is no exception. With an open world of sprawling roadways to explore, players can drive around Paradise City to their heart's content. The later addition of motorbikes and day and night cycles via DLC gives fans even more to do, so rest assured this investment will satisfy all potential rev-heads.
Our review said: Criterion Games has succeeded with Burnout Paradise and released a game that is not like any other Burnout title before it. A few minor flaws do hinder the game, but anyone who is after a great arcade fix should look no further than Burnout Paradise. [FULL REVIEW: 8.5]
Call of Duty: World at War
Release Date: Out now
Format(s): Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, Wii, Nintendo DS, PC
Players: 1-18
Developer: Treyarch
Publisher: Activision
Call of Duty: World at War returns the series to the trenches of World War 2 with the production values of every previous instalment. Players can venture through Pacific islands battling the Imperial invaders, and take the fight to the German capitol as part of the Red Army. The multiplayer is just as good, and a survival mode that pits players against zombies in Nazi clothing provides the icing on the cake.
Our review said: Call of Duty: World at War has all the necessary production values of an epic first-person shooter. Visuals, sound and gameplay have been developed to a high standard, and the single-player campaign may be described as cinematic. Multiplayer is solid as ever, and whoever thought of dressing zombies as Nazis is a genius. In the wake of Modern Warfare, World of War was always going to be in for tough comparison. The fifth Call of Duty game may not net the same following or create the same level of excitement because of its well-worn historical foundation, but it is still a solid addition to the library of WWII titles. Suit up everyone, duty calls – again. [FULL REVIEW: 8]
Condemned 2: Bloodshot
Release Date: Out now
Format(s): Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
Players: 1
Developer: Monolith Productions
Publisher: SEGA
The follow-up to one of the Xbox 360's launch titles, Condemned 2: Bloodshot returns players to the shoes of investigator Ethan Thomas. In the tradition of The X-Files and CSI, players must solve a series of confusing mysteries, all the while fending off a cast of deadly enemies. Despite getting lost in the crowd earlier this year, Condemned 2: Bloodshot is definitely worth a look.
Our review said: The longer you play, the more you'll come across some absolutely eerie moments in the game. As you wander throughout the game's levels you'll be presented with a dilapidated world with levels peppered with messages of death graffitied everywhere, walls dripping with oil and blood lining the path of your quest. Be warned, like its predecessor Condemned 2 is completely cloaked by an aura of fear. The designers have a fantastic vision of a world gone out of kilter. While Condemned 2 is by no means a perfect game, it does a wonderful job of presenting what works within a horror videogame. [FULL REVIEW: 8.5]
Crysis Warhead
Release Date: Out now
Format(s): PC
Players: 1
Developer: Crytek Studios
Publisher: EA
The original Crysis was arguably one of the best looking ever. Crysis Warhead not only looks better, but plays much smoother than its predecessor. The second game takes place as the same time as the first, but from the perspective of another character. There are plenty of enemy soldiers and aliens to outwit and outshoot, and while the single-player campaign is short, Crysis Warhead comes available at a friendly price.
Our review said: Warhead, much like the original Crysis, delivers a very intense and fast paced gameplay experience that constantly changes throughout the battlefield, with the changes being dictated by you. Your nanosuit allows you to do almost anything, and Crytek were wise to stick with the formula that made the original so good. That being said, Warhead is shorter and a bit more linear than the original, though it's far more action oriented than Crysis. The short length of the game is redeemed by the now much more functional multiplayer component however, and it's all at a budget price too. For fans of the original, Warhead is a must, with more weapons, thrills and action that caught your eye in the first place. For the price, Crysis Warhead is a highly recommended purchase, even if just for its unmatched looks. [FULL REVIEW: 8.5]
Dead Space
Release Date: Out now
Format(s): Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC
Players: 1
Developer: EA Redwood Shores
Publisher: EA
Sci-fi horror games have been done over and over, but surprisingly, Dead Space is one of the best additions to the genre in recent times. Players travel to a space station to unravel why its inhabitants have been disappearing, and are quickly confronted by a deadly foe. With no HUD, exploration is essential to gathering all the resources needed to flight the enemy. With gorgeous visuals and a terrifying atmosphere, Dead Space is defiantly alive and kicking.
