One-Sentence Reviews - Volume Four

We have gotten a lot of good feedback regarding this segment. You'd wonder why it's been over a year since we've last done it, then, wouldn't you! It's One-Sentence Reviews, where we take thirty games and try to summarize our thoughts about them and criticize them in one sentence. Sure, we occasionally do a run-on sentence here and there, but that's all right. Some of these games listed have already had in-depth reviews, and many of the games will be reviewed with more detail later. Regardless, let's jump right into this and enjoy ourselves, shall we?

"While nowhere near the game of the generation, The Last of Us is an epic thrill ride from beginning to end." The Last of Us (PS3)

"Columbia is such an awesome place to explore, and the gameplay of BioShock Infinite is a step up from so many others of the competition." BioShock Infinite (PS3, 360, PC)

"Featuring some pretty sensational set pieces, puzzles, and action, this prequel to the God of War trilogy is an adrenaline rush most of the time." God of War: Ascension (PS3)

"Questionable Dante design change aside, DmC: Devil May Cry is an uptempo action game that will get the player's palms sweaty for sure." DmC: Devil May Cry (PS3, 360, PC)

"Forget Resident Evil 6, Revelations is the game that deserves that name and the accolades." Resident Evil: Revelations (Wii U, PS3, 360, PC)

"The inclusion of a casual mode allows the latest Fire Emblem to be accessible to all player skill levels, making it one of our favorite installments." Fire Emblem: Awakening (3DS)

"Most mini-game collections lack depth, but Nintendo Land not has depth, but it is an excellent showcase of both the Wii U GamePad and the asymmetrical gameplay of the system." Nintendo Land (Wii U)

"Our favorite Wii U game, LEGO City Undercover is packed with content, things to do on every street corner, and a story with humor that branches all ages." LEGO City Undercover (Wii U)

"We hesitate to say how incredibly great Xenoblade Chronicles is because it will just make those without the game feel bad (and have to pay through the nose to get a copy)." Xenoblade Chronicles (Wii)

"Featuring some great track design, terrific retro track choices, kart customization, and all-new gliding and underwater sections, the latest Mario Kart is a tour de force for kart racers." Mario Kart 7 (3DS)

"Containing ultra-repetitive gameplay and missions that really outwear their welcome, Project X Zone isn't the dream crossover game we were hoping for." Project X Zone (3DS)

"Shooting and loot makes for a marvelously addicting time, and Borderlands 2 is just that." Borderlands 2 (PS3, 360, PC)

"While Grand Theft Auto IV moved more towards realism to a detriment of that game, Saints Row: The Third simply got even more off the wall and crazy, and that was a truly good thing." Saints Row: The Third (PS3, 360, PC)

"Platinum Games makes dicing and slicing through enemies (and watermelons) an absolute blast in this high octane action game." Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (PS3, 360, PC)

"Perhaps the only strong points of Final Fantasy XIII are the excellent soundtrack and graphics." Final Fantasy XIII (PS3, 360)

"Taking the franchise from Bungie and making it their own was no easy task, but 343 Industries managed to create a stellar entry in the Halo franchise." Halo 4 (360)

"A great kart racer that is only marred by technical issues and certain tracks being difficult to ascertain where you need to go." Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed (Wii U, PS3, 360, PC, 3DS, PSV)

"It took 300 hours of gameplay before we got a little burned out on this game, so that should tell you exactly how great and addicting Animal Crossing: New Leaf really is." Animal Crossing: New Leaf (3DS)

"Possessing RPG elements, a wonderful selection of some of the greatest video game music ever, and addicting gameplay, Theatrhythm Final Fantasy is one of our favorite rhythm games of all time." Theatrhythm Final Fantasy (3DS)

"Showcasing the greatness of the Wii MotionPlus, Wii Sports Resort features excellent motion controls and fun for the whole family." Wii Sports Resort (Wii)

"A game that starts out really slowly, Harvest Moon 3D eventually peps up and creates for the player one of the grandest Harvest Moon experiences to date on any platform." Harvest Moon 3D: A New Beginning (3DS)

"A great collector's item and a fun interpretation of the classic Cave Story, Cave Story 3D is not a necessity to play, as the cheaper versions are just as fun." Cave Story 3D (3DS)

