You may have heard. Gaming is one of today’s most expensive hobbies. Games for major platforms like the Xbox 360 or Playstation 3 cost $60 each, while Wii and PC games are generally $50 a pop. Mobile games are cheaper, but for big, cinematic experiences, players need to be sitting at their couch or at their computer, facing down hordes of demons, zombies or whatever else comes their way.

So what games can you get for your significant other, for your kids or parents, or for friends? We’ve got a great list of titles you should pick up, but just make sure they don’t already have it!

Xbox 360 Exclusive Games

Gears of War 3

It promised to be one of the biggest action titles of the year, and developer Epic Games pulled through on that promise. Gears of War 3 is an amicable conclusion to the Xbox 360 sci-fi saga, one that includes a fun, sordid campaign and several excellent multiplayer modes that continue to excite even months later. You don’t want to pass on this.

Forza Motorsport 4

Forza Motorsport 3 was huge, with over 400 cars and a disc just to install a ton of content. Forza 4 does all of that and more, with better photorealistic graphics, more cars and tracks, Kinect functionality, and the same great racing. If there’s a racing game to get this holiday, it’s Forza 4.

Dance Central 2

The original Dance Central was revolutionary; it took the dancing games we all wanted to enjoy on the Wii and made dancing in front of a TV fun. Whether it’s to work out, to learn some dance moves, or to make a fool of yourself at a party, Dance Central 2 ups the ante with two-players dancing side-by-side and a slew of new songs to get jiggy with. I wouldn’t call it kid-friendly; most of the tracks are fairly explicit (no bad words, but there is plenty of questionable content), though you’re likely to hear them on the radio nonetheless. Games like Dance Central are the reason to own a Kinect.

Halo: Anniversary

The game that brought the Xbox into the limelight returns, completely revamped with new HD graphics, online coop, and new game modes available in last year’s Halo: Reach. It may not look quite right to play the old classic with such updated graphics (I myself just love the old-school blocky textures), and the game isn’t an exact duplicate. Grizzled ancients will have new secrets to hunt and unlock while younger gamers who missed the original can give the game that started it all a serious go. For $40 it’s a great buy, even if you own the original Halo: Combat Evolved like I do because of the improved resolution and the chance to play it over Xbox Live.

Playstation 3 Exclusive Games

Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception

If there’s one definitive franchise for the Playstation 3, it’s Uncharted. The first title, Drake’s Fortune, was great, but had a lot of room to grow. The second, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, quickly became a fan favorite, and the third, Drake’s Deception, is a stunning cinematic experience. A stunning single-player campaign, a fabulously fun cooperative play mode and a different yet still bombastic multiplayer make Drake’s Deception a must-buy, for the few who don’t have it already. Because if you don’t, you are surely missing out. It’s one of the few games where you can actually enjoy watching someone else play, and never picking up a controller yourself.

Infamous 2

There are few games that inspire the feeling of “I wish I could do that in real life” more than Infamous 2, at least for me every time I see a power line. While the original was a strong game, Infamous 2 picks action up a notch and gives players not only several different massive cities to explore, but the ability to take on player-created missions, and even make their own. That, along with some very fun DLC, makes Infamous 2 a must-have.

The Ico & Shadow of the Colossus Collection

Both Ico and Shadow of the Colossus are incredible games, both ahead of their time and timeless. I sadly missed both when they released back for the PS2, but caught up and am so glad I did. Both of these games are just incredible, the kind that make you gape in wonder, that make you constantly feel astounded. Your kids may hate you because both games feel slow, with limited action going on at any given point of time, but few games ever manage to reach the level of sophistication and artistry these two do. Bundling them together with improved graphics is just a side bonus.

Great Multi-Console Games

Batman: Arkham City

The return of the Dark Knight this decade has just been astounding. First two (and soon a third) film, then an amazing game, and now a kickass sequel. Batman: Arkham City is not just a romp around a fine prison; it’s a full-scale town to silently stalk through. Arkham City is a definite best-buy for any player, not only because the game is just so fun, but because many gamers missed it in the flood of holiday games. Don’t let this one pass you by.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

It’s big. Everyone wants it. It’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. In fact, if you don’t already have it, the only question is why not? We loved it, all your friends are playing it, and unless you’re stuck in Skyrim (see below), there’s no reason Modern Warfare 3 shouldn’t be in your game collection.

Rage

As good and bad as some games are, few are as jam-packed with excellent content and top-of-the-line features as Rage. It’s got a lot of holes to plug, and a lot of minor gripes that will annoy. But I guarantee that it‘s not only an excellent first person shooter, but that it really pushes the bounds of what it means to be a shooter. Rage may not be the greatest game to come out this year, but it will certainly open your eyes to the possibilities of future games, and be exciting the whole while. Just don’t forget to save often.

