You win or you die
Christmas is coming... actually, for gamers Christmas is pretty much here: the last month or so has seen more good games released than have been all year:
In other news HBO have started production of the pilot for A Game Of Thrones! As Sansa Stark would say: Fuck yeah!
- Fallout 3
The latest in the Fallout RPG series, set in a post-apocalyptic, alternate-earth USA. Full of 60's future technology and mutants. Pro's: Now in 3D! Interesting (and often gratuitous) combat system where you can play real-time like an FPS or switch to a limited turn-based system (kinda like Baldur's Gate). Immersive and detailed world. Con's: With an engine based on Oblivion's, it has more bugs than a bait store.
Get it if: you like to see eyeballs flying through the air after you shoot someone in the head with a shotgun. Or if you like patching. - Far Cry 2
A Far Cry sequel in name only, having pretty much nothing to do with Far Cry. Pro's: Africa is beautifully rendered, from the savannah to the desert to the jungles. Fire is awesome. Combat is great fun (partly because Fire Is Awesome). Con's: Driving around for hours to get to combat is not fun, despite the pretty scenery. AI is pretty dumb.
Get it if: you like setting things/people on fire. - Left 4 Dead
OK, so I'm judging this purely off the demo and online articles, but I'm confident from these that my pre-order was utterly justified. Valve's new co-op zombie shooter. Imagine you're in 28 Days Later with 3 of your mates, and you've got a shotgun. Pro's: Scary moments, thrilling moments, balls-out panic moments... An AI called The Director which controls how and when zombies attack - you can play the same level a dozen times and never play it the same way twice. Seeing 30 zombies charge round a corner and come straight at you is pretty incredible (and slightly pant-wetting); Shooting them in the face is fun too. 5 Special Zombies add to the terror. Con's: Well, haven't played the full game yet. Could be repetitive. Seems to be insanely hard on the hardest difficulty setting, but then, it's supposed to be.
Get it if: you like shooting things and don't have a heart condition. - Little Big Planet
The cutest game ever made? The PS3's Killer App? Joyful 2D platforming (done in 3D...), with the focus on creation and interaction. Pro's: Anything you see you can make yourself. 4 player fun - co-op to get rewards and finish levels, as well as (barely) competitive races and challenges, (and the facility to slap the other players around... if you know how to). Con's: You need a PS3?
Get it if: you have a PS3. Going out and buying a PS3 would fulfill this condition. - Multiwinia
Introversions long-anticipated multiplayer variant of Darwinia. Pro's: It's a ton of fun, a simple RTS crossed with a modern day Worms. Will give you warm and fuzzy Darwinia feelings, and the retro-nostalgia that goes with them. Potentially hilarious 4-player backstabbings. Con's: Only 4 players? It would be even better with 8. It's not the most balanced RTS... actually, it's not balanced at all. You won't be seeing it played competitively (but then again, that's not it's point).
Get it if: you have friends who enjoy a quick game of something occasionally - Rock Band 2
Well... it's Rock Band, what do you want me to say? Pro's: Rock Band with pretty much all the annoying niggly bits ironed away. With all of the original game's library of songs. And all your DLC. It's, like, totally awesome. Con's: Not so fun on your own.
Get it if: you have any friends. - Wipeout HD
The futuristic racer returns in full-on high-def. Pro's: The latest iteration of one of the best racing games of all time: Wipeout is arguably the reason Sony is currently an entity in the gaming world; this is the best rendition of the game to date (yes, it pains me to put it ahead of 2097, one of my all-time-favourite games). 8-player racing online, with a decent matchmaking system (unlike you, GT5P!). Dirt cheap: £11.99. Excellent soundtrack, which you can customise. Con's: One of the steepest learning curves you're likely to go up; this game is tough. On the other hand, they have introduced a new Pilot Assist feature to aid first-time pilots, which functions sort of like those bumpers you get in bowling alleys for 5 year olds - so yeah, you can use them but no-one will respect you :)
Get it if: you like adrenaline.
In other news HBO have started production of the pilot for A Game Of Thrones! As Sansa Stark would say: Fuck yeah!