5 Steal Deal Games for this Holiday Season

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The year is about to end and game stores are stacking up for the holiday rush. Not in terms of customers who have been waiting patiently for a particular game, but the truckload of AAA games that are being delivered at their doorstep.

So as a consumer which games do you choose for your system? Especially since the floodgate seems to be more over powering than ever, so where exactly do you spend those $60 and get a steal deal, in terms of gameplay, value and satisfaction. There are loads and loads and loads of games in the markets that appeals to a set of individuals, so do go ahead and pick the games that you love to play and adore.

This list has been prepared with a totally unbiased opinion and takes into account overlapping genres and economics of expenditure.

Tired of waiting for GTA IV? Did you buy Crackdown just to play Halo 3 beta? Well here is the sandbox game of the season, and with the rave reviews its getting already, Altair’s exploits seem to be headed to conquer not only Jerusalem, but also the lives of gamers who have waited patiently for the true next generation experience, boasting not only of stunning visuals but also silky smooth techniques of gameplay which sets the immersive factor to a record high for the entire season.

COD 4 is the highest rated PS3 game till date. Make a note of this slight error once Naughty Dog’s uber title comes out on the PS3, later this year. The demo is already fulfilling expectations and these are bound to grow when this bastard child of Lara Croft, Marcus Fenix, Indiana Jones hits the shelves. This game looks BEAUTIFUL and plays. Hmmm a bastard child plays, trust me if you were ever planning an adventure to South America cancel it, buy a PS3 and get hooked onto to Drake’s Fortune, Sony’s first true killer app. The only complain is that it might be too short or the ending might leave you annoyed for a sequel is already on the cards.

Halo3 did not quite define the experience of next generation. Although a highly enjoyable game, it did not quite give the seminal reason to run and pick up a 360. Enter Mass Effect from the creators of the critically acclaimed KOTOR series and Jade Empire, this gives reason enough to pick up a 360 and get lost in the undertows of space for a reallllly long time, since the game has been given a much more action oriented look along with its highly touted “Conversation system”. This science fiction title looks edible enough to engulf masses in the theories of dark matter.

Mario’s back and this little plumber is off to save Princess peach from the dastardly Bowser for the “nth” time…Bah!!! The story makes no sense. It has always been the levels of creativity that define any Mario game till date. After a slight mishap in Sunshine, the series is back on track and is going to be a delight for fans of Super Mario 64 whose legion and legacy seems to have been resurrected once again.

Gordon Freeman never fails to leave his mark. First it was just the gameplay, now it’s the entire package that fills your appetite by allowing you to choose from a neat variety of genres, multiplayer, single player and puzzle-platformer. Something for everyone indeed, players can play through the entire episode of Half Life 2 along with its continuing parts. Team Fortress 2 brings the glory days of multiplayer mayhem and Portal although it offers a real short experience. It is unique and enjoyable in its own true sense. The recent editor adds a scoop for PC players.

-Neelesh Mukherjee