Give the gift of gaming! Buy one of the hot, drool-inducing games of the holiday season. With the economy the way it is, not every gamer can pick up game on its release day. Some are brand new releases, others have been on the market for some time.
1. "Tropico 3"
Box Cover © Kalypso Media.
"Tropico 3" takes the gamer back to 1950 as the the 'El Presidente' of an island in the Caribbean. Meeting the citizens needs is not a requirement. Health care, religion, entertainment, and good homes are common concerns. Make them your concerns too, or not. Good or evil, either way it's possible to win. Someone doesn't agree with your ways - throw them in jail. It's zany, fun game. The most fun I have had playing in a long time.
2. "The Sims 3"
Box Cover © Electronic Arts.
This is the perfect gift for "The Sims 2" players. Pair it along with a new computer or graphics card, and your gamer will be in heaven. "The Sims 3" gives players a new world to explore, a seamless neighborhood where Sims age together. Doesn't sound like much? To a Sims player this is a huge milestone. The ability to change colors of virtually almost everything is enough reason to buy. Don't like that pink sofa? No problem. It's orange in a couple of steps. Another major feature is the addition of personality traits. Sims will have special interactions and animations based on the traits. You can't go wrong with "The Sims 3."
3. "Spore"
Box Cover © Electronic Arts.
Will Wright's "Spore" simulates life from the cell stage to a space stage, where the creature that started out as a simple cell is a complex creature that has the power to explore galaxies. Creatures are shared and downloaded automatically when connected to the Internet. The world is populated with those creatures. "Spore" is best for teens and adults with a creative side and who love to experiment.
4. "The Sims 3 World Adventures"
Box Cover © Electronic Arts.
"The Sims 3 World Adventures" will be out mid-November, making it the perfect gift for "The Sims 3" player. I don't know a gamer out there that wouldn't want an expansion for their favorite game. Be ready for your gamer to disappear. Three new cultures based on real-life places are waiting to be explored. ("The Sims 3" Required)
5. "Cities XL"
Box Cover © Monte Cristo.
"Cities XL" is the gift for the gamer who is still playing "SimCity 4." It won't completely replace the "SimCity" for everyone. I'm betting most city builder gamers would love, at the very least, to try this one out. It is a full realistic 3D world. The biggest advancement here is the online play. Cities can be built in an online world with the opportunity to trade and build landmarks with fellow gamers. A subscription is required to play the online part. Include $20 to get your gamer roughly 3 months of play time.