With the holidays just around the corner – or passing for those who celebrate Chanukah – everyone is trying to find that perfect gift. However, if that perfect gift is a video game, it may be a little difficult to determine just which game from 2012 or 2011 to choose. Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 and Assassin’s Creed III are great choices, but also rather expensive. Instead, here are some games in the $30 to $50 range that are definitely worth having.

Sleeping Dogs is a game that is available for PC, Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. In this gritty drama the player is Wei Shen, an undercover cop in Hong Kong, who is trying to take down a gang known as the Triads from the inside. However, in order to gain trust and climb his way up the Triad ranks, Wei Shen must take part in their criminal activities. Throughout the game the player is able to explore the city of Hong Kong both on foot and through driving vehicles. Sleeping Dogs got an average 9.2 rating out of 10 on Gamestop’s website.

Resident Evil 6 is the latest incarnation of the zombie-ridden video game series and can be purchased for PC, Xbox 360 or Playstation 3. Several things have been changed since the previous games. There are several new characters, four new ones in total, with two recurring characters: Leon S. Kennedy and Chris Redfield. Additionally, the location and scale of the game has changed. Now, instead of being limited to one location the gameplay is global, taking the players to North America, Europe, and China.

Resident Evil 6 has great co-op opportunities – just as Resident Evil 5 did – so that two players can play together both online and offline. This feature is a definite benefit since the zombies are now more agile and able to use weapons, making them even more of a threat. Additionally, mutant creatures will be formed by the outbreak of the C-virus, creating more unpredictability. Ultimately, the game has gotten bad reviews but there are many new features and it is the next part of the franchise.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is also the most recent game in its franchise, but it has gotten excellent reviews ever since its release in 2011. This incarnation is set 200 years after Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, and much has changed in the world of Tamriel, both in the story and in game play. Skyrim has a new combat system, new graphics, and a whole open world to explore. The player can also affect the direction of the story; if the player kills an important character that character’s family will try to hunt him or her down, giving the world a very realistic spin. Playing Skyrim is like having another life in a magical world. Skyrim can be purchased from Gamestop, pre-owned for the Playstation 3 or Xbox 360.

Another fantastic game that some players may have regrettably missed is Batman: Arkham City. This game is available on PC, Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 and has gotten incredible reviews. Similar to Skyrim, this latest Batman video game allows the player to explore an entire city while also fighting several different enemies such as the Joker, the Riddler, and Harley Quinn. The gaming world in Arkham city is five times the size of the previous gaming world in Batman: Arkham Asylum. With a 10 out of 10 from ‘Game Informer’ and a 9.4 out of 10 from GameStop customers, this game is a can’t miss for any gamer.

The last game that was particularly noteworthy for the 2011 to 2012 year is Rayman Origins. This game is a great platformer for kids and adults with incredible graphics and sound integrated into the game play. For example, for some of the levels the characters jump off of musical instruments, creating their own music as they jump their way through the world. The game is available for almost every system including Playstation 3, the PS Vita, PC, and Nintendo 3DS.

The article Holiday Gifts for Your Gamer appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

With titles like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, Battlefield 3, and Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim recently dropping this past week, shoppers may have their hands full. But let’s not forget November 15th, the day when several games on multiple consoles release all at once. The rest of the season seems pretty minor in terms of releases, so fans should take note of these next few titles that are anything but small potatoes.

The fall season appears to be the sweet spot for many game releases. The oncoming holiday season makes it a perfect time to start packing store shelves with games and strategy guides from here to the moon. A veritable gamer’s paradise as far as release titles are concerned, as well as a bit of a headache for anyone shopping with a gaming fan.

Below is a small collection, across multiple consoles, of the biggest games still being released this week that will make fans think twice about their wallets and their time.

Fighters will certainly gravitate to Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3 (November 15). A long-awaited title, this new edition of Marvel Vs Capcom is a fabulous fighter with an enormous range of characters and playing styles that compliment to original Marvel Vs Capcom 3 release back in February of this year.

Similarly, shooters will definitely want to pick up Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary (November 15). The new Combat Evolved title is a remake of 2001′s Halo: Combat Evolved. Developer 343 Industries is new to the series, taking over where Bungie left off. Combat Evolved will be the first Halo game to include Kinect support and should give fans a clear indication of the style and direction of 343 Industries.

Not to be left out, Need for Speed: The Run (November 15) is also coming out. Running counter to the simulation style of Shift 2 Unleashed or Forza Motorsport 4 this racer’s storyline influence changes the classic arcade racer into a linear race themed movie blazing across the continental United States.

Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (November 15) is the final chapter in the trilogy of Ezio Auditore Da Firenze, an Assassin of the highest caliber. Famed for its huge maps, involving storyline and action intense gameplay, this newest iteration of Assassins Creed seems like a must buy for fans of the Assassin Genre.

For more on Assassin’s Creed: Revelations, check back for our review later in the week on what promises to be an excellent title. PC fans will have to wait longer because Assassins Creed: Revelations is slated for PC release on November 29.

Players unfamiliar with Saints Row: The Third (November 15) will find a game set in the open world sand box style, fictional city of Steelport. The Saints Row Franchise has been compared to Grand Theft Auto before but this game is a different take on a similar format.  Developer Volition Inc. achieves this different gameplay feel using equal parts silly good fun and raunchy mayhem all at the same time.

As if that weren’t enough,(November 15th )gets yet another full featured title for release with Rayman: Origins. Younger players will love this side-scrolling platforming game for its bright colors and rare beauty, while older players will remember their first Rayman game and rejoice in the return of its excellence thanks to developer Ubisoft.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (November 20)has received its fair share of marketing with commercial spots appearing on select TV channels. This Zelda title for the Nintendo Wii is believed by many to be the crowning achievement and is a prequel for the entire series, beginning before Ocarina of Time.

Batman: Arkham City has already been released, but PC fans will have had to wait until November 22. Having received critical acclaim from players and reviewers alike, this iteration of Batman was as well received as its Arkham Asylum predecessor. As with games such as Assassins Creed Batman: Arkham City is also an open world action game, a popular and time tested format these days.

Star War: The Old Republic (December 20), the MMORPG for PC will likely also make a great showing, maintaining a strong fan base despite the late release date. Just days before Christmas, its players will no doubt enjoy a lengthy vacation or at least some time off to play with other friends and family.

This wraps up our look at some of the titles still to be released in the coming weeks. With such fantastic games featured for each genre of gaming, fans will be hard pressed to pick one over the other.

Image Courtesy of   http://www.callofduty.com

The article The Rest of the Year in Gaming Releases appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.