The much awaited sequel to the immensely popular first-person shooter Alien Vs. Predator, Aliens Vs. Predator 2 allows players to once again take on the role of either a human Colonial Marine, armed with the latest in technological kick-ass weaponry and heavy armor, a Predator, an amazing creature that can turn invisible and toss even Arnold across a jungle like a rag doll, or a wall-crawling, head-biting Alien.
Aliens vs. Predator 2 is set on LV-1201, a harsh and desolate planet on the fringe of colonization. While the Aliens have lived on this planet for hundreds of years, Predators have also been coming to LV-1201 for the sport of hunting one of the most dangerous creatures in the universe. Humans are new to the scene, but they have landed quite a force to try colonize the planet. However, all three races are hostile towards each other, and on the same rock, well, you're bound to see quite a bit of action, with 21 single-player missions and dozens of multiplayer maps.
The world of Aliens and Predators is brought to live with such vivid detail that not many games do quite as good a job at placing you inside a movie. From the level design and the lighting, to the music and sound effects, it's as surreal a world as you're ever likely to get. From crawling on the ceiling as an Alien, to hunting down Aliens as a Predator, or releasing charges of energy from the Colonial Marine's pulse rifle, few games have done as good a job at allowing you to chomp off some one's head or blast sticky, slimy aliens.
With three very different sets of weapons and abilities, a veteran game developer at the handles, a powerful 3D engine and a rich planet to explore, Aliens Vs. Predator 2 will quench the desire of many shooter fans, and is a must-have on any action gamer's list this year.
The cold war was a tense time for both US and Soviet forces. Two superpowers, each with the power and the arsenal the likes of which was capable of destroying nations, yet unable to do so for fear of a cataclysmic war. But what if... What if there was a small isolated ground conflict between US and Soviet forces? What if... a group of soldiers suddenly find themselves in a regional conflict that may ignite the world? That's the flashpoint, and that's exactly where you'll find yourself if you pick up this tactical hit.
Although out for several months, Operation Flashpoint might prove an ideal gift for friends and family who love tactic-intensive shooters. Featuring a realistic simulation of squad-based warfare on the front, a single bullet to the head can kill instantly. Real military equipment including jeeps, trucks, tanks and choppers are used. You'll drive refugees away from a besieged town in the back of a transport truck, scout out enemy territory in a jeep, and take to the skies to rain death from above. The game world is realistically rendered, with roads, hills, villages and forests populating the island. While details may appear to be blocky up close, players simply have to consider the sheer size of each map to appreciate it. An engaging single-player campaign is also featured, covering your rise from a simple grunt till you get your own command, ordering your squad mates to perform various objectives. A multiplayer function is also available, allowing you and your squad mates to sneak around abandoned farmhouses and commander vehicles.
In conclusion, Operation Flashpoint isn't for every gamer, but tactical gamers who love complex gameplay coupled with a huge and truly memorable game world and who don't already have it would welcome it as a fantastic gift.
Six years ago, Red Storm released Rainbow Six, and practically invented the "tactical" shooter genre. Instead of the traditional run n' gun shooters being released at the time, Rainbow Six forced you to plan and think your way through a variety of counter-terrorist missions. Now, after years of refinement with Rogue Spear, Black Thorn and countless other mission packs, Red Storm has finally set their sights on a much larger arena - The world of open-field infantry combat.
The year is 2008, and ultra-nationalists have seized power in the former Soviet Republic, bringing the world to the brink of war. You lead a squad of elite soldiers outfitted with the latest technology the Army has to offer and trained in the latest military techniques to handle any situation. You are the Ghosts, a squad now tasked with bringing the situation under control, through a series of 15 missions, across a variety of real-world Eastern European locations.
Large, open stretches of space mark each mission. No longer are you confined to tight indoor spaces and strict rules of engagement - Instead, out in the field, you just simply need to get the job done. Recon the area beforehand, decide which members of your squad to send in, assigning waypoints, assume control of any soldier in the mission - It's all in your hands.
To handle the huge maps on which missions take place, Ghost Recon also sports a brand-new graphics engine, capable of some impressive weather effects and pretty graphics. Also, a large number of player animations were motion-captured to add to the realism of both the soldiers and the enemy.
Once you're done saving the world from the ravages of war, go online with up to 36 other players - As many as nine on four squads - And take part in the action with several multiplayer modes, including deathmatch, teamplay, a search-and-rescue mode and even a co-op mode to allow players to team up as a squad to sneak and gun their way through the game's campaign.
With enough real-world weapons to arm a small army, from rifles and pistols to grenades and anti-tank rockets, Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon probably comes closer than any PC simulation to capturing the true essence of 21st-century infantry warfare. Just about anyone looking for something new and exciting may just find what they're looking for here. Be sure to check it out.
Tired of all that tactical "plan and think your way through missions" bullcrap? Well, then this should be right up your alley. Introducing Serious Sam : The First Encounter, a shooter with non-stop action, violence, gibs and absolutely no attempt at remotely thinking opponents at all. Players take on the role of Sam "Serious" Stone, a special forces dude with an arsenal big enough to take over a few, small nations. Single-handedly. And when Earth is invaded by the alien hordes of the twisted Mental, it is up to Sam to go back into the distant past, destroy Mental, and save the world from future invasion. Yep, and naturally he has to do it all single-handedly. Alone. Unassisted. Well, except for NETRICSA (NEuroTRonically Implanted Combat Situation Analyzer), a small, often irritating computer with a SERIOUS attitude problem implanted inside Sam's skull. The computer has access to all Sam's audio-visual experiences and can provide him with often useful feedback on weapons, locations, enemies, as well as other tactical information.
Serious Sam doesn't bother with smart, twisted adversaries. Instead, levels often see you having a good 'ol time fragging hundreds of enemies ranging from harpies to small poisonous toads. All rushing at you at once. Not to worry, from your grand selection of weapons, including shotguns, Tommy guns, lasers, cannons and rocket launchers, you shouldn't have a problem handling them all. Opponents don't make even the slightest effort to avoid gunshots, choosing to overwhelm you with their numbers instead. Too bad for them it had to be Sam they were charging at.
All this take place in ancient Egypt, beautifully rendered with great rolling deserts and exquisitely detailed pyramids and structures. The excellent graphics engine help ensure that all this runs beautifully and smoothly on a moderately decked out system, even in the midst of hundreds of skeletons, mechs and other bad-ass monsters. It's an extremely fast-paced first-person shooter, featuring dozens of weapons and monsters. Then again, the game has a lot of other great qualities, such as its excellent multiplayer mode. Especially enjoyable is its co-op mode, allowing players to team up against the hordes of Mental. Greater still, all this comes with a extremely low price tag, making this the perfect gift for newly started FPS players and "seriously" hard-core FPS fans. A small holiday reminder though. Serious Sam : The First Encounter has already been released for quite a few months, so be sure to check if your future recipient already has this excellent title in his or her collection. Good fragging and happy holidays!