"The Wii U version of the game is the definitive version, due to it being the one that was cancelled." Aliens: Colonial Marines (PS3, 360, PC)

"The mission to create a competent Call of Duty game on the PlayStation Vita is an utter failure." Call of Duty: Black Ops - Declassified (PSV)

"This enhanced version of the overlooked Wii game, Muramasa: The Demon Blade, plays great, looks sensational, and has a good amount of content for solo players." Muramasa Rebirth (PSV)

"While this game started Dimps' fetish with throwing as many bottomless pits as possible into levels, Sonic Rush is a fast-paced platformer with great music." Sonic Rush (DS)

"A bigger and better game than its predecessor, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 introduced more zones, more challenge, and the addition of Tails." Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (GEN)

"It is nice seeing Mega Man in the 32-bit era, and he looks absolutely sensational (plays well, too)." Mega Man 8 (PS1, SAT)

"See the origins of the Metroid series in this game where the hallways are so similar it makes exploration incredibly challenging, and not in the good way." Metroid (NES)

"While no one can replace Mike Tyson, Mr. Dream's iteration of Punch-Out!! is just as difficult, engaging, and entertaining to play." Punch-Out!! Featuring Mr. Dream (NES)

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If you'd like to take a look at past installments of One-Sentence Reviews, look no further than the following links:

Volume One

Volume Two

Volume Three

The SuperPhillip Central Best of 2012 Awards - Day Five

And here we are-- we have arrived at the final night of the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2012 Awards! This is the night that we delve into what will be win the coveted Game of the Year 2012 award. However, before we can get to that, we have one more award to hand out. Let's get to it!

[System of the Year]

2012 saw the release of two new platforms, and with it comes the promise of new games and new ways to play them. Let's not forget the platforms that were already with us, however. We have three old platforms and two new ones as nominees for System of the Year for 2012. And the nominees are...

Wii U

The newest platform to hit the market, the Wii U released with a healthy selection of games. Where can you go wrong with a list of titles like a new Mario for release, the first since 1996 and the Nintendo 64, ZombiU, a home version of the Scribblenauts franchise, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, ZombiU, Batman, Darksiders II, Call of Duty: Black Ops II, Assassin's Creed III, and several digital delights like Trine 2: Director's Cut and Little Inferno? The release list for 2013 is bleak, but there are so many launch games to go through, most people will still be playing those long into the new year.

Nintendo 3DS

The cast of familiar faces that hit Nintendo's portable platform was numerous. We had Mario (New Super Mario Bros. 2, Mario Tennis Open, Paper Mario: Sticker Star), Pit (Kid Icarus: Uprising), Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield (Resident Evil: Revelations), Final Fantasy all-stars (Theatrhythm Final Fantasy), Professor Layton [and the Miracle Mask], and many more. We had plenty of new franchises, too, on the 3DS, like Rhythm Thief & the Emperor's Treasure, Heroes of Ruin, Code of Princess, and the list goes on.

PlayStation Vita

You can wave "It's not selling well" in the face of people all you want, but to say that the PlayStation Vita was lacking games in 2012 would be a total and blatant lie. You had the awesome launch list of games like Uncharted: Golden Abyss, Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational, WipEout 2048, and Touch My Katamari, you had newer games like LittleBigPlanet Vita, Gravity Rush, and Assassin's Creed III: Liberation. There's plenty to love about the Vita last year, so that is exactly the reason why it is nominated in this category.

Xbox 360

While the Xbox 360 struggled to get a lot of my attention in 2012, it did deliver some promising and engaging games. Halo 4, anyone? Or how about Forza Horizon? Even Kinect had some games that were no slouches. I'm speaking about Dance Central 3. Then you have downloadable games that meant Xbox Live Arcade was where it was at if you didn't care for Microsoft's retail exclusives.

PlayStation 3

The winner of last year's System of the Year award, this year the PlayStation 3 had a more relaxed year. However, don't think that means a bad year. No, we had wonderful titles like what many consider to be the game of 2012, Journey. We have Sony's Super Smash Bros.-like fighter, PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale. Ratchet and Clank returned for some Full Frontal Assault. Even Sackboy got into the fun with LittleBigPlanet Karting. If you were looking for some fun, PlayStation 3 was a good place to find it.

