PixlBit

The PixlBit staff has put together the go-to game guide for all holiday shoppers, gamers or not.

Exploration and Adventure

Exploration

Endless Ocean: Blue World

Discover a beautiful world beneath the waves as you play the role of a rookie diver of an upstart diving company. Certainly not for action fans, the unfolding story will have you exploring coral reefs and sunken castles, examining sea creatures and logging their behaviors, unearthing lost treasures, and more. The money you bring in for things like pictures and recovered treasures goes toward the purchasing of new equipment that enables you to dive deeper and stay longer. The beautiful underwater scenery and majestic creatures can be very relaxing, but don't get too comfortable as dangerous sea life may lurk in the depths. The online mode allows you to dive with a friend, utilizing the included Wii Speak accessory to communicate.

Adventure

Red Dead Redemption

Grand Theft Auto has become an institution in the gaming world, and Rockstar Games hasn't settled on keeping the series in the modern world. Stepping back nearly 100 years, players embody former outlaw turned gritty hero, John Marston who's on a quest to save his family by hunting down and capturing his former gang members. Along the way, players will have the pleasure of experiencing the beautiful, yet dangerous Wild West as well as a wide variety of quests, helping people along the way. Those who love the Grand Theft Auto series will undoubtedly connect with the new experience, and many may find themselves appreciating the setting even more than the modern metropolises that have dominated for years.

Also Available On: PS3

Fragile Dreams: Farewell Ruins of the Moon

Searching for a gaming experience unlike any other? Then look no further than XSEED's Fragile Dreams: Farewell Ruins of the Moon.

Journey through a post-apocalyptic world as lonely young boy, Seto, who is on a mission to find a silver-haired girl with the most beautiful voice he has ever heard. Explore several beautifully themed areas as you battle dozens of unique enemies with a wide assortment of weaponry. With varied gameplay featuring a great ratio of adventuring to combat, the title will surely satisfy any gamer open-minded enough to appreciate the title's serious tone. Not for the young or faint of heart, one of the main focuses of Fragile is to illustrate both the beauty and sadness of humanity through its touching story that includes very adult issues.

Bottom line, Fragile is the perfect title for any gamer seeking an experience that blends storytelling and gameplay unlike anything before.

Fable III

A gaming experience for all ages and experience levels, Fable III allows anyone to lead a revolution against a tyrannical government in any manner they wish.

Whether players choose to be good or evil, gamers can do almost anything in this action adventure title containing well over fifty hours of gameplay. Recruit followers, battle a variety of different enemies, invest in real estate, help out a neighbor, get married, have children, seek out hidden areas, upgrade and customize your weapon arsenal, complete one of the dozens of sidequests, etc.

With so much to do in any manner they wish, Fable III is a fantastic deal for any gamer, and is sure to keep them entertained even long after the main quest is finished.

3D Dot Game Heroes

If you have someone in your household over the age of 21 who has been gaming for the majority of their lifetime, chances are they're familiar with the original Legend of Zelda game for the NES. 3D Dot Game Heroes channels the energy of that historic game, and offers players a brand new quest that has a bit of a twist from what was found in the classic Nintendo title. This time around, players have an enormous sword that stretches across the screen. As they progress through the quest, they will both collect new weapons and items, as well as money to buy things like bigger swords.

While players can take a linear approach to the game, working from dungeon to dungeon, 3D Dot Game Heroes has a wide range of side-quests that greatly prolong the experience - just like a true Zelda game. To round out this trip down nostalgia lane are a number of different references to classic titles like Dragon Quest and Zelda, as well as some references to more recently released games like Demon's Souls. Be sure to grab this one for anyone in your household pining for a new classic Zelda experience or those who still love retro games.