Playworks X’Mas Shopping List

PLAYWORKS X’MAS SHOPPING LIST

It’s that time of the year and X’mas is right around the corner. Seems like you got about one more week to do some shopping and we’ve compiled a list for all the geeks and geek culture enthusiasts. Whether it’s for you or someone you know, here’s the perfect list of gift suggestions we came up with. Happy shopping!

GAMES
Since we’re a gaming publication, we’ll start with games. It’s been a good year and we have more than a ton of titles to choose from. Here are ten titles (for the four main gaming platforms) perfect for a gift.

Guitar Hero World Tour (X360, PS3, Wii)

The Guitar Hero series has been a hit since its first game and with this version, you get the whole full band (drums, guitars, mike). Meaning, you can really live out your rockstar fantasy and have a real party with your mates all the while trying to annoy your neighbours.

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Left 4 Dead (X360, PC)

Arguably the best multiplayer experience this year and it’s on both the Xbox 360 and the PC. A zombie apocalypse has never been this fun. It might not be for the younger crowd but for all those who can stomach a nice dose of blood, gore and some exploding brains.

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Gears Of War 2 (X360)

It’s actually not much of a brainer for those who own an Xbox 360. The first title made the 360 console a must-buy for fans and this sequel is nothing short of a bigger, better, more badass follow-up. Most 360 owners might have it, so check first before buying.

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FIFA 09 (X360, PS3, PC, Wii)

Since Singapore’s crazy about soccer (or football for your purists), getting a soccer game for a sports enthusiast is not a bad idea. And for us this year, EA’s FIFA 09 is the footie king despite protests from Winning Eleven Pro Evolution fans.

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Grand Theft Auto IV (X360, PS3, PC)

The 360 and PS3 version came out earlier in the year and most console owners have it already. But there’s a new one for the PC and it has a new video editor which lets you make quirky films. And seriously, the PC gamers have been missing out on this title.

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Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party (Wii)

People fell in love with these rabbids since they first made their appearance in Rayman Raving Rabbids and this sequel for the Wii is another quality wacky family fun title. This time, the rabbids are invading our TVs, meaning we get a lot of film and TV parodies.

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LittleBigPlanet (PS3)

Arguably the PS3′s best title so far and it appeals to both casual and hardcore gamers with its cute visuals and deep gameplay mechanics. The level creator alone can give gamers countless hours of creative fun. Plus, there’s Sack Boy to amuse you.

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Prince Of Persia (X360, PS3, PC)

The prince is back in a brand new game with a brand new visual style and a brand new hot companion which leads to brand new gameplay mechanics. There’s debate on whether the game’s too easy or not but it’s definitely a title worth checking out.

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World of Warcraft: Wrath Of The Lich King (PC)

There’s no denying that World of Warcraft is a world-wide phenomenon, reaching out even to non-gamers. This latest expansion gives the fans a whole lot more reasons to ditch their social lives. It’s a perfect gift for WoW fans and even the noobs.

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Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe (X360, PS3)

The Mortal Kombat series (infamous for its violence) makes its first appearance on current generation consoles and this time, it has another power franchise, the DC Universe, in it. Plus, its rating has gone down, so it’s suitable for teenagers as well.

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Click below for recommended DVDs, music CDs, books and gadgets!

DVDS
We’re not steeping into the Blu-Ray territory, at least for this year. But fret not, there have been a lot of quality DVD releases this year (with a couple of must-have DVDs coming out just recently) and we’re picking out five of the best perfect for gifts.

The Dark Knight

Quite possibly the best film of the year (at least for us geeks), The Dark Knight has just come out on DVD and it’s an unquestionable must-have for movie buffs. Sure, if you have a Blu-Ray player, it’s better to pick up but a standard DVD is awesome as well.

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Wall-E
The infallible (so far) Pixar’s title this year is Wall-E with its ridiculously cute characters and touching (and at times educational) story. It’s a perfect movie for all ages, giving the young ones the humour and the grownups the emotion few films these days can.

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The Nightmare Before Christmas

Sure, it’s an old movie but it’s a classic and fits perfectly for the holidays. Tim Burton’s gothic musical masterpiece is released again in a special edition with a lot of extras and goodies, making it a perfect gift for those with a bit of goth in them. No eyeliners needed.

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Iron Man

We’ve been fans of Robert Downey Jr. for some time now and with his mighty Iron Man, a lot of people have jumped on the bandwagon. We’re not complaining since the movie was an awesome comic book film and the DVD, with its special features, makes a great gift.

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Once

Here’s a peculiar choice. Christmas is a time for romance for some people and this little indie movie/musical (with really great performances) is a subtle yet striking melody. It’s nothing like your typical musicals or love stories but purely worth experiencing its beauty.

