Computer Game Software buying guide

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Computer Game Software

Following is a selection of some of the top computer games available. For gift-givers, those starting their computer library or veteran gamers interested in checking out any classics they may have overlooked, these games are must-plays. You simply can't go wrong with any of these titles.

Shooters

Prey : Simultaneously released for the Xbox 360, this innovative first-person shooter puts you in the shoes of an American Indian who gets kidnapped by aliens in a bar, and things only get weirder from there. We're talking walking on walls, out-of-body experiences and the ability to communicate in interstellar tongues. This one has you shaking your head in wonder.

Half-Life 2 : Adding a real-world based sci-fi element to the shooter mix, "Half-Life 2" is often referred to as the hottest in its genre. PC Gamer magazine calls it the best game ever made. Action unfolds in real time as you attempt to save the world from alien invasion.

Quake 4 : Along with the stellar shooter "Doom," the Quake series revolutionized online gaming, and the fourth edition is the most magnificent yet. The concept is simple -- run around and collect guns, shoot enemies and take out bosses -- but it somehow never gets old. Quake is so huge, there's an annual convention in which enthusiasts gather to show off their skills.

Star Wars Battlefront II : Recreate a number of battles from the George Lucas interstellar sage. The game lets you play as a Jedi, a Storm Trooper or almost any other character classification in between. The Force is strong with this one.

Real-Time Strategy

The Battle for Middle-Earth II : Live Peter Jackson's cinematic vision like never before with this overhead view war strategy game. You can command either the forces of good or evil as you battle for control of the One Ring and Middle-Earth.

Medieval: Total War : Command various classes of knights, archers, cavalry in this epic game of conquest, set in the middle ages. One of the game's finer points is its castle and tower building diversity.

Rise of Nations : In an idea modeled after the "Civilization" series, you build your empire by orchestrating trade routes, military bases and forts in order to get the most out of the resources at your disposal. The goal, of course, is to take over the world.

Total Annihilation : This brilliant 1997 classic forever redefined the genre, and still ranks as the top RTS game ever made for many gamers. Control forces on land, foot and underground as you attempt to swamp the enemy forces.

Adventure/RPG

Tomb Raider Legends : Don't mess with butt-kicking, cliff-jumping treasure hunter Lara Croft. The sexy video game icon makes one of her top performances in this death-defying adventure.

World of Warcraft : This game flew off shelves in 2005, addicting a nation to its cooperative and competitive online play. The monthly subscription fee to engage in the magical, swords and sorcery filled world catches up to you, but you won't find many enthralled "WOW" players complaining.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion : A smoother version of the masterpiece that was released for the Xbox 360, Oblivion takes role-playing games to a new level of interactivity. Gone are lame turn-based battle constructs, replaced by active combat and remarkable enemy artificial intelligence. This is one of those games in which you can lose yourself for months.

RoboBlitz : A zany adventure, this game puts you into the persona of Blitz, a robot out to save his world from evil space pirates. How does he do it? By activating a super-powered gun via solving creative puzzles, of course!

Sports

Madden NFL 07 : No gamer can call himself a true football fan unless he soldiers out each year to buy the latest Madden. The '07 edition allows you to take control of lead blockers to open up holes for your running backs. The ground game is vastly improved and refined from years' past.

FIFA Soccer 07 : The World Cup may be over, but that means it's only three years until the next showdown. Now is the time to get some training in. Kick some grass in this stellar soccer sim, which offers vivid graphics and fluid play dynamics.

Tony Hawk's American Wasteland : Tony Hawk's signature series brings the extreme sport of skateboarding into your house, minus the broken legs and skinned knees. Breeze through story mode, a gamelong tutorial that teaches you how to pull off tricks and combos by completing a series of missions, or chill out in the free skate sidegame.

Baseball Mogul 2006 : Here's a game that blurs the line between fantasy baseball and reality. Act as the owner/general manager of any ballclub in the majors and put together a team with the goods to bring home the title. This management sim may not put you on the field, but it gives you the thrills of micromanaging your players to the extreme.

