The holidays are quickly approaching and we thought we'd give you a hand for the "gamers" on your list. There have been a lot of great games that have come out this year, and some really exciting ones that will be released over the next few months, but these are the ones we're MOST excited for.
Without further ado, here are our "Must Have" games, broken down by release date!
Batman: Arkham Asylum
Batman: Arkham Asylum, a new Eidos Interactive action title based on the DC Comics which inspired the films. Besides Batman, the game will feature the Joker and "an army" of other supervillains, and will be set in the titular madhouse featured in many Batman comics and graphic novels, including Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns.
Release Date: August 28, 2009
Publisher: Warner Bros./Eidos
ESRB Rating: Teen
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, PC
Buy Batman: Arkham Asylum
Need For Speed SHIFT
Shift into high gear! Designed to deliver a true driver's experience that reflects contemporary motorsports, Need for Speed SHIFT is built by racers for racers. Need for Speed SHIFT delivers an authentic and immersive driving experience developed by Slightly Mad Studios in collaboration with executive producer Michael Mann at Black Box and senior vice president Patrick Soderlund at EA Games Europe. Slightly Mad Studios includes developers and designers that worked on the critically acclaimed games GT Legends and GTR 2. Need for Speed SHIFT replicates the true feeling of racing high-end performance cars like never before. Players are thrust into the heart of the action with immersive and exciting features including a stunningly realistic first-person cockpit view camera and an all-new crash mechanic, providing an unrivaled sensation of the speed and feeling of racing a car on the extreme edge of control.
Release Date: September 15, 2009
Publisher: Everyone
ESRB Rating: Rating Pending
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, PC
Buy NFS: Shift
Halo 3: ODST
The new campaign chapter predates the events that unfold in Halo 3 and gives players a new perspective through the eyes of a new hero in the Halo universe. New multiplayer maps ensure that the Xbox LIVE experience of Halo 3 continues to thrive.
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Devloper: Bungie
Release Date: September 22, 2009
ESRB Rating: Mature
Buy Halo 3: ODST
Demon's Souls
Beautiful, compelling, and at times unforgiving, Demon's Souls is the hardcore RPG experience PS3 owners have been waiting for since the platform's launch. Revolutionary online features define your adventure like never before, presenting seamless interconnectivity that serves in every instance to enhance the single-player game. Unprecedented in its depth and subtlety, peerless in its relentlessly challenging gameplay, Demon's Souls is the ultimate action RPG.
Release Date: October 6, 2009
Publisher: Atlus U.S.A.
ESRB Rating: Mature
Buy Demon's Souls
Brutal Legend
From the mind of Tim Schafer (Psychonauts, Grim Fandango) comes Brutal Legend, the ultimate heavy metal action game starring Jack Black (School of Rock, Tenacious D). You are heavy metal roadie Eddie Riggs, hurled back in time to the mythical Age of Metal when the world was formed and ruled by the power of Rock! Armed with a broadaxe, a guitar, and a big block V8 you set off on an epic quest to assemble an army of headbangers, hotrods, barbarians, demonic dominatrix and the undead. With the wings of a demon and the power of a Rock God, you must lead humanity in an epic war against its barbaric overlords, and carve your name forever into the Brutal Legend.
Release Date: October 13, 2009
Publisher: Electronic Arts
ESRB Rating: Rating Pending
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3
Buy Brutal Legend
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
Follow-up game to 2007's critically acclaimed Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, the PlayStation 3 exclusive Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is a continuation of the adventures of Nathan Drake, a fortune-hunter with a shady reputation and an even shadier past. Chock full of all the action, adventure, cinematic story elements and beautiful graphics that set the first game apart, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves adds deep online multiplayer options, including co-op and competitive campaigns, and a whole new supporting cast of characters, making it yet another must-have title for the PlayStation 3 platform.
Release Date: October 13, 2009
Publisher: Naughty Dog
ESRB Rating: Teen
Buy Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
Assassin's Creed 2
Explore the beginning of modern history in an epic story of power, revenge, and conspiracy. Master the art of the assassin with over 20 new weapons and inventions created by Leonardo da Vinci. Experience open world gameplay with over 16 mission types.
Release Date: November 1, 2009
Publisher: Ubisoft
ESRB Rating: Rating Pending
Buy Assassin's Creed 2
Dragon Age: Origins
Become immersed in a dark and heroic fantasy world realized with BioWare’s trademark depth and expertise, enriched with its own unique lore and brought to life by some of the best artists in the industry. Deep customization gives you control over your character in Dragon Age. Race, appearance, abilities, and equipment all affect how you look. What you do will affect how you are perceived. Your origin defines your place in the world and how others see you. These playable sequences introduce the world and let you decide how your character becomes a hero, setting the tone for the entire story to come. Stand at the heart of the storm sweeping across Ferelden. Choose the fates of nations, people and, ultimately, yourself. Just remember: for every choice, there is a consequence. Control your perspective as you guide a party of four into battle. Issue orders, build your own tactical AI, or take control of any party member to lead the charge. Downloadable content will provide you with exciting new stories and ways to expand your Dragon Age experience beyond the original game. Use the provided toolset to author your own adventures to share with friends.
Release Date: November 3, 2009
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: BioWare
ESRB Rating: Mature
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, PC
Buy Dragon Age: Origins
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
The storyline of Modern Warfare 2 picks up where the events of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare left off. The ultranationalist Russian leader Zakhaev has been eliminated, but it seems that his lieutenant, Vladimir Makarov, is an even bigger danger. Having made a successful play for power, Intel indicates that he is extending the reach of his influence well beyond the borders of Mother Russia, causing a stir in the international community and prompting the involvement of Task Force 141. Task Force 141 is an elite multinational unit made up of Navy Seals, Delta Force operatives, British SAS and CIA. In the single player campaign you are Sergeant Gary "Roach" Sanderson, with the hero of Call of Duty 4, "Soap" MacTavish, promoted to Captain, making an appearance as an NPC (non-player character) and your commanding officer. The elimination of Makarov and his underlings at any cost is your number one priority, regardless where the fight occurs.
Release Date: November 10, 2009
Publisher: Activision
Developer: Infinity Ward
ESRB Rating: Mature
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, PC
Buy Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Left 4 Dead 2
Left 4 Dead 2 is a MUCH larger game than the original, and features new co-op and versus campaigns, all-new Survivors, boss zombies, weapons, and items, as well as melee combat.
Release Date: November 17, 2009
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Platforms: Xbox 360, PC
ESRB Rating: Mature
Buy Left 4 Dead 2
Dante's Inferno
Based on the immensely influential classic poem, Dante's Inferno takes you on an epic quest of vengeance and redemption through the Nine Circles of Hell. You are Dante, a veteran of the Crusades who must chase his beloved Beatrice and try to free her soul from Lucifer’s grasp. As your pursuit takes you deeper into the pits of Hell, you must battle ever more fierce and hideous monsters-while also facing your own sins, a dark family past, and your unforgivable war crimes.
Release Date: January 30, 2010
Publisher: EA Games
ESRB Rating: Rating Pending
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, PC
Buy Dante's Inferno