The most classic and common perception of a gamer is a lonely 20 something male who wears black trenchcoats, sports an unruly beard, has no contact with girls and sits in a dark room almost 24/7 getting their gaming fix.  While this description really is almost laughable in it’s ridiculousness, it still exists today.  If your boss asked you what you like to do on your own free time would you happily offer up that you are looking forward to going home and playing Fable 2?  I guess it really depends on your boss.  But I think that many of you wouldn’t.  Even today, as gaming is literally exploding around the world, there are some very negative connotations associated with gaming.

For example, we’ve all read and heard the claims that violent games breed violence in those who play them.  Grand Theft Auto and games like Call of Duty are terrible for society.  Are they?  How are they worse than watching the latest Saw movie?  Have you ever seen how sick and twisted those are?  Are you telling me that a pixelated character is worse than watching an almost true-to-life execution on film of a real person?

I, for one, think it’s high time for those who look down their noses at gamers to take a few points into consideration.  Here are my reasons for why gaming is not only an acceptable pastime.  No, that’s not good enough.  These are reasons why gaming is a SUPERIOR pastime that doesn’t deserve the stigma that much of society has placed upon it.

1. Gaming requires you to use your brain - Why sit on your couch and watch the usual trash that you can find on tv these days?  Who cares if some new Midget Deathmatch reality show is starting next week?  How is watching tv more socially acceptable than playing a game where you are also on the couch and staring at a tv?  At least with gaming you are INTERACTING with something.  Your brain actually has to do something and many studies have shown that gaming is actually a good form of mental exercise.  Next time somebody makes a comment about your gaming habits, ask them how much tv they watch.  Watching tv is only socially acceptable because it’s a much older medium.

2. Gaming gives you better bang for your buck - This one is a no-brainer.  On a cost basis, gaming gives you far more entertainment value for your buck.  Going to the movies?  Ok, be ready to fork out over $10 just for the ticket and maybe much more if you want popcorn and something to drink with that salty snack (that’s how they getcha!)  I’ll be nice and say it only costs $15 to go out to a movie these days.  Let’s say then that the average movie is 2 hours, which is also too generous.  So, for $15 you are getting 2 hours of entertainment.  You are looking at about $7.50 per hour of entertainment there.

What then, if you bought a video game for $60?  That’s the average price for a new game these days and doesn’t take into account the price of used games etc.  Let’s say you get 10 hours of gaming out of a game these days (again, very low and that does not take into account online play and repeat playthroughs etc).  That means playing a game for only 10 hours gives you a total cost per hour of only $6.  That is being very kind to movies too.  Almost all games these days come with online and multiplayer components which can push the number of hours you spend on them to well over 50 and beyond.  At that point, the cost comparison becomes even more laughable.

3. Gaming today is a social experience - I always find it amusing when someone accuses me of being anti-social for choosing to play video games instead of going to their place to watch tv or a movie.  Generally, depending on how annoying your friends can be, watching tv and movies is done in silence.  Occasionally you’ll laugh or make a smart-ass remark or observation about something obvious, but tv and movies are medium that require you to sit still and pay attention.

What many don’t seem to understand is that with the new generation of consoles the gaming experience has evolved in to much more than just single player affairs.  The online communities built up by Xbox Live and the Playstation Network have attracted millions of people who regularly meet up to play multiplayer games.  Almost every game these days has cooperative play or multiplayer of some sort.  The thing about gaming that makes it MORE social than watching a movie or tv is the fact that you need to plan out strategy with your teammates or talk trash whilst thrashing them in Madden.  With gaming, you even get to meet some new and interesting people.

Because all gamers aren’t losers in their parents basements, you can have great conversations with people as you play something online.  I’ve met lots of cool people online while playing NHL 2009 and among them I can count lawyers, accountants, a marketing executive, a math professor and more government workers than you can imagine.   I learned more about New Jersey talking to a guy over the course of an NHL game than I would have learned watching a PBS special on the city.  Gaming isn’t social?  Whatever guy who can tell me everything about LOST and can never hang out on Thursday’s for fear of missing an episode.

4. Gamers still find the time to read- For whatever reason, many people believe that if you play video games you do so at the expense of reading.  Sure it can be at the expense of reading.  However, when someone sits down to watch tv they are also not reading.  Somehow, it is still more acceptable to watch tv for 4 hours after work than play video games.  I play games, but at the expense of watching GARBAGE on tv.  I still read as much as I ever did.  Maybe more.

