With the holiday season approaching fast, most of us are on our way to get some shopping done. Christmas presents are getting tougher and tougher to choose because of the huge quantity of products that are available. For the gamers in your family, you can narrow some of the choices down pretty easily by picking the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim title. As far as video games go, there really isn’t a better role playing experience available. Narrow down your video game shopping to one or two genres and do not forget to put Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim on the list!

Bethesda Softworks is responsible for the Elder Scrolls franchise and this latest edition is pretty spectacular. Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is a continuation of the Elder Scrolls saga and contains everything that a veteran player will appreciate from previous games.
The story begins almost two hundred years after Oblivion leaves off, so the progression is pretty severe. The Elder Scrolls universe is superbly detailed and filled with a variety of new additions. A brand new game engine makes this version super fast and definitely absorbs some of the previous glitches. Like the older versions of the game, action begins when you customize your character.
You then take your character right into a main quest that involves plenty of side quests for variety. Elder Scrolls has a distinctly western feel to it, making it a heck of a good time!

Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim has dragons. That’s right, it really does have dragons and you can battle them! That’s probably all you really need to know about the game! Dragons are one of the most requested items during any gaming critique and Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim provides dragons that are amazing!
The scenery is super diverse with mountains and deserts and even forests to navigate. The game is almost the same size as its predecessors, but contains a huge variety of new landscapes. There are five large cities and over 100 dungeons within the game, making it tougher than ever to complete your quests. Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim offers first and third person perspectives so you can choose your view. 

Spending a day immersed in the world of Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is the perfect way to get that aggression out! Between collecting weapons, exploring landscapes and battling dragons, you won’t have time to think of anything else. The game play is fast and furious and the graphics are incredible. For a role playing adventure game, there really is no better franchise than the one belonging to Elder Scrolls. This much anticipated and newest version of the game is well worth the wait and the money!

Rated M for mature, Dark Souls is not for the weak. This action role-playing game features gore and blood and even some partial nudity. Like its predecessor, Demon’s Souls, this is a scary game with spectacular battles and dark and creepy spaces.

Unlike Demon’s Souls, Dark Souls has an updated format with plenty of room to move. Beginning with your choice of characters, you design your player in this third-person role-playing game. You choose your class and then enter the Dark Souls kingdom. This wild world is filled with demons, zombies and gargoyles all willing to devour your soul. As you struggle to understand the world, a giant black raven carries you to its bleak center hub. From here you begin a journey that includes battles with giants and conversations with the nearly-dead. 

Role-playing games tend to take time to complete and Dark Souls is no exception. By the time you master a skill, the game has upped the stakes and sent you into an even darker place filled with scarier creatures. Online multi-player options increase the game play as you battle with other players across the real world as well as this fantasy world. Though the online capability is available, Dark Souls doesn’t cheat in the single-player mode version. You get a quality experience, no matter how you choose to play, making Dark Souls a rarity in the gaming world. 

Each battle unlocks new areas of the landscape, making beating those big bad-guys even more important than ever before. Be prepared to die a lot, because you will. Dark Souls is action-packed and graphics intensive. The movements are realistic and the fighting sequences are incomparable. Swords glancing off of metal shields clang and spark while blood flies on the battlefield.

Collecting souls allows your character to level up and there are plenty of “save” areas within the game. Resting at a bonfire saves your game and restores your character’s power, so there are options when you’re failing in a level. Dark Souls takes fantasy role-playing to a new and very creepy level with great graphics, tons of character option choices and so many bad guys that your head will spin!

Unlike the first Dragon Age game, where players are given the privilege to create their own characters, Dragon Age II takes us into the life of Hawke who escapes Ferelden and takes refuge in the neighboring nation of Kirkwall. The plot is centered on Hawke’s rise to become Kirkwall’s Champion through his journeys, upon which he is accompanied by other characters such as elves and pirates. The character of Hawke is customizable. Players can chose to have Hawke in female or male form, and they can select a profession—rogue, warrior, or mage.

