Gift Guide: hidden gems

Check out the finest under-the-radar games of 2010 and give your festive season an alternative twist.

For PlayStation 3...

Dripping with eerie atmosphere is Rapture, the ruined underwater metropolis of BioShock 2. Set ten years after the events of the first game, you'll witness grisly sights as you discover Rapture's murky genetic engineering secrets.

Another distinctive view of the world comes from Yakuza 3, which takes you to the bright lights and shadowy underworld of Tokyo as you race to escape your gangland past. Both Yakuza 3 and BioShock 2 ask for tough decisions to be made, overwhelming odds to be tackled and hard truths to be faced.
 
For a change of gear, Split/Second: Velocity and blur each challenge racing fans to use lightning-quick reactions to take out rivals. Power-ups including landmines and defensive shields add frantic intensity to blur, while in Split/Second: Velocity the city itself is a weapon, epic destruction being triggered to throw opponents literally off course – perfect for spicing up your Christmas.

A dash of storybook surrealism comes from two very different experiences. White Knight Chronicles is a sprawling fantasy which grants the ability to craft a unique fighting style and transform into an awe-inspiring warrior, seven metres tall. If you missed it earlier this year, track it down today and begin your epic journey to Balandor to join the hunt for the kidnapped Princess Cisna. 

3D Dot Game Heroes, meanwhile, is a charming adventure through a pixelated land threatened by a dark plague that pays homage to 30 years of videogame culture. It's just one more example of the staggering diversity available on PlayStation 3, all of which is available in stores now.

On PlayStation Network...

Enchantment awaits in the brilliantly offbeat Costume Quest, and although it's set during Halloween, the festive air fits in perfectly with Christmas. After two twins set off trick-or-treating, one is kidnapped by candy-loving monsters, so you must rescue them by collecting new costumes which bestow superpowers. Heart-warming and clever, this is a great seasonal role-playing game.

Castle Crashers and Joe Danger are feistier alternatives this Christmas. A side-scrolling beat 'em up featuring four party-loving knights, Castle Crashers is a seriously unhinged quest featuring a confused Cyclops and alien invaders.

Joe Danger swaps a suit of armour for flameproof overalls and close-quarters combat for stunt-filled races. You must guide your motorbike to the end of each race, collecting the letters to spell DANGER and taking alternative routes to fiery glory.

Visit PlayStation Store now to download a treasure trove of innovative titles and brighten up your Christmas.

For PSP...

Valkyria Chronicles II mixes brain-busting strategy with real-time combat, as you carefully place a team of soldiers around a map using a bird's-eye view, before diving into the action at ground level. Featuring a beautiful art style that brings watercolour images to life and a wealth of units and tactical commands, Valkyria Chronicles II is the game to keep even the most excitable gamer quiet on Christmas Day.  

On the other hand, Alien Zombie Death is a minis title on PlayStation Store that will have players whooping with joy. As an astronaut faced with wave after wave of murderous alien zombies, you embark on a challenging journey that mixes humour with outrageously over-the-top blasting action – the ideal way to wake up after a heavy turkey dinner.

Finally, for those hankering after the return of summer, Everybody's Tennis is a sunny and incredibly addictive sports game that features crazy unlockables like panda suits and even characters such as the Helghast from the Killzone series, not to mention satisfying all-court gameplay.

For wacky, off-the-wall fun or deep, immersive experiences, discover hidden delights with PlayStation this Christmas.

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