Portal 2

The best puzzle game this year, period. It’s bigger, smarter, and has a deeper story than the original, plus room for two players with double the portal action. Coop alone makes Portal 2 a great buy. Free future updates only guarantee that you’ll want to keep it.

Battlefield 3

Modern Warfare 3 may own the multiplayer Rambo-style of gaming, but Battlefield 3 is for the team-players, the ones who will grab their friends for an hour-long bout against an equally intelligent group for serious, vehicle-filled combat. Battlefield is for console strategists. Feel free to run and gun, but unless that’s your specialty, your team can definitely use another great member of the crew. Be it.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution

As a sleeper hit, Human Revolution isn’t quite the game that the original Deus Ex was, but that doesn’t take away from the game any. It pits players in the same neo-techno future, with body augmentations, incredible combat maneuvers, and multiple ways to play the game, including stealth, engineering, and soldier. It’s one game that’s easy to miss, but don’t. There is so much to do in the big city, it’s like a miniature RPG.

Rayman: Origins

Rayman: Origins is one of those really great games that everyone in the family can enjoy. The simple platforming is complex enough to remain entertaining for hours on end, yet with instant cooperative play with up to four players on a home console, it’s always a fun time with everyone racing and slapping each other all the way to the finish. If there’s one way to spend the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, Christmas, or any family time together when you’re snowed/rained in, Rayman: Origins is it.

Dark Souls

Beware: this is for masochists only! Dark Souls, the sequel to Demons Souls, is an RPG with a difficulty curve that will either make you break your controller in frustration or feel right at home with the sheer insanity of this unforgiving game. If that sounds like the perfect gift for someone, either because they’d love it or end up breaking their game console in frustration, then this is a must-buy.

Saint’s Row: The Third

Saint’s Row: The Third is not what you’d expect from a massive sandbox game in the vein of Grand Theft Auto. It’s goofy, over the top in every way, and rombunctiously fun. So much so that I had to make up a word to describe it, because this game is insane in just about every way. That’s not to say you won’t love it…just keep it out of reach from the kids.

Assassin’s Creed: Revelations

Assassin’s Creed is one of the few game franchises where every game may feel oh-so-similar to the last, but even then the games are still so damn fun it’s impossible to put down. All of the Assassin’s Creed titles have just been incredible, even though Shawn and I may disagree on just how good. But there’s one thing we both agree on: these games are a blast to play. Assassin’s Creed: Revelations doesn’t quite take the franchise to the next level, still following Ezio Auditore from Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood, but it further unfolds the tale, both past and present, of the everlong struggle between the Assassin’s and Knights Templar. A blockbuster hit you won’t want to miss.

Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Skyrim is the one game you’ve probably seen not only a handful of ads in larger cities, but new internet meme’s popping up daily about. In fact, you don’t have to go far to learn what Skyrim is, which is one of the biggest, most incredible RPGs to come out this year. Our own Shawn Kline loved it. A definite must have, but be warned: you probably won’t be seeing much of whomever you give it to. That may make it a great, or terrible, gift idea.

Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection

There are few games that stand the test of time. Metal Gear Solid isn’t just one game, but an entire series that does exactly that. That’s why the game’s creator Hideo Kojima keeps making new ones even after consistently saying he’s done. That’s why years later people talk about the incredible experience they had in Snake Eater, or how they once ate Alligator meat in the game. Sure, it’s zany and over the top, but putting the Metal Gear Solid 2, 3, and Peace Walker in one bundle, in  HD, is just another reason to play it, or to buy it for the new generation that didn’t grow up with METAL GEEEEEEAR!

With plenty of sales over the last week it’s very clear how just about anyone could take advantage of the savings. Everything from Cameras to video game peripherals and Bluetooth Headsets have been graced with low prices, some of which the lowest we’ve ever seen. Here’s some of the best that are still around:

10. Nikon Coolpix S9100 12MP Digital Camera – $230

This dynamo of a camera was released earlier this year at a fair price of $350, but now thanks to some clever savings from Abe’s of Maine you can get this Nikon Coolpix S9100 for much cheaper. Just use the coupon code LOYALTY10 to bring the price down to this level and you can start snapping high quality 12MP photos with ease and get the perfect close-ups with its intense 18x Optical Zoom capabilities. Can’t go wrong here.

9. Bose Bluetooth Headset – $88

You remember eBays offering on this one? Yep it’s still around, and you can still grab this Bluetooth Headset from Bose at the lowest price on the net. This one is designed to be your swiss army knife for calls on the go, mainly in part to its noise cancellation technology on both ends to keep voices crystal clear even in very loud circumstances. The earphone portion is based on the powerful Triport technology Bose employs in their portable headphones, so sound quality is a definite plus here. This definitely won’t last much longer so grab it while its still alive.