The character may have changed, but everything else is still quite the same—dragons still aren’t friendly, and Darkspawn is still your biggest enemy.

As usual, Dragon Age II has the same exquisitely constructed storyline and smart and creative dialogue that keeps the game an interesting run. There are no moments of bore. You wouldn’t mind going through a good 20 hours of play time. The game is split into three different chapters of which your choices are most crucial and deserve proper consequence. But not all consequences make an effect so drastic so as to change the course of the game. Dragon Age II allows for a little bit of role-playing allowing more freedom in your course of action. Along with its tasteful voiceovers, the characters in the game have more depth in them. Their facial expressions are more defined and precise compared to how they were in the first Dragon Age. The games are also fast-paced and well choreographed. The musical score in Dragon Age II is also quite tasteful.

The thing with Dragon Age II is that no matter the developments it will always remain a shadow of its predecessor. It didn’t quite level or even go beyond Dragon Age’s magnitude of greatness. Well it’s a no-brainer that Dragon Age was a tough one to beat. The effort for Dragon Age II was there but it didn’t quite deliver. I mean, I bet everyone was a little bit disappoint to know that they could no longer create their own characters but instead have to deal with a pre-destined one.

Still, Dragon Age II is a good game, but the fanatics should lower down their expectations for this one. It didn’t quite deliver the anticipated shock factor that could’ve eclipse that of the first.

Controls-
Some of the primary features from the other games are here. The 3rd person view, open world but the controls are slightly different. Nothing impossible to get used to though. The car controls are very sensitive. The car moves on the slightest touch of the analog stick, your car will move a little more than you may have wanted it to. (UPDATE- After playing some more, I was able to experience more vehicles. Not all of the cars are as sensitive to steering as the one you start off with. Which I think makes the game better as the cars have diversity as they would in reality.) During the interrogations the it’s mainly just button prompts. All in all the controls work fine.

Gameplay-
As far as gameplay goes. This isn’t really action driven and it shouldn’t be. In order to solve cases, you have to interrogate and search for clues. The authenticity of those activities is amazing. There are shootouts and sometimes you may have to make the tough decision shoot someone but it does a great job of making you feel as you have to deal with that decision. They go a long way trying to make it as authentic as possible even making a black and white mode.

Sound-
I’m only 22 so I wouldn’t know how 40′s music was, lol. But from what I’ve heard in movies and older tv shows. It seems very authentic and gives you the vibe of watching a movie set in the 40′s. And the voice over work is very good with some great actors. It’s only complimented with the new technology Rockstar has used to portray the expressions and moods of the characters in the game.

I don’t want to make this review really long so I’ll end on this note. LA Noire is not going to be for everyone. It’s not heavy on action. I can almost compare this game to Heavy Rain. At time it feels as if you a playing a interactive movie. A really great one at that. Here you will be rewarded with a great game, story, cases and re playability when you want to try to do things right.

Throughout the journey you will collect experience points, rewards and money which will be required to proceed. The experience points will be converted into skill points to unlock three specializations for your character such as gunslinging and sniping. The money acquired can also be used for skill allocation.

Borderlands is available for single-player, two-player and multiplayer of up to 4 people (connected online via LAN).

For people who like too shot, they’ll be immensely satisfied with the loads they’ll experience in Borderlands. Borderlands showcases a good selection of guns and devices of alien destruction. There’s a lot of action going on in every area. What’s best is that the game allows you to add people into the party. Going on multiplayer campaigns actually actually works best for what the game was intended for. Plus the characters you get to play are very interesting and each have their own way about them. And with the skills points, you can have your soldier develop medic skills to become capable of healing teammates in battle.

The visuals are just as good as the meat itself. The artistry of Borderlands is very unique and tasteful. Although the setting is supposedly a lonely, barren desert in some weird world, the setting is very appealing and it makes the entire journey a feast for the eyes.