So the next time your parents, girlfriend, boyfriend or friends give you a hard time about gaming (providing you aren’t overdoing it!) feed them any of these scenarios.  Fortunately for us gamers, the Wii has paved the way for everyone to accept video games and the stigma will likely die out in the next decade.  For now, you’ll just have to grin an bear it when you are buying that new game at Future Shop and the guy at the counter gives you those eyes that you know are telling you to  “get a life.”  It won’t be long before they are gaming too.  Just think how far behind those noobs will be when they finally see the light.

So why do you game?  These are just some of the reasons I’m a gamer, and proud of it.

Let’s face it, Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo are all in the business of games (yes, it is a business) to make money.  They wouldn’t be investing billions of dollars into research and development or financing massive marketing campaigns if it didn’t add to their bottom line.  If you look back to the start of this new generation it was widely accepted by “professional” analysts that the Xbox 360 and PS3 would be fighting it out for market supremacy and the less cutting-edge Wii would finish a distant last.  Wow, could those predictions have possibly been more wrong?  Today, the Wii is selling out to the point where Nintendo has trouble even getting enough of them into stores…and this is YEARS after the launch.  Meanwhile, the Xbox 360 has been hammered by technological problems (I think we all know the 3 red lights of death) and the PS3 is struggling to even stay competitive this generation despite putting out the console that won the HD format war with Blu-ray.

So what have we learned so far about this generation of consoles?  Well, for one, graphics and cutting edge machines that we gamers prefer are not the key success factors that Microsoft and Sony thought them to be.  Nintendo took an entirely different approach and instead opted for innovation and simplicity over technological prowess.  As a result, Nintendo has managed to capture a far larger market – the holy grail that Microsoft and Sony have been desperately aiming for since they entered the business.  Nintendo has won the hearts and minds of the mass market.  They have essentially created the “casual gamer.”   Sure, some “hardcore” gamers still own the Wii and play games like Mario Galaxy and Zelda, but the majority of Wii owners now are not in it for what can be considered a true gaming experience.  For example, my sister hates games.  She has always associated them with nerds, being dorky, wasting time and I could go on.  But now she loves the Nintendo Wii.  Wait a second, isn’t that a gaming system?  The other night she asked me if I had ever played Mario Kart.  I laughed in her face.  No wonder the Wii is able to churn out rehashes of all their old classics and watch them sell like beans before a nuclear war.  My sisters dramatic shift from game hater to Wii lover is by no means an isolated incident.  The other day, my boss suggested that we should think about getting a Wii for the office.  What!?  He’s a 62 year old man and the last person on earth you would ever expect to want a gaming system.  Of course, there was no mention or even an indication that he knew about the Xbox 360 or the PS3.  Nintendo wins again.

Does this mark the end for the hardcore gamer?

Ok, so Nintendo is winning this console war by a landslide.  Why is that a bad thing?  For starters, look at the people who are buying the Nintendo Wii.  It’s my friends mom, my sister, my 62 year old boss.  They love the idea of swinging a controller and “hitting” a ball, “bowling” and “boxing” just like you would in real life.  Right.  The problem is, in the traditional sense of the word, these are not video games.  They require almost no skill and little or no thought.  Sure, proponents for the Wii will scream that there is strategy and will show you how you have to move your arm so you bowl a strike every time.  Ok.  Great.  As I see it, these games offer no challenge, and thus, no reward.  As a gamer, I love games because they challenge me and force me to use my brain to overcome and solve a situation or puzzle.  That is what makes me a hardcore gamer.  I like the thought of playing a game that makes me actually think.  If it’s mindless, it’s no better or more stimulating than turning on the tv and watching some trash like the Hills or Night Court (ha!).  Hence, the term, casual gamers.  The Wii caters to those people that don’t want to play something they might not be able to win.  What it’s so frustrating now is because this casual gamer mentality is winning the console war (making the most money) for Nintendo.  Sony and Microsoft see that.  As a result, the “New Xbox Experience” and “Home” have been born.  As a gamer, I could care less about either of them.  Thanks to Nintendo, you can bet that you are going to see a lot more casual games, which I like to think of as games for babies.  My sister couldn’t play and win Braid to save her life.  My boss wouldn’t last 30 seconds in an online match of Call of Duty.  Why?  Because those games require actual skill and NOT EVERYONE CAN DO IT.