8. TomTom VIA 1505T 5.0-Inch GPS – $120

Crutchfield still has some special savings you can grab on this brand new TomTom Via 1505T. It’s not very often we see discounts on the 5.0-Inch models, but this one pulls all the stops and supplies you with perfect voiced navigation and free lifetime traffic support to avoid the jams before you arrive at them. 3A825 is the coupon code you need to type in at the credit page to get this price, and it’s definitely worth it.

7. HP Photosmart All-in-One Printer w/ 1 Year of Ink – $119

Believe it or not you can still save on this HP Photosmart Printer. Just use coupon code SAVE30HP to cut down the price and experience the thrill of full color photo prints with ease. This one can also copy and scan at a high DPI for picture perfect quality and print at up to 33 pages per minute for blazing fast prints altogether. For a limited time you can also get a years supply of ink for free with your order, and when it comes to saving you money there is no better way than that.

6. Sony Blu-Ray Remote for Playstation 3 – $13

Best Buy has gone and lowered the price on this Remote for the PS3 to the lowest we’ve seen! It’s quite a simple peripheral but definitely necessary for taking advantage of one of the most popular features of the PS3; full support for Blu-Ray discs and movies. This remote has all the buttons and controls you need for a full home theater movie experience but manages to tag on Bluetooth connectivity for plenty of range and easy control no matter what direction you face. Tax and shipping may apply to this one, or you can save more and pick it up in a Best Buy near you.

5. Samsung PN43D490 43-Inch Plasma TV w/ Free 19-Inch TV – $550

If you were looking for a great sized TV for a great home theater experience then this combo is for you. Still alive and kicking you can grab this 43-Inch Samsung Plasma TV and receive a free 19-Inch Samsung to go along with it. This one has a 720p HD resolution which may not be the best around but it also sports 3D support and a 600Hz SubField drive to smooth out the picture like never before. It also includes 3 HDMI 1.4 inputs for HD/3D connectivity all around.

4. Samsung Stratosphere 4G For Verizon – FREE

We like things that are free, and when you grab a contract with this brand new Samsung Stratosphere 4G you get just that. This powerful smartphone comes with Android and a 1Ghz Hypertasking processor. It includes a large 4.0-Inch AMOLED display for HD viewing all around and a full QWERTY keyboard which slides out for underneath and makes typing quickly a breeze. You can also share its 4G connection with mobile hotspot over 8 other devices so nothing has to go without.

3. Asus U36SD-A1 13.3-Inch Netbook – $709

After a small shipping fee of $9 you still manage to save $300 on this powerful Asus U36SD Notebook. Not only does it come with a compact 13.3-Inch High Definition display but also a powerful Intel Core i5-2410M 2.3Ghz processor paired up with 4GBs of DDR3 RAM. Graphics are provided from NVIDIA’s 520M discrete solution for easy viewing of HD videos and gaming on the go. Top that off with a 640GB hard drive, gigabit Ethernet with Wireless N and Bluetooth and a massive 9 hours of battery life and you have yourself the perfect notebook to take anywhere.

2. NOOK – The Simple Touch Reader – $79

Unbelievably, you can still save big via eBay on this refurbished NOOK Touch Reader. This popular solution for eBook reading provides you with everything you need to take all your favorite novels and stories with you anywhere. It includes a 6.0-Inch E-Ink display which won’t hurt your eyes during extended reading sessions. It also runs on the Android Operating System and therefore provides the ability to fully browse the Web on the go. 2GBs of memory is included with SD support for even more. Thousands of books are at your fingertips at a price you can afford.

1. Battlefield 3 – Limited Edition Pre-Order

Battlefield 3 is out tomorrow, so you still have the ability to take advantage of these pre-order savings! Amazon has you covered on all platforms here, giving you a bonus offer of Dog Tags and the Back to Karkland expansion pack free with any version. The PC downloadable version is discounted to $49 but the console versions for PS3 and Xbox 360 maintain the traditional price but offer $20 in Amazon Credit to go along with it and that can be spent anywhere on the site. The latest and greatest installment to the series will shortly be here, so grab these extras while you can!

Amazon is offering the best savings so far with this Battlefield 3 Limited Edition with $20 Amazon Credit!

Thanks to this new offer Amazon officially has every platform covered in some way to benefit your Pre-Order of Battlefield 3 even more! When you set up your order for this intense multiplayer action game now you will not only receive the Back to Karkland Expansion pack free of charge but you will also receive limited edition Dog Tags and $20 free credit which can be used anywhere on Amazon. As most of you know already Battlefield 3 is this years’ highly anticipated First Person Shooter which gives you the air of open combat and the ability to not only jump into tanks and jeeps but to even pilot helicopters and Jets as you dominate the Battlefield. The release date is coming very soon, and these offers will only last until then so don’t miss out!

This is a special preorder that won’t last – the game comes out soon.  It costs $59.95, but Amazon will give you a $20 credit o spend on anything on their website.  You’ll also score the Dog Tag Pack as well as the Battlefield 3: Back to Karkand expansion pack for free.

