360 for Christmas, need to know the best games of a few genres

[VanillaO]

I've got most of the sports covered (little sad I can't get MLB The Show, but no biggie), but I was wondering if anyone had any input on a few games I could take a look at in a few genres.

Racing - there are dozens of titles, which ones are best? I remember Gran Turismo and Need for Speed being the popular titles like 8 years ago.
Shooters/Action - Similar games would be like GTA, Halo, etc.

If anyone has any recommendations (they don't even have to be new games, but ideally in the last 3-5 years), I would really appreciate being pointed in the right direction.

Thanks, and happy holidays!

(If there's a similar thread like this that I didn't see, I apologize)

Any blatantly obvious console war trolling will score you an infraction, and possibly a ban. - Kankuri

[Yousend]

Forza 4 is the xbox equivalent of Gran Turismo, a racing simulation game.

[Obby]

i personally liked Guitar hero =]

as far as shooters hated halo and COD4 was the only shooter i really played on there

need for speed hot prusuit(spelling) was good but it wasnt Most Wanted good i beleive you can get most wanted for the 360 not sure tho its an awsome game loved it

[OrcsRLame]

For shooters, aside from the Halo series, Gears of War 1, 2, and 3 are all good. 3 Is the only one with a lot of people playing multiplayer. Concerning action games, (not sure if you meant just shooters, but I'll include other actions games anyway) Devil May Cry 4, Ninja Gaiden 2, (hard as hell) Darksiders, and Dark Souls, (also fairly hard) are all good.

[Tarien]

I agree with Forza 4 as the best racer.

FPS gets a bit more complex. Halo 3 or Reach if you're a fan of the franchise, Gears of War 1/2/3 are also great games. No longer a fan of the CoD series personally, and BF3 doesn't play well on consoles (get it for PC instead).

Saints Row 3 is about the most hilarious game I have ever played (think GTA4 with far more humour, and crazy weapons). Deus Ex, Red Dead Redemption, Dead Space 1 & 2 - these are all great games, and must buys imo.

As for older games, Mass Effect 1 and 2 are awesome RPG/shooters with the third installment due soon. The Assassins Creed franchise has been great (just don't try to do all the side missions, they can be repetitive). I loved Mirror's Edge on the Xbox, for something thats completely different.

[amishjello]

racer- Dirt 2
Shooter- Call of Duty MW3 (ignore the hate. its a good game if your trying to blow off time.)
RPG- I'm a little biased but I say Mass effect 1 and 2. They are great games, awesome story and fun combat.

[F U]

You haven't lived until you've played portal 2. Amazing game, hilarious characters.

[Deleted]

Forza 4
Saints Row 3 is just completely bonkers, even more than 1 and 2 but great fun.

These are classics now(cheap):
Kameo(dunno what genre it realy is, 3D platform/adventure)
Viva Pinata(micromanagement game, highly addictive and timeconsuming)
Lost Planet(shooter)
Crackdown(GTA but now you play some kind of supercop)

[minteK917]

Go with gears 3 as shooter if you dont want mw3 imo. Its your 2 likely candidate for your shoot em up stuff. i personally prefer gears because shotgun battles are fun.

[inux94]

Get Bastion from XBLA, it's a very nice RPG

[barnaby]

trade it all in and get a ps3 before it breaks?


<Infracted: Don't troll>

[Kankuri]

I'm a dedicated fighting game player. If you are into that sort of thing, I would recommend:
Marvel vs Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes (XBLA)
Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3
Street Fighter II: Turbo HDR (XBLA)
Street Fighter III: Third Strike Online (XBLA)
Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition
BlazBlue: Continuum Shift
Mortal Kombat 9
Tekken 6
The King of Fighters XIII

The two best ones to get are probably Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 and Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition. They have the most players online out of any other fighting game at the moment.

[redruMPanda]

MW3 or BF3 depending on your play style in the FPS dept. Me personally I loved Halo for the story but hated the online play for it. Gotta get Fable, and gear of war trilogy.

[Zeta333]

Deadrising without a doubt, older game but a golden one at that.

[Underskilled]

Seconding Kankuri's notion, I'd also like to add Sonic Generations as a very fun action/platformer, in my opinion at least.

[inboundpaper]

Red Dead Redemption is a fantastic GTA like game. The offerings for Fps's are kinda slim right now, its really either MW3 or GW3 if you want more average players still playing.

[Disenchanted]

Red Dead Redemption is a fantastic GTA like game.

This!

If you like Westerns at all, this is a must have. Great all around game, and maybe my pick for the best game of this current generation of consoles.

And the good news is it can be bought for cheap now. Plus, it's been out long enough that most of the DLC is free now.

[atree496]

For platformers, Sonic Generations and Rayman Origins are a must.

[obdigore]

I agree with Forza 4 as the best racer.

FPS gets a bit more complex. Halo 3 or Reach if you're a fan of the franchise, Gears of War 1/2/3 are also great games. No longer a fan of the CoD series personally, and BF3 doesn't play well on consoles (get it for PC instead).

Saints Row 3 is about the most hilarious game I have ever played (think GTA4 with far more humour, and crazy weapons). Deus Ex, Red Dead Redemption, Dead Space 1 & 2 - these are all great games, and must buys imo.

As for older games, Mass Effect 1 and 2 are awesome RPG/shooters with the third installment due soon. The Assassins Creed franchise has been great (just don't try to do all the side missions, they can be repetitive). I loved Mirror's Edge on the Xbox, for something thats completely different.

This is the best post in the thread, and contains everything I wanted to say.

He did not mention the Fable series which was fun. I have heard the new Batman game is amazing, but have not had the time to play it myself.

I have heard Bulletstorm is very fun, but have not played it.

I would say stay away from Rage. The gunplay is fun and the graphics are great, but hte RPG elements are lacking and the game is short.

[Viertel]

If you're looking for action (even if it's more adventure/action hybrid) Darksiders is an incredibly solid installment with a sequel coming out next year. Really fun game with some top notch voice acting.

You didn't mention it, but I figure I'll throw out there some RPGs: Star Ocean: The Last Hope and Tales of Vesperia are solid games with good action combat styles.