PS Monger Holiday Shopping Guide – Part 1

Welcome to our Holiday Shopping Guide, where we help pick the best of the best from the overwhelming number of titles coming out this year. In this first part of the series, we take a look at some on the better choices for the various gamers that may be on your shopping list.

The Shooter Fan – Resistance 2 (PS3)

This sequel to one of the better early PS3 games, continues its alternate history story in which a strange alien race invades the planet. The sequel sees the fight taken to America, with battles spanning cities like Chicago and San Francisco. Unfortunately, the single-player campaign hasn’t quite lived up to the hype, and is somewhat of a disappointment story wise. But wait! While it may not have the best plot, R2 makes up for it with an outstanding multiplayer component. This includes an 8 player co-op campaign and up to 60 player online battles.

You might also consider: Call of Duty – World at War, BioShock

The Racing Fan – MotorStorm: Pacific Rift (PS3)

Also a sequel to a great PS3 launch title, Pacific Rift builds upon its predecessor in many different ways. First off, the new jungle setting helps keep things interesting, as opposed to the drab muddy brown desert of the original. There are also double the amount of tracks this time around, with 16 courses set in beaches, volcanoes, and even an abandoned sugar factory. There is also a brand new class of vehicle: the monster truck. The biggest vehicle class is slow and tough to control, but it can run over any other vehicle that is unfortunate enough to get in its path.

You might also consider: Pure, WipEout HD

The Role-Player – Fallout 3 (PS3)

As opposed to the medieval fantasy setting of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, which was made by the same developers, Fallout 3 takes place in a dark, gritty, post-apocalyptic Washington, D.C. The biggest draw of the game is that everything you do has an effect on the world, changing the characters around you and affecting the final ending. For example, with the first town you come across in the game, you have the option to completely obliterate the entire area or disarm the bomb and save everyone. These kinds of decisions help keep you engrossed in the world, so make sure whoever you are buying for has plenty of free time.

You might also consider: Valkyria Chronicles, Persona 4

The Creative Type – LittleBigPlanet (PS3)

For the budding game designer on your list you may want to pick up LittleBigPlanet. The game features an astounding amount of tools that allow you to create all sorts of different levels and objects, which can then be shared online with the entire LBP community. Add to this the adorable visuals and whimsical soundtrack, and you have what could be the best thing to hit the platforming genre since Super Mario Galaxy.

You might also consider: Guitar Hero – World Tour

Coming up next: more games to get the new PS3 owner, the horror fan and more.