And the winner is...

Nintendo 3DS

Simply put, the Nintendo 3DS had the most games that appealed to me this past year. There were titles for everybody, titles for the niche, titles for beginner gamers, titles for expert gamers, and-- well, you get the drift. It is for those reasons and the arrival of the bigger, better XL that the Nintendo 3DS wins this year's award for System of the Year.

Runner-up: Wii U

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Now, for those of you who have been with SuperPhillip Central since the beginning, you probably know what is next. Even if you don't, what I customarily do now is take a look back at the Game of the Year for the last year. If you don't recall what it was, consider this a refresher.

GOTY 2011: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

Although it started off very slow and held the player's hand, my favorite game of 2011 was The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. It was finally a mainline Zelda game that was custom tailored for the Wii. It brought with it 1:1 motion controls that I absolutely adored. One felt like a fierce warrior as they swung the Wii Remote like a sword, slaying enemies and solving the most devious of puzzles. Skyward Sword featured some of the series's best music, best bosses, and most interesting dungeons. These reasons are why I selected The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword over games like Batman: Arkham City, LittleBigPlanet 2, Super Mario 3D Land, and Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together.

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[Game of the Year 2012]

We now move from looking at the past to looking at the present. It's time to award SuperPhillip Central's Game of the Year for 2012. This will be my fifth time officially choosing the best game of the year. These seven-- SEVEN-- nominees are the year's best, no doubt. And the nominees are...

Borderlands 2 (Multi)

The multiplatform nominee for Game of the Year 2012, Borderlands 2 offered incredible cooperative shooter gameplay, and if the shooting wasn't addicting enough, then perhaps all of the RPG elements were. You had randomly generated loot and various options to build up your character. Perhaps while you were playing you could just stand still and marvel at the cel-shaded environments, heroes, and enemies. How could Borderlands 2 NOT be a nominee here?

Halo 4 (360)

If you're looking for the best multiplayer competitive shooter of the year, don't go looking toward Call of Duty: Black Ops II's way-- though that game is stellar for multiplayer, too. No, gaze intently towards Halo 4's direction. Not only did it act as the part of one of the best first-person shooters in years, but it is one of the most gorgeous looking games of the year as well. Halo 4, I salute you.

Nintendo Land (Wii U)

Any reason for the Wii U GamePad to exist was made with the launch of Nintendo Land. Containing twelve stellar attractions based on Nintendo properties, Nintendo Land delivered laughs, loads of fun, and plenty of hours of gameplay to captivate players. It is considered the Wii Sports of the Wii U console, but unlike what game it is compared to, Nintendo Land possessed a multitude of depth that keeps me coming back for more time and time again.

Xenoblade Chronicles (Wii)

A game that North American gamers were close to not even being able to play without going the homebrew direction, Xenoblade Chronicles proved that you didn't need the ultra-superior processing power of an HD console to produce some stunning and breathtaking environments, many of which take dozens of minutes to cross in real time. Oh, and the gameplay wasn't too shabby either.

Kid Icarus: Uprising (3DS)

In the mood for some high octane, high adrenaline third-person gameplay? Then enter the hilarious world of Kid Icarus: Uprising, a game that was part serious, part laugh-a-minute. The game possessed two gameplay parts to it: one flight, one ground. All of it was entertaining. Add to all of that twenty-five chapters to go through, the best soundtrack of the year, and unlockables out the wazoo, and you have my favorite Nintendo 3DS game of 2012, and a nominee for Game of the Year 2012.

Uncharted: Golden Abyss (PSV)

The PlayStation Vita's valiant effort for 2012 was one of its launch titles, and the biggest one it had, Uncharted: Golden Abyss. If you told a younger me playing on a black and white Game & Watch that I would be able to play console-quality games on a portable device, I don't know if I would have believed you. Here we are, though, and Uncharted: Golden Abyss is one of the best looking handheld titles of all time.

Journey (PS3)

Yesterday I mentioned that I understand how arguments about art happen when I see games such as Journey. The game was not just something you play once and then forget about. No, it was something that you played multiple times, and each time presented you with emotions you didn't know you could have while playing a game. Again, Journey was indeed more than a game, and for that reason it is why it is a nominee for Game of the Year 2012.

