Review: Knothole Island DLC for Fable 2

Downloadable Content (or DLC) is becoming more commonplace in games, and is still a major source of contention among gamers. Some people see it as a way to squeeze more money out of customers, others see it as a way to expand on a game without delaying the initial release. The price also plays a big part in people's opinions. Gamers rarely complain about free DLC, but content that costs money will have detractors even if there are many hours of gameplay for only a few dollars. Fable 2 was released late in 2008, and the Knothole Island DLC was released only a couple months later for 800 Microsoft points (or $10 U.S.). Does this DLC provide enough bang for the buck, or will the quests fizzle out? Read on for our short review.

Review (& Contest!): Moon for the Nintendo DS

When most people think of a First Person Shooter game (FPS), they think of Halo, Call of Duty, Unreal Tournament, or Doom. They might think about playing on their computer, or a home console. There aren't a lot of FPS games for portable systems, and especially not many for the Nintendo DS. Renegade Kid has developed a new title simply called Moon that aims to bring a first-class FPS title to the most popular portable system ever. But can they succeed? Let's dig into this new space adventure and find out.

Review: Rock Band Bandmates

Coinciding with the release of Rock Band 2 was a revamped Rock Band website, which added a way to create and purchase Rock Band merchandise customized with your own game characters. Shirts, stickers, buttons, and posters are all available with pictures of your character or band on them, posed in almost any way imaginable. However, the most unique item available is a Bandmate, a 3D trophy-style figure that looks just like your in game character. Unfortunately, a Bandmate is a bit expensive at $69 (plus tax and shipping), putting it outside the impulse buy realm for many people. When it's not exactly clear what you are getting, that Buy button can be a little hard to click. Since we've purchased a Bandmate, we thought we'd provide some comparison pictures to show you how the digital preview compares to the actual item.

Review: Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix

Capcom has been releasing updated and not-so-updated versions of their classic games, and now continues the tradition with an updated re-release of Street Fighter 2 Turbo. With shiny new graphics that mimic the old arcade versions, the classic gameplay is brought into the current generation of consoles. But does it hold up, or should we all get our SNES consoles back out and play the original? Read on for the full take.

Review: AC/DC LIVE: Rock Band Track Pack

Do you love AC/DC? Do you have a guitar, set of drums, or microphone that works with Rock Band? Seriously, do you LOVE AC/DC? And can you not wait for about 6 months to play some AC/DC Songs? If you answered yes to all the above questions, then you should definitely pick up the AC/DC Live: Rock Band Track Pack for Wii, Xbox 360, or PS3 (whichever you have the equipment for, obviously). Other than that, you probably shouldn't, and that's the only reason for the rest of this review.

Review: Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness

The Harvest Moon series has been around since 1997, and hasn't changed much since then. The concept of farming and raising animals is still the primary focus, with townsfolk to meet and rebuilding to do. Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness is one of the newest titles in the series, and is available for the Nintendo DS. Let's see how well this game holds up to the series, and if it's worth picking up.

2008 Holiday Buyer's Guide

With Christmas only a few weeks away, we at Realm Media Networks wanted to give you a little guide on some good buys for the gamer in your family. Whether it's your husband, wife, child or parent, there's should be something on the list to satisfy everyone.

Bargains
Sometimes your looking for a way to make a big impact, without a big investment. Here are a few ways to do that, without straining your budget.

Metal Slug 7: $30
A fun shoot-em-up that will provide enough of a challenge to keep someone interested for hours. This is only available for the Nintendo DS, but that just makes it the perfect game to play on the way home after a Christmas vacation.

Bioshock (Xbox 360): $30
One of the best games from 2007, Bioshock is now budget-priced, and is a worthwhile addition to any library. With an unrivaled story and great graphics, this game will keep the attention of any gamer for hours.

Microsoft Points / Wii Points / Playstation Network Card: $20
So much content for the new systems is only available online, and many gamers overlook it because it requires a bit more work to purchase. Braid, Bionic Commando: Rearmed, and even Uno on the Xbox 360, Tetris Party, World of Goo, and Super Metroid on the Wii, or Echochrome and Super Stardust on the PS3 are all available, but only through the online stores.

Above Average
Tons of new games have been released recently, and even though most gamers would love to have them all, they can't usually afford that. If you're looking for a good title to round out their collection, try one of the following.

Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe: $60-$70
Combining great graphics with all the classic characters, along with a whole host of characters from the DC Comics Universe, this title appeals heavily to the Mortal Kombat fans. And if you need any help learning all the moves, be sure to check out TRMK, our Mortal Kombat site.

Bioshock (PS3): $60
Although it originally was only available on the Xbox 360, this great title is now available on the Playstation 3.

Little Big Planet: $60
Only available on the PS3, this cute platformer is easy enough for kids, but has elaborate enough tools that older kids (and adults) can spend hours making their own levels.

Rock Band 2 (Disc Only): $60
With over 100 songs available once you purchase this game, anyone with a set of plastic instruments would be missing out without this popular sequel. The only reason someone might not already have it is because they've grown tired of the rhythm game genre, but with so much new content, it's likely the whole family will want a turn.

Premium
Sometimes you just want to go big in your gift giving, no matter the cost. Or maybe you want to get one big thing that could be used by several people throughout the year. Here are a few suggestions.

Rock Band 2 / Guitar Hero: World Tour Complete Band Kits: $190
Few kids (or adults) would be able to refrain from a rock marathon once they saw either of these sitting in the living room on Christmas morning. If you're willing to relinquish the TV for the rest of 2008, this will be a purchase that they will probably still be playing next year.

Nintendo DS: $130
With hundreds of great games, many budget priced, you can't go wrong with this as a gift for anyone interested in gaming. That is, if they don't already have one.

Xbox 360 (Premium 60 GB): $299
If your neighborhood gamer is still playing on a GameCube, Playstation 2, or original Xbox, you've probably heard them bemoan the fact that they aren't any new games, and how the systems aren't high definition. The Xbox 360 is a great choice for a new system, with lots of great games, and the best online experience. The current holiday bundles even include two family-friendly games, making it a great family gift.

Every gamer is different, so it's always good to find out exactly what they're interested it. If they want any of the items on this list, you can be sure they will be a good buy, and well appreciated.