Chances are, folks, that you either own or know someone with, a games console whether it be an Xbox 360, a PS3 or a Wii. Perhaps you think of getting them a game for said console as a gift and I can only pray that I'm not too late in imparting this advice;

Just because a game is available, doesn't mean you should buy it. See, I'm lucky that I have friends working at the local rental store as it means I often get to rent games for free and usually before the release date. Half of the time, I get a game just to check it out - maybe I've not seen much advertising for it and my curiosity is invoked. Usually, in these cases, however, I'm thankful that I didn't waste any money on it, so: -

Vic's Run Down of Games to Avoid; -

• Face Breaker
  This game was supposed to be 'great'. It's a 'beat 'em up' based in...a boxing ring. With the latest craze being avatars and creating little characters that represent yourself, this game jumped in but only in a half assed kind of way.

  The graphics are dire. They reminded me of something from say, five or more years ago. They're blocky and bold with little attention paid to shading and the like. The backgrounds seem empty and the facial expressions of the characters are repetative as hell.

  As for the controls - this game basically amounts to a button-basher. There seems to be little skill involved and what combos you do get will give you thumb-cramp.

  I did not expect very much from this game but it couldn't even deliver that.

• Alone In The Dark
  This game *sigh* was supposed to be so epic and scary! But alas, it did not deliver. There was a hype with this game; both among my friends and the general gaming population and I think we were all let-down.

  The control system of this game was actually different and quite intuitive, the environments were completely destructable and fire....aw lordy, the fire....seemed to come alive and act like real flames would. An impressive feat for a video game.

  However, any game that makes its levels so difficult (even on 'normal') that they give you an option to 'fast-forward' through the bits you can't do, clearly hasn't thought things over. I'm sorry but the entire point of playing a game is to, oh I don't know, play it?! With the ability to fast forward through the entire game, it makes for a very short play; even those hard-core gamers that revel in a challange will be gutted when they realise that it's almost impossible.

  It hurts to say this but you may as well go watch a movie, take a walk or read a book.

• Too Human
  I'm not even too sure what to say on this one. This is 2008, right? Well, this game was originally intended for the PS1...yes, I said 1....that is, the first Play Station back in 1999. That's almost ten years of development and while we have had many games stuck in creation (come on, Alan Wake!), this one takes the biscuit.

  Not even the mix of Norse Mythology could save this one. The Viking Gods are on a quest to save humanity from Loki's army of cybernetic...beings. They themselves are also cybernetic (seriously, I don't know why).

  The title of the game comes from Baldur, the god you play; he is less 'cybernetic' than all of the others and thus is deemed 'too human'.

  The game has been lost many times and has found itself being passed from one console/developer to another....for nine years.....surely, that speaks for itself?

  Maybe it's just me (and everyone I've spoken to) but this game, despite it's attempt at epicness, fails. The controls seem bulky and the game on a whole just comes across as boring and patronising.

• Mercenaries 2
  Ah, Mercenaries....1. Now that was a great game. The sequel, however, not so much.

  You can still choose between the three original characters and you can earn some merc assistants if you play the game right. Yet in saying that, the game can be rather linear when it comes to this - it seems you'll get your buddies eventually.

  Mercs 2 is no where near as awesome as the first. There's no more standing on the top of buildings and then calling in an airstrike, only to see if your character would survive the blast and walk away.

  The graphics haven't improved all that much but the cut-scenes when you hijack a tank are purdy cool. There's still a pack of cards to deal with but there seems to be no clear objective for anything - I've seen gamers just run around the map in circles wondering exactly what to do and who to eliminate.

  Mercs 2 is, I suppose, good for just wasting time with your buddies.

So thar ye have it folks, if you're thinking of getting a game, try not to get any of these either for yourself or as a gift; - it's like getting a Ronan Keating album when you're just not into that kind of music which is a different story for another time.....