Video Gaming Blog

It’s getting closer and closer to Christmas, but don’t fret; The massive amount of highly anticipated games coming out this Holiday season can make your Christmas shopping this year all too easy. Moreover, most of these games are sequels to their insanely popular predecessors.

With the release of Left 4 Dead 2, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare 2 and Assassin’s Creed 2 all just around the corner, gamers are tense with the excitement of getting their hands on each title. Even though most of you have probably heard of if not played each games’ first installment, let’s take a look at each one.

Left 4 Dead (Xbox 360, PC) is Valve’s hit survival horror game. While Valve is a company that has made a name for itself with franchises like Half-Life, Team Fortress, Portal, and Counter-Strike, it’s no surprise that their newest endeavor is just as, if not more, successful than the previous projects.
Left 4 Dead 2 definitely has a lot of expectations to live up to; Hopefully Valve will be able to keep up with the players’ demands. The release date is set for November 17th, so mark your calendars.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Xbox 360, PS3, PC) is probably the most popular online game for the Xbox 360 to-date, despite it being released almost two years ago. As far as first person shooters go, the amount of customization and skills to be acquired is first-rate. Not to mention the gameplay, which is almost always fast-paced and smooth.
CoD 4: Modern Warfare and its sequel were developed by Infinity Ward, who also created the first three and CoD 5: World at War. CoD 4: Modern Warfare 2 goes on shelves on November 10th. With it, the original Call of Duty 4 is coming out for the Nintendo Wii, so that will be something for Nintendo fans to look forward to.

Assassin’s Creed (Xbox 360, PS3, PC) was one of the most story-heavy games this author has ever played. I say that in the best way possible, however, as there is no point in the story that bored me. The actual mechanics were a bit boring, unfortunately. Hopefully that will be fixed by Ubisoft’s next installment in the series, Assassin’s Creed 2. This game will also see its release on the 17th of November. There were a lot of questions raised at the end of the first game, and I for one expect some answers in the second.

And if none of that interests you, there’s still more on the way. Crackdown 2 is expected a little later in 2010 and Halo 3: ODST is out now, fresh off the presses. Both titles are available on the Xbox 360. Final Fantasy XIII is going to be released in Japan on December 17th this year for the PS3, with an international release hopefully not too far behind it. With so many great titles in sight, it’s hard not to find something that everyone will like!

It looks like an Exciting New Year to Come!

Eric Hudson

Following is a list of the Top 10 Nintendo Wii Games of 2008
This list is compiled through purchasing popularity and consumer feedback at HCG