The only problem that can suck the fun out of the Borderlands experience is when you’ve got none of your buddies up to play with you. Borderlands tends to be a bit dragging if you’re playing it alone. Then you’d find your character consistently looking at the ground in case you come across something interesting or important. Such looting system can be a pain if you haven’t figure out a rhythm yet.

Borderlands is one game you’d like to invite your friends over and play for hours on end. It’s fun, exciting and action-filled. You’ll absolutely find no room for boredom.

While Red Dead DLC in the past has offered up some nice additions to its online portion – Tomahawks, horse racing, poker – none of them have really been game changers.

But the Undead Nightmare Pack comes with a brand new single-player segment as well as a new multiplayer mode.

Oh, and it turns everyone into zombies, which changes everything. How’s that for a bang?

Sure, it’s been done before. In fact at the moment it seems zombies are to games what vampires are to films and TV – you can throw them into anything and people are going to go at least a little bit nuts.

Rockstar’s got on the zombie train while the fever’s still spiking, but the Red Dead western zombie combo actually works really well in its own right.

You take control of John Marston after his wife and son, Jack, have been bitten by scabby old Uncle (scabby because he’s somehow become zombified). With them safely hog-tied, spitting and writhing behind a locked door, Marston goes out in search of answers and a cure.

First of all, the stuff you know. Undead Nightmare is set in the same sprawling environment of sparsely scattered little towns as the main Red Dead game. Except this time its that little bit bleaker because, you know, everyone’s dead and all that.

There’s a constant fog hanging over the land and heavy rain showers the most infected areas. The thick cloud allows for plenty of opportunity for that low sun that was so impressive the first time around to break through every now and then though.

You can also expect the same great voice acting and sharp dialogue from old friends (kind of) like Nigel West Dickens, Seth the grimy grave robber and his mate Moses – although he doesn’t say much any more.

The structure and flow of the DLC is the same as the main game as well. As you frantically dash from town-to-town, person-to-person, between clusters of flesh-eaters to find out what exactly is going on.

You’ll also run into side-missions in the form of missing people, random zombie attacks on loners out in the wilderness and overrun towns that could do with a helping hand.

Like the main game then there’s loads to be going at, hours in fact, although it’s hard to put a number on it because how involved you get is up to you. No time to save those few survivors standing on roofs shooting down at their once living friends and relatives? Just plough through the town and ride on cowboy.

If you do stop to help though you’ll be rewarded with some extra ammo (which runs out fast if you don’t loot bodies and crack open chests) and a safe place to sleep and save.

If you do decide to take on the horde (and we use the word “decide” lightly) your approach needs to be completely different to what it was in classic Red Dead.

You don’t need to be doctor to know that zombies aren’t going to hide behind cover popping their head up every now and then as an easy target, they just don’t have the balance. Instead you’ll find yourself dealing with the typical zombie swarm, getting all up in your space, clawing and gnawing at your face.

You’ll spend more time running and gunning than ducking and hiding then, in what’s a nice turn of pace in comparison to the main game.

We also found it efficient to get in close with the zombies every now and then, making use of that quick, execution shot Marston pulls off so well. A shotgun under the chin is predictably final.

Be warned though, you’ll soon find yourself overwhelmed and as the undead engulf you the increasing rumble of meaty footsteps is actually quite frightening.

It’s tempting to say that Red Dead Redemption is ahead of its time, but the reality is that this is a game of and for the times. Rockstar shows an uncanny ability to hold a mirror up to society and remind us that present day hot button issues like racism, immigration, federal government power and personal freedoms are not only nothing new, they are deeply ingrained in American society. They are forces that helped to shape America into what it is, and their inclusion in Red Dead Redemption gives it a sense of authenticity that videogames in general lack.

But rather than preaching politics at you, Red Dead Redemption puts you in the shoes of the relatively neutral John Marston. This former outlaw gone straight has found that history has a way of catching up with you. Those who were once his friends have now become enemies, leaving Marston alone and fighting for his future in a lawless land. It’s a setup that is almost cliche, but this is only the beginning of your adventure.

