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Posted October 3, 2012 by Amy in Features
 
 

Just Take My Money: A GamesFiends Guide to the Holiday Rush

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Ah, the holiday season….otherwise known as the feast of “release as many games as possible all at once.”

 

Why you got to do this to me, games publishers? Every year we go through this, and every year I promise myself (and my wallet) that I’m not going to play this game again. So, they release every single game that gamers have been drooling over all year in a ridiculously small window of time. That doesn’t mean I have to buy them all, does it? DOES IT?!?

Of course it does. Well, not really, but that doesn’t mean I can’t dream, right? That’s the thing, few gamers can afford to buy them all at once, or even one a week for several months. It’s too much money, not to mention the fact that you couldn’t possibly finish (and enjoy) one hot game before the next one comes out just days later. It’s a terrible decision, then, trying to choose which ones will be our favorites, all for the sake perpetuating the myth that great games must be released during the holiday rush. And, oh…there are so many great games to choose from this year. Let’s take a look at what the next few months have in store for us.

Skylanders Giants: So, this one might be skewed a bit towards younger gamers and their parents, but it is a highly anticipated game nonetheless. The first Skylanders game spawned huge profits, not to mention giving collectors a whole new obsession to fawn over. Skylanders Giants is releasing October 21 for a price of between $60 to $75 (depending on whether you already have the Portal of Power or not).

Pokemon Black Version 2: So many Pokemon games, so little time. But you gotta get ‘em all, right? Pretty sure that’s a rule. Let’s face it, Pokemon fanatics simply will not be able to pass this one up. Version two brings players back to Unova, but new areas and evolved characters promise to make this a fresh experience. Pokemon Black Version 2 releases October 7th for $34.99.

Just Dance 4: Love it or hate it, this is bound to be a top seller this holiday season. There is just something so accessible about dance games. They’re lighthearted and fun, and even terrible dancers have a great time imagining they have mad skillz. Ubisoft’s sure thing releases October 9th for $40.

Medal of Honor Warfighter: It’s a Medal of Honor game, so scores of people will buy it for that reason alone. But the description of event accuracy will have even skeptics yearning to play: “From rescuing hostages in Abu Sayyaf’s Basilan, Phillipines stronghold to assaulting Al-Shabaab’s “Pirate Town” on the Somali Coast, gamers step into the boots of Tier 1 Operators as they hunt down the global threat of PETN.” Medal of Honor Warfighter releases October 23rd for $60.

Assassin’s Creed 3: Oh, come on! We aren’t even out of October yet. Just take it; just take it all(leave the console though, I’ll be needing that.) It’s Assassin’s Creed 3, people. Not only will you want to buy it, everybody on your Christmas list is going to want you to buy it for them too. At just $60 a pop, you’ve got until October 30th to pull together enough cash to experience the Revolutionary War, Assassin’s Creed style.

Halo 4: Aaaahh, what true fan could pass up a new Halo game? And what curious gamer could pass up the chance to try a new iteration of an iconic game? Halo 4 promises to bring Master Chief back, to battle evil and presumably save the world. Launch date for Halo 4 is November 6th, and it will be priced at the industry standard of $60 (but Amazon has a $10 instant video credit deal right now).

Call of Duty Black Ops 2: Seriously?!? But, but….I just got Halo 4, and I’ve barely even played Assassin’s Creed 3…..oh, all right. Just take my money already! Black Ops 2 features Agent Alex Mason and Sgt. Frank Woods, and the truly badass tagline, “To Understand the Future, you Must Understand the Past.” OOOoohhh! $60 and a quick preorder will have you playing on November 13th.

Hitman Absolution: Boy, November sure does have a lot of assassinatin’ going on, don’t it? Fans can expect an experience that “spring(s) to life on the screen with an outstanding cast of Hollywood performers, ensuring every moment becomes a story.” Hitman Absolution hits (see what I did there?) October 20 the for $60.

I’m killing myself here. So. Many. Games. And there’s more…of course there’s more. Every week is packed with games, all of which deserve a thorough and complete playthrough to be fully enjoyed. If only. What games are you dying to play this holiday season?


Amy

 
U.S. Senior Editor & Deputy EIC, @averyzoe on Twitter, mother of 5, gamer, reader, wife to @macanthony, and all-around bad-ass (no, not really)