5 must have games: Holiday 08

December 14, 2:42 PMSeattle Xbox 360 ExaminerAlex Bauman

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Want to get a game for someone as a gift? Confused about what to get? Well here are five high quality games that are sure to please.

Fallout 3 (Bethesda)- 'Fallout 3' is an open world RPG from the same team that brought us 'Elder Scrolls IV'. Set in the dystopian wasteland of post nuclear Washington D.C., 'Fallout 3' offers choice upon choice. Will you work to help the survivors, or turn a profit from their misery.

Grand Theft Auto IV (Rockstar Games)- Play as main character Niko Belic and wander Liberty City in search of adventure, or maybe just a good time. The newest game in the series that invented the open world sandbox genre, 'GTA IV' goes bigger then anything before. You can literally play for hours, doing random things and exploring the city, without playing any part of the actual story. With myriad things to do in addition to the core game, 'GTA IV' is sure to stay in the disc tray for a very long time.

Gears of War 2 (Microsoft/Epic)- Play as Marcus Phoenix, leader of Delta Squad, in this alternate reality shooter. The Locust hoard have the Human population on the ropes after years of fighting. It's time for you and Delta to take the fight underground, bringing the war to the Locust doorstep. The second installment in the innovative 'Gears of War' series, a few additions and extremely polished graphics make this a stand out title. Expect to see this one at the top of allot of "game of the year" lists.

Left 4 Dead (Valve)- Valve is known for some pretty stellar games, 'Left 4 Dead' is now a part of that list. You'll be playing as one of four main characters in a fight of survival against the infected masses. There is no real story to the game, in that there is no over arching narrative, but you motivation is clear. The player knows what their character knows; the world is over run, destroyed by the infected, and you have to fight toward rescue. 'Left 4 Dead' is the first real co-op experience in that you have to work with your team (A.I or human controlled) in order to succeed. The lone wolf will not survive in this world gone mad.

Dead Space (Electronic Arts)- Set hundreds of years in the future in a time when humans have exhausted their natural resources. Ships scour the galaxy to strip mine entire planets. You play as Isaac Clarke, a member of a maintenance crew, sent to figure out why the USG Ishimura has cut of communications. Shortly after arriving on the Ishimura your ship is destroyed, most of your team killed, and you are separated from the remaining survivors. Left alone to face the nightmarish Necromorphs. Normally dominated by established game series it's rare to find a new IP entering the survival horror genre. All of the survival horror staples are present; limited ammo, creepy locale, and terrible monsters that will jump out at you when you least expect it. 'Dead Space' is great for both fans of the genre and those who are new to it.