The storyline of Red Dead Redemption will take you all over a vast swath of countryside that straddles the border between the U.S. and Mexico. Along the way you’ll meet, assist, and spill blood with a fantastic cast of supporting characters as Marston attempts to set things straight. The characters are wonderful with top notch dialogue and voice acting — all good enough to make you feel a part of the world.

If there is any criticism I could level at the story, it’s that Marston occasionally feels divorced from the action, his motivations muddled as he is all too willing to help anybody that asks for it despite his own pressing matters. A simple, “I’m being made to do this,” from Marston is all you’ll get out of the protagonist for much of the game while secondary characters drive the tale along, which was a bit of a disappointment for me. This all changes towards the end, however, as Red Dead Redemption builds towards a shattering climax that is amongst the best I’ve ever seen in a videogame.

To explain in one word, this new game for the Xbox gaming console is simply “amazing”, and this game is extremely intensified and vigorous as there is lot more in stock for gamers than just completing the main quest line. Once you are done with the main quest line, the choices you make in the gaming session will determine the outcome of each and every phase. Moreover, the association of a faithful dog companion in the Fable 2 is truly an incredible part of artificial intelligence that will assist you to fight and locate treasures throughout the game.

Next, the customization is also a plus point, and significantly the option to swap into female in the gaming session might appeal to a few female gamers, who for so long craved for such customization. Furthermore, the female gamers will doubtlessly love the collection of diverse clothes and hair styles which is in store for them to choose from. Initially, you will find the graphics breathlessly amazing along with fascinating decals given to indoor as well as outdoor landscapes. One of the drawbacks of the Fable 2 game is the slow-paced loading speed. It might take up to 30 to 40 seconds extra, but it’s somewhat acceptable as the huge game that is fitted into such a small disk explains on behalf of the speed.

Nevertheless, the one button combat system offered by Fable 2 is indeed an incredible idea that fully assists the gamers to rapidly pull out a weapon and attack instantaneously. In my opinion, the Fable 2 actually outruns the original version of Fable, and I highly recommend this game for any occasion. Try it out!   

Mainly, as the name indicates, while playing the Assassin’s Creed the players will hold the total control of a talented assassin known as Altair and who is the member of a mystifying brotherhood. Now, the aim of the brotherhood is to locate 9 targets scattered in Acres, Damascus, and Jerusalem. However, the plot is twisted in zillions of ways before the assassin can take out the 9 targets. Assassin’s Creed doubtlessly proves to be an in-depth and breathtaking experience throughout the game.

The coolest part of the game is when you can potentially run and climb up the buildings anywhere. Great, isn’t it?  Well, for gamers there is lot more in stock.

The great thing about Assassin’s Creed is that the player can literally grasp the total control, meaning you have the liberty to do basically anything without any restrictions to obstruct your decision-making. Though it’s not like you are wandering around for hours doing nothing, instead you are guided towards your target. Basically as said, there are in total 9 assassins to catch, and approximately it consumes about 45 minutes to catch each assassin. It will take around 10 hours for an average player to beat the total game. In case, you are faster than average, then the game can keep you busy for 6 hours at least.

It is basically in two main ways that the Assassin’s Creed succeeds. The first way routed towards its success is extreme ability on the part of gamers to control the assassin’s action more efficiently. Secondly, the game becomes so breathtaking and adventurous, is because of the realistic surrounding that comprises the game. By now, Assassin’s Creed is one of the best Xbox 360 games available. If you also own a Xbox 360, then this game is a must buy.

In case you don’t know, Fallout 3 tells the tale of the vault dweller. A young man (or woman, if you’re so inclined) who is forced to leave Vault 101, a nuclear fallout shelter, and venture out into The Capital Wasteland. It’s been two-hundred years since the pinnacle of a world war and, at first glance, there’s no bastion of humanity left. Thankfully for us, that’s far from the truth. A large number of people whose ancestors weren’t lucky enough to have a spot in a vault or who left prematurely now call the Wasteland home and it is these people that truly make this nuclear desert feel alive.

