Unusual games for gifts

Shopping for the gamer in your life, even if that is a sneaky treat for yourself amidst the festive hubbub? Then try these hidden gems that they, or you, may have missed.

With just five laws to adhere to, Perspective Travelling, Perspective Landing, Perspective Existence, Perspective Absence and Perspective Jumping, echochrome for PlayStation 3 and PSP will bend and test your mind with MC Escher style puzzles that are as compelling as the Rubik's Cube.

Challenging in a different way, Civilization Revolution weaves strategy and history together in an empire building game. Sid Meier's classic makes its debut on PS3 with you choosing to take charge of a civilisation and guide it from the dawn of man and the discovery of fire, right the way through to industrialisation and the space race.

Another unique civilisation is ready and waiting to be led in Patapon on PSP. Armed to the teeth with swords, spears and bows, the tiny Patapon are lost without the reassuring beats you tap out on your mystical drums. Visually eye-popping and addictive, Patapon will have you drumming to the beat instantly... Pata, Pata, Pata, Pon.

From sticks and stones to wrenches and ray guns, Ratchet & Clank: Quest for Booty, available on Blu-ray Disc and from PlayStation Store for PS3, is another one of those hidden gems that is a must for all fans of arcade-like, action adventure. Tongue-in-cheek as ever, join Ratchet and his metallic chum, Clank, in another galaxy jumping quest.

Ratcheting up the tension from arcade adventure to hardcore shoot em' up, The Club pits modern day gladiators against each other via PlayStation Network. Cheered on by corrupt politicians, sick businessmen and the bored elite, the competitors fight in deathmatches, where your skill with a gun is everything.