And the Game of the Year 2012 is...

...

[GotY 2012: Xenoblade Chronicles (Wii)]

In a genre that is hard for me to stick with most games, Xenoblade Chronicles hooked me in for the long haul, throughout its 100+ hours of gameplay. With most RPGs, I find myself losing interest a good way through because the game can't keep my engaged. With Xenoblade Chronicles, that wasn't a problem. There was always one hard enemy I wanted to take down, one path through an expansive dungeon or area that I wanted to explore, or one quest that I wanted to complete. Everything about Xenoblade Chronicles is near perfection: the awesome soundtrack (which did win runner-up for Best Original Soundtrack this year, after all), the well done voice acting, the jaw-dropping locales that are rich and ripe for venturing through, and the appealing combat system that demands your attention and great teamwork. Xenoblade Chronicles is without any question my favorite game of 2012. It was a fond farewell to the under-appreciated Wii. 

Runner-up GotY 2012: Kid Icarus: Uprising (3DS)

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We have come to the end of another year of awards. Yes, it is true. We must part. No, I'm not talking about you and I. I am referring to my tuxedo and I. This was a big award show, so I needed to dress the part. In all seriousness, I thank each and every one of you for taking a look at the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2012 Awards. This is without a doubt the most work I do throughout the year. I hope you enjoy what I have done as much as I have creating it. 

Next week we go back to something that resembles normalcy. Monday will see SuperPhillip's Favorite VGMs, and then we'll play it by ear then. Until Monday, have a wonderful rest of your weekend.

The SuperPhillip Central Best of 2012 Awards - Day Three

Welcome to Day Three of the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2012 Awards! If you're just joining us, we have been through eight awards already. Just browse the front page of the site for the days you missed. Regardless, today we just have three awards to hand out, but they are important ones. I am handing out the awards for Most Overlooked Game, Developer of the Year, and the lead up to my Game of the Year award, the Multiplatform Game of the Year. Put on your seat belt, folks. The ride is about to get wild!

[Most Overlooked]

As I do with my Most Overlooked recurring segment on SuperPhillip Central, this category gives titles that many did not get a chance to play another chance in the spotlight. These five nominees are most worthy of your attention. And the nominees are...

Gravity Rush (PSV)

Play as Kat as you enjoy a world ripe for exploration. Take on story missions, side quests, optional bosses, and level up your character as you alter the flow of gravity. Gravity Rush was even called niche by its developer, so it isn't that much of a stretch that it would sell in niche quantities. Regardless, that doesn't give anyone with a Vita an excuse to not own this game!

Rhythm Thief & the Emperor's Treasure (3DS)

A Professor Layton-like adventure except only with rhythm games instead of puzzles to advance the story, Rhythm Thief & the Emperor's Treasure was released over the summer (like many of the nominees in this category) in North America to little, if any, fanfare. That's a shame, too, because the game features some really entertaining games, including some nods to Sega franchises like Samba de Amigo and Space Channel 5. It is my hope that more people get a chance to play this overlooked 3DS game.

Theatrhythm Final Fantasy (3DS)

Released in the summer, and one of the first 3DS games supporting downloadable content, Theatrhythm Final Fantasy is a franchise fan's dream. It has a multitude of music from all thirteen mainline games, RPG aspects, and loads of content. An iOS version of the game released, and while it is missing a good portion of the content of the original 3DS release, it is another chance for Theatrhythm Final Fantasy to get some attention.

The Last Story (Wii)

XSeed, the publisher of the game in North America, stated that The Last Story was their most successful title. That's great news, but their games tend to sell to a niche audience anyway, and The Last Story is just another one of those. Released at the end of the Wii's life, the game, with Hironobu Sakaguchi (the mind behind Final Fantasy) at the helm, has been glanced over by many of the mainstream press. Too bad for them as the game is rather good, if not outside the norm of your standard JRPG.

New Little King's Story (PSV)

Take the poor selling Wii original, spruce up the visuals and give it more content, and you get New Little King's Story for the PlayStation Vita. The game was only available via digital download. I can only imagine how badly the game would have been overlooked had it been a full retail title. Regardless, Vita owners could do themselves a favor by heading to the PlayStation Store and downloading this delight of a game.