Our review said: There have not been many quality survival-horror games since Resident Evil 4, let alone in this HD generation. However, in Dead Space you have the most intense and well-built horror game in recent memory. Sure, it may not be an original premise and have some debatable design choices but for those who are willing to take these issues into account and immerse themselves in the confines of the Ishimura will find one of the most memorable and impressionable gaming experiences of the year. And not to mention, one that nails just about everything that it tries. Dead Space is intense, intriguing, scary and most of all, will stick with you for some time to come. [FULL REVIEW: 9.0]
Fallout 3
Release Date: Out now
Format(s): Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC
Players: 1
Developer: Bethesda Softworks
Publisher: Red Ant
Welcome to post-apocalyptic Washington DC vault-dwellers; it been quite some time since your last visit. Bethesda's Fallout 3 is really a game to behold – the detailed story, player environment and character-building won't just appeal to RPG fans, but anyone with a brain. Nuclear shelters will be abuzz with Fallout 3 for many months to come, as fans discover the infinite number of possibilities available to players.
Our review said: Fallout 3 is a more-than-worthy successor in the illustrious Fallout series. There are few games which provide the level of immersion seen here, and the amount of time and effort which has gone into creating a believable, yet oddball, post-apocalyptic wasteland is astonishing. The game hasn't fallen too far from the Oblivion tree, which is not a bad thing at all. Overall, it's nowhere near as time-devouring as Oblivion, although it arguably has more replay value due to the karma system and the alternate endings you can unlock in the game. But if you like guns, explosions, super mutants and robots kicking miniature nukes as footballs (and really, who doesn't?) then prepare to give yourself over to Fallout 3. [FULL REVIEW: 9.0]
Far Cry 2
Release Date: Out now
Format(s): Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC
Players: 1-16
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Publisher: Ubisoft
Gone is the sci-fi twist and feral abilities. Far Cry 2 bears no connect to any of its predecessors, with players travelling to war-torn Africa in search of a weapons trader known as ‘the Jackal’. While there's an over-arching story to complete, there are countless side-missions and paths to the final endgame in this first-person adventure. Featuring an impressive open world, a powerful of arsenal of weapons and scheming buddies to mind your back, Far Cry 2 deserves much more than a cursory glance.
Our review said: [FULL REVIEW: Coming soon]
Grand Theft Auto IV
Release Date: Out now
Format(s): Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC
Players: 1
Developer: Rockstar North
Publisher: Rockstar Games
To the chorus of cries of joy across the world, Grand Theft Auto IV was snapped up quickly by critics and players alike upon its release in April. Graphics, sound and gameplay each earned a tick in their respective boxes, as players gunned and hooned their way across the latest incarnation of Liberty City as Niko Bellic. Thanks to its recent release on PC, the club of Grand Theft Auto IV owners is now growing quicker by the day.
Our review said: Simply put, Grand Theft Auto IV is the best game ever released in its genre, and is the new standard to which other open-world titles will be measured. Age permitting, this is a game everyone should have in their collection. It's by no means perfect, but it's addictive, entertaining, often awe inspiring, and will be remembered for years to come. [FULL REVIEW: 9.5]
Mass Effect
Release Date: Out now
Format(s): PC
Players: 1
Developer: BioWare
Publisher: EA
After last year's outing on the Xbox 360, BioWare once again proved their status as king of the role-playing genre with the modified PC version of Mass Effect. As an intergalactic enforcement officer, players travel across an immense galaxy to the tune of an engrossing sci-fi story. With an improved interface and better inventory management, Mass Effect on PC is much more than a straight-up port of its Xbox predecessor.
Our review said: In the interests of presenting a pristine and spoiler-free review, we're not going to provide any detail about what happens, who you are or why you're involved, but suffice to say that getting to the end of Mass Effect feels like having been involved in the entire first season of an excellent sci-fi TV show. It's stolen liberally from all the major players in the genre, owing a particularly large debt to Babylon Five, but it's just about original enough to stand on its merits. It's very much a TV level of storytelling, with all the pluses and minuses that come from spooling a story out over many hours. It took us a smidge over fifteen hours to play through the main story, pretty much ignoring all side quests along the way, and that felt like just about the right length. Any longer would have felt bloated, any shorter would have restricted the epic arc of the story. We get the feeling that completing every side quest will at least double the play time. [FULL REVIEW: 8.5]
Midnight Club: Los Angles
Release Date: Out now
Format(s): Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
Players: 1
Developer: Rockstar San Diego
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Racing fans are spoilt for choice this Christmas, and Midnight Club: Los Angles ranks among the best titles available. The latest addition to the Midnight Club franchise is an open-ended racer set within the confines of LA. Each included car or bike has its own nuances, and with hardly any loading times, players can delve straight into each race.
