Well, here is the list of the best games for Hardcore gamers from 2010. The list is not in any particular order. These are the games that gamers WANT to own and all would make excellent Holiday gifts.

#1 – Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood - I seriously did not think UBI Soft could top Assassin’s Creed 2, my favorite game of last year. Well kids, Ezio is back and better than ever. Everything that made Ezio cool, as a Master Assassin, is back to allow for more gameplay, and there’s more. You can also play as different character classes, in one of the most graphically detailed and stunningly beautiful virtual worlds to ever be designed. This time, Ezio is fighting as a part of the Brotherhood, as he leads a group against the evil order of the Templar. This battle will take Ezio into the heart of Italy, to Rome, as he vows to take down the Templars and save the guild of Assassins. This takes Assassin’s Creed gameplay to a whole new level, providing endless amounts of fun with brand new Multiplayer Modes where assassin’s compete to be the best. Of course, the Single Player Campaign is just as good, making this one of the hottest titles of the year.

#2 – Medal of Honor - It doesn’t get more realistic than this. In Medal of Honor you’ll step into the middle of combat. This is a reboot of the classic Playstation game of the same name, which takes players into the center of the current day conflict in Afghanistan. While the single player mode is decent, the graphics aren’t always flawless. However, the best part about this game is the Multiplayer. If you are a fan of shooters you can really get in on playing this game. There may have been controversy about getting to play the role of the “Taliban”, but whatever you call it, you still get the chance to play as an Opposing Force. In Single Player, you’ll play through the same campaign U.S. soldiers fought while in Afghanistan, while the multiplayer allows for gameplay as a Rifleman, Special Ops, or Sniper. Whatever mode of play you choose, FPS action encapsulates the whole of gameplay, making it worth the purchase for hardcore shooter fans.

#3 – Fallout: New Vegas - The place to be after nuclear fallout is Las Vegas, which was not directly hit by any nuclear attack. Four years proceeding the successful Fallout 3, players are taken into the wastelands of the post-apocalyptic Mojave Desert and nearby New Vegas. Traversing through parts of Nevada and California, the player is essentially in another part of the states, in the same world of the last title. There seems to be no major link between Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas. The world is the same, but instead of being in the Capital Wasteland, you’ll traverse across the familiar landmarks of Las Vegas. This game is as wicked as its predecessors, with throwbacks to both Fallout 3 and Fallout 2, such as the New California Republic (NCR) from the later. There have been vast improvements in the gameplay of this title, with a massive land to explore, expanded quests, and obsessively entertaining encounters with a plethora of hostile enemies. While the graphics may be slightly off, this is a sequel worthy of purchase by fans of the Fallout series, and post-apocalyptic shooters.

#4 – Fable III - Okay, so this game isn’t all blood and guts like some of the other titles on this list. However, Fable III expands upon the past two Fable titles while still maintaining its RPG adventure core. Playing as the son of the hero from Fable II, you set out to lead a rebellion against the tyrannical king, who just happens to be your own brother. If you are successful, you take over the kingdom and rule it as you see fit. Along the way you can marry various women (and men), have a slew of kids, get STDs from the town prostitutes, make yourself look like a fool while dancing, and choose between being heroic and wicked to earn you the favor (or hatred) of the people who lived in the once great Albion. What makes this game so much fun is the ability to play at your own pace. There are an endless number of side quests, and a variety of ways to interact with people, allowing you to gain extra favor from the citizens (which comes in handy when buying upgrades) and keep you from the straight and narrow path your mission leads you on.

#5 – Shaun White Skateboarding - When I saw this at E3 I knew I would enjoy this game. I am not usually one into the skateboarding games, but for the hardcore sports fan, Shaun White is the authority at making a decent, realistic boarding game. The element I found to be the most interesting was the coloring/repairing of the world, as you skate through it. If I could skate, I would totally want to skate up and down buildings, along bridge edges, and up and down railings. This game takes it to the ultimate. You spend the majority of the time skating as the character you create, which I prefer, but by the end of the game, you can unlock the ability to free skateboard through the world as Shaun White. Really, I picked this for the wicked color scheme and ability to skate around the world, and I have not been disappointed.

