Christmas is almost here, and it is pure folly to go out shopping without an agenda or a list. You’ll just spend hours upon hours scouring the malls and stores for the perfect gift. The smart gift-giver/shopper prepares a list of gifts in advance. To help you with that, I’ve compiled a list of the Top 10 XBox 360 console & its video games for Christmas gifts for 2008. The Xbox 360 is one of the most popular game consoles today, and I’m sure you know a couple of people who owns one. So a game for their Xbox 360 might just be what would make their Christmas so much better. Here’s the list and you better take notes!

1. Gears of War 2 – this much awarded sequel to Gears of War original deserves all the praises heaped upon it. I’m sure the person you’ll gift this give to would be forever thankful. Picking up from the events of the last game, this sequel not only adds better gameplay and visuals, it also introduces a lot of characters and bigger and badder opponents.

2. Call of Duty: World at War – this game is for those friends of yours who want gritty, realistic action. Call of Duty: World at War combines the best visuals with highly exciting and intelligent gameplay. The battles are intense, with enemies such as the German and Japanese. The guns and machines are all powerful. Available in Multiplayer mode, too.

3. Fallout 3 – this game definitely belongs in the top 3 of the Top 10 XBox 360 console & its video games Christmas gift for 2008. It is a nightmarish vision of the world after a nuclear fallout. A game that is creepy, exciting, and totally engrossing, it is a cut above all the other war and battle games in the market today. Expect a lot of thanks coming your way once you give this as a gift. Your friends would love the battle against a humanity gone bad due to radiation.

4. Left 4 Dead – there’s just something about zombies that no matter how often they are used, they still are very potent and exciting villains. The same goes with this game in which four players have to survive against a horde of zombies and their bosses. Perfect for your friend who is a horror and gore fan.

5. Fable II – coming in at number 5 in the Top 10 XBox 360 console & its video games Christmas gifts for 2008, Fable II picks up 500 years after the events of the first Fable game, this sequel definitely doesn’t lose any steam. With the premise that actions are what makes a person good or evil, this game is intelligent and fun at the same time. However, keep in mind that there is mature content in this game, so it might not be a good idea to give it to very young kids. Players can enjoy a gripping storyline, battle attacks that include magic spells and short and long range techniques, and explore a world 10 times bigger than the first game.

6. Xbox 360 Live 12 Month Gold Card Plus 1 Month Bonus – this is every gamer’s dream. A year-long membership to Xbox Live, the Mecca of all things that Xbox can offer: from guilds, battle forums, and tournaments and a lot more. This will surely make your friend ecstatic.

7. Dead Space – Terrifying, exciting, fun. What more can one ask for? This battle against aliens in outer space has been done, but not to the same level as with this game. Here, weapons are not only those of the killing kind, but special powers such as telekinesis also come into play. Add mesmerizing visuals and exceptional sound, it’s the game to own!

8. Mirror’s Edge – this truly enthralling and captivating mix of combat and strategic thinking makes this game a shoo-in for the list of the Top 10 XBox 360 console & its video games Christmas gift for 2008. Assuming the role of Faith, a Runner, the lucky receiver of this gift would have a lot fun times trying to evade the police by running, leaping, and skulking around the city. If all else fails, there’s always fighting and the helicopter, even.

9. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed – for the die-hard Star Wars fan, this game is a must-have. This will have your friends playing as Darth Vader himself or his apprentice. Mix it with the best graphics, gameplay, and storyline, this game is one of the best of the Star Wars gaming franchise.

10. Halo 3 – Halo 1 and 2 were both highly successful and well received. It would seem that the third installment doesn’t miss the mark either. Expect a lot of fun times playing this game, wherein high class visuals, brand new weapons, interesting characters, and a unique storyline will have you or your friend spending hours playing!

Go ahead and use our list for the easiest and convenient holiday shopping.

Probably you all have already bought and played the new total war game, Napoleon Total War. Let us see in what ways it is good and it what ways it is bad. First of all, we have to have a general information and knowledge about past total war games, in order to judge it correctly. To start with, in every progressing total war game, from Medieval first total war to this, Napoleon total war, the graphics were improved. But for Christ’s sake. This one is a real advancement in graphics. I didn’t think empire total war had much better graphics than medieval two total war. Even that it had EXTREMELY more game functions as both in the battle map and especially in campaign map. You were able to go to America, India, all over Europe and plus, the trade locations such as south Africa, straits of Madagascar, Indonesia, and south America.

The concept of Napoleon total war is almost same as Empire Total War, only it is few years later and more about some short period, but in a detailed way. So the units and their abilities are generally alike or the same. Muzzle loading musketeers, line infantries, cannons howitzers, rockets, cavalries and almost all are the same. However, i didn’t know that Empire Total war had this much flaws, or forgotten parts, about its graphics. Well where to start counting it? The cannonballs leave a scar on the earth upon bouncing, a scar that smokes. Furthermore, cannons are, most really, also blow out some flame, together with smoke. The particle effects are much more realistic as in cannonballs hit the ground and scatter the earth in all directions, maybe not killing but hurting anyone around it. This was something that must have been added to empire total war certainly. Because it was like, a soldier could continue walking with cannonballs falling around him in half a meter distance. Furthermore, the smoke which is exerted by the muskets of the line infantries or any other musket, does not disappear easily if there are no rain or wind. So after some time in battle, the air fills up with smoke. You can of course disable this if you do not like it but, it makes the battle extremely realistic. When compared with the various cries and sounds of alarms of men. Well, it sure feels as if you are in that battle itself, and commanding the army.

There are many other graphic advancements in Napoleon Total War, when compared to Empire total War, along with various logical advancements. But you better go and find and realize them yourselves! Who would not get annoyed by someone ruining all the excitement, saying things before? Like, should i be saying that you actually will sooner or later figure that in Napoleon Total War, there is no longer any rout sign? Well of course, i am sorry, i will let you find the flaws in the game! I wish you best of luck, give them hell for me too!