As Nintendo builds on it’s already huge momentum it’s clear that the Xbox 360 and PS3 are slapping each other for second place.  Nintendo has won the console war this generation.  There is no disputing that.  Both Microsoft and Sony have realized this and they are scrambling to make their systems more appealing to the causal market.  For traditional gamers, there is good reason to be concerned.  While hardcore games like Halo, Metal Gear Solid and Final Fantasy aren’t going away anytime soon, it’s certainly possible that MS Sports will be launched with some sort of motion wand that is also compatible with latest Harry Potter game.  And what about Sony?  They are undergoing a major internal evaluation of their entire business and that includes the games division.  Don’t laugh, there is a chance that the once might Playstation could go the way of the dodo.

Developers are by no means immune to the effects of the Wii’s dominance in the market.  They are in the business to sell games, and lots of them.  With the Wii garnering a huge percentage of the market share the amount of shovelware has increased tenfold this generation.  Even worse, efforts to attract more gamers to traditionally hardcore gaming experiences have already ruined some games.  A prime example would be the newest Prince of Persia.  I was a huge fan of the original game which offered great puzzles and challenging gameplay.  This generation, the latest Prince is so easy and holds your hand so much it’s laughable.  You can’t die?  Check.  Easy puzzles?  Double check.  I couldn’t even get through it.  I actually was screwing up because I’d hold the A button when I was wall-running when actually the game did that for me automatically (unlike the other games).   I felt like I wasn’t even playing a game.  I may as well have been watching the AI play through the game.   I just pray that other developers aren’t so quick to follow Ubisoft’s lead on this one.

You are going to see a lot more of this

Well there you have it, just a few of the reasons why the Wii is going to hurt hardcore gamers in the long run.  Why make difficult games that aren’t going to sell as well as the next Ponies game for the Wii?  Because companies must answer to their shareholders and are truly motivated by making the most money, why would they ever cater to hardcore gamers who are becoming a smaller segment of the market every day?  Until such time as there is evidence or indication that the Wii acts as a sort of gateway drug for people to move onto more interesting and challenging games, games are only going to get easier and more dumbed down.  If that’s the case, you can count on me dropping games for good.  When my brain decides it’s bored and decides to leave, it takes my body with it.

So how do you feel about the trend towars easier games meant for all players of all ages?  Are you happy to see more people playing games today?  What do you think is going to happen?

UPDATE:  Wow, right on queue.   Check out this HORRIBLE news story that is very much related to this artcle and confirms that Nintendo is paving the way for the almighty “casual” gamer.

Developed by Ironclad games and published by Stardock, Sins introduces real-time strategy into the tired “turn-based” space strategy game.  Sins is not your traditional 4x game: eXpand, eXplore, eXploit, eXterminate.  What Sins really boils down to is a combination of Master of Orion II and Homeworld with a dash of Starcraft seasoning to bring out the full flavour (or any resource gathering strategy game).  Essentially, in Sins you must build an empire of planets who in turn support your mighty fleet throughout the galaxy.  The more resources you are able to acquire and defend, the larger your fleets will become.  Throw in race specific tech trees, race specific capital ships, marauding pirates and unique artifacts that provide your empire with a competitive edge over the competition and you have a game that has an incredible amount of depth and infinite replayability.

Sins’ emphasis is on managing fleets.  Or maybe I should say armadas.  They are truly a sight to behold.  The space battles in Sins are epic and intense.  The ships and effects look amazing and there is something hugely satisfying about sending in your armada to battle the main fleet of the enemy…it never gets old. The beauty of Sins is the balancing act of trying to build the most powerful fleet possible while also defending your empire, expanding your empire, improving your technology base and managing diplomatic relations with the other empires that all have the same ambitions as you…galactic domination.

For a new intellectual property, Sins is an incredibly well balanced game.  You can play as three races in Sins: The Vasari, the Advent or the TEC.  Each race has different strengths and weaknesses and it’s fun playing any of them.  It will take a long time to decide which is your favourite, a fact that is a tribute to how well all three have been designed.  Do you go with the TEC who have the most powerful economy?  Maybe you want to master the Vasari who boast the most powerful ships in the game but are handicapped by a weaker economy than the other two races?  I’m still trying to pick my favourite after countless playthroughs.

What is a space strategy game without an online or multiplayer component?  It’s a shell of what it could have been.  Fortunately, Ironclad has built Sins with multiplayer online and it is as fantastic as it is addictive.  Taking over the galaxy at the expense of the AI is one thing, but watching your massive armada warp into your friends home planet and obliterate him and all he has fought for is one of the most satisfying moments in gaming.  It’s even great teaming up with some friends and taking on the AI on hard settings.  The possibilities, again, are endless.  In our time online we didn’t experience any lag and we were able to save games and return to them without incident.