#6 – Call of Duty: Black Ops - This has to be the most anticipated title of the holidays. Following the success of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 earlier this year, Call of Duty: Black Ops had tough shoes to fill, and fill it did, surpassing sales records and maintaining a positive image for the Call of Duty franchise. Though this game is a sequel to World at War, Black Ops is far better than its predecessor. The game offers an engrossing campaign for single players as well as a fast-paced Multi-Player element. All modes of gameplay are entertaining, though there is a level of difficulty associated that keeps the game fresh. In single-player mode, you are a part of a CIA Black Ops team during the 1960s Cold War. This game combines stealth with kick buttery, taking warfare to a whole new level. Next to Halo Reach, Call of Duty: Black Ops is the best, most hardcore shooter you WILL buy this holiday season.

#7 – Halo Reach - As much as I love the latest release in the Halo franchise, it also pisses me off. This game is HARD. Gameplay is challenging, no matter the level, and I have played on all of them. The game will appeal to long term Halo fans, because it follows the typical structure for a Halo game. There are many familiar elements, from the missions to the stylistic design of enemies. However, the developers were not kidding when they said they were working on making harder enemies and developing a more compelling world for the characters of Halo Reach. You play as a replacement for a wounded member of Noble Team, who discover the Covenants is involved in nefarious things. It is your goal to take down the Covenant, though the ultimate sacrifice you’ll make is for the greater good of Reach. Multiplayer offers the chance to take on another player locally or online, as well as through Xbox live and a variety of modes, like the Slayer and Stockpile. Whatever mode you play, Halo Reach is the most solid FPS on this list, which makes it worthy for purchase this holiday season.

#8 – James Bond 007 – Bloodstone - Yeah, so this game is not quite as hardcore as the shooters I typically play, but I absolutely love playing as James Bond. Continuing on with a gaming structure similar to Quantum of Solace, Daniel Craig returns as the world’s most famous spy. The story, for me, is irrelevant. I prefer going from scene to scene and taking down a slew of bad guys. To do this, players can do silent takedowns, where they stealthily take out enemies. I have always been one to prefer to use my guns, especially ones with silencers, but there is something ultra satisfying about waiting around a corner, ready to choke hold an enemy into submission. This has the feel off a big budget, action flick, where you get to be the bad ass, kicking butt while taking no prisoners. Though some of the harder gamers may scoff at this title, this provides more than a few hours of mindless, James Bond inspired fun.

#9 – Alan Wake - There aren’t very many authentic, hardcore, psychologically thrilling games out there. Alan Wake is one of them and the game psychologically thrills quite well. The stunning graphics compliment the hardy world of Bright Falls. You’ll feel like you are in a movie, playing the central character of Alan Wake. Alan loses consciousness, after attempting to save his wife Alice, who has been dragged into a lake. Upon awakening, Alan enters a deluded world of darkness and horrors too terrifying to see the light of day. What makes this work as a game is its episodic nature. The story is compelling and builds upon itself, until it reaches the ultimate climax. The thing is, instead of being the spectator, as you would when watching a movie, in this game, you are the star who must go through the experience to see the story played out until the very end.

#10 – God of War III - The ultimate adventure of Olympian proportions, God of War III returns to the time of the Ancients. Though I am not fond of the idea of storming Mount Olympus to kill Zeus (my own personal preference) it does seem fun to have Kratos and the Titans take on the famed Gods of Olympus. The gameplay is more brilliant than the graphics. That is saying a lot because God of War III looks absolutely stunning. I have always felt the games for PS3 were graphically superior to those on other systems and this title boasts what I am talking about. It is a dream come true to see the Gods personified, and they are done so well in this game. This is the final chapter in the fate of Kratos, but this action adventure story is worthy of comparison to any of the Greek legends that have been told over time.

All of these games I’ve had a chance to check out personally, and can say, without a shadow of a doubt, they ROCK!

Honorable Mention

Here are a few mentions of games we think would be great for hardcore gamers, but cannot recommend with first hand/knowledge or experience. Buy at your own risk!