The Uncharted franchise is one where we can enjoy the travels of adventurer Nathan Drake ad nauseum. Each new tale delivers players to astonishing places, unique combat situations, and the dramatic love life of our hero. But does the third installment, Drake’s Deception, give players something new and fresh, or is it just more of the same old, albeit often breathtaking gameplay, all over again?

Drake’s Deception plunges players head first into a new tale, once again on the hunt for treasures left hidden by his long lost ancestor Sir Francis Drake. Developer Naughty Dog Studios took much from its previous Uncharted titles, and indeed anyone who has played the prior two games will feel right at home with Uncharted 3. There aren’t stark changes – don’t fix what ain’t broke – but Naughty Dog did spread its wings with this third installment. And the changes are all for the better.

While the story is interesting, the level of intrigue and overall complexity is limited in scope. Players shouldn’t expect to figure out what’s happening…either information is given, or it isn’t. The plot isn’t complicated, though unlike past titles there are some pleasant surprises so players don’t just sit back and watch, but sit up in their seats anxiously.

Gameplay is nearly identical, though the elements that made Uncharted 2: Among Thieves feel more like the Assassin’s Creed franchise are more prevalent in Drake’s Deception. There is more platforming and more fast-paced combat. Action sequences are fluid. Hand-to-hand combat has been completely overhauled and not only works, but is stunning to watch and to feel. At the same time none of the negatives associated with Ubisoft’s killer franchise plague Uncharted 3 thanks to very focused objective-based linear gameplay.

Combat, while occasionally droll in past titles, has received small but important updates to improve flow and keep firefights challenging. It’s not the weapons, but the scenarios in which Drake takes on the enemy. Each combat situation is entirely different from the last, and plenty are all too memorable. One fight has Drake cross a shipyard where mercenaries are heavily armed and fortified. This particular scenario has a slew of combat options: stealth, where players literally sneak past the majority of the enemy AI; head-on combat, with players using precise aim or overwhelming firepower to take down enemies one by one; or a mix of both with guerrilla tactics, where players jump in and out of the water, sneak to high vantage points, and level the enemy until they wise up and take command of the situation. Multiple paths to through any firefight is standard. The game may guide you in a linear fashion, but combat is anything but storybooked.

In fact, enemy AI has received some drastic improvements and is surprisingly smart. They aren’t Rage-smart, but they duck and weave, move around cover, flank, split up and regroup, and are very resilient when players don’t immediately finish them off. Especially later in the game, when fighting armored tangos with rocket launchers and machine guns, even the best players will die often. Combat is quite often irritating because of how good the AI can be, which is a good thing.

This game is, though it tricks players into believing otherwise, a thinking-man’s game. Combat requires equal part skill and strategy. One level where Drake traverses walls, shooting enemies straight above him, is 60% aim and 40% position. Even the game’s puzzles are smarter, for the most part. One or two puzzles feel more like pulling levers and marching onward, but others are genuinely thought-provoking, and few are even enlightening. One in particular – I won’t spoil the puzzle – reminds me of some of the puzzles in God of War, which make so much sense and are usually so far removed from the realm of gaming.

Uncharted 3 is also gorgeous, which comes as no surprise considering the past titles. Everlong landscapes and colorful and lush cities, forests and deserts not only look the part, but feel right. Drake walking through the desert, thirsty, and finding a small stream in a mountain feels real. Many games do a great job on the visuals, but Uncharted 3 went one step further. Like Inception, it’s really about the feel of it all.

And Drake’s Deception feels great, through and through. The single-player campaign is top-notch, a great time with fun acting, visually stunning cinematics, and a great returning cast of nitwits, jokesters and adventurers that’s all in good humor. Along with the solo campaign is a 3-player cooperative mode that, like Uncharted 2, has plot-based missions to accomplish but as a team. This mode adds nothing to the story, but is great fun for two or three players, though it’s really suited specifically for three. Cooperative multiplayer is essentially mixing up that great single player combat but with the odds stacked against you and a friend always watching your back. That is, assuming your teammates play well with others.

Competitive multiplayer is what I’d refer to as alternative online game. It doesn’t meet the standards of a franchise like Call of Duty, which commands millions of players. However, Uncharted 3′s 3rd-person perspective and slow- to medium-paced competitive gameplay, with cover and limited weapons, is enjoyable in an entirely different way. It’s just as skill-based as the best multiplayer games, but because of the slower flow allows players more space for free-thinking, coming up with interesting ways to approach objectives or defend targets or take down enemies. And multiplayer maps are built accordingly. Every map is a jungle gym to explore. Climb the roofs, swim around the edges, hide out in obscure corners. Every power spot has defined weaknesses, and every path has at least two exits. Uncharted 3′s multiplayer may not have the allure of other big-name titles set for release this holiday season, but few would be lucky to compare to the sheer complexity and fun that Drake’s Deception has to offer.

