Top 10 video game gift picks 2014 from Yahoo Shopping
When I was a kid, the very best Christmas presents were video games. This was in the Atari era, and those little cartridges were pure gold -- keeping me busy after school and off the streets on weekends. (I see now why my parents liked the idea of the video game gift, too.)
Games still make great gifts, and maybe even more so these days. Below is a selection of the year's best games that I played, across a variety of genres and play styles. This list focuses on console games, as opposed to PC or mobile games, and you'll want to check the availability of each for the various console systems in play -- PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Wii, WiiU, Xbox 360 and Xbox One. Keep an eye on those ESRB ratings if you're shopping for kids -- they're equivalent to MPAA movie ratings.
Thief (Rated M)
When the original "Thief" game was released for PC in 1998, it introduced a whole new genre of first-person stealth games. The new reboot continues the tradition of providing an alternative to the frantic first-person shooter. The idea isn't to shoot the bad guys. It's to sneak around them, steal their stuff and -- ideally -- make your escape without ever being detected at all. The game's imaginative steampunk setting returns, and this is a good gift choice for the discerning older gamer.
Prices range from $30 - $40 - Buy it here
Available on PS4, Xbox One, PC Download, PS3 and Xbox 360.
Assassin's Creed: Unity (Rated M)
The latest in the long-running historical adventure franchise moves the action to Paris on the eve of the French Revolution. It's a can't-miss gift for anyone who is already a devotee of the series. The "Assassin's Creed" games continue to be among the most generous in the industry, with vast plots of virtual real estate and hundreds of hours of potential game time. New game mechanics improve on the existing combat, stealth and parkour-style movement systems.
Price starting at $60 - Buy it here
Available on Xbox One, PS4 and PC
The Evil Within (Rated M)
The year's scariest game by far, "The Evil Within" is state-of-the-art survival horror, with deeply immersive environments and one seriously bananas storyline.
The premise: Players assume the role of a police detective, who may or may not be insane, investigating gory killings at a mental hospital, which may or may not be the reality-bending construct of an immortal psychopath. The spookfest is marked by especially great creature design -- look out for the terrifying creature known simply as Laura. Definitely not for kids!
Prices range from $50 - $60 - Buy it here
Available on PS4, Xbox One, PC, PS3, Xbox 360.
MLB 14: The Show (Rated E)
Sony's long running baseball franchise returns with the ninth title in the series and the first to be made available on the super-powered PlayStation 4. Not much has changed in terms of gameplay in this latest iteration, but if you've upgraded to PS4, be prepared for a huge leap in visuals and sound. (PS3 users can still get the full gameplay experience on the older console.) "The Show" continually updates team rosters and statistics, so you can keep tabs on your favorite teams from within the game. This makes a nice gift for any baseball nerd on your list, grown-up or not.
Prices range from $30 - $40 - Buy it here
Available on PS4, PS3, PS Vita
South Park: The Stick of Truth (Rated M)
From the creators of Comedy Central's surprisingly long-lived animated sitcom, "The Stick of Truth" is no half-baked spin-off game. It's a game that works as both a tribute to, and satire of, gaming's most loveably goofy genre -- the swords-and-sorcery RPG. With references to both old-school D&D and more modern franchises like "Elder Scrolls," the designers exhibit a deep understanding of what makes these games so much fun, and so frequently ridiculous. Be aware though that, like the TV show, the game traffics in a brand of humor that tends toward the hilariously profane and delightfully filthy.
Starting at $30 - Buy it here
Available for Xbox 360, PS3, PC
The Lego Movie Videogame (Rated E-10)
Smart and mildly subversive, "The Lego Movie" was among 2014's best family films. The inevitable tie-in game is very familiar in structure and approach to previous "Lego" games, with 15 levels drawn from locations in the movie -- like Bricksville and the psychedelic Cloud Cuckoo Land. The gameplay is the usual mix of exploration, puzzle-solving, platforming and goofy Lego-to-Lego combat. Progressing through any given level requires lateral thinking and creating problem solving. It's a safe gift-giving option for kids of all ages.