Mafia II - Having played through the Mafia II demo for Xbox 360 I can honestly say if the game is anything like the demo, it’s pretty hardcore. Who doesn’t want to step into the shoes of a mobster, at least in a video game? The glitz and glamor that made a generation clamor for The Sopranos is encapsulated within this game, which features music and a backdrop straight out of America’s Golden Era. Featuring a brand new, 2K Czech game Engine, play in this gorgeously designed virtual world is smooth and precise with gun fights, explosions, rifle targeting and even hand to hand combat working seamlessly. With the amount of violence you’ll endure in Mafia II, 2K offers this title as an M for Mature game, and if you’re mature enough to handle it, this game is bound to reward you with all its cool new features, an upgrade from the original Mafia title.

Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare - What’s more fun than some wild, wild west shootin’ fun? How’s about adding in zombies to the mix? I never thought I’d see the day when the undead would infest the old west, but here Rockstar Games has done just that. More of a set of DLC packs, that add on to the original Wild West, 3rd person shooter game, this set includes the Undead Nightmare Pack, the Liars and Cheats Pack and the Legends and Killers Pack. While all of these sound pretty cool, I think I’ll stick with the zombies. There’s nothing like dueling with someone already dead, with nothing to lose in such a fight. This set includes a complete overhaul of the original game, with John Marston fighting to find a cure to the zombie infestation, with new weapons and a new world design. While all that made Red Dead Redemption worthy of play remains, these packs appear to add the right amount of zing to freshen up this old title.

Technorati Tags: Gamerrazzi, Holiday, 2010 Gift Guide, Top Ten, Must Have Games, Hardcore Gamers, Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood, Medal of Honor, Fallout: New Vegas, Fable III, Shaun White Skateboarding, Call of Duty: Black Ops, Halo Reach, Dragon Age: Origins Ultimate Edition, Alan Wake, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon

Your Shape: Fitness Evolved gives each player multiple ways to get involved including:

Using a Personal Trainer
Taking a Fitness Class
Playing Mini-Games with Friends and Family

The result is a game that is a fitness program that is fully designed by your goals and abilities. The game changes and evolves as the player becomes healthier and evolves, as well. The result is a highly motivated and well challenged player.

Additional Information Via the Press Release:

Players will also have the opportunity to work out with some of the best personal trainers in the industry in the comfort of their own homes without the cost of a gym membership. Michael George, Los Angeles–based celebrity fitness trainer and Michelle Bridges, trainer for all five series on Australia’s “The Biggest Loser,” will both offer workout classes at launch. There are also a variety of fitness class options, including yoga, Pilates, martial arts and boxing. In addition, Your Shape™: Fitness Evolved will also offer a wide choice of mini-games including dancing, ball games, balance games and hula-hoop. The mini games support turn-based multiplayer mode so players can challenge friends and family.

Technorati Tags: Xbox 360, Game, Screenshots, Fitness, Your Shape Fitness Evolved, Kinect

The Music (Well, at least some of it):

1960s:
· Jimi Hendrix, “Crosstown Traffic”
· The Doors, “Break On Through”

1970s:
· Queen, “Bohemian Rhapsody”

1980s:
· Dio, “Rainbow in the Dark”
· Huey Lewis and the News, “The Power of Love”
· Joan Jett, “I Love Rock and Roll”
· Night Ranger, “Sister Christian”
· Whitesnake, “Here I Go Again”
· The Cure, “Just Like Heaven”
· Ozzy Osbourne, “Crazy Train”

1990s:
· Jane’s Addiction, “Been Caught Stealing”
· Smash Mouth, “Walkin’ on the Sun”
· Spacehog, “In the Meantime”
· Stone Temple Pilots, “Plush”

2000s:
· Metric, “Combat Baby”
· Rilo Kiley, “Portions for Foxes”
· Them Crooked Vultures, “Dead End Friends”
· The Vines, “Get Free”
· The White Stripes, “The Hardest Button to Button”
· Phoenix, “Lasso”
· Ida Maria, “Oh My God”
· Juanes, “Me Enamora”

Tracks I am most definitely interested in playing include: “Been Caught Stealing,” “Sister Christian,” “Just Like Heaven,” and “Break on Through.”