In many respects, Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception is a natural followup to Naughty Dog’s 2009 entry. More of the same characters, more platforming and adventuring. Yet at the same time Naughty Dog takes some big steps away from their traditional games. For the first time we see Drake as a boy growing up and learn a bit about this staple character of PS3 gaming. The improvements to combat and level design are superb, enough to make the entire game feel fresh and welcoming. Combined, Drake’s Deception is the quintessential PS3 adventure.

Editor’s Choice

4.5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

Amazon is offering the lowest price on the net on a copy of Dead Island for Xbox 360 or PS3!

For all your zombie fans out there here’s a new game to quench your thirst for blood and violence, but this time in a much more up close and personal way. Dead Island lands you onto a beach island resort which seems to be the hot spot to stay if you have you pockets filled beforehand. But this quickly turns to chaos as a mysterious zombification occurs and locks you in a situation where only 4 of you are still alive and human. Turns out you guys are immune, and that can only mean one thing… Bash the brains out of the living dead and survive while being cut off from the rest of the world. This game features 4-Player coop action and provides you with a much more gruesome experience as you wield literally thousands of weapons to bash your opposition with. This game definitely focuses on the melee combat which is a nice change from the traditional guns and really gives you a chance to burn off any latent aggression with friends online.

$14 in instant savings cuts the price to $45.99.  Other places sell it for much more, and you’ll get free delivery

2 out of 5 stars

Games today aren’t really balanced. They’re generally really good in a few ways, and equally terrible in a few others. Insomniac Games is one of the few developers that in the past has never compromised. Their games have consistently been well-rounded and able to stand on their own two legs in any way. The company’s reputation is solid as a rock, and just as colorful too. Resistance 3 is the first major stain on their record.

After shucking protagonist Nathan Hale from the series – the worst mistake Insomniac could have ever made – players take the role of his killer, Joe Capelli. The nonsensical tale takes place five years after Resistance 2 left off with Capelli dishonorably discharged for the murder and defending a town in the middle of nowhere after trying to put the past behind him. A past, mind you, which is catching up on humanity. A little thing called the Chimeran Army is very quickly turning homosapiens into homo-extinctus.

Starting the campaign, players find themselves immediately immersed in a visceral and believable post-apocolyptic world. Capelli wakes up to his wife by lantern, their son feverish, the house in which they reside in ruins. Downstairs a father plays red hands with his son. An old woman knits a sweater for Capelli’s child. A man tells his friend that his wife is pregnant, but that the town can’t afford another mouth to feed. It’s a touching scene, and everything about it is heartwarming and real and makes players feel. My heart twisted at the sight. It was all put together so perfectly, not just cinematically, but visually with exquisite graphics, through a superb soundtrack, and excellent animations.

But put a gun in Capelli’s hands and that realism goes caput. Realism isn’t just forgotten – Insomniac practically made the opening scene just to tell players “Alright, stop caring about the game…now“. A Chimeran scout team starts decimating the town, and Capelli singlehandedly ensures the town’s safety. Dr. Malakov from past games abruptly appears and begs Capelli for help, and after being refused Capelli’s wife asks him to do it just once, just like that, Capelli agrees. One goodbye, one last look at the only thing the man loves, and Joe Capelli races off on an adventure he clearly doesn’t care about, with a man he hates, for a country and society he would rather let die.

Yeah, that makes perfect sense.

When a developer ignore basic game principles, like how characters don’t just do things completely out of their nature because someone says please, then more rules must have been broken somewhere. That’s why Resistance 3 is only a triumph from a technical standpoint. It’s a visual stunner. Gameplay and flow are in perfect harmony. But behind the programming magic is the festering apathetic attitude that leaks into every aspect of the game. Like how Resistance 3 requires a massive update even before the long and required game installation. Or how any death results in spawning in a completely different location from the save point, with a completely clean slate. Or how Capelli never speaks in-game, even when asked a direct question, but talks in every single cutscene. I could go on and on.

This wasn’t unexpected from the Burbank-based developer. Their famed Ratchet & Clank franchise does a much better job of capturing the player’s heart through a strong protagonist, smart sidekick and a witty supporting cast, but the darker Resistance franchise has always been lackluster. The reliance on Nathan Hale’s super-human abilities helped manage his million-mile-stare attitude, but Capelli is just a regular Joe. Even then, the series has always rested solely on the gameplay, but after five years it doesn’t have the same charm it did when the PS3 released.

The short campaign – only six hours – has gameplay that’s equivalent to an RPG grind session. There’s no wow factor, nothing special nor memorable, and no satisfaction for completing it. It’s nothing more than a timesuck, a movie that you walk out of  thinking only, “oh look at the time.” The cooperative campaign, much like Resistance 2, offers a separate story but without 8-players. Back to the standard two, with splitscreen.