1. Super Smash Bros. Brawl
   Engage the rage with Super Smash Bros. Brawl! The third installment of the incredibly successful Super Smash Bros. series is now on the Wii, The roster is longer than ever, but that just means more butt to kick across over a dozen different, graphic-rich stages with original moves, new modified moves, and a brand-new super attack called Final Smash! Old favorites like Mario, Link, Peach and Kirby are now joined by such exciting newcomers as Wario, Solid Snake and Sonic the Hedgehog. With a variety of new modes, an absolutely epic soundtrack and the ability to play with distant friends through online multiplayer, this is a game you’ll have to break your own fingers to put down. Original soundtrack from 36 different artists
2. Boom Blox
   Fun for kids and the entire family, BOOM BLOX offers action-packed interactive activities that takes Wii play to a new level of creativity and fun with single player, co-op, and versus gameplay. Players can explore the visceral gameplay that keeps them destroying their way through brain-twisting challenges. They can interact with entertaining characters such as the Blox-laying chickens or the baseball-throwing monkeys, who bring personality to the Tiki, Medieval, Frontier, and Haunted themed environments. Additionally, players can remix any level of the game in Create Mode using props, blocks, or characters that have been unlocked during the game. Players can also virtually build anything they can dream up. Plus, their designs can then be shared with friends or used to challenge others to solve their newly created puzzle via WiiConnect24.
3. No More Heroes
   You are Travis Touchdown, a normal guy (with an otaku geek streak) who wins a Beam Katana through an online auction and uses the weapon to start a new career as a professional killer. One day, an assassin named Helter Skelter appears before Travis and the two face off in a battle. Travis emerges victorious and finds himself in the presence of Silvia Christel, a mysterious French woman who claims to be an agent with the UAA. Silvia gives Travis official rank of 11 in the organization. Now, it’s up to you to become #1. No More Heroes takes place in the city of Santa Destroy, and you are free to explore the town to your liking, taking on missions large and small to collect money and purchase new weapons as you work up towards the 10 main killing contracts. Gameplay is all about using your Beam Katana (via Wii remote) to defeat enemies.
4. Wii Fit
   The active-play phenomenon started by Wii Sports now spreads to your whole body thanks to Wii Fit and the pressure-sensitive Wii Balance Board, which comes bundled with it. Used together players will experience an extensive array of fun, dynamic and surprisingly challenging activities, including aerobics, yoga, muscle stretches and balance oriented games. The focus of these activities is towards providing a “core” workout, a popular exercise method that emphasizes slower, controlled motions, but it’s the fun approach to fitness of Wii Fit that will keep players hooked on fitness for years to come
5. De Blob
   Battle against massive tank battalions, speedy I.N.K.T. racers and elite Inky soldiers on your quest to free the citizens of Chroma City. Avoid hot plates, electric shocks and inky turrets to create your own path to the impenetrable I.N.K.T. Fortress. Just remember that the struggle to reclaim Chroma City is to be fought on your terms. Remix the city in your own image using custom paints, patterns and soundtracks. Super-size your blob to attack larger and stronger enemies. Join the Color Revolutionaries to refine your skills while making a mess. The race to rescue Chroma City has just begun, and only de Blob can save the world from a black-and-white future.
6. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
   The Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess brings you back tot he land of Hyrule, as you uncover the mystery behind its plunge into darkness. Link, a young man raised as a wrangler in a rural village, is ordered by the mayor to attend the Hyrule Summit. He sets off, oblivious to the dark fate that has descended upon the kingdom. When he enters the Twilight Realm that has covered Hyrule, he transforms into a wolf and is captured. A mysterious figure helps him break free, and with the aid of her magic, they set off to free the land from the shadows. Link must explore the vast land of Hyrule and As he does, he’ll have to enlist the aid of friendly folk, solve puzzles and battle his way through dangerous dungeons. In the Twilight Realm, he’ll have to use his wolf abilities and Midna’s magic to bring light to the land. Revisit classic and new characters – Link, Zelda, Midna and many others
7. Super Mario Galaxy
   Every hundred years a comet passes over the Mushroom Kingdom and rains down stars and stardust, and as Princess Peach and the citizens of the kingdom are celebrating the centennial event, Bowser and his legions attack by launching asteroids at the Mushroom Kingdom and crystalizing the Toads! Knowing that Bowser is after Princess Peach, Mario runs to save her. Things go awry as Bowser summons a massive spaceship, abducts Peach’s entire castle and hits Mario with a massive magical attack. The next thing he knows, he finds himself on a mysterious moon high above the Mushroom Kingdom! Navigate Mario through a bevy of exciting new worlds and the depths of space, with all new enemies, power-ups and attack skills, as he collects the Stars needed to save Princess Peach! Two player functionality
8. Mario Kart
   Start your engines and race with Mario and his friends with their finely tuned racing machines in Mario Kart Wii. Use 3 different control styles with the Wii Wheel included in the box. The worldwide race is on with a whole new set of tricks, tracks, and ways to play. Mario Kart Wii draws on courses and battle arenas from every game in the series – not to mention tons of new ones. The true king of the Mushroom Kingdom racing circuits will finally be crowned. Experience new tracks, enhanced Wii graphics, extraordinary gameplay and much more. Place first in Grand Prix circuits or clear skill-based missions to open up increasingly difficult and thrilling circuits. You can have multiplayer races on any open courses or battle in arenas. Now you can feel like you are Mario and steering to avoid obstacles and doing incredible stunts.
9. Okami
   In Okami, the legendary monster Orochi has come back to life and turned the world into a veritable wasteland. Players must assume the role of a wolf, an embodiment of the sun god Amaterasu, which is capable of wielding unimaginable power. The state of the world lies in your hands as you must fight ominous beings and reclaim the earth from a curse that plagues it. It is crucial to help Amaterasu make the world a place where all living creatures can dwell once again. Defeating the creatures that Amaterasu encounters will not be a small feat. The real-time fighting system not only involves biting and ramming strikes, but also allows for various attacks using bronze mirror of Yata on its back as well as a host of other unique abilities. This system allows the usage of a myriad of specials attacks typically not associated with the physical prowess of a normal wolf. As the wolf becomes more powerful, more attacks become available. This blend of stylized graphics and unique gameplay will result in a rich and dynamic experience never seen before. Traditional Japanese art comes alive through beautiful scenic 3D levels Rooted in the third person perspective, you will need to interact with the people you encounter, building their faith by clandestinely answering their prayers and wishes
10. Resident Evil 4
    In Resident Evil 4 you’ll know a new type of horror, as the classic survival-horror action returns with all-new characters, controls and storylines. We last saw Leon S. Kennedy in Resident Evil 2 – a rookie cop in Raccoon City, fighting to stay alive. That was six years ago. Since then, government forces have managed to control the zombie threat and Leon has become a Federal agent. When the President’s daughter is kidnapped, Leon tracks her to a remote, hidden fortress in Europe – where he’ll relive the horror he faced six years before. Players will face never-before-seen enemies that make Nemesis seem like a kitten. You’ll be wishing for the usual Resident Evil zombies!

You can find all of the Top 10 Nintendo Wii Games of 2008 at HomeComputerGames.com at discounted prices. Take an extra savings of up to 90% by purchasing Used Games from HCG.

Ken