Summer time brings out the best in entertainment, and video games are no exception. Hardcore and casual gamers alike can find enjoyment in a good summer game.
The good news is it is safe to play video games without fear of failing a class. The bad news: the games on this list might cause you to never leave your chair… if you consider that bad.
Some of the best titles of the year are almost, if not already, upon us. Each game on this list has come out in the last month or is going to be released over the course of the summer. So warm up your trigger finger and dust off the consoles. Here are this summer’s top ten must play video games.
10. Dirt 3
Out Now
Xbox 360, PS3
The hit international rally racing game from developer THQ returns in this franchise’s third installment. This time it has all new tracks, cars and crashes. You can even ride in famous rally racer Ken Block’s car. Dirt 2 was such an awesome game that just the thought of a third one with improvements makes us squeal with excitement.
9. LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean
Out Now
Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, DS, 3DS, PSP, PC
If you’ve ever played any of the LEGO video games, then you know how amazingly fun they are. The humorously quirky cinematic and simple game-play is what makes the LEGO game franchise a hit. In this game, LEGO incorporates the story lines of all the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, including the new one coming out this summer. So unless you want a spoiler, we suggest you see the movie first.
8. Red Faction: Armageddon
Release Date: 6/7
Xbox 360, PS3, PC
The fourth installment in the Red Faction series, this third person shooter takes place half a century after the events of its predecessor. The newly freed Mars is once again under attack as the surface is deemed uninhabitable. Space, guns, alien guts and a big fat “Rated M” label. Please and thank you THQ. The Red Faction franchise proves that the violent sci-fi shooter games never get old.
7. inFamous 2
Release Date: 6/7
PS3
Electricity slinging superhuman Cole McGrath returns in this highly anticipated sequel. This time with a new morality system that gives you power benefits. Choose good, and your lightning has an icy touch. Choose evil, and your electricity will pack a little heat with its punch. If you don’t have a PlayStation 3, this game would make getting one very worthwhile.
6. Max Payne 3
Release Date: 8/1
Xbox 360, PS3, PC
Payne is back. The movie may have been a bomb, but that’s no reason to end video game franchise. Originally slated to come out in May, this game got pushed back to August. Hopefully that means it will be even better than anticipated. The Max Payne series is well over due for a next generation console upgrade. The last game was released on PS2. Remember the good ol’ days of not having to worry about network hacks?
5. Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time 3D
Release Date: 6/19
3DS
This remake of a classic brings the Zelda franchise into the world of 3D. While it would have been nice to see a completely brand new Zelda game, seeing a classic in 3D is still pretty exciting. Hopefully the game will bring some new features to the story line we all know. If you’ve been on the fence about the Nintendo 3DS, this would be the reason to get one.
4. Mortal Kombat
Out Now
Xbox 360, PS3
Mortal Kombat has been through some rough years, but the MK we’ve been waiting for has finally been made. This ninth installment of the franchise takes the world of MK to a whole new level of violence. If you think politicians spend too much time fighting about video game violence, you ain’t seen nothing yet. This one will have them in a furious rage. That makes it all the more worth playing.
3. Duke Nukem Forever
Release Date: 6/14
Xbox 360, PS3, PC
After eleven years of development and lots of skepticism, Duke Nukem Forever is is finally almost upon us with its over the top action, rude comedy and “adult situations”. It’s been fifteen years since the last Duke Nukem game. With that much of a time gap, we better be getting the best sci-fi shooter game of our generation. Of course that’s wishful thinking, but the game does look pretty intense. Either way, we’ve had eleven years of anticipation building and this game looks like it will deliver.
2. Portal 2
Out Now
Xbox 360, PS3, PC
Arguably one of the best games of the year, this quirky puzzle game sequel brings us another dose of witty hysterical dialogue, simple game-play and challenging puzzles. The single player mode will last you around ten hours, but it doesn’t end there. Grab a friend and take on the co-op mode for even more of a challenge.
1. L.A. Noire
Out Now
Xbox 360, PS3
Rockstar Games once again pushes the envelope of video games with this ground breaking title. Set in the Golden Age of Hollywood, players take the role of a detective in the LAPD. But what makes the game so unique is the new technology used to capture every nuance of the actor’s facial expressions. The result: the most realistic video game to date. This game is like an interactive movie. The level of realism is uncanny. If you were to put down your controller and just watch all the cut scenes you would forget you were watching animation. Whether you like the concept of the game or not, this is a must play for any gamer just for that reason.