One of the best reasons to support a game like Sins is because the developer will support gamers like you.  Stardock is one of the very best publishers around today in terms of community and game support.  I’d go so far as to say that they are becoming more like Blizzard with every new game they release.  They are frequently responding to community concerns, comments and ideas and the game has already received several updates that have improved the graphics, online play and balancing issues.  Administered through Stardock’s own game manager Impulse, the updates are easy to install and ensure the game can be updated by even the most timid PC user.  My Mom may still have difficulty though.

In fact, the commercial success of Sins has been so great so far that there are already four planned expansions coming to the Sins universe.  Rest assured, once you have played this game to death there is going to be plenty of fresh new content coming to keep it smelling fresh.  I’m particularly excited for the Entrenchment expansion that has been released already in beta form and you can read more about here.

The Good:
+ Great balance between races
+ Fantastic graphics that run at achievable specs for once
+ Infinite replayability
+ Strong developer support
+ Fun and exciting multiplayer

The Bad:
+ Bit of a steep learning curve – be sure to use the tutorials to get your empire started on the right foot
+ Some players may be turned off by the “real time” nature of the game (some in the MOO camp may wish for the “next turn” button)

The Verdict: BUY IT

On balance, Sins of a Solar Empire is one of the best PC games I’ve played in ages.  It looks great, plays great and you will never have the same game twice.  It’s fun against the AI or playing with friends or strangers online.  Like the good old days of MOO II, this game will keep you up into the earlier hours of the morning when you wonder what you are really doing with your life.  Even without the “next turn” button, Sins will have you waiting to build that next capital ship, capture that enemy planet or research those new phased shields to upgrade your fleet.  The developer support on this game is matched only by the best in the business and Sins is guaranteed to only get better through continual updates and expansions.  If you are a fan of space strategy games you owe it to yourself to get this game.  You won’t regret it.

Here’s where the Christmas wishlist comes to the rescue.  We’ll help you sort through the trash to find the treasure. We aren’t even going to bother taking into account the games that came out prior to September of this year.  If you have missed out on games like Metal Gear Solid 4 and Grand Theft Auto 4, maybe this list isn’t for you.

Obviously everyones taste is different and the types of games people like to play varies dramatically.  However, in this list you’ll find the best of what is on store shelves leading up to Christmas in 2008.  In our opinion, none of these titles should be missed.  Hopefully you aren’t a Wii gamer though…the pickings are mighty slim this year.

Here are the top games I think should be on any gamers list for Christmas 2008 (excluding DS and PSP):

Fallout 3 (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

What this game is all about: Vault-Tec engineers have worked around the clock on an interactive reproduction of Wasteland life for you to enjoy from the comfort of your own vault. Included is an expansive world, unique combat, shockingly realistic visuals, tons of player choice, and an incredible cast of dynamic characters. Every minute is a fight for survival against the terrors of the outside world – radiation, Super Mutants, and hostile mutated creatures. From Vault-Tec, America’s First Choice in Post Nuclear Simulation. Vault 101 – Jewel of the Wastes. For 200 years, Vault 101 has faithfully served the surviving residents of Washington DC and its environs, now known as the Capital Wasteland. Though the global atomic war of 2077 left the US all but destroyed, the residents of Vault 101 enjoy a life free from the constant stress of the outside world. Giant Insects, Raiders, Slavers, and yes, even Super Mutants are all no match for superior Vault-Tec engineering. Yet one fateful morning, you awake to find that your father has defied the Overseer and left the comfort and security afforded by Vault 101 for reasons unknown. Leaving the only home you’ve ever known, you emerge from the Vault into the harsh Wasteland sun to search for your father, and the truth.

Why you should play it: Where to even begin with this game?  For anyone that lost themselves in Bethesda’s last western RPG Oblivion, this game is going to own you.  It is essentially Oblivion with guns…and that is a very good thing.  The atmosphere in this game is simply incredible and the branching story that changes depending on your actions begs for the game to be replayed.  If you only buy one game this holiday season, make it Fallout 3.  It is the best game of the year.  Period.