Multiplayer is restricted to those who purchased the game new and activate it through PSN. Mortal Kombat did the exact same thing to make sure everyone pays to play. So if you rent the game, be prepared to pay, though the Resistance 3 beta was in effect for so long that there can’t be any PS3 owners who haven’t tried it. However, for the purposes of this review because I didn’t exclusively play multiplayer from the full version of the game, the score is solely for the campaign.

Move and 3D are also supported by Resistance 3, but I tested neither because I don’t own a 3DTV and because Sony has adamantly refused to give journalists Move controllers.

Resistance 3 is a drab shooter with dull gameplay and no compelling reason to play it. It’s great in every other way. Insomniac Games is clearly an excellent developer, but the company’s outright refusal to connect with players through their games will continue keep the company’s titles forgettable and boring. The Resistance franchise is bursting from the seams, waiting to be explored. If only Insomniac were interested in exploring it.

Amazon is offering the lowest price we’ve seen on the new Deus Ex: Human Revolution for PS3!

It’s been long and coming but in the end it’s worth it! Dues Ex: Human Revolutions is the latest in the Dues Ex series from long ago and takes that classic and stunning gameplay to a whole new level. Now you can grab your copy at about half the price which is unheard of for a AAA title this new! You play the role of Adam Jenson, a security specialist in the near but chaotic future where the world is divided between those augmented and those who are normal. But in the background there are those controlling this path and molding humanity as they see fit. It’s your job to uncover these hidden truths and it’s your decision how you deal with them. Human Revolution combines the best of action and role-play into one stunning title that was definitely worth all the wait and at this low price there’s no reason not to dive in!

This is probably a rock bottom price for this game.  Amazon sells it for $25 off the retail price, making it $34.99. Make sure you add to cart on the right to get this deal.

Amazon is offering an intense deal on this PlayStation 3D Display with 3D glasses, Motorstorm and free copy of Resistance 3!

Get your game on with this exciting pre-order that will really make your PS3 Shine! The Playstation 3D Display is just a couple of months away, and upon release will shower you with full 3D Gaming and all of its Glory! This 24-Inch Sony Display allows for 3D even in split-screen multiplayer games and comes with everything you need for a full entertainment experience including the proper HDMI Cable, 3D Glasses and even built-in speakers and subwoofer for intense audio quality. This 3D display works like a normal TV as well and connects easily to your other equipment like normal. With this package you also get a copy of MotorStorm Apocalypse and for a limited time Amazon is also packing in a free copy of Resistance 3! Keep in mind Amazon is offering deal protection, so if you order now and they lower the price before release you get it at the lower price!

$499.99 shipped, but it includes  PlayStation 3D glasses, MotorStorm Apocalypse game, HDMI® cable, USB cable and AC power cord

Amazon has a some extra savings on the PS3 Copy of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II!

Get your game on with the action packed sequel to the epic Force Unleashed Saga in Star Wars! In this game you once again play as Starkiller as you hunt for your missing companion Juno as Darth Vader attempts to clone you in pursuit of making the ultimate Sith Warrior. This sequel comes with more over-the-top force powers than the last and pits you up against some of the most intense dark forces around. The events in this game are key plot lines which shift the story of Star Wars Episode III to Episode IV and is one of the fastest selling Star Wars games ever made. Wield the force like no other and take what is yours, decide whether to be good or evil, guided or misguided and get the revenge you deserve!

$11 in instant savings makes it just $18.99.  Add about $5 for delivery.  It’s $5 more for the Xbox 360 version

4.5 out of 5 stars

The tale of Infamous was an interesting one. Cole McGrath wakes up with electrical powers, has to make some pretty harsh choices, and ultimately saves a city by killing his future self, which somehow managed to time travel only to wreak havoc on his own past. Yep. Now Infamous 2 comes around wagging its tale begging us to play, and I’m glad I did.

Infamous 2 is a 3^rd person action “shooter”, if you will. It’s a shooter because the majority of combat revolves around playing Zeus, the lightning juggler, though Cole has plenty of other bright and shiny powers. Following a good/evil narrative, players can decide whether to act charitably or selfish, which developer Sucker Punch Studios defines as kind-to-the-point-of-stupidity or being a practical guy, but a jerk. How you behave has minimal influence on the world…in-game characters will either cheer you on or run in fear, and main characters have similar reactions, though choices made in either direction will have different dialog and different reactions to the events unfolding.

Meet the new Cole McGrath…Dammit, why do I keep wanting to say Phelps?

This time, McGrath is saving the city…oh, just a different one. Unoriginal, but it works. All the parkour returns in its clumsy super-powered fashion, and players can take a breath of fresh air knowing they won’t spend 50% of their time scaling buildings. Climbing is faster, and more powers have been added which improve on the need to get in the air. It doesn’t help though that Cole is no longer the only super-powered human, and that everyone else can fly. Thanks for rubbing it in our faces Sucker Punch.

