Features// Xmas 2012 - The Video Games Easy Buyers Guide

The fighting can be quite awesome, and is quite deep and strategic once you get the hang of its initially confusing rules and systems. But perhaps the real meat of the game comes from unlocking the host of classic and modern characters, amassing an armoury of equipment for them and then levelling them up into beastly warriors of badassitude.

By including the original games story mode as well as adding more story, characters and extras, Duodecim serves as both a true sequel and an updated version of the original Dissidia. In fact if you never tried the first game you'd be better off skipping it and moving straight to this game, you won't miss out on anything.

WWE All Stars (360, PS3, Wii, 3DS)
I wouldn't really class most wrestling games as fighting games, they're a strange unique genre of their own. But WWE All Stars arcadey beat-‘em –up style makes it far different from other wrestling games, and in my opinion much better. While it loses the vast customisation aspects of the more mainstream WWE titles, WWE All Stars makes up for it with frantic combo-based brawling.

Strict timing is required to string together your attacks or successfully counter an opponent, and multiplayer matches between similarly skilled players can become quite spectacular. While fans of the main WWE games might be put off by WWE All Stars cartoonish graphics and relatively tiny roster of wrestlers, they'd do well to give it a try and see what a wrestling game with good gameplay feels like.

Misc

Batman: Arkham City (360, PS3, PC)
Alongside it’s equally worthy prequel Batman: Arkham Asylum, Arkham City has undoubtedly established itself as one of the best superhero-based games ever made. Allowing you to explore a massive chunk of Gotham city and pitting you against most of the caped crusader’s deadliest villains, Arkham City should be a must-buy for any Batman fan.

If you don’t count Batman among your favourite superheroes then the slick timing-based combat system and vast number of clever puzzles might be enough to convert you. Even if the game wasn’t brilliant, the ‘I’m Batman’ feeling you get every time you drop down to dispatch some criminal scum alone is almost enough to warrant investing in Arkham City. Arkham Asylum is well worth picking up as well, especially if you’re interested in the full story.

Spec Ops: The Line (360, PS3, PC)
Despite being highly overshadowed by the myriad of military shooters available, Spec Ops did offer something unique over its contemporaries. There’s surprisingly powerful and engrossing storytelling here that is well worth checking out even if you’re not really a fan of the genre.

The limited multiplayer might hinder its lifespan somewhat, but the brilliant campaign encourages at least a second playthrough to see the different consequences of your decisions.

So, there we have it. Of course, some people who are not new to gaming may have snuck into this feature quite by accident and may want to argue a point here or there. Please feel free to do so over at the SPOnG forum or below in comments. But please remember to keep things civil. It is, after all, the season of good will to all.

With that in mind... how about donating some much needed love and cash to the gamers' own charity: SPECIAL EFFECT? Do that here.