And the winner is...










New Little King's Story (PSV)

While the Wii original version of Little King's Story featured a more childlike aesthetic, New Little King's Story presented players with taller characters. The Vita version of the game gives a lot more reasons to love it. There is a great level of charm that the game exhibits, and it is a doggone shame that many Vita owners and press members let this title fall through the proverbial cracks.

Runner-up: Rhythm Thief & the Emperor's Treasure (3DS)

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[Developer of the Year]

You can't have a game made without a developer who pours their heart and soul into the titles they make. The five nominees of this category have performed the best this past year. And the nominees are...

Sony Bend

Sony Bend is well-known to Sony handheld fans. They have created a lot of the most memorable PlayStation Portable titles. Now they have made the transition to the Vita, and with that transition, they made Uncharted: Golden Abyss, a possible Best PlayStation Vita Game contender. Sony Bend's quality is consistent, and that is all you can ask for with a developer.

Thatgamecompany

The makers of such popular independent games like Fl0w, Flower, and this year's Journey, Thatgamecompany's ability to create simple yet beautiful and thought-provoking games is unmatched in the indie developer industry. They have somehow made a downloadable game that is taking Game of the Year wins from retail titles, something that would have been unheard of years ago. For the above reasons, that is why Thatgamecompany is a nominee this year.

343 Industries

Taking over the reins of a super-popular series is no easy task. Just ask Treyarch regarding Call of Duty. 343 Industries had a huge overtaking ahead of them when they moved in to develop Halo 4 after Bungie and Microsoft parted ways. Seeing as Halo 4 is an absolutely killer game, 343 Industries successfully got the job done and impressed many, including yours truly, in the process.

Nintendo EAD Software Development Group No. 2

Nintendo EAD is split up between multiple development groups. Nintendo EAD Software Development Group No. 2 are the minds behind the Wii U launch title Nintendo Land. The numerous uses the Wii U GamePad does is without a doubt fantastic. This group of Nintendo EAD made it so the GamePad had a purpose and now Wii U developers, Eastern and Western, can now imagine new ways for the GamePad to be utilized, and it's all thanks to Nintendo EAD Software Development Group No. 2.

Monolith Soft

The makers of the brilliant Xenoblade Chronicles, Monolith Soft created one of the best Wii games the console has seen, and one of the best RPGs of the generation. Xenoblade Chronicles was a truly ambitious project for the under-powered Wii, and it was met with universal critical acclaim. Just how Monolith Soft managed to fit the game on a Wii disc is nothing short of remarkable.

And the winner is...










Nintendo EAD Software Development Group No. 2

Nintendo Land has given my family and friends hours upon hours of enjoyment. The myriad uses of the Wii U GamePad create new and exciting gameplay that other platforms just haven't been able to do. It is because of the hard work of Nintendo EAD Software Development Group No. 2 that the tremendous undertaking of Nintendo Land saw release and works so wonderfully well.

Runner-up: Thatgamecompany

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[Multiplatform Game of the Year]

The third-party exclusive seems to be going the way of the dodo in most cases, so multiplatform games are the most prevalent in the industry now. This is the first of seven categories where the winner will duke it out for the prestigious SuperPhillip Central Game of the Year award. Let's see what multiplatform games have a chance to make it to Saturday's Game of the Year category! And the nominees are...

Assassin's Creed III 

Bringing with it a new game engine, new setting, and new main playable character, Assassin's Creed III was an action-adventure game with elements of stealth and an open world to explore to the player's content. The actual game world was much larger than past games, and discovering new areas was a treat. The modified free running allowed players to be much more elegant with their maneuvers, the naval battles added to the game, and multiplayer made for replay value after the lengthy campaign was completed.

Far Cry 3 

Speaking of open-world gaming, Far Cry 3 presents players with a large island setting and a compelling narrative that will keep them enamored till the ending credits. The open-ended nature of the game allows for players to earn experience and follow different skill trees and plot attacks on enemies with varying strategies. Far Cry 3 is an engaging and wondrous first-person shooter that makes those who play it remember why they love sandbox gaming.

