As we frantically scramble to survive finals, there is one thing we can all look forward to: the sweet, sweet serenity of Winter Break. Hopefully it is a period free of deadlines, duties, and distractions that direct our attention away from that which is important to us all: video games!
I also hope that you are fortunate enough to receive a bounteous stash of new software this holiday season. It could certainly be argued that at our age, holiday gifts should be more utilitarian in nature: new boots, car tires, a donation to a charity in your name. But let's face it: These are, perhaps, the last years of our lives that we can ask others to provide us with the things that waste our time. So let's make the best of it and ask for the games on this list.
Mass Effect, (Xbox 360): Sam Hyde '08 said that while "Mass Effect" is not perfect, it makes up for its faults through its sheer epic scale. Sam states that it "feels like you're watching a movie" and that its visual presentation and story line are spectacular.
Part of what makes "Mass Effect" so appealing are the ways in which the decisions the player makes have a real impact on what happens to the characters in the game. During missions, you are given options as to how you want to interact with certain characters and groups. You can choose to be friend or foe by making decisions that seem to have a significant impact on the flow of the game.
However, there is a façade of interactivity which is the one criticism that I have heard. Many of the options you are given actually lead you to the same result and the game is actually more limiting than it feels.
Rock Band (multi-platform): The most musically-relevant thing produced by MTV since "Total Request Live," "Rock Band" is the other band members' answer to the glory-hogging lead guitarist who gets all the fame in the "Guitar Hero" series.
In "Rock Band," you can play guitar, drums, bass, and even provide vocals. While I am personally not into that sort of thing, there are sure to be karaoke fans who will thrill at the chance to fill this role in the game.
On the downside, "Rock Band," with all its peripherals, costs $169.99. This kind of price tag is why I never joined the school band.
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune (Playstation 3): Indiana Jones meets Lara Croft. The great part is the production values on "Uncharted" are, appropriately, off the charts: you might even forget you're playing a game. This game is beautifully textured and boasts a lush, jungle environment. The graphics are coupled with intense firefights and some platform-jumping. This a great looking game that shows off what the PS3 is capable of.
Wii Zapper/Link's Crossbow Training/Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles (Wii): Here is a peripheral device that won't put you $169.99 in the hole. The Wii Zapper is the economical shopper's choice, it costs only $19.99 and comes bundled with "Link's Crossbow Training," a shooter starring the hero of the "Legend of Zelda" series.
"Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles" is an on-rail shooter, meaning that the game directs your motion from one place to the next, kind of like an old-school arcade shooter. And sure, the Wii Zapper is really just a plastic addition that connects to the Wii remote to form it in the shape of a gun, but though it has no real purpose, it is pretty sweet to shoot zombies while holding an uzi.
There are other games out there, too numerous for the space of this column. Just keep in mind that this list is not the end-all be-all of games available this holiday season, but it does include some of the more enticing titles out there. Enjoy, and Happy Holidays!