Gears of War 2 (Xbox 360)

What this game is all about: Gears of War 2 builds upon the gameplay of the first title in every way. First, the scope of the action is bigger: new characters, more weapons, nastier enemies, bigger vehicles, and grander locales offer more action, more emotion, and more thrills. Next, every major aspect of the game has been refined to create heightened, more immersive experiences. Finally, the overall tone of Gears of War 2 is more badass: replete with new weapon-specific executions, chainsaw duels, and shocking boss fights. Gears of War 2 raises the graphics bar for next-generation games through its breathtaking visual effects, which are made possible through advances in Unreal Engine 3. New visual effects include ambient occlusion, dynamic shadows, improved character lighting, the ability to render hundreds of on-screen characters simultaneously, improved water physics, additional blood and bullet decals, advanced destructible environments, new weather effects, and the introduction of fluid objects. When combined with the sweeping vistas and evocative locales in the world of Sera where the Gears of War 2 story unfolds, these additions help make this the most gorgeous game available this generation. Gears of War 2 continues to push deep, immersive storytelling in video games to greater heights. Humanity’s epic battle for survival is felt on both the personal and epic levels as you explore multiple story arcs that introduce new characters and flesh out the histories of familiar ones. A new in-game conversational camera system also helps bring the compelling story to life in a cinematic fashion.

Why you should play it: Gears 2 surpassed our expectations in every way.  Not only is the game beautiful to look at, it’s incredibly fun to play.  With more varied gameplay throughout the main campaign (and an actual story this time around), Gears really is bigger and more badass.  Cliffy B really nailed it with this game and playing through the coop campaign was some of the most fun we’ve had this year with a game.  Throw in some great multiplayer and a new mode called “the Horde” and you have a game well worth your time and money.

Dead Space (Xbox 360, PS3)

What this game is all about: In the bold and often-bloody Dead Space gamers step into a third-person sci-fi survival horror experience that delivers psychological thrills and gruesome action. Set in the cold blackness of deep space, the atmosphere is soaked with a feeling of tension, dread and sheer terror. In Dead Space, players step into the role of engineer Isaac Clarke – an ordinary man on a seemingly routine mission to fix the communications systems aboard a deep space mining ship. It is not long before Isaac awakes to a living nightmare when he learns that the ship’s crew has been ravaged by a vicious alien infestation. He must fight through the dead silence and darkness of deep space to stay alive.

Why you should play it: For many years the Resident Evil series has been the preeminent 3rd person horror game to buy.  That all may have changed with the arrival of EA’s newest intellectual property, Dead Space.  Set aboard a mining ship in deep space, this game creates an excellent atmosphere of fear and desperation.  The graphics are top notch and the gameplay feels intuitive.  Adding to the fun are some great weapons and a new dismemberment mechanic that never seemed to get old.  If you are a fan of Aliens, this game is for you.

Fable 2 (Xbox 360)

What this game is all about: Set 500 years after the original, Fable II provides gamers with an epic story and innovative real-time gameplay, including a massive amount of freedom and choice to explore a vast collection of dungeons, catacombs and caves in the world of Albion. Fable II expands upon the scope and depth f the Xbox classic by adding incredible new features and creating a wider, more complex kingdom of limitless choices and consequences. Players have the option to play as a man or woman, get married, have children, and live a life of their own design. Revisit the sprawling world of Albion more than 500 years after the events of the original Fable, where you are free to explore the landscape and openly roam the countryside. For the right price every house, hut, dungeon and castle is for sale. Players can witness how the world grows and changes in response to their decisions in incredible and unique ways as they rediscover Albion as if for the first time. Fable II pioneers a new combat system designed to allow players to truly master hand weapons such as swords and maces, ranged combat weapons such as cross-bows and guns, and an entirely new magic system. These three disciplines, while very accessible, are also amazingly deep, and allow players to mix combat styles and become everything from master swordsman to skilled ranger to evil magic welder, utilizing a single button on the Xbox 360 controller.

Why you should play it: As huge fans of the original Fable, we went into Fable 2 with high hopes and expectations.  We are happy to report that they have almost all been met by this excellent RPG.  The “one button combat” works really well is fun to play the whole way through.  With loads of side quests, great British humour and even your own dog (that you actually will become attached to) this game will keep you occupied for hours.  And then you’ll play it again to see what happens when you do things differently.

