^{This is part 2 in this series, for clueless people who want to know exactly what video games to get for Xmas this year.}

^{For part 1, click here.}

^{Developer: Ubisoft Montreal}

^{Publisher: Ubisoft}

^{Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360} 

Features

- A rarely explored setting: the African continent.

- A simple and effective looking map editor to make your own levels.

While this game has little to no connection with the original Far Cry, it is breathing new life into the series, with new characters and very realistic gameplay.

You take on the role of a mercenary whose job is to assassinate an arms dealer known as the Jackal. 

^{Visit http://www.farcry2.com/ for more.}

^{Developer: Rockstar North, Rockstar Toronto}

^{Publisher: Rockstar Games}

^{Distributors: Take-Two Interactive, Steam}

^{Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360}

Features 

- Sandbox-style gameplay

The bane of all anti-video game politicians is back!

We’re finally rid of GTA 3 and its pseudo expansions, Vice City and San Andreas. They were good while they lasted, but now we move into the fourth installment, this time playing Niko Bellic, a war veteran from Eastern Europe, as he takes on Liberty City (a representation of modern day New York).

^{Visit http://www.rockstargames.com/IV/ for more.}

^{Developer: Valve Corporation}

^{Publisher: Valve Corporation}

^{Distributors: Electronic Arts, Steam}

^{Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360}

Features

- Source game engine 

- AI buddies that help you 

- Co-op play 

- Enemy that becomes harder to battle as you get better  

In this survival horror game, you are one of four people that have to battle against zombies, and lots of them!

^{Visit http://www.l4d.com/ for more.} 

^{Developer: EA Digital Illusions CE (DICE)}

^{Publisher: Electronic Arts}

^{Distributors: Electronic Arts, Steam}

^{Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360}

Features

- Unreal Engine 3.

- Exciting Parkur or free running gameplay.

It’s being hailed as the game that’s set to reinvent the first-person game as we know it, except this time you are applauded for not using guns as you avoid the enemy and out-manouevre them to get to your objectives.

You take the role of Faith, a runner in a futuristic dystopia where all forms of communication are monitored by the government (sound familiar?). Runners are messengers that travel via the rooftops to avoid being spotted. 

^{Visit http://www.mirrorsedge.com/ for more.}

^{Developer: GSC Game World}

^{Publisher: GSC World Publishing, Deep Silver}

^{Distributors: Valve (Steam), Koch Media}

^{Platforms: Microsoft Windows}  

Features 

- Beautiful environments 

- Updated X-ray graphics engine

This is the prequel to S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl, and tells the events that happened before the first game.

This time you take the role of Scar, a veteran Stalker mercenary who winds up getting injured by a gigantic emission and miraculously survives. He later regains consciousness in a strange and secret part of the Zone.

^{Visit http://cs.stalker-game.com/en/ for more.}

^{Developer: Crystal Dynamics}

^{Publisher: Eidos Interactive}

^{Distributors: Warner Bros. Games}

^{Platforms: PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Wii, Nintendo DS, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, Mobile phone, N-Gage 2.0}

Features

- Beautiful environments with the modern engine.

- Increased interactivity with the environment.

This is the eighth Tomb Raider in the series, now under development by the excellent Crystal Dynamics. It continues the story of Tomb Raider Legend, and attempts to fill in some missing blanks in Tomb Raider Legend and Tomb Raider Anniversary.

^{Visit http://www.tombraider.com/ for more.}