As expected, the world looks brilliant, and it’s no longer about the “urban jungle”. The fictional city of New Marias – a blatant representation of New Orleans, all the way down to a character Nix with a Cajun accent, and plenty of swamp areas and water to avoid. As a sidenote, Cole can’t touch water because it hurts him…how does he drink? How do rainy days interfere with his life? How can this man not make an electrical umbrella, and for that matter, turn himself into a bolt of electricity and just fly? But I digress, the PS3 exclusive looks great and runs very well, though an initial, brief installation is required, which is surprising because Infamous didn’t require an install.

Instead of Cole fighting, well, himself, the game begins with him evacuating Empire City (aka New York) from “The Beast”, a giant monster of ridiculous power. In this battle things seem to go well until it becomes clear that this boss is indestructible. Fleeing the city to New Marias, Cole and NSA pal Agent Kuo, along with the backstabbing sidekick Zeke search out a number of blast cores to make Cole more powerful. Phew, that was a mouthful. The convoluted plot is actually very well represented, far better than is generally expected from a videogame. Nearly every character is a true product of their lives, and fans of the original game will within minutes forget about Cole’s complete makeover from nasal bike-boy to thoughtful hero-type. Zeke’s constant search for redemption is heartwarming, and the tension between him and Cole is constant. Kuo has her life turned inside out when she is forced to becoming a Conduit – someone with powers – and in her struggle ends up losing grip on reality. Meanwhile the residents of New Marias are often the dumb AI inhabitants we all expect, but once activated for missions can be exceptional. Even the bad guys have reasonable motives, deranged as they may be. Expecting a game like Infamous 2 to have a proper story would be expecting too much, and Sucker Punch kicked those expectations to the curb and really delivered. I only wish there were more characters to help flesh out the fiction even more, because frankly there are so many places it could have gone. The handful of actual characters, however, is so limited that the game is stuck to whatever we can learn from those eight.

Traversing the giant city, a chore/adventure of its own, is the 2^nd part of this trifecta game. The final piece is combat, which is hardly electrifying. Cole has his standard set of lighting bolts, deflections, and hovering abilities. The newer attacks aren’t magnificent in any sense, and they’re certainly worth playing with and investigating. Enemies continue to get more powerful and the standard attacks just stop doing damage, forcing players to adapt. The environment is rarely a component to combat, which is a shame considering how vast it is. All surrounding buildings are good for to steal electricity from. To really get the most out of combat requires ingenuity. Pick up a car, throw it at a group of gun-wielding maniacs, then throw electric grenades at it until it explodes. Unfortunately there’s no incentive for inventive combat, because Cole is so weak that leaving yourself open for attack long enough to do that will likely leave nothing but Swiss cheese.

As Infamous 2 progresses, Cole will earn experience points which can then be used to purchase new powers. Primary and secondary missions, as well as general kindhearted behavior/jackassery will earn XP, though many of the better abilities require playing through quite a few secondary missions. These often range from boring to “well, at least it isn’t another waiting screen in Duke Nukem Forever”. Interestingly, the “multiplayer” aspect of Infamous 2 is mission creation, where players can make secondary missions for anyone to play. Some of the user created missions are amazingly fun and creative, which makes you wonder why all of the in-game missions are identical and oh-so-dull. Why is every hospital and medical clinic in need of the exact same thing?

What makes Infamous 2 great is that it’s a strong game with only a few relative flaws that has excellent fiction. Combine that with strong combat and platforming, and the chance to play for a very long time by playing user-created missions and making your own missions in the enormous city and beyond, and Infamous 2 is a definite keeper.

Amazon is offering a Pre Order bundle for Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception with included PSN Access codes for added game content for only $59.99 + Free Shipping = $59.99!

The third entry in the popular Uncharted Series exclusive to the PS3 is almost here! Now you can get your hands on the game the instant it comes out and take advantage of some free extra content from PSN which includes Carpet Bomb Kickback, Clip Size Mode and Para 9. This game brings our hero Nathan Drake into the heart of the Arabian Desert in search of the fabled Atlantis of the Sands which is said to hold vast treasure and artifacts. Of course he gets more than he bargained for as he fights for his survival against the foes and the world alike.

Amazon has a bundle deal available on the Playstation 3 160GB with selected DualShock 3 Bundle for only $299.99 – $6.77 Instant Off + Free Shipping = $293.22!

For a limited time you can get your hands on one of two Dualshock 3 bundles for free with your purchase of a new slim 160GB Sony Playstation 3! The Playstation 3 of course is the latest game console from Sony which pushes the envelope of HD graphics for your home theater. It offers a library of thousands of games along with many different add-ons and peripherals which can enhance your gameplay experience like the six-axis controller and Playstation Move. The Dualshock 3 bundles to choose from are the Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time Bundle and LittleBigPlanet: Game of the Year Edition bundle. Both of which are a $59.99 value.