External Links

GameSpot -- One of the top gaming resources on the net.
IGN -- Covers video games as well as the rest of the entertainment world.
Game Informer -- An excellent video game magazine's home page.

Shooters

Prey : Simultaneously released for the Xbox 360, this innovative first-person shooter puts you in the shoes of an American Indian who gets kidnapped by aliens in a bar, and things only get weirder from there. We're talking walking on walls, out-of-body experiences and the ability to communicate in interstellar tongues. This one has you shaking your head in wonder.	Half-Life 2 : Adding a real-world based sci-fi element to the shooter mix, "Half-Life 2" is often referred to as the hottest in its genre. PC Gamer magazine calls it the best game ever made. Action unfolds in real time as you attempt to save the world from alien invasion.	Quake 4 : Along with the stellar shooter "Doom," the Quake series revolutionized online gaming, and the fourth edition is the most magnificent yet. The concept is simple -- run around and collect guns, shoot enemies and take out bosses -- but it somehow never gets old. Quake is so huge, there's an annual convention in which enthusiasts gather to show off their skills.	Star Wars Battlefront II : Recreate a number of battles from the George Lucas interstellar sage. The game lets you play as a Jedi, a Storm Trooper or almost any other character classification in between. The Force is strong with this one.

Real-Time Strategy

The Battle for Middle-Earth II : Live Peter Jackson's cinematic vision like never before with this overhead view war strategy game. You can command either the forces of good or evil as you battle for control of the One Ring and Middle-Earth.	Medieval: Total War : Command various classes of knights, archers, cavalry in this epic game of conquest, set in the middle ages. One of the game's finer points is its castle and tower building diversity.	Rise of Nations : In an idea modeled after the "Civilization" series, you build your empire by orchestrating trade routes, military bases and forts in order to get the most out of the resources at your disposal. The goal, of course, is to take over the world.	Total Annihilation : This brilliant 1997 classic forever redefined the genre, and still ranks as the top RTS game ever made for many gamers. Control forces on land, foot and underground as you attempt to swamp the enemy forces.

Adventure/RPG

Tomb Raider Legends : Don't mess with butt-kicking, cliff-jumping treasure hunter Lara Croft. The sexy video game icon makes one of her top performances in this death-defying adventure.	World of Warcraft : This game flew off shelves in 2005, addicting a nation to its cooperative and competitive online play. The monthly subscription fee to engage in the magical, swords and sorcery filled world catches up to you, but you won't find many enthralled "WOW" players complaining.	The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion : A smoother version of the masterpiece that was released for the Xbox 360, Oblivion takes role-playing games to a new level of interactivity. Gone are lame turn-based battle constructs, replaced by active combat and remarkable enemy artificial intelligence. This is one of those games in which you can lose yourself for months.	RoboBlitz : A zany adventure, this game puts you into the persona of Blitz, a robot out to save his world from evil space pirates. How does he do it? By activating a super-powered gun via solving creative puzzles, of course!

Sports

Madden NFL 07 : No gamer can call himself a true football fan unless he soldiers out each year to buy the latest Madden. The '07 edition allows you to take control of lead blockers to open up holes for your running backs. The ground game is vastly improved and refined from years' past.	FIFA Soccer 07 : The World Cup may be over, but that means it's only three years until the next showdown. Now is the time to get some training in. Kick some grass in this stellar soccer sim, which offers vivid graphics and fluid play dynamics.	Tony Hawk's American Wasteland : Tony Hawk's signature series brings the extreme sport of skateboarding into your house, minus the broken legs and skinned knees. Breeze through story mode, a gamelong tutorial that teaches you how to pull off tricks and combos by completing a series of missions, or chill out in the free skate sidegame.	Baseball Mogul 2006 : Here's a game that blurs the line between fantasy baseball and reality. Act as the owner/general manager of any ballclub in the majors and put together a team with the goods to bring home the title. This management sim may not put you on the field, but it gives you the thrills of micromanaging your players to the extreme.