Guest Writer | Justin Hamilton

The much anticipated game, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, finally hit stores early Tuesday morning and what a launch it was. With pre-order sales topping its predecessor, Call of Duty: Black Ops, it was a big day for gamers across the world. Developers hit gamers with a number of titles in the past couple of months that will be sure to give both sides a Merry Christmas. With the NBA lockout still in affect, these games are the only thing some people have to look forward to in the upcoming months. Being a gamer myself, I will discuss whether or not some of these games live up to their hype.

Starting at Small Forward: “NBA 2K12” IGN Rating 9.5/10 My Rating 9/10

Like Kevin Durant or Lebron James, NBA 2K12 is a force to be reckoned with inside the gaming world. Taking the title as the best basketball game franchise ever, 2K sports have shut down its opponent in NBA Live to become the only basketball game on the market. I must congratulate NBA 2K12 for releasing such a great game even with the NBA lockout looming overhead. The only reason NBA 2K12 doesn’t get a 10/10 from me is because 2K11 was better graphically. Some of the players look almost alien-like and don’t resemble their real life counter parts at all. Another big reason that it didn’t get a 10/10 is because NBA 2K11 focused solely on the greatest basketball player of all time Michael Jordan. In my opinion, NBA 2K11 will always be the greatest basketball game ever or at least for quite some time. Smoother game play, tons of new modes, and amazing new features make this game a definite top pick.

Starting at Shooting Guard: “Batman Arkham City” IGN Rating 9.5/10 My Rating 10/10

The Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant of its gaming genre, Batman Arkham City will go down in history as one of the best games of 2011. Receiving universal critical acclaim Batman Arkham City, just like its predecessor Batman Arkham Island, revolutionized superhero fighting games. Receiving nothing less than a 9 from any review score, Batman is a must have title for any gamer. A personal favorite of mine, Batman Arkham City, has the best of it all: graphics, game play, story line, side missions, fighting, etc. which were all put together in great detail to make a masterpiece of a game.

Starting at Point Guard: “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3”

IGN Rating 9/10 My Rating 9.5/10

Most basketball teams run their offense through the point guard, and it’s only fitting that a Call of Duty game be named the starter seeing as it pretty much runs the gaming world. Just like the reigning NBA MVP Derrick Rose, Modern Warfare or any Call of Duty game always steps up to the plate to make the big plays. Should Modern Warfare 3 be considered the greatest game out? Maybe not, but in my opinion it should hold the title as the best 1st person shooter. With its fast pace gun fights, action packed campaign and multiplayer, and its new Elite player ranking system, Modern Warfare 3 is already selling out in stores and will be breaking records in no time. No leisure or pro player should be without this game. Is this game worth $60? YES. Is this game worth standing in line until 2:00 am for the pre-order release? YES. Is this game the game of the year and what you have finally been waiting for? YES.

All 3 of these games have lived up to their hype and surpassed any expectations I had for them, which were high enough expectations to begin with. You may lose a lot of sleep, maybe even a girlfriend or two, but no matter the price you pay these games are definitely worth having.