Our review said: Midnight Club: Los Angeles is a very good addition to the open-ended racing genre. While a little down on variety, totally lacking in the story department and housing an erratically frustrating difficulty, the whole aspect of keeping the player in the game has come off extremely well. The menus are easy to navigate once you get the hang of them and you're pretty much able to always be playing the game. Furthermore, the races are fast and will keep you at the edge of your seat and players who want to can customise their rides, both in terms of performance and aesthetics. Racing is unlikely to change to much, but the ease of accessing it in Midnight Club: Los Angeles is much appreciated. [FULL REVIEW: 8.0]
Mirror's Edge
Release Date: Out now
Format(s): Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
Players: 1
Developer: DICE
Publisher: EA
Have faith people, this game from the creators of Battlefield will have you running back for more. Mirror's Edge is best described as a first-person platformer, in which players speed through buildings and over skyscrapers to outrun the authorities. It's all about delivering the next package, while navigating the labyrinth of available paths. For something somewhat different, sprint home with Mirror's Edge.
Our review said: [FULL REVIEW: Coming soon]
Pure
Release Date: Out now
Format(s): Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC
Players: 1-16
Developer: Black Rock Studios
Publisher: Disney Interactive Studios
Pure takes off-road racers to new heights. The look of your All-Terrain Vehicle can be personalised, before taking it on some of the best dirt tracks ever seen. Pure strikes the right balance between performing tricks and finishing first, with robust controls and well-made roads. If you though the off-road genre was becoming a little dry lately, Pure will certainly change your perception.
Our review said: Pure is one of the best new IPs of the year. The trick system is simple to understand, the races are frantic and give you a real self satisfaction when you win them and the graphics are simply incredible. Most importantly though the gameplay is solid, even if the game is a little light on options. If you're looking for a filthy arcade racer then Pure will be right up your alley. [FULL REVIEW: 8.5]
Race Driver: GRID
Release Date: Out now
Format(s): Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC
Players: 1-2
Developer: Codemasters
Publisher: Codemasters
The folks behind Colin McRae: DiRT return with the next evolution of the car racing genre, Race Driver: GRID. Players can race from Washington DC to the streets of Europe in both classic and contemporary vehicles. With challenging AI, a detailed damage system and a ‘flashback’ feature for reliving races from any point, Race Driver: GRID is another top endeavour from Codemasters.
Our review said: Race Driver: GRID is a fantastic game and a title that any racing fan should have no hesitation in adding to their library. The racing genre is a crowded one, with titles like Forza Motorsport and Gran Turismo leading the pack, but with its incredible AI, fantastic damage system and unique flashback feature GRID brings enough to the genre to justify a purchase. Sure, there is no Australian content, but it will take most players about half a lap to forget all about the V8's... [FULL REVIEW: 8.0]
Saints Row 2
Release Date: Out now
Format(s): Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
Players: 1-2
Developer: Volition
Publisher: THQ
Set five years after the original Saints Row, Saints Row 2 returns players to Stillwater with the same mix of gangster style and open-world gameplay. You can pimp out the look of your character to just about any extreme, after which the story begins with a wildly entertaining jail-break. Saints Row 2 can be played entirely in co-op, so before staging your next rampage, make sure there's a friend minding your back.
Our review said: While it certainly may have its flaws, Saints Row 2 is outright the most entertaining open-world experience available. No game offers this amount of crazy fun, and no rivalling experience could pull it off with the sense of humour and exaggerated style that's on show here. There is still so much more to the game that we could not put in this review, because quite frankly, that would spoil it. There are so many exciting and hilarious discoveries to be made in the city of Stilwater, and with an interesting narrative thrown into the mix for good measure, it's easy to overlook the problems and just enjoy the core gameplay that Volition have put their heart and soul into creating. Consider the fact that the entire experience can be played with your best buddy online, and it's all just the delicious icing on the gangster-filled exploding cake. Open world action fans need not think twice: BUY THIS GAME. [FULL REVIEW: 8.5]
Sins of a Solar Empire
Release Date: Out now
Format(s): PC
Players: 1
Developer: Ironclad
Publisher: Stardock
Possibly the sleeper hit of the year, Sins of a Solar Empire garnished quite a following after is online debut in the first part of the year. A sci-fi strategy game set in outer-space, players choose one of three factions before building an empire and amassing forces to confront other civilisations. With detailed units, technology trees and a robust user interface, Sins of a Solar Empire is well on its way to achieving total solar domination.
Our review said: Sins of a Solar Empire is a big, audacious game that succeeds so profoundly that it deserves to be on every strategy gamer's PC, and warrants attention from those who might ordinarily run a mile from real-time or turn-based gaming. It's a wee bit early to be declaring PC Strategy Game of the Year, particularly since Starcraft 2 is waiting in the wings, but it speaks volumes that Blizzard's monster is going to have to be something really special if it wants to be anything other than second best in 2008. [FULL REVIEW: 9.0]
SoulCalibur IV
Release Date: Out now
Format(s): Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
Players: 1-2
Developer: Project Soul
Publisher: Ubisoft
SoulCalibur IV maintains the same SoulCalibur tradition of top-notch fighting gameplay, and of course, ridiculous costumes. There are plenty of familiar faces, but the SoulCalibur roster has opened up with the addition of Darth Vader and Yoda as playable characters, depending on the version you purchase. Online multiplayer has also been introduced, so SoulCalibur fans can battle it out around the globe.