Darksiders II 

Take one part The Legend of Zelda and one part God of War, and you get Darksiders II. The game released in August originally, but it received a Wii U port with the DLC from the 360, PS3, and PC versions already on the disc for free. Zelda-type games are rare, and those of which that try their hand at the genre and succeed are even rarer. Vigil Studios managed to make a sensational game with Darksiders II.

Borderlands 2

Gearbox Software brought Borderlands 2 to the market, and it satisfied many gamers with its first-person shooting, action RPG gameplay. The game was made up of various mandatory quests, optional side quests, and contained features such as randomized loot, online cooperative gameplay for the main campaign, and the ability to evolve one's character a la RPGs. All of this added up to create one of the more intriguing multiplatform games of the year.

Dishonored 

I'm noticing a trend here with the last few nominees. The first-person perspective is quite popular. Well, Dishonored continues that previously mentioned trend with a series of assassinations that focus on player choice. How a player proceeds to finish each mission determines how the story unfolds and what missions are available to him or her. This type of player-affected gameplay makes Dishonored a worthy nominee to Multiplatform Game of 2012.

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed

Let's get colorful, shall we? Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed is Sumo Digital's second outing with Sonic and the Sega gang. No matter your level of proficiency with the game, there is a difficulty setting for you. With colorful courses with great variety, a prodigious number of nods to Sega franchises, and tight racing action, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed speeds ahead of a lot of racers this past year.

And the winner is...










Borderlands 2

The highly addicting nature of building up your character, gathering loot, and teaming up with friends online all made Borderlands 2 the prime pick for Multiplatform Game of the Year for 2012. I didn't even touch on the gorgeous cel-shaded graphics, something not generally seen in first-person shooters. All of this creates the best game that you can get on multiple platforms.

Runner-up: Dishonored 

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We only had three awards this evening, but that was to give me a breather until tomorrow where I will be posting the results of six-- count 'em-- six awards. We'll be looking at the best Vita, 3DS, Wii, Wii U, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 games. Please look forward to that. Until then, we'll see you tomorrow for more of the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2012 Awards!

2012 Holiday Gift Guide Part 2

For many Americans out there, they're battling the crowded zoos known as retail stores, searching feverishly for the best deals as they punch and kick anyone that gets in their way. Perhaps you have no idea what to get the multi-console owner in your life. This is where Part 2 of my Holiday Gift Guide comes in.

Yesterday we took a look at console exclusives for each major platform. Today we are dealing with multi-platform titles-- ten to be exact. I cannot name every game under the sun, so if you feel I left one or a handful out, let me know. Get your pens/pencils and lists out as we are about to begin.

Call of Duty: Black Ops II (Wii U, PS3, 360, PC)

Some criticize the yearly renditions of the Call of Duty series, and I am one of them. However, developer Treyarch managed to breathe some new life and freshness into the franchise with Black Ops II. For one, the future warfare adds a new dynamic totally, and the branching paths in the storyline makes playing through the campaign multiple times mandatory to see everything the game has to offer. Throw in the ever-popular multiplayer mayhem the series is known for, and you have a gift that will keep on giving long past the holiday season.

Borderlands 2 (PS3, 360, PC)

Doing what the original Borderlands made so popular, Borderlands 2 continues the trend of being a first-person shooter with RPG elements. There's countless quests and side missions to take part in, as well as randomized loot. If working the campaign alone seems like it will make a person lonely, they can hop online and take to it with up to three other players. Just be forewarned that despite the color (a Western FPS with color!? What is this wizardry!?), Borderlands 2 is definitely for the older crowd, so parents, don't line up to buy little Jimmy his own copy of the game.

Assassin's Creed III (Wii U, PS3, 360, PC)

Venture back into American history-- the American Revolution, to be exact-- with your assassin Connor as he explores an open world full of dangers. Assassin's Creed III offers much more modified gameplay, allowing players to do even more than in previous entries of the series. Players can move more freely, as if they were Cole MacGrath from the inFamous franchise. Aside from the single player experience, there are a dozen multiplayer modes that can be accessed online. The Wii U version of the game offers the ability to switch between weapons effortlessly via the GamePad's touch screen. Moreover, Wii U owners can play the entire game on the GamePad itself, a feature that one needs to see to believe.