Little Big Planet (PS3)

What this game is all about: In LittleBigPlanet Players meet on a blue and green planet scattered with individual plots – and use their character’s amazing abilities to play, create and share what they build with other gamers throughout the world via the Playstation Network. The LittleBigPlanet experience starts with players learning about their character’s powers to interact physically with the environment. There are places to explore, creative resources to collect and puzzles to solve – all requiring a combination of brains and collaborative teamwork. As soon as players begin their creative skills will grow and they will soon be ready to start creating and modifying their surroundings – the first step to sharing them with the whole community.Characters have the power to move anything in this glued and stitched-together 3D landscape; they have the power to design, shape and build both objects and entire locations for others to view and play. There’s no complicated level editor; all of these skills can be learned by simply playing the game. Creativity is part of the gameplay experience and playing is part of the creative experience. Players can make their world as open or as secretive to explore as they like. When it’s ready, they can invite anyone within the LittleBigPlanet community to come and explore their patch – or can go and explore everybody else’s.

Why you should play it: Think of LBP as the game that keeps on giving.  While essentially a platforming game, LBP is a game unlike any other.  The main “campaign” is a cleverly designed to teach you how to use the tools and assets provided (and there are many) to create and design your own levels.  Where this game really shines is in the user generated content that just keeps on flowing.  With the ability to play literally thousands of levels and an online community that is rapidly expanding, LBP is a game that is going to have something new to offer every time you turn it on.  If you are really into the creation mode, it is safe to expect that this game will consume your every waking moment and thought.

The Witcher Enhanced Edition (PC)

What this game is all about: Assume the role of The Witcher, Geralt, a legendary monster slayer caught in a web of intrigue as he battles forces vying for control of the world. Make difficult decisions and live with the consequences in a game that will immerse you in an extraordinary tale like no other. The Witcher shatters the line between good and evil in a world where moral ambiguity reigns. The Witcher emphasizes story and character development in a vibrant world while incorporating tactically-deep real-time combat like no game before it

Why you should play it: The Witcher is one of those rare games that takes RPG’s to the next level.  Featuring a mature storyline, interesting characters and a fun combat system, the Witcher is a game that all RPG lovers need to experience.  With the enhanced edition, you now get far better loading times, improved graphics, a rewritten story and hundreds of other tweaks that improve upon the original game in every way.  This oft-overlooked gem is a must play for any hardcore RPG fan on the PC.

NHL 2009 (Xbox 360, PS3)

What this game is all about: NHL 09 builds on the momentum of last year, with innovative controls, added depth and new features designed to help newcomers jump into the series. The Skill Stick System evolves to bring an unparalleled level of control to the defensive side of the puck. The all new Defensive Skill Stick gives you the ability to sweep your stick to block passing lanes and lift an opponent’s stick to prevent one-timers. Take your game online with 6 vs.6 team play, where 12 people can play together on 12 different consoles around the world. With new teams from the Russian, Czech Republic and German Elite leagues, NHL 09 connects hockey fans around the globe like never before. Players new to the series can now shoot, pass and check with ease. NHL 09 features Be A Pro, a game mode that puts you on the ice with a dynamic new 3rd person camera that allows you to play the role of one player. With a performance tracker grading your progress in more than 50 categories, you know exactly where you need to improve to become the next NHL superstar.

Why you should play it: NHL 2009 is the best and most exciting sports game to be released in 2008.  the great controls, fluid gameplay and incredibly deep online experience also make this the best NHL game to ever be released.  The new “be a pro” mode is highly addictive and you’ll spend hours trying to get your player onto that top line with Alexander Ovechkin and Alexander Semin.  If you are a sports fan you need to think about this game.  If you are a hockey fan, you MUST buy this game.

Left 4 Dead (Xbox 360, PC)

What this game is all about: Fight together…or die alone. A new and highly virulent strain of the rabies virus emerges and spreads through the human population with frightening speed. The pandemic’s victims become grotesquely disfigured, wildly violent psychopaths, attacking the uninfected on sight. One of the “lucky” few apparently immune to the sickness, you, unfortunately, are also trapped in a city crawling with thousands of the bloodthirsty Infected. Together with a handful of fellow Survivors, you must fight your way to safety or die alone. A co-operative multiplayer action game from the makers of “Counter-Strike,” Left 4 Dead is built atop the most advanced version of the Source Engine and introduces version 2 of Turtle Rock’s artificial intelligence (A.I.) technology.

