Tactical Gamer Christmas List: Part 1

[Mateo]

It is the 4th of December, which means that your family has 20 days left to shop for you.

That's right, for you.

Look, I have a spouse and in-laws as well, I know the deal: they have no idea what to get you, and eventually think "I guess we should get (insert your name) a game for Christmas!"

Ah, but which one? This is the time of year when game publishers and developers go for broke, and flood the shelves with new titles, all vying for your, and your loved one's, money.

Well, I'm here to help you sort it out.

I have broken the list into 3 different sections, in which I am going to cover all the major game types, and give you a suggestion you might like. If you don’t like that selection, one of the suggestions for another category might pique your interest.

So let's get started.

Most of us here are dyed-in-the-wool FPS gamers. I don't even need to explaing the acronym, as you already know what it is. It has been a fine year for FPS gaming, and there are many choices for your Christmas list.

When I originally put together this list, I had visions of seeing Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter under the Christmas Tree. Since then, the game has been pushed back to Spring 2006. I was drinking some GOOOD eggnog though.

As a result, I am in a bit of a quandary: should I recommend a solid, if not inspiring title, like F.E.A.R., or Call of Duty 2, or choose something that I know will provide hours of great Tactical Gaming?



I'm going to assume that everyone has Battlefield 2 and Special Forces that wants it at this point, or that it's already on your list.

Even with that assumption, there is a lot to look at in this category for those still needing a gift.

The best gaming value out there right now for FPS gamers is: Counterstrike: Source.

http://www.counter-strike.net/

Now, I know, most of you are going to cry foul, say that I am an admin for the game and therefore biased.

Hear me out.

Over a year ago, when Valve released the update to the original mod, it was only available if you bought Half Life 2. Many people wanted the online game, but could not care less about the Single player game.

Since then, Valve has released the game as a stand alone title, and thrown in HL2 Deathmatch and Day of Defeat: Source in the box as sweeteners. That is a lot of gaming for about $35 (Amazon).

According to Valve:

Counter-Strike: Source blends Counter-Strike's award-winning team play action with the advanced technology of Source technology. Featuring state of the art graphics, all new sounds, and introducing physics, Counter-Strike: Source is a must-have for every action gamer.

Wait, they aren't done yet:

Day of Defeat offers an intense brand of online game play set in the WWII European Theatre of Operations. Players assume the role of light/assault/heavy infantry, sniper or machine-gunner class, and missions are based on historical operations.

We host servers for both titles here, which means that you already have a home to go to with these titles.

With both of them in a single box, if you do not have it, you should want it.

I don't know about your family, but mine does stocking stuffers. You will need a big stocking for both of these titles, but they are well worth it.

One game that should be in everyone's stocking is Operation Flashpoint: Game of the Year Edition.

http://www.flashpoint1985.com/

I am not going to mince words on this one: this is one of the toughest, baddest tactical hombres on the block.

Originally released in 2001, The game of the year edition includes the original game and the 2 expansions.

The game still holds its own as a military simulation, and the community that surrounds it has kept the game fresh with graphical, mission, and weapons updates.

Currently, you can find it online for about $15 new and used.

Next year, Bohemia Interactive will release a massive update to the original game, called Armed Assault, and by all accounts, it will have a home here.

Get ready for the update by asking for this stocking stuffer.

Another cheap, but serious time-sink, stocking stuffer option is America's Army.
As most of you know, America’s Army is a free download. The Army's PR team describes the game best:

In America's Army: Special Forces, players attempt to earn Green Beret status by completing individual and collective training missions drawn from the Special Forces Assignment and Selection (SFAS) process. Players who complete the SFAS process have the opportunity to take on elite Special Forces roles and are qualified to play in multiplayer missions with units ranging from the elite 82d Airborne Division to the 75th Ranger Regiment.

To say that the game is superlative is understatement.

Not everyone, however, has the bandwidth to download the game, or maybe they just want a disk in case of a system failure.

In the past, I have see the game boxed at Gamestop for about $10. This year, they include one of the new action figures in the box, and ask $20 for the kit.

Give your kid the action figure, or pose it on your desk to “manly-up” up your game area.

http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=646389

For more information on the game, go here:
http://www.americasarmy.com/

A bargain at twice the price.

Ok, so that should keep you FPS fans busy for Christmas.

In Part 2, we’ll go over your best gift options in Strategy Gaming.