Happy holidays Xbox One owners and gift buyers! Microsoft has been busy this year with price cuts and some awesome exclusives releasing, like Sunset Overdrive and Halo: The Master Chief Collection. Some of the biggest must-haves of the holiday season are available on Xbox One, and here's the ones you should consider. If you have any gift buying questions, don't hesitate to comment, email me at [email protected] or tweet us at @Lance_GZ or @GameZoneOnline.
Make sure to check out our entire 2014 Holiday Gift Guide.
Console bundles:
The Xbox One has recently received a temporary holiday price cut to $349.99. Some retailers are even going lower for Black Friday prices. You should be able to get the Xbox One console for $349.99 online or in retail stores at any location, but there are also bundles that come with a game or two for the same price.
At multiple retailers like Gamestop and Amazon, the Xbox One Assassin's Creed Unity Bundle is listed for $349.99. It comes with the Xbox One Console, Assassin's Creed Unity download token, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag download token, a wireless controller and a chat headset.
Games:
Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare
Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare is a welcoming shooter for young gamers and adults alike. It has split-screen play, wonderful visuals and the shooter mechanics are great. Everything has a Plants vs. Zombies spin on it, and if you’re going to buy your child a shooter, this is the more appropriate choice. [Review]
Diablo 3: Reaper of Souls – Ultimate Evil Edition
This is the definitive version of Diablo 3. It's one of the best games on both the PS4 and Xbox One. The changes made have me hooked. If you own a next-gen console, you'd be doing yourself a huge disservice if you don't purchase Diablo 3: Ultimate Evil Edition. [Review]
Child of Light
Child of Light is a mesmerizing fairytale where you’ll admire the gorgeous visuals and the thought-provoking story. The combat is organized chaos with the active battle system that is presented simplistically, but puts a twist on the turn-based combat you might be used to. [Review]
Minecraft
What might go down as the game of a generation, this is the console version of Minecraft for next-gen. It’s an awesome game that’s like virtual LEGOs, where you can build anything you can think of.
Sunset Overdrive
Sunset Overdrive has all of the elements of a holiday blockbuster, but it's completely self-aware — and it totally works in this case. It's a reminder that we don't always have to take games so seriously. The visuals are vibrant, and the fast grinding/jumping/wall-running with the over-the-top combat makes this a fun, action-packed game. [Review]
Madden NFL 15
It’s the only new football game you can get this year, so football and NFL fans can get their video game fill from Madden NFL 15. There are huge improvements in presentation and animations, and a mild improvement in gameplay. It’s not the Peyton Manning of video games, but not many are. [Review]
Destiny
Destiny is not perfect and many may feel it comes up short of what was promised from Bungie. Even so, it’s an incredibly addicting game that Bungie should hopefully build upon in the future. While the story is weak, the Raids and Strikes are a highlight, as are the shooting mechanics. [Review]
FIFA 15
This is the world’s sport. FIFA 15 is gorgeous on next-gen consoles, and still looks good on PS3 and Xbox 360. It remains one of the best sports simulation games around with improvements in AI, lively stadiums and tactical gameplay.
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor
Fans of Lord of the Rings, Assassin’s Creed and/or Arkham City should give Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor a shot. The combat and the upgrades to it are very Batman-ish, the story is good, and the best part of the game is Nemesis system, where you alter the balance of power between orc chiefs and their lieutenants. [Review]
Halo: The Master Chief Collection
With more than ten years worth of Halo content offered on one disc, The Master Chief Collection is one of the most robust curations ever. It offers you just about everything you could possibly want from Halo, but it does so on your terms, via a simplified navigation menu in which you are free to decide what to play. The freedom in which you can experience Master Chief’s adventures is what’s most appealing. Visuals are updated and Master Chief looks better than ever. [Review]
Alien: Isolation
Alien: Isolation isn’t a perfect game, but it’s one that finally does the Alien franchise justice. The fear of not being able to fight off the xenomorph is terrifying. If you want a tense survival horror game with awesome analog sci-fi, this is the way to go. [Review]
The Evil Within
It’s not easy for a game with the name Shinji Mikami attached to it to live up to the hype, but The Evil Within does a nice job of staying true to its roots. It’s more gory than scary, but that didn’t stop us from jumping a couple of times. A must for survival horror fans that want resource management and puzzles. [Review]
Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition
This is a worthy purchase if you have yet to play this fantastic open-world title, otherwise wait for a price drop. Comes with every single DLC released, a fresh coat of paint, and keeps the story worth paying attention to and the city worth exploring. [Review]
Fantasia: Music Evolved
A new music/rhythym game from Harmonix, Fantasia: Music Evolved makes fine use of the Kinect. Gameplay not only feels magical, the remixing capabilities for popular and classic songs are just as amazing. [Review]
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare is the best Call of Duty game made in years. It has a fun, strong campaign headlined by Kevin Spacey and Troy Baker, and the multiplayer brings in the future of weaponry as you’ll be able to boost and double-jump around the map. [Review]
Dragon Age Inquisition
Want to see how the Dragon Age series plays out? Get Inquisition, the biggest game in the series with great combat, and a huge world filled with tons of quests to go with it. This is a must-buy for Dragon Age fans, and a good RPG if you’re looking for that. [Review]
Grand Theft Auto V
Grand Theft Auto V has made its way to next-gen consoles with updated visuals and an awesome first-person mode. It's not just a gimmick mode; it's pretty legit. This should be purchased for adults only (and ones that don't mind vulgarity and violence). In conslusion, GTA V is a hell of a ride and one that will give you tons of entertainment value. [Review]
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