Prices starting at $26 and up - Buy it here
Available for PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Wii U, PC, PS3, Xbox 360, Nintendo 3DS and PS Vita.
Diablo 3 (Rated M)
"Diablo" is an old-fashioned, hack-and-slash, dungeon crawl RPG, in the vein of "Dungeon Siege" or the old 1980s arcade game "Gauntlet" -- which was also rebooted this year, actually. The game uses a fixed camera isometric perspective, which gives maximum focus to the combat elements of the game. And it's pretty much all combat. Up to four players can adventure together in cooperative mode, and there's a whole other layer of complexity added when you create tactical teams. "Diablo III" is rated M for gore and violence, but I think it's OK for older kids used to this kind of over-the-top cartoon mayhem.
Prices starting at $20 and up - Buy it here
Available for MAC/PC, Xbox 360, PS3
Magic 2015 -- Duels of the Planeswalkers (rated T)
The latest online iteration of the popular collectible card game, "Magic 2015 - Duels of the Planeswalkers" is a cross-platform assault for PC, iPad, Android, Xbox One and Xbox 360. "Magic 2015" transposes the tabletop game to computer, providing a one-person campaign mode in which you battle a series of increasingly tough A.I. opponent decks. You can also play three- and four-player matches against the computer. With each victory, you earn new virtual cards to add to your own deck. This is a good gift option for any gamer on your list who is already hip to the game of "Magic."
Pricing starts at $10 - Buy it here
Available for PC via Steam, Xbox One, Xbox 360, iPad, Android via Google Play and the Amazon App Store.
Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor (Rated M)
Within the mythology of the J.R.R. Tolkien universe, "Shadow of Mordor" is set between the events of "The Hobbit" and "The Fellowship of the Ring." Players assume the role of Talion, a Ranger tasked with patrolling the borders of Mordor and protecting Middle-earth against the return of the dreaded necromancer Sauron. (Gosh, I love typing this stuff.) It's a gigantic open-world action-adventure game, heavy on combat, and very similar to the "Assassin's Creed" series in execution. For the dedicated game/Tolkien fan, it's the gift that will keep on giving.
Prices range from $50 - $60 - Buy it here
Available for Xbox One, Xbox 360, Xbox Live, PS3, The PlayStation Network, PS4 and PC.
Child of Light (Rated E-10)
The lovely and languid "Child of Light" is a download-only title that goes against the usual industry aesthetic. Instead of relentless combat and bombastic visuals, you get a sweet and somber story with painterly images and artful, retro gameplay. A side-scrolling adventure with some limited RPG elements mixed in, "Child of Light" tells the story of little princess Aurora, who falls asleep one night and never wakes up. In terms of pure mood, music and gameplay, "Child of Light" was one of the year's best games. This is a great gift choice for littler gamers with an artistic bent.
Price currently $42.31 for PSVita version on Amazon.com and $14.99 to download PC version on gamestop.com.
Quick Picks:
Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes (Rated M): A solid pick for gamers who like modern military action-adventure crossed with stealth tactics. It pays to be sneaky in this game.
Far Cry 4 (Rated M): For a more straightforward shooter experience, the Far Cry games specialize in exotic locales and environments -- in this case, the frozen Himalayas.
Destiny (Rated T): From the makers of "Halo," "Destiny" is epic sci-fi FPS action built primarily for multiplayer online gaming. The equivalent of a PG-13 movie, it's a good option for teen gamers.
Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham (Rated E-10): The latest title in the Lego franchise, "Beyond Gotham" digs deep into DC's comics mythology and introduces plenty of obscure characters and locales.
Watch Dogs (Rated M): A kind of near-future take on the urban action-adventure, "Watch Dogs" has some cool new game mechanics in which the player can hack computers, smart phones and even municipal utility grids. Not for real, but that's probably coming in the sequel.
Want a sneak peek into what Criterion Games is working on ? Here's their prototype preview from the EA Press Conference earlier this year:
