Gamertell

With the holidays getting closer faster than a runaway sleigh, it’s time to start thinking about presents.

It’s really frustrating when you just don’t know what to get for someone but if that someone likes video games, you’re in luck.

If you are shopping for a video games fan, there are different options and stellar games this year, so to make things a little easier, here are a few suggestions based on the most popular categories:

Shooters

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 - This is definitely one of the best shooters out there and should be at the top of most gift lists this holiday season. You play as different operatives in elite units around the world in order to stop an international terrorist plot. The game features intense firefights, diverse missions and realistic weapons, as well as the brand new Spec-ops co-op mode. Look no further if you’re shopping for a shooter fan. Rated “Mature” by the ESRB.

Left 4 Dead 2 - Here’s a game for those that have ever seriously considered the Zombie Apocalypse. A four player co-op team, armed with an assortment of guns and melee weapons, is pitted against hordes of zombies in a fight for survival. The game is presented like a movie with a system that changes difficulty on the fly according to the players’ performance. If you want to hone your survival skills, this is the way to go. Rated “Mature” by the ESRB.

Music

DJ Hero - This is a great game for people who like music of all kinds. The turntable-shaped controller allows entry-level players to follow the beats and enjoy the game and more skilled players will encounter a challenge in the higher difficulties. With interesting remixes and some exclusive tunes this is a great game for parties or for those couch DJs out there. Rated “Teen” by the ESRB.

Brutal Legend - For those about to rock, here is your game. This is actually an action title, but the amounts and quality of the musical references in this game make it ideal for any rock and heavy metal fan. You play as Eddie Riggs, a roadie that gets transported to a world created by the Gods of Metal. Eddie must use his battle axe and guitar to save the world and restore it to its glory. With cameos from legends like Ozzy Osbourne and Rob Halford this is one of the best action titles of the season. Rated “Mature” by the ESRB.

RPG

Dragon Age: Origins - Any fan of fantasy stories will be drawn to this title. From the developers of the successful Mass Effect, it mixes elements of magic and swordplay in a world reminiscent of the Lord of the Rings. With different races and classes to choose, players develop their characters in order to become Grey Wardens and battle the Darkspawn. With a branching story affected by the player’s actions and multiple ending this is a perfect choice for the RPG fan. There’s even some downloadable expansion coming for the holidays so you’ll get more mileage out of this great title. Rated “Mature” by the ESRB

Borderlands - This game is a rare breed that could have been included in the “Shooters” category. It mixes elements of First Person Shooters and RPG and blends them for a unique feel that has proven a success. Players take the role of one of four classes: Berserker, Siren, Hunter or Soldier and scavenge the land in search of the legendary Vault. The game offers an amazing number of armor and weapon combinations for loot fans and it has a beautiful cel-shaded visual style that gives it a unique look. Another great option for RPG fans. Rated “Mature” by the ESRB.

Racing

Forza Motorsport 3 - For car buffs, this is the way to go. The game features hundreds of amazingly detailed cars and customization options making it one of the best racing sims out there. It might as well be one of the best looking games on the system with beautiful scenery and realistic locations. The game has different driving assist options like automatic shifting and a line on the road showing the optimal path during turns. This guarantees that players of any skill level will enjoy this title. Rated “Everyone” by the ESRB.

Action

Assassin’s Creed II - This awaited sequel has tons of improvement over its predecessor. Complaints about the first game regarding slow pacing and repetitive gameplay have been addressed making this game a great choice for the holidays. Set in renaissance-era Italy, you play as Ezio, an assassin bent on revenge, while the story revolves around a bigger plot involving an ancient feud between two opposing factions. The game features beautiful animations, an innovative battle system and diverse missions as well as some insights and history about ancient Italy. This is one of the best choices for this holiday season. Rated “Mature” by the ESRB.

Sites [Modern Warfare 2] [Left 4 Dead 2] [DJ Hero] [Brütal Legend] [Dragon Age: Origins] [Borderlands] [Forza Motorsport 3] [Assassin’s Creed II]