PC

According to ESRB, this game contains: Blood, Strong Language, Violence

Full Spectrum Warrior wants to start an entirely new genre (one that I really plan to support wholeheartedly) that attempts to capture the dullness of reality. Okay, that seemed a whole lot harsher than I actually meant it to be. In fact, I've been one of the biggest proponents of making videogames, especially ones set in the "real world," more realistic (whatever that means), but FSW really brings that notion to a whole new level in simulating the military experience as long periods of stultifying boredom punctuated by sudden, horrible violence.

Game Description: Full Spectrum Warrior is the ultimate war simulation. Break away from the usual tactical shooter games, and get on the ground with actual U.S. Army weapons and tactics. Based on Software designed to train real soldiers for real ground operations—so you know it's as close to the real thing as possible! Realistic animations for squad members—motions for soldiers were modeled after combat veterans Xbox Live support for teaming up and facing terrorists and guerillas in realistic, amazing urban combat.

I've been known to sip a cold one or two (or three) when I do my gaming. I know it's probably not a very professional thing for me to do—imagine Ebert hitting the bar before his afternoon screening of The Manchurian Candidate. But videogames are time-consuming endeavors.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Language, Violence

Game Description: The fun and thrills of the original Driver, combined with all-new gameplay mechanics, bringing you the next great racing-action game! Play as Tanner, the undercover cop from the first two hit Driver games. This time he's out to bust an immense car-theft ring—but his secret is about to be uncovered. If Tanner doesn't work fast, the mission is over—and so is Tanner's life.

I hate to be the one to rain on Mike's parade—OK, actually I don't mind at all—but calling this game "the biggest surprise of this generation of gaming" and a "flawlessly executed adventure" is a little excessive. And before I go any further, let's get one thing straight: for the last time, the movie Pitch Black is overrated—vastly overrated. Please make a note of this.

The first person shooter (FPS) is by far the most maligned genre in all of videogaming (although, to be fair, this is just because there isn't a large "porno" genre… yet). Striving as it does to simulate for people the experience of shooting other people in the face (or groin, depending on the gamer's tastes), the FPS has been accused of everything from desensitizing the youth of America to training a generation to be heartless killing machines.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Blood, Crude Humour, Suggestive Themes, Violence

Game Description: Dead Man's Hand is a first-person shooter set in the Wild West. You assume the role of El Tejon, a master gunslinger on a mission of vengeance. As the story unfolds, you will pursue members of The Nine, a gang of ruthless outlaws who betrayed you and left you for dead. For the first time ever, you can experience the best elements of the Western genre, brought straight from the silver screen to the video game system. Gunslinging, bar brawls, horseback action sequences, train chases and epic showdowns are just part of the Old West feel in this bona fide period piece adventure.