In an attempt to prevent spoilers I’m going to resist talking about specifics in any of the plot lines. Just trust me, every major quest, especially the main-quest, is well thought out and is a blast to play through. Some have criticized the main quest for being too short (seasoned RPG vets could power through in less than eight hours, I’d imagine) but it shouldn’t be a point of criticism.

Yes, the main quest isn’t long, but it never feels drawn out either. Every new plot element that is introduced had me salivating for the next and everything flows beautifully. I never once felt exhausted by any quest, nor did I ever felt quests existed just to artificially lengthen the game. It took me just over 30 hours to finish the main quest at level 15 (of 20) and another 10 to 15 hours to max out my level and complete another handful of quests. And while I can comfortably say that I’ve finished the game I’m confident I could easily spend another 20 or so hours finding new quests, locations, items, etc.

After seeing the trailer way back in July I was impressed with how cool the VATS targeting system looked and was even more impressed after getting to experience it first-hand with my time with the game. I was, however, concerned that the slow-motion effect would grow tiresome after hours with the game but, thankfully, that’s not the case. The combat system, which consists of mixing real-time combat with the “turn based” VATS, as a whole is very well balanced and fighting never grows monotonous.

Bethesda gave so much attention to detail it’s not even funny. Wander into a museum in downtown D.C. And the plaques of the exhibits can still be read. Listen to the in-game radio stations and listen to the government propaganda ad nauseam or, my favorite, DJ Three Dog’s “Fightin’ the Good Fight” station, Galaxy News Radio. Or listen to the hours upon hours of recorded dialog of every character. Bethesda took their time with this one and it becomes immediately apparent upon playing the game.

There even seems to be some evidence of the government changing history before the nuclear war. Apollo 11′s lunar module seems to have been renamed Virgo II, with different astronaut names, to boot. The current president gives regular radio addresses but there’s evidence that no one seems to know how long he’s been president or if he’s even real. There are many of these 1984-like instances occurring and they may have been a requirement to make the game or it could be written like that purposefully to provide a bit of subtle back story. I prefer to believe the latter. Either way, if you take your time with the game it’s interesting to witness these things firsthand and will certainly make you think.

The game engine is obviously carried over from Oblivion and it still manages to look stunning. There are some issues concerning texture fill in, pop-up and slowdown but none affect gameplay at all. And while the game is technically impressive it’s the art design that really stands out here. The Wasteland actually looks like D.C. would, presumably, look after a nuclear war. Downtown is filled with partially destroyed, abandoned buildings, cities have been made out of leftover debris, empty metro stations and, my particular favorite as far as art direction is concerned, an abandoned aircraft carrier. Visuals are top-notch and, aside from the aforementioned problems, are immaculate.

Fallout 3′s audio, on the other hand, has absolutely no imperfections. Voice acting never comes across as stilted or forced. Being that the game takes place in 2277 with history as we know it ending in 2077 the soundtrack may seem a bit out of place considering it solely consists of music from the 1940′s but it works extremely well. There’s nothing like being involved in a firefight with terrifying super mutants while an old-time crooner sings love songs in the background. All aspects of the aural presentation are impeccable; sound effects, voice acting, soundtrack, everything.

This generation of games has delivered absolutely fabulous cinematic-quality titles. Bioshock, Gears of War and the Call of Duty series just to name a few. Fallout 3 easily deserves to be remembered amongst them. Not only that, but Fallout 3 deserves to mentioned in the same breath as all other RPG’s we’ve heard too much about: Final Fantasy VI, Chrono Trigger and Bethesda’s own Elder’s Scroll series. Fallout 3 is an absolute masterpiece, truly the pinnacle of Western RPGs, and deserves to be remembered as such.