Redesigned Library for Better Music Management
Rock Band 3 allows players to create and save setlists and share them with friends, both in-game and through RockBand.com. New song filters make it easier to find the types of songs fans want to play and hide the songs they don’t, while a built-in song recommendation system will suggest tracks from Rock Band’s colossal music library, based on personal fan preference.

Expand the Band
In addition to guitar, bass, drums and solo vocals, Rock Band 3 adds three-part vocal harmonies that were introduced with The Beatles™: Rock Band™ and, for the first time ever, a keyboard peripheral to the band. Up to seven players can rock together for the ultimate social gaming experience.

Go Pro: Play Just for Fun or Rock for Real with Rock Band Pro
Rock Band 3 empowers players to develop actual musical skills through the fun of fully scalable Rock Band Pro gameplay. Fans can dive in on Easy to try out basic skills and work their way up to Expert for real mastery.
Pro Drums supports three expansion cymbals, with gameplay differentiation between toms and cymbals.
Pro Keys features pitch-accurate keyboard performance across a two-octave range, displayed on an easy-to-read keyboard track.
Pro Guitar features notated guitar and bass performances, available for play with either the new Fender™ Mustang™ PRO-Guitar™ simulated guitar controller from Mad Catz or the Rock Band 3 Squier® by Fender Stratocaster® Guitar Controller that is a real guitar/controller hybrid. The Rock Band 3 Squier Stratocaster is a fully functional, full-sized, six-string electric guitar that also functions as a game controller.

Something for Everyone (New Gameplay Modes!)
For the casual player, Rock Band 3 has great new party modes that allow fans to get rocking with friends quicker than ever, including party shuffle and persistent drop-in/drop-out and difficulty selection from any gameplay screen.For the serious player, the revamped Career Mode features 700+ goals and rewards and seamless leaderboard integration for an endlessly deep campaign experience. Rock Band 3 also adds a suite of social networking tools to the game so fans can engage friends and fellow rockers over Facebook, Twitter and more. Whether players want to jump in for a quick song or take their band to the top, Rock Band 3 has a mode for everyone.
Developed by Harmonix, the world’s premier music videogame company, published by MTV Games, and distributed by distribution partner Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), Rock Band 3 will ship simultaneously worldwide this Holiday 2010 in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and other territories for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, the Wii™ system from Nintendo, and Nintendo DS™. Rock Band 3 will be compatible with all Rock Band and The Beatles: Rock Band peripherals, as well as most third-party instrument and microphone controllers. Mad Catz is the official peripheral manufacturer and distributor for Rock Band game controllers.

The Rock Band platform stands next to none in music content, with more than 1,500 songs already available from more than 400 artists, including Jimi Hendrix, The Who, AC/DC and Green Day, who are exclusive to Rock Band. With more choices for fans than any other music-based videogame, Rock Band is, without question, the industry leader in providing the best selection of interactive musical content, songs and artists. Rock Band pioneered offering content in a variety of ways, through on-disc gameplay, game export, downloadable content and the Rock Band Network. The Rock Band platform allows fans to interact with their favorite music in a unique and hands-on way, as well as giving artists the ability to reach fans through a whole new channel.

Technorati Tags: Rock Band 3, Features, Games, Harmonix, Annoucement, Video Games, Music

Defeating the corrupt tyrants entrenched there will require not only strength, but leadership, as Ezio commands an entire Brotherhood who will rally to his side. Only by working together can the Assassins defeat their mortal enemies.

And for the first time, introducing a never-before-seen multiplayer layer that allows you to choose from a wide range of unique characters, each with their own signature weapons and assassination techniques, and match your skills against other players from around the world.

It’s time to join the Brotherhood.

Key Features
MASTER THE POSSIBILITIES – As Ezio, a legendary Master Assassin, experience over 15 hours of single-player gameplay set in the living, breathing, unpredictable city of Rome.
LEAD A LEGENDARY BROTHERHOOD – Recruit and train promising young Assassins. Deploy them across the city as you see fit, or call upon them to aid you in your quests.
EXPERIENCE A RICH HISTORICAL TAPESTRY – Collaborate with real historical characters such as Leonardo da Vinci, Niccolo Machiavelli and Caterina Sforza.