Yesterday, Sony unveiled their official PlayStation 3 wireless headset.  It features virtual 7.1-channel surround sound, a retractable mic, a mute button and volume control with the simple swipe of a finger on the headset.  Unfortunately, Sony’s wireless headset will not work with Blu-ray discs, which is a shame since it costs just $99.99.  It’s important to note that it’s virtual surround sound, which is emulated using digital signal processing, as opposed to true surround sound, which utilizes additional speakers.

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If the 1 month closure of the PSN hasn’t deterred you, then you might be pleased to know that there is a knew Playstation bundle heading our way, though chances are it will never break ground on US shores.  The Tales of Xillia X Edition PS3 includes a copy of the role playing game and a 160GB Playstation 3 finished in gold and red matching artwork.

Release date is expected for September 8th with a ridiculously high price tag of ¥37,980 ($470).

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For a limited time Amazon is offering a $60 Gift Card with your purchase of a Sony Playstation 3!

Everyone knows what the Playstation 3 is, but now when you get your hands on one you also receive cash which can be used on Amazon! The Playstation 3 of course is Sony’s latest console which pushes HD graphics and online play to its limits. This is the slim model with a huge 160GB hard drive which can hold all of your important data with ease. The Playstation 3 has a library consisting of thousands of games so there’s something for everyone. The best part is that it also doubles as a fully functional Blu-Ray player, giving you an entire home theater experience from a single unit.

The first and official trailer for Modern Warfare 3 debuted a few days ago and it backs up the rumors we heard about earlier this month.

As suspected the game will release November 8th, 2011.  It will take place in multiple countries including England, Germany, USA and France.  Vehicles are most certainly in the game, but at this point it’s a bit difficult to tell if they’re scene oriented or can be used throughout the boards.

The game is being developed by Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer Games.

Newegg has a bonus offer available for this Sony Playstation 3 160GB Console which includes a free $50 Gift Card for $299.99 + Free 2-Day Shipping = $299.99!

Take your gaming to new heights with this fully loaded Playstation 3 system! The Sony PS3 gives you a perfect combination of gaming power and functionality you want from a multimedia device that expands upon your home theater system like never before. Not only do you have a large selection of games to choose from and play you also have a fully capable Blu-Ray player built right in, Wi-Fi capability and Web Browser for streaming instantly from your favorite movie sites like Netflix and a full gaming community from PSN online. It includes a large 160GB hard drive to store all of your things instantly as well. For a limited time when you get this system you will also receive a $50 gift card for use in the store on anything you please, even a game or two for your new PS3 System!

While Activision hasn’t made an official announcement regarding Modern Warfare 3, Kotaku says that they’ve already got the deets from multiple inside sources. First off, the game is said to release on November 8th, 2011.

According to the sources, the games plot will center around multiple cities spread throughout the world. The game is said to start where the last one left off, which was the US attempting to stave off a Russian invasion of the US.  The single player campaign will once again involve a variety of characters, including a Russian Federal Protective Services agent, SAS Operative, tank gunner, and AC-130 gunner as well as a few key characters from the previous installments.  Expect to play about 15 missions, with the first starting with the invasion of Manhattan by a Russian force and the last occurring in Duabia.

Vehicles are back in this installation, which are said to include an AC-130 gunship (gunner position) and tank.  The multiplayer mode should largely remain the same, at least at the core, but the rumor states that Infinity Ward has added two new modes, “Survival” and “Mission”.

So will this be the final installment of COD?  Since Activision has the habit of sucking as much life out of a series until it won’t sell any more, such as Guitar Hero, it’s really the gamers who decide if the series will continue on.  So will you buy another installment of COD: Modern Warfare?

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Buy.com via eBay has a slick deal available for this Sony PlayStation Move Motion Controller which is priced at only $39.99 + Free Shipping = $39.99!

Take your Playstation 3 gaming experience to a whole new level with the Move Motion controller! It’s intelligently engineered for use with the Playstation 3 and offers you a whole new level of interaction for all of your games. It works in conjunction with the PlaystationEye USB camera to track your movements and exact position between other characters to give you the most realistic feel of the game. It also has a RGB LED sphere and vibration effects for both visual and sensing feedback of actions. Bluetooth technology allows you to experience all of this without any cables getting in the way. You can connect up to 4 of these to a PS3 at a time for multiplayer action.

Amazon is offering LA Noire for PS3 with $15 Credit for only $59.99 + Free Shipping = $59.99!

Be sure to save some money before the big day with the pre-order deal from Amazon! L.A. Noire is the long awaited RockStar game which is set in late 40’s L.A. and based upon the classic Noire movie genre. It offers enhanced graphics and gameplay as well as super realistic speech that you can even read the lips of. For a limited time you will get $15 of Amazon Credit which can be used on anything in the store when you preorder and you will also receive the game the day it comes out so you won’t miss a moment playing it. Be sure to check out review for more info once the game hits the streets on Mat 17’th!