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CDS
Music plays a big part in Christmas with its carols and overly-covered and redone classic songs. But we’re doing a different thing here with our suggestion for a nice (kind of rock-oriented) selection of killer music CDs that would be the perfect gift for music lovers.

The Glass Passenger – Jack’s Mannequin

This somewhat little-know (here at least) band is the perfect blend of accessible pop sound (with a nice dose of piano thrown in) and meaningful lyrics. This is their second album and it just came out recently here. Get this along with their first album as well.

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All Hope Is Gone – Slipknot

Ok, this might be a tad loud for some people but for any respectable metal or hard rock loving music fan, this is fourth album from the mighty Slipknot is a perfect gift. And no, this is not Satanic music nor is it highly destructive. Trust us and get this record.

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The Sound Of Madness – Shinedown

A surprising third album from these hard rock guys who have been teetering on the above average group of similar American hard rock bands. This album is full of great rocking numbers and power ballads that are all finely produced and, most importantly, that have heart.

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Gossip In the Grain – Ray LaMontagne

This one’s for the slightly mellow music lovers. This bearded troubadour is a hidden gem amongst folk-based singer-songwriters and he has just released his third studio album. With his trademark husky voice and soulful songs, this is a gem of a gift.

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Augustana – Can’t Hurt, Can’t Love

Sure, the album came out way earlier this year but this little outfit known for their song Boston has made a really mature and remarkable second album. This is the perfect example of great new American rock and these young lads deliver in aces.

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BOOKS & GRAPHIC NOVELS
We know it’s the information age but books (and for us geeks, graphic novels) are still relevant and irreplaceable compared to reading scanned pages online. Whether it’s for bookworms or comic geeks, we got a list of must-have titles for this Christmas.

The Zombie Survival Guide – Max Brooks

We all got really hyped up about zombies, thanks to Left 4 Dead and we found this 2003 book which has “quirky” written all over it. Sure, you might argue that it’s not really practical but it’s fun to read and you’ll thank us once the zombie apocalypse start.

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Joker – Brain Azzarello, Lee Bermejo

Heath Ledger burned up the screen earlier this year with his instantly legendary portrayal of the clown prince of crime. This original graphic novel from renowned comic writer Brain Azzarello and artist Lee Bermejo is similarly dark and thoroughly enjoyable.

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Crooked Little Vein – Warren Ellis

It’s a little-known book, but this first novel from another renowned comic writer Warren Ellis is a real gem. It came out earlier this year. It’s short for a novel but it’s a really good read with its dark humour and messed up characters and situations.

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Watchmen – Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons

Sure, it’s a no-brainer must-have for any respectable comic fan/geek but with the movie coming out next year, it’s the perfect time to get this. Whether it’s for comic noobs or old fans who have worn out the original copy, this masterpiece is a great gift.

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The Death Of Captain America (Vol. 1, 2 and 3) – Ed Brubaker, Steve Epting

When Marvel killed off Captain America last year, it made headlines in the news including CNN and the BBC. We thought the series might end but Ed Brubaker has been continuing the story without its main character brilliantly. Check out these collections.

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GADGETS & GEAR
We’re in an age where gadgets are becoming essential things that we just cannot do without. Getting a nice little gadget for Christmas would brighten anyone’s holiday season and we’ve picked up five dandy gizmos for all you gadget freaks.

Seagate FreeAgent Go

Technology is constantly shrinking and Seagate’s FreeAgent Go is a testament to just how slim and stylish it can get. Given our reliance on computers in our daily life, the Seagate FreeAgent Go makes an excellent Christmas gift. It comes in ten different colours and a variety of memory sizes ranging from 250 – 500 GB.

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iPhone 3G

Few things have garnered more attention that Apple’s sleek, touch-screen iPhone and with good reason. Apple’s iPhone is the pinnacle of style and excellence when it comes to the hand phone department. Incorporating the legendary iPod, mobile phone features and internet connectivity, this little number ranks high on almost anyone’s wish list.

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Hori Fighting Stick EX2

The Hori Fighting Stick EX2 isn’t exactly new but with the large number of good fighting games out now and slated to hit the market, it is a must have for any fans of the fighting genre. Some of these games include Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe, Street Fighter IV, King Of Fighters XII and Tekken 6.

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Fujifilm FinePix F60FD

If there’s one thing that will appeal to most people, it’s a camera. Everyone enjoys taking pictures be it of themselves or things they see. The Fujifilm FinePix F60FD is a great simple-to-use digital camera that’s packed with features that casual photographers can use.

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Sennheiser PC350

The Sennheiser PC350 makes the perfect gift for the gaming audiophile. This high-end gaming headset is tailored to the needs of gamers with its unrivalled sound positioning and audio quality. On top of that, it’s incredibly comfortable and has one of the clearest microphones we’ve ever used.

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