Dishonored (PS3, 360, PC)

A new IP from Bethesda, the minds behind The Elder Scrolls series, Dishonored actually works on all systems it was released on, so no worries about getting someone an inferior port. The game takes players in a first-person perspective as they have a lot of freedom to carry out missions and objectives the way they see fit. Improvisation isn't just for comedy troupes; it is key for completing missions. What I consider to be a fantastic feature of Dishonored is that a player can go through the whole game without killing a soul. The choices are totally up to the player, and that is what makes Dishonored such a special title. If you have a gamer of the grown-up persuasion, honor them by getting them Dishonored for Christmas, Hanukkah, or just because.

Resident Evil 6 (PS3, 360, PC) 

Resident Evil 6 takes the survival horror aspect of the series and places it mostly in the backseat of the multiple story ride. There are three scenarios to play through, each lead by a different character, and each feeling different from one another. Some say that Resident Evil 6 is a jack of all trades and master of none. Others state that for every bad moment the game presents players, there are several that delight and frighten. Whatever the case, Resident Evil 6 is a game that has its moments and may just make for an engaging present.

Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2012) (PS3, 360, PC, PSV)

For the speed freak on your holiday shopping list, get them the gift of taking it to the streets, evading arrest from police, and speeding through an urban metropolis. Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2012) has the main goal of outracing competitors to destinations by any means necessary-- cutting off traffic, driving through billboards and buildings, and yes, being placed on the most wanted list. To give a rush of adrenaline to that arcade racing fan on your list, Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2012) burns rad rubber.

Hitman: Absolution (PS3, 360, PC)

It has been six years since Hitman: Blood Money entered the gaming world. Now it is Hitman: Absolution's time to shine. Take missions stealthily or simply blow your cover and blow everyone away. Detect enemy movement, where they'll go, among other useful information with Agent 47's various vision detection. Hitman: Absolution is absolutely a worthwhile present for the mature gamer on your shopping list.

Darksiders II (Wii U, PS3, 360, PC)

One of the launch titles for the North American launch of the Wii U, Darksiders II is as close to The Legend of Zelda as Wii U owners are going to get for awhile. I can't think of any better substitute, though. The Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC versions released in August, and many owners of those systems became death incarnate. Slashing foes with Death's dual scythes, solving puzzles, riding on the Horseman's trusty steed, exploring dungeons, and battling brutal bosses are all tasks that await players in Darksiders II. If you have a 17+ year-old who yearns for a Zelda/God of War-like experience but without the actual Zelda and God of War, Darksiders II is an appropriate gift.

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed (Multi)

Two years after SUMO Digital's first foray into the kart racing genre with Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing, the team returns with sixteen brand-new tracks and loads of Sega fan service. Not only do the vehicles transform into karts, boats, and planes mid-race, but the tracks transform too, making many races having each lap being different from the last. With an all-star cast of Sega characters, such as Sonic the Hedgehog, Amigo, Ulala, Aiai, Vyse, and NiGHTs, alongside racers like Disney's Wreck-It Ralph and NASCAR's Danica Patrick, there's a lot of cartoon-style racing to be had. Don't be fooled by the game's appearance, however. It can be as a easy or as tough as the receiver of this game wants.

Scribblenauts Unlimited (Wii U, 3DS)

The first Scribblenauts game to reach a home console, Scribblenauts Unlimited is the most expansive entry of the franchise yet. Explore a vast world where characters challenge you to complete quests and solve puzzles in exchange for Starite shards, the necessary items required to save the protagonist's sister from a permanent stone prison. Create objects by inputting words, and couple them with adjectives to make them really come to life. These objects are used to solve the aforementioned puzzles and to interact with the world. Scribblenauts Unlimited has nearly unlimited potential for the player to expand his or her imagination. It's a terrific gift for any gamer not put off by the whimsical exterior. Note: The PC version isn't coming until 2013, so that is why it is not mentioned.

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That wraps up this Holiday Gift Guide for 2012. You have a list of over twenty games to look into and perhaps give to your fellow gamer. From shooters to platformers, this two part article ought to give you some ideas on what to purchase.