WIN THE HEART OF A CITY – Use your hard-won currency to revitalize the crumbling capital city. Rally the citizens to your cause and unlock extra factions and missions.
DEPLOY SECRET WEAPONS – Swiftly eliminate your enemies using tools such as poison darts, parachutes, double hidden blades, hidden guns, and an advanced flying machine at your disposal.
MEMORABLE MULTIPLAYER – Choose from multiple authentic character classes, each with their own signature weapons and killing moves. With richly-detailed maps and a wide variety of unique multiplayer modes, you’ll never fight the same way twice.

Assassins Creed: Brotherhood is set to be released Holiday 2010

Technorati Tags: Assassins Creed Brotherhood, Xbox 360, PS3, Sony, Holiday 2010, Video Game, Screenshots, Game Info

El Segundo, Calif. – Jan. 27, 2010 - Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today announced KrissX for Xbox LIVE® Arcade is now available. In this downloadable word puzzle game, players are tasked with deciphering challenging brainteasers and putting their trivia knowledge to the test.

In KrissX, gamers’ must help Wordsworth the Owl on his mission to solve jumbled word puzzles by switching around letters and following clues. If players are successful, they will be rewarded with badges and high scores. As players progress through the game, they can explore 150 vibrant stages while choosing to play at a leisurely pace or facing a timed challenge.

With over 3,500 words to unscramble and a variety of game styles including Quests, Time Attack Mode and Timeless Play, gamers can expand their daily vernacular as they discover secret puzzles that provide endless replay value. Addictive gameplay, uncomplicated controls and intuitive tutorials provide an interactive and fun gaming experience for players of all ages.

Developed by Regolith Games ltd, under the Blitz 1UP label, KrissX is now available on Xbox Live Arcade for 800 points. For the new trailer and assets, please visit www.konami.com/downloads.

About Konami
Konami is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties. Konami’s titles include the popular franchises Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill, DanceDanceRevolutionCastlevania, among other top sellers. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at www.konami.com. KONAMI CORPORATION is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. in the United States and Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH in Frankfurt, Germany. KONAMI CORPORATION is traded in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KNM. Details of the products published by Konami can be found at www.konami.com.

Technorati Tags: Konami, KrissX, XBOX Live Arcade, Video Game, Gaming, Digital Entertainment, Wordsworth the Owl, Puzzle Game

The Victory Track Pack features the following singles:
A Day To Remember – “NJ Legion Iced Tea”
The Sleeping – “Bomb the World”
Silverstein – “I Am The Arsonist”

Eagles of Death Metal Track Pack, available July 16th:
“Anything Cept The Truth”
“Cherry Cola”
“I Only Want You”

Vagrant Records Track Pack, available July 23rd:
Thrice – “All the World is Mad”
Alexisonfire – “Young Cardinals”
Senses Fail – “The Martyr”

Knuckle Sandwich Track Pack, available July 30th:
Protest the Hero – “Bloodmeat”
Dropkick Murphys – “I’m Shipping up to Boston”
Against Me! – “New Wave”

The Victory Track Pack is available now via Xbox LIVE Marketplace for 440 Microsoft Points and from the PlayStation Store for $5.49. The songs are also available as singles for 160 Microsoft Points, $1.99 from the PlayStation Store and 200 Wii Points.

Technorati Tags: Guitar Hero World Tour, Games, Track Listings, Upgrade, PSN, Xbox Live, Songs, Music

The sequel to Heroes of the Pacific, the World War II flight combat game, Heroes Over Europe builds on the game’s impressive legacy with intense dogfights, a highly detailed realistic visual presentation and even more online options.

Developed by Transmission Games in Melbourne, Australia, and powered by an all-new engine, Heroes Over Europe is set to raise the bar for flight combat games with the all new “Ace Kill” close combat action, four online modes supporting up to 16 players and fully customizable aircrafts with localized damage.

Visually, the game takes no prisoners with meticulously rendered environments including faithful recreations of London, Berlin and the French Alps, and ultra-realistic iconic warplanes of the era, all presented in stunning high definition graphics.