Why you should play it: For the multiplayer/zombie nut, this game is for you.  There is probably no better example of a perfectly executed online multiplayer game right now.  The action is fast and frenzied and the excitment never seems to fade.  Jump online with 3 of your friends to tackle the campaigns and get ready for some fist pumping.  There isn’t much more exciting than overcoming some horrible scenario the AI Director (the AI adjusts to your style of play and constantly turns the game on it’s head, sending you into a full-blown panic) throws at you.  Despite the relatively short length of the campaign, with the adaptive AI, intuitive controls and fantastic multiplayer, Left 4 Dead will have you coming back again and again.

Honourable* Mentions:

This is truly an amazing time to be a gamer.  There are so many great games that you could fill every hour of the day playing them and not get through them all.  Games that just missed making the list are:

• Call of Duty: World at War (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)
• Prince of Persia (PS3, Xbox 360)
• Mirror’s Edge (PS3, Xbox 360)
• World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King (PC) – If you are a WOW fan…this is already likely your #1
• Resistance 2 (PS3)
• Far Cry 2 (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)
• Valkyria Chronicles (PS3)
• Tomb Raider Underworld (PS3, Xbox 360)
• Tom Clancy’s End War (Xbox 360, PS3, PC)
• Guitar Hero World Tour (PS3, Xbox 360)
• Rock Band 2 (PS3, Xbox 360)
• Motor Storm: Pacific Rift (PS3)
• Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe (PS3, Xbox 360)
• Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts (Xbox 360)

There you have it.  There are a TON of games out there this year and there is something for everyone.  Whether you want to be wandering a futuristic wasteland that has been ravaged by nuclear war, create levels with your friends with cute Sackboys, survive wave after wave of the locust Horde, fend off zombies with your friends or slap a few pucks top shelf on your friends, you are going to be a very happy gamer this holiday season.

Enough about what we think.  What do YOU think are the must have games this holiday season?

*thanks for reading this asterisk

Once again, Microsoft has screwed Canadian gamers with the news that the biggest and most hyped feature of the NXE won’t be available in Canada.  That feature is access to Netflix, an online service that allows users to stream over 12,000 movies and television shows from their PC straight to their Xbox.  That’s right, you will only be able to use the Netflix feature if you live in the U.S.   What is even worse though, is that there are currently NO PLANS to extend the Netflix service to Canada.

An Xbox news release claims that “The New Xbox Experience offers more online entertainment from one remote than you can find from any device that connects to the television.”  Sure, great, but only if you don’t live in Canada.  Thanks Microsoft.

So, instead of getting the full “new experience” that Microsoft has been marketing like crazy, Canadian will have to settle for silly Avatars (think Nintendo Miis) and a new dashboard interface.   Basically, this update provides nothing of any value unless you live in the US.  It will be very interesting to see what great new features Microsoft rolls out in the coming months that also completely ignores Canada.  I have a feeling it will be a lot.  If I were Sony, now is an opportune time to show a commitment to gamers in Canada who have clearly been ignored or brushed aside as an insignificant part of the Xbox “community.”

Well fellow Canadians, are any of you as pissed off as I am?  Are you sick and tired of being ignored by Microsoft?  Frankly, I think Microsoft has clearly demonstrated which gamers they really want to appease…and it’s not us.  It’s the US.

To begin my stroll back through time I began with Resident Evil 4.  Lately there has been lots of press and excitement about the next iteration, Resident Evil 5, so I wanted to see why I should perhaps be getting more excited for it later this year.  Not only that, the game was clearly good enough to warrant a full port over to the Wii after already being ported from the Gamecube to the PS2.  To set the stage, I played the game on my PS3 and turned up all the settings in the options menu.  So the question is, does Resident Evil 4 still hold up today?  Let’s find out.

Despite the fact that the game doesn’t run in HD I found the visuals to be very impressive.  The environments are diverse, the animations for characters are excellent and the cutscenes blend seamlessly into the gameplay mechanics.  In fact, the overall visual experience this game creates is so well done that playing at night is a

genuinely scary experience…especially when you are low on ammo and there is a chainsaw wieilding maniac hell-bent on removing your head from your body.  However, due to the fact that the textures are not in high res, there are some areas where the game looks grainy, most notably the starting village area.  This isn’t a dealbreaker though.  Once you settle into the game you will hardly even notice that it isn’t running in HD anymore.  Further enhancing the immersion into Resident Evil 4 world is the superb sound design and moody music which goes a long way towards turning the creep factor up to level 10.

Surprisingly, I found the story in Resident Evil 4 to be really good.  I expected to find a run of the mill zombie tale ala every George A. Romero flick.    However, the story proved to be far deeper than I anticipated,  taking Leon and Ashley (the daughter) through tons of interesting plot twists throughout the 26 hours it took me to complete it.

