Four birdies singing, otherwise known as Day 4 of our Holiday Gift Guide. Jack doesn’t quite understand that the games are supposed to be released in 2012, so he just chose whatever he played in 2012. Who does he think he is?
Anyways, if you missed Days 1, 2, or 3, you can view them as easy as uno, dos, tres!
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For DRUL loyalists, you’ve seen us talk about Airmech multiple times, and there’s a reason for that, Airmech is an amazing game! It incorporates RTS elements with a top down shooter. Not only that, your character is this awesome Airmech. One moment you can be patrolling the skies, the next you can land and unleash chaos to ground units. Controlling an Airmech is like being the ultimate warrior. Carbon Games has captured what Command & Conquer Renegade attempted to do, put players into a character but still be an RTS game. Not only that, as a F2P title, Carbon Games provides Airmech players with a lot of content without nickel and diming you. If you spend money on Airmech, you will do so because you believe in Carbon’s vision and have a desire to support them, not because the developer has created a game where you have to spend money to continue.
Strengths:
[checklist]
- Free to play
- Not gouged on microtransactions
- Bundles are reasonably priced
- A fun, fresh game
- Developers actively involved in the community
[button link=”http://store.steampowered.com/app/206500/” variation=”sky”]Get This FREE Game[/button]
[/toggle_box] [toggle_box title=”Realm of the Mad God”]
Another F2P title, Realm of the Mad God is simply phenomenal. I fell in love with this game after playing 1 minute of the tutorial. Realm (as I like to call it), has excitement, diverse enemies, multiple playable characters, tons of loot, dungeons, and is an all around a great time. Steam reports I’ve spent 78 hours battling the Mad God and all of his minions, and each hour was just as good as the first. I don’t know what it is about this game, but it’s just the perfect blend of fun and difficulty.
Strengths:
[checklist]
- One of the best games ever made
- It includes everything you would want in a game
- Free to play
- Not gouged on microtransactions
- MMO Coop
- Smack talk
- Always an “OMG” or “HOLY SHNIKIES!” moment
[button link=”http://store.steampowered.com/app/200210/” variation=”sky”]Get This FREE Game[/button]
[/toggle_box] [toggle_box title=”Gears of War 3″]
I’ve put in hundreds of hours on every Gears title, but hands down, Gears of War 3 is the best in the series. EPIC had a great formula back in 2006, but they perfected it in late 2011. Just like doing a titration in chemistry class, getting the right blend takes time and precision. A little low, or a little high can mean the difference between great and good results. The only thing I’m disappointed about in Gears 3 is EPIC seemed to quickly lose interest in supporting the title. Gears 2 had a TON of support post-release, as did Gears 1. But something was brewing at EPIC after Gears 3 launch, I’m not sure what, but Cliffy B and Rod Fergusson both have left the studio, and now we’re looking at Gears of War Judgment to be released early 2013. There’s no reason for a new Gears game. I just want the Events Calendar in Gears 3 to be updated on a regular weekly basis so I can get my stupid achievement.
Strengths:
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- It’s Gears
- Did I say it’s Gears?
- Fluid campaign
- Flawless multiplayer with dedicated servers
Weaknesses:
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- EPIC quickly burned through DLC
- Community events, where’d they go? Where’s my achievement!
[button link=”http://amzn.to/SLxyO6″ variation=”sky”]Get This Game[/button]
[/toggle_box] [toggle_box title=”Enslaved: Odyssey To The West”]
Wow, Enslaved, if you haven’t played this game, go to Amazon and buy this game right now (click here, thank me later). Seriously, Enslaved is THAT good. Unfamiliar with Enslaved? It’s a single player, strong story driven game with movie-like gameplay (yes, gameplay), Hollywood action movie dialog (perhaps a bit better), and a fun, well balanced combat system. Enslaved is one of the best single player games I’ve ever played.
Strengths:
[checklist]
- Beautiful game inside and out
- Deep intriguing story
- Fun action/adventure
- Replay value – not much more to do, but you wouldn’t mind experiencing it again 🙂
[/toggle_box] [toggle_box title=”NFS: The Run”]
It’s probably safe to say, every gamer has a favorite NFS title. NFS is one of the best racing series to exist, and even though I think its yearly releases have become stale, NFS: The Run was a nice change. Most current NFS games are open world, but The Run is heavily scripted. So much so that if you even veer off the road a bit, your car will be reset. While NFS: The Run strays from the series’ roots, it is still an enjoyable experience. Whether you’re swerving down a snowy mountain dodging falling boulders and huge explosions, enjoying the countryside, or running from cops on foot in an interactive cutscene, NFS: The Run is a fun (but not amazing) entry into an otherwise dull series.
Strengths:
[checklist]
- It is what it is, doesn’t try to be something it’s not
- Strong single player mode
- Looks amazing
- One of the most fun NFS in years
- Awesome cinematics – wish they’d have more
Weaknesses:
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- Too easy
- No freedom, you’re on a string the entire time
[button link=”http://amzn.to/Un8w7K” variation=”sky”]Get This Game[/button]
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