Regarded by many as the most technologically advanced console on the market, the PlayStation 3 is still the console for serious gamers. Games developers are still grappling with the challenge of making the most of the PlayStation 3’s processing power, but some of the games on this list bring to the screen graphical detail and sophisticated gameplay the like of which have never been seen before. These are the ten games we think you would do well to consider buying or borrowing. In no particular order.

> Civilization Revolution (2k Games): This game has been around in one form or another for 18 years, and this latest version is what its creator Sid Meier says is “the one I wanted to make”. An engrossing world-domination simulation, Civilization Revolution takes the series to new levels of graphical brilliance and gameplay. This console version removes some unnecessary complexities, and concentrates your mind on the idea the addictive challenge of guiding your clan from a bunch of ancient warriors to a powerful global force.

> Midnight Club: Los Angeles (Rockstar): The fourth installment in the Midnight Club series contains some of the most detailed cars ever seen in computer games. This highly regarded, immensely exciting urban racing game is packed with fantastic locations and beautiful cars. It’s also a difficult enough challenge for you to have to go through many, many hours of gameplay. The main protagonist in the game, known as “Player”, is asked by various shady characters to go on missions which, when completed, earn him a reputation and money.

> Ratchet and Clank: Tools of Destruction (Sony): Although this is the seventh adventure for the loveable alien duo, this is the first time they have made an appearance on the PlayStation 3. An epic sci-fi adventure, the plot may not be as involving as some other games, but the controls of the game are perfectly tuned and there’s too much action going on for you to want to worry about the plot. The richly textured galaxy scenes and the buddy-buddy wise-cracking between the unlikely heroes makes this an all-round entertainer.

> Mirror’s Edge (EA): This underrated action thriller has an engrossing storyline and imaginative setting. It’s an innovative and highly stylised chase game that brings a new physicality to the first-person perspective, and it has the kind of cinematic style found in the best films. Mirror’s Edge may find a larger audiences if future versions involve more gameplay, as one of the reasons why it was underrated was because it’s possible to finish it in a few days. But if you’re looking for something won’t take forever to get to the end, this game is for you.

> Red Faction – Guerrilla (THQ): This well designed third-person sci-fi blaster has the kind of superficial storyline that many gamers find interesting if they think about it, but there’s too much going on to be able to think too deeply. The action scenes are right up there with the best games released in recent years. Set amid a bloody revolution on the planet Mars, the destructive environments are incredible fun, as are the amazingly powerful weapons.

> Valkyria Chronicles (Sega): This cleverly devised, popular game is set up as a deep, tactical role-playing scenario-based strategy challenge, and if you’re not familiar or have never played the Final Fantasy series, you will find this a real eye opener. Set on a warring continent not unlike 1930s Europe, you play the part of a meek and mild engineer who sees the war unfold while behind enemy lines. The story of oppression and honour is surprisingly involving, and will have you engrossed for many days.

> inFamous (Sony): It may not have enjoyed the mega-success that it expected when it released this game, but Sony has at least shown again that it can make games that have an interesting storyline and involve great action. A massive explosion hits the fictional Empire City, and the character that you control finds that he has super powers as a result. So, inevitably, battle a variety of deadly comic book-style villains. It’s an intriguing sci-fi romp and is one of a new generation of open-world action adventures.

> Ninja Gaiden Sigma (Tecmo): As with most games that require some time to learn the controls for the fight system, your efforts will be rewarded with precise and exciting gameplay. The fictional story involves your character, a Ninja, who has to recover a sword and avenge the massacre of his clan by the evil Vigor Empire. Brutal combat scenes pepper the whole game and the weapons are more powerful than you expect and the moves are more extravagant than you thought they would be.

> Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood (Ubisoft): Some gamers say this is slightly flawed offering, but hasn’t stopped vast hordes of gamers from taking it up and enjoying it all the same. The gamers who appreciate it regard it as an extremely atmospheric Wild West shooter, filled with exciting shootouts, swaggering outlaws and convincing John Ford-esque locales. If you’re tired of the second world war and the Middle East, it’s a mightily refreshing change of pace.

> Condemned II: Bloodshot (Sega Europe): This is a truly gruesome first-person shooter following an alcoholic serious crimes investigator, Ethan Thomas, on the hunt for serial killers in the back alleys of Metro City. According to one reviewer in The Guardian, “If you’re after gore, violence and, well, more gore, you really shouldn’t miss this. Your children very much should, though.”

games, playstation 3 Hide

Do you have an Xbox? Are you struggling to decide what to play next? Or maybe fretting about what you can buy your children for their Xbox? Here’s a list of 10 of the most popular and critically acclaimed games available for the Xbox, in no particular order.