But even a great looking and sounding game is nothing if the gameplay doesn’t hold up.  Fortunately, the gameplay in Resident Evil 4 was similarly excellent and only takes about 30 min to get accustomed to.  The controls work well in close quarters and for ranged combat while the 3rd person works perfectly in this setting.  Fans of Gears of War will feel right at home here…minus any kind of cover system of course.  A major part of Resident Evil 4’s gameplay also relies on “quick time” events that are scattered throughout the game and are very reminiscent of the God of War franchise.  Overall I thought they were very well integrated into cutscenes and gamplay, forcing me to be on my toes at all times…the game never lets up.  True, I died a lot, but it was still fun and it never felt cheap.

On balance I was very impressed by Resident Evil 4.  While the visuals certainly don’t match today’s high standards, the gameplay, atmosphere, characters, story and replay value (and believe me there is tons) make Resident Evil 4 a must own.  I actually enjoyed playing it more than several “next-gen” games that are currently out there and it has definitely put Resident Evil 5 onto my radar. For anyone out there that balks at the notion of playing “old” games you need to give this one some serious consideration.  It puts most “next-gen” PS3 games to shame and I enjoyed every minute of it.  At only about $20 now, Resident Evil 4 is simply too good to pass up, even today.  For any survival horror fan, this is a must play.

I’ll leave you with a taste of what Resident Evil 4 has to offer. **warning, contains spoilers!**

The drop comes from the boss Tenris Mirkblood in Karazhan. Once equipped, the Arcanite Ripper can transform you into a skeletal rock star. Check out the video of the Arcanite Ripper in action below as you can see from the video it will turn you into a Guitar Hero playing a skeleton-like ax.

Now that Blizzard and Activision have merged into one huge super company…it’s a safe bet we’ll be seeing more weird crossovers like this in the future.

Sins of a Solar Empire has been a huge hit since its release this year and the expansions will no doubt add lots of replayability to the game.

Sins of a Solar Empire has provided PC gamers with RT4X gameplay that requires players to eXpand, eXplore, eXploit and eXterminate. In Sins of a Solar Empire the future survival of the human race is at threat, with three mighty races fighting over control of the galaxy. Players have the opportunity to command one of these three races and attempt to survive and dominate the galaxy. Your success depends on your ability to govern your empire and to command your space navy. To succeed in Sins, a carefully balanced combination of diplomacy, economics and military might are required to become the Master of the Universe.

The first expansion, entitled “Entrenchment” will include:

• Star Bases, which can be customized and upgraded over time;
• Race specific Star Bases which will have a unique variety of upgradable characteristics. The ability to upgrade your Star Bases is limited so players will have to think strategically and plan carefully!
• The number of Star Bases each gamer can control will now be limited by a new research feature
• More Star Base goodies both race specific and generic;
• Mine field designs specific to each race and essential for hindering and endangering enemy forces;
• More types of mines;
• More defense systems both race specific and generic;
• New artifacts and planet properties;
• And much more.

The expansion “Entrenchment” for Sins of a Solar Empire will be available via download at the online platform Impulse soon for 4x fans to lose themselves with this Christmas.

For anyone unfamiliar with Wipeout or the upcoming PSN exclusive title Wipeout HD here’s a bit of a rundown on what to expect.  It’s essentially a futuristic racer (think F-Zero from back in the day) that has you fly down tracks at supersonic speeds while blasting opponents away with high-tech weapons.  Wipeout is recognized today by its techno/trance soundtrack, futuristic visual style and incredible sense of speed.

Wipeout HD, as the name implies, brings full blown 1080p resolution and 60 fps (don’t know what that means? Check the Gamers Glossary!) to the franchise for the first time.  Simply put, the game is gorgeous.  The games visuals are actually so amazing that they had to delay the release of the game due to epilepsy concerns!  Yes, it’s true.  The game was running so fast, with so many colours and in such high resolution that it had to be toned down a bit in order for it to be safe for release to the general public.  Wow.  Am I the only one that wishes the epilepsy version could be released as well??  For a great video comparison to see how the original version was changed so it could pass the tests click here.

If you want to know why you should be excited for this game check out the video below.  The game offers 16 unique tracks and online multiplayer too.  Anyway you slice it, this game is going to be an incredible deal and something that all PS3 owners should be eager to see finally make it onto the console.