Our review said: If you want a proper technical fighter to play on your shiny HD screen, then you really have not too many options. This is what makes Soul Calibur IV a welcome release, even if it doesn't really push the envelope. It's fine not to rebuild a successful formula, and while tweaks and changes are sometimes debatable, there is still room for improvement. Aesthetically, there's very little to fault the game, as it looks and sounds as good as you could possibly want it to and the online mode is certainly welcome. However, unless you're really going to utilise the multiplayer, the single player has a disappointing dearth of compelling content, though you're still forced to hack through it to unlock the good stuff. So overall, as far as fighting games go, your main choice with Soul Calibur IV revolves around which version you prefer, be it based on controller or character (though a blank spot on the character select suggest that latter won't be a worry), just don't expect the same kind of kick that came with the earlier titles. [FULL REVIEW: 8.0]
Spore
Release Date: Out now
Format(s): PC
Players: 1
Developer: Maxis
Publisher: EA
The latest creation from the mind of Will Wright, Spore begins off very small. After creating an organism, players guide their creature from petri dish to galactic supremacy. Carving out a place for your creation in the universe takes effort, but seeing the results of your actions is immensely rewarding. Spore is a delightful creation, with something for everybody to enjoy.
Our review said: Complaints about Spore's gameplay depth, or repetitiveness are surprisingly common. However, everyone might not be for Spore, but Spore is definitely for everyone. There's something in here that anyone could get real enjoyment out of - hardcore gamers and first time game-phobics included. Like the Sim series, it taps into our innate urge to create, and gives players just enough latitude and gameplay to really care about their creations. It's a case of the players really making the game. Though Spore presents, on its surface, the micro and macro of history and space, it's the micro of creation and the macro of community that make it great. [FULL REVIEW: 9.0]
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
Release Date: Out now
Format(s): Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Wii, Nintendo DS
Players: 1
Developer: LucasArts
Publisher: LucasArts
Ever fancied using The Force to tear something down? Well, this game allows you to do exactly that. Set between the two Star Wars trilogies, The Force Unleashed tells how the Rebel Alliance was created at the hands of Darth Vader's secret apprentice. With awesome lightsaber and Force-based gameplay, The Force Unleashed is the best Star Wars game in recent years.
Our review said: The Force Unleashed is an excellent supplement to the vast library of Star Wars games. The game authentically captures the look and feel of the Star Wars movies, with an intriguing story, polished visuals and excellent audio. Though not too deep or robust, Lightsaber and Force-based gameplay is still vastly entertaining. New technologies like DMM and Euphoria are not as ground-breaking as previously thought, and the secret apprentice's adventure seems a little short at around ten hours. Nonetheless, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed will satisfy fans of George Lucas' saga and anyone who has ever dreamed of duelling with a lightsaber. [FULL REVIEW: 7.5]
Tom Clancy's EndWar
Release Date: Out now
Format(s): Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS
Players: 1
Developer: Ubisoft Shanghai
Publisher: Ubisoft
Adapting strategy games to consoles has always been an arduous task, but Ubisoft has overcome the lack of a keyboard and mouse by integrating voice commands into Tom Clancy's EndWar. As one of three superpowers, players move units and attack the enemy with simple but recognisable voice prompts. The single-player may be a little light on the ground, but battling it out online is extremely entertaining. If you thought strategy titles were beyond your grasp, Tom Clancy's EndWar is the perfect staring point.
Our review said: [FULL REVIEW: Coming soon]
The Rest
In case all of the above titles weren't enough, there are just a few other games worth mentioning before you go out with your Christmas lists. First-person shooter enthusiasts can satisfy their itchy trigger-fingers with either the tactical Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 or WWII-era Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway. RTS fans can reign supreme with Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3 on PC or Sid Meier's Civilization: Revolution on Xbox 360 or PS3.
Sports fans will find solace in FIFA 09, while Unreal Tournament III provides top cannon fodder for LAN parties. Devil May Cry 4 mixes classic hack-and-slash action and stylish gunplay to deliver an excellent action experience, and finally, the best of the digital world can be found in both Mega Man 9 and Bionic Commando Rearmed.
Merry Christmas from all the staff here at PALGN, and happy gaming!
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