Heroes Over Europe is scheduled for worldwide release in September 2009.

Technorati Tags: Ubisoft, Games, Xbox 360, Playstation, Heroes Over Pacific, Heroes Over Europe, WWII, Shooter, Game, Gamer, September 2009

Play Call Of Duty: World At War with Derek Mears a.k.a Jason Voorhees of Friday the 13th

Derek Mears, the actor who plays Jason Voorhees in the 2009 release of Friday the 13th, will play Call of Duty®: World at War with Xbox LIVE® Gold Members June 19. If you’re an Xbox LIVE Gold Member (if not, upgrade now!), and you want a chance to play with Derek Mears, send a friend request to the following Gamertag and be online half an hour before (6:00 P.M. ET) the Game with Fame session starts on Friday, June 19, 6:30 P.M. ET.

We’re celebrating the June 16 digital release of the movie Friday the 13th by having a Game with Fame with the man behind the mask. Play against Derek Mears and talk to him about what it was like to play one of the most iconic American horror villains–Jason Voorhees. Mears is one of the busiest actor-stuntmen in film and television, with roles in The Hills Have Eyes II, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, Men in Black II, and Wild Wild West. His additional feature credits as a stuntman include Blades of Glory, Signs, and more. For television, Mears has been featured in guest-starring roles on such series as CSI: Miami, ER, and The Shield, among many others.

Mears was born and raised in Bakersfield, California. When Derek isn’t working in television and films you can find him performing live improv comedy at Comedy Sportz LA, making videos at Channel101.com, or training MMA at Big John McCarthy’s Ultimate Training Academy. If you get a chance to play with Derek Mears, we want to hear about it! Send us an e-mail(xlmail@microsoft.com) with the subject: “GWF – Derek Mears.” Be sure to include your Gamertag and home town.

Check out some clips from the forthcoming movie:

Game With Fame featuring Derek Mears (aka Jason Voorhees) on Xbox LIVE

Date: June 19th

Location: Los Angeles

Time: 3:30 – 5:30 PM (PST)

Game: Call Of Duty: World At War

GAMERTAG: Jason F13

Technorati Tags: XBLA, Xbox 360, Xbox Live, Game with Fame, Jason, Friday the 13th, Derek Mears, Call Of Duty: World At War

So, Halo fans, what do you think of all the new Halo offerings available soon?

Technorati Tags: E3, Debut Trailer, Halo Reach, Video Game, Xbox 360, E3 Conference, Microsoft, New Game

“Playing Wolverine is so awesome it makes every little flaw (such as monotonous gameplay) worth it. With the ability to fully step into the role of one of the most beloved superheroes of all time, Activision offers one of the hottest games of 2009…”

It doesn’t really matter what sucks (if anything!) about this game. Seriously. Playing Wolverine and playing him the right way is just so awesome I could easily overlook it if the game’s graphics or gameplay modes sucked. Luckily, they don’t. Still, the true key in making “X Men Origins: Wolverine” was finding a way to logically play the complex, claw bearing Wolverine.

Wolverine has always been one of the coolest superheroes to exist, but gaming technology never could have captured the essence of Wolverine and his fighting style even five years ago. Now, we have platforms that allow for an immersible ability to take on a role all of us have (until now) only dreamed of playing. Add in a gore filled fun fest and you’ve got yourself one heck of a game.

The…claws…are…cool. That is an understatement really. The claws are the bomb (or whatever phrase you’d use for ‘so dang good you can barely put how cool they are into words’). What the claws can do ensures that the high tech graphical worlds, intensive fight scenes and an intriguing back story are simply the icing on an already delicious cake.

I’m going to say this only once. Don’t purchase this game for your kids. This game has a Mature rating for a reason. It is one of the bloodiest, goriest games I’ve played. I absolutely love it, for this reason. I have heard some reviewers complain it is too graphic, but I’m not sure what they would want Wolverine to do if not slash and claw. That’s the coolest part of the character, and it is certainly a refreshing change from all the other heroes I’ve been playing in recent games, most of them shooters. Wolverine doesn’t need a gun. He has his own, permanent weapons, and everything that makes Logan Wolverine, from his ability to heal to his stealth-mode style Wolverine attacks is represented to the max, in this game.