> Vina Pinata – Trouble in Paradise (Microsoft): This is one for the kids, but as with most games like this, can be played by adults. Create a garden to attract a large variety of loveable animals, then look after them all. It’s basically a pet simulator, but it’s much more engrossing than it sounds and may well be worth buying if you like to take a break once in a while from the blood and guts and shooting and killing on offer in many of the other games in your collection.

> Dead Space (EA): This game combines elements of Alien, Event Horizon and just about every survival horror game ever made. It’s a first-person sci-fi gore-fest shocker and was regarded as one of the best games of last year. The gamer plays mining engineer Isaac Clarke sent out to fix the communications systems aboard a distant spaceship. Let’s just say, switching it off then switching it back on again won’t get him out of the terrifying hell he finds up there.

> The Darkness (2K Games): Based on an original comic book series, this games follows the exploits of mafia hit man Jackie Estacado, who gets entangled in a supernatural world and develops powers to summon scary and destructive demons. These “Darkness” powers has proved one of the selling points of the game and saves it from being just another run-of-the-mill shoot-em-up involving a mafia hit man. The game has an engrossing storyline and levels of violence which some may find too gory, but others would appreciate.

> Crackdown (Microsoft): In this game, you roam around an urban jungle, cracking down on gangs by all means necessary. It’s an ambitious open-ended game which lets you be judge, jury, and executioner for a huge, fully explorable city. According to Microsoft, “Crackdown 2 takes multiplayer gaming to unprecedented levels for the ultimate co-op and competitive multiplayer experience, providing you and your friends with the complete freedom to explore, destroy, and play your way as you restore justice and peace to Pacific City—by any means necessary.”

> Bully Scholarship Edition (Rockstar): Yes, this game is all about bullying people, and finding ever more ingenious ways of doing so. A crassly anti-social premise though it may be, it is proving a success with large portions of gamers. Described by Rockstar “groundbreaking, original and humorous tongue-in-cheek”, Bully takes the gamer back to school. In the game, you’ll play the role of a mischievous schoolboy, who stands up to bullies, gets picked on by teachers, plays pranks, wins or loses the girl, and ultimately learns to navigate the obstacles of the worst school around.

> Prey (2K Games): This game is thought by some reviewers to look a little dated graphically, but its gameplay is as good as any of the other similar games out there. Prey is an offbeat shooter and is worth considering if you like this sort of game. It has an amusing story (a Cherokee garage mechanic is abducted by aliens) and subversive level design. Prey toys with aspects such as gravity, physics and reality in ways that the likes of Doom and Halo would never dream of.

> Chronicles of Riddick – Assault of Dark Athena (Atari): You may have thought Atari had disappeared off the radar completely, but they’re still active on the games scene. This offering involves an  escaped space prisoner, Riddick, who must shoot his way off a hellish mercenary ship, owned by sadistic clone overlord Captain Revas. Pulsating action, fantastic sci-fi weaponry and hours of gory entertainment. Some gamers report that there are some minor glitches here and there, but few games are totally free of glitches.

> Test Drive (Atari): It’s that old name again. Atari computers used to have a graphical user interface before even Apple took it up. So it’s no surprise now that its current generation of creatives have come up with a truly agenda-setting racing sim that provides a huge open map, allowing players to cruise the streets creating their own race events against AI drivers (or online versus other gamers). You can’t argue with 1,000 miles of lovely Hawaiian roads and 125 beautifully modeled cars. If you already have this, though, check out Project Gotham Racing 3 instead.

> Ace Combat 6 (Namco): A familiar name in gaming this time. Namco has been in the games business as long as there’s been a games business. This arcade-style flight combat series has been around for years, and remains popular with its hardcore fanbase. But Ace Combat’s mixture of adrenaline-pumping dogfight lunacy and lush visuals deserves a wider audience. Although you won’t find much online action, the single player missions are as exciting as ever.

> The Club (Microsoft): This particular game is rated highly by discerning gamers. It was created by the UK-based studio Bizarre Creations, and is said by a Guardian reviewer to be “a fascinating attempt to graft the mechanics of a racing game onto a third-person shooter. You’re a mercenary blasting your way through a series of shoot-out sequences as quickly as possible, unlocking cool weapons en route. Search for it via Google Shopping and you’ll find it for a tenner.”

games, microsoft, xbox Hide