GAME CENTRAL: Christmas picks (From Asian Image)

GAME CENTRAL: Christmas picks

10:50am Thursday 4th December 2008

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It was a great time to be a gamer last month, with some of the year's best games all released within days of each other.

To help decide which ones to splash the cash on, here are some mini-reviews!.

Call of Duty World at War (ALL MAJOR CONSOLES): One of the best FPS games you can buy, with a cinematic single-player campaign and so much to achieve online; just don't expect anything hugely different from Call of Duty Modern Warfare. 8/10.

Fable II (Xbox 360): With a fairy-tale setting it doesn't really appeal to adults, yet it's a 15-certificate (featuring bad language and sex) so is hardly suitable for children. The main story is short and the social activities are involving but dull, so unless you're a fan of fairy-tales I'd give this one a miss. 5/10.

Fallout 3 (PC/PS3/360): This self-titled "post-apocalyptic simulation" is outstanding, and gets my vote for game of the year. Everything comes together; great scriptwriting and rich environments lend the game a disturbing atmosphere. The only disappointment is that there are no multiplayer modes, but it doesn't really need any. 9/10.

Far Cry 2 (PC/PS3/360): Beautiful graphics and a genuinely exciting idea for a game, hugely let down by repetitiveness. Your character hunts an arms dealer through Africa, but each mission is virtually the same, involving ten minutes of travelling and one minute of action. 6/10.

Football Manager 2009 (PC/MAC/PSP): A fantastic match engine on all formats (3D on PC/Mac) makes this the best football management game to date, at home or on the move. 9/10.

Gears of War 2 (Xbox 360): Jaw-dropping visuals, adrenaline-pumping gameplay and great online play make this a winner. The single-player campaign is over in a few days though. 8/10.

Guitar Hero World Tour (ALL MAJOR CONSOLES): With all instruments this game provides some memorable moments with friends, but the RRP for the game and instrument pack is £150. Is it better than Rock Band? The instruments are, they're solid and more realistic, but the soundtrack isn't as impressive. 8/10.

LittleBigPlanet (PS3): One for the art students. The creativity is unparalleled, but you soon realise you're spending hours creating your own levels without ever actually playing the game. It's so simple and repetitive, and most levels only last for a few minutes. 6/10.

Mirror's Edge (PC/PS3/360): Another innovative idea! Your character is a female "runner" in an information-restricted future, blazing from one destination to the next trying to avoid conflict.

It's a breath of fresh air and personally I think it's almost up to the standard of Fallout 3, but there's one big flaw; you move so quickly that even casual gamers reach the end of the adventure within days. 7/10.

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