The powerful graphics make the gore even more intensified. You literally rip enemies apart, as their blood and guts spew across the screen. There is something primordial, rugged, and animalistic that makes those of us with too much common sense giddy. Yeah, I’m not going to go out and shred a human being to pieces, but it’s fun to pretend to do it in this game. I’m sure “X Men Origins: Wolverine” will get some harsh criticism due to its intensively graphic violence, but I don’t see the point in denying those of us who like these kind of games the pleasure of playing them. This game isn’t going to make any of us murderers just because watching fake people on a screen’s guts fly is fun. It’s called pretend people. Get over it.

Story:
If you haven’t seen the movie, X Men Origins: Wolverine, don’t be surprised if you find out quite a bit about the movie plot. While the vast majority of the movie storyline is in the game, this is combined with an original story created by the developers of the game, Raven Software. The game explores Wolverine’s origins, with a major focus on his time in Col. William Stryker’s Weapon X program.

The story starts when Logan is a member of a covert CIA team, Team X. When his helicopter crashes in Africa littering his team around the region, he must kill all the enemy soldiers and rendezvous at an enemy temple with his half-brother, Victor Creed. When Victor is nowhere to be found, Logan must escape before the temple, which Creed has wired with explosives, blows up. After he escapes, he meets up with the rest of the team downriver.

The game skips forward three years. Logan has left Team X and the government behind. He’s happily enjoying peace and obscurity with his girlfriend, Kayla Silverfox. When Logan senses Victor, whom he has fallen out of favor with, he sends Kayla off to safety. Ignoring his warning, Kayla watches as Victor breaks Logan’s bone claws and knocks him out. When Logan awakens, Kayla is dead, Victor has gone rogue and Col. William Stryker has promised Logan revenge.

Logan is going to have to endure a painful procedure where adamantium coats his bones, but this will make him nearly indestructible. While Logan is under, he overhears a plot to kill him, by Stryker, who thinks he is too dangerous to let loose. Breaking free, Logan takes over the facility, facing soldiers and even super solidiers called W.E.N.D.I.G.O. prototypes. With the help of Dr. Carol Frost, Logan is able to escape and free another mutant, a child with teleporting powers named Anna.

The story returns to the past again, to Operation Firestorm, when Logan still worked for Stryker. After a brief look into one of the missions Logan experienced, the scene returns to the facility where Logan is trying to escape. Logan is pursued and does battle with his former ally, Agent Zero. He vows to kill both Victor and Stryker. To aid in his search for Victor, Logan visits Wraith, who isn’t there but he finds a message from Raven Darkholme concerning Victor’s whereabouts.

Logan is shocked because he though he killed Raven years ago. He heads to a facility in the U.S. which is home to “Project Wideawake.” He is looking for Wraith, Raven, and any link he can find to Victor, so he can seek the revenge he so badly wants. With a lot more story to be told, we’ll leave it at that. There is a lot of gameplay to be had here and yes, it can get quite repetitious. Still, the gore and the coolness factor of murdering with those awesome claws makes the entire game worthwhile.

Enjoyment/Fun Factor: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Features:
The main feature of “X Men Origins: Wolverine” is the ability to realistically play Logan/Wolverine. The claws retract on their own. There are a series of moves that can be combined and used to defeat enemies. I like the spin attack, in particular, though the lunging attack is also quite effective, especially when an enemy is targeted from a long distance.

Another major feature of the game is the feral senses mode. This is an important part of Wolverine and when he loses his feral senses briefly in the facility after the adamantium bonding process you will be missing them. With feral senses, you can see ghost soldiers, which is helpful as they attack while invisible. You can also find treasures and avoid using your claws to smash barrels and boxes filled with explosives.

Logan/Wolverine has the ability to heal. You will want to find a corner to hide behind if your energy is low and you are being attacked by a variety of enemies. The further along you go in the game, the longer it takes to drain your health. This is much better than other games, which may require power packs to increase health.

Replayability: 5 out of 5 stars

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