You will probably die more in this game than any other shooting games you ever played. Your deaths put you in more unforgiving situations and there is no way to get past the beasts and demons unless you learn how to do it
yourself - the hard way. It's a throwback to old-school RPGs, when games were played by many and beaten by few. Demon's Souls is extremely rewarding when you finally manage not to screw up and die. The online mode is top-notch, in which other players can leave messages and hints on how to get past an area. Slain players' bloodstains can also give clues on what to expect by showing you how they got massively owned. There is also co-operative play (up to three players) and competitive play where players can actually make life more difficult for you.
Did I mention some of the messages that players can leave for you may actually be hilarious traps? "Turn left, and keep running fast, don't look back dude!" And then you run off of a cliff into a pit of lava. Atleast you learn the hard way. Demon's Souls is not impossible - it just forces gamers to think more wisely, the way it was done back in the old days. This game is incredibly fun, rewarding, and its visuals look stunning. Suck it up and get it.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (also on PC and Xbox 360)
Modern Warfare 2 is probably the real reason why so many hyped games have been delayed to 2010. It will continue the story from its predecessor, several years later as the Russian Ultranationalist organization returns to prominence and poses a huge threat to the world. The game will use the new IW 4.0 game engine (an upgrade), will have larger worlds, and enhanced visuals. There is now dynamic AI to move players forward (without the need for respawning enemies) and they also behave differently each time a level is played.
New weapons, fighting on vehicles (think snowmobiles and more), more interactive gameplay, a single player campaign stated to be much superior to the original... a pre-ordering sales number higher than any other game created by the company in history - you get the idea. Modern Warfare 2 will retain its addictive multiplayer component and now includes a co-op Special Ops mode (beating levels on "Veteran" difficulty can unlock new levels) and the online mode will introduce new rewards and "perks" to go with its experience points system.
If you need a holiday gift, get Modern Warfare 2. Satisfaction guaranteed.
FIFA Soccer 10 (also on PSP, PC, Xbox 360, PS2, and Wii)
Sports games get a lot of flak but let's be honest - how much can you really change up a sports game? You definitely can't change rules. But what you can do is significantly enhance the way the game is played and make it rewarding to players that use their skills to the max. FIFA Soccer 10 is definitive of this, having received core refinements to its free games play.
