For the Eager Buyer: Here’s a Quick PS4 Christmas Shopping Guide

With another holiday season rolling around, it’s time to dust off the old search engine and start looking for interesting PlayStation goodies to stock up on. This year of course, the hottest item around is the PlayStation 4 console, which many readers might already own at this point. Of course if you’ve yet to claim your own you might not need to worry – according to industry sources there won’t be any shortages, although there are currently shortages, so there’s probably no need to take drastic action to locate a PS4 prior to Christmas Eve.

Naturally, when selecting a new console, you’re going to need to choose which game(s) you want bundled with it, right? Well, here are some of the top picks which everyone seems to be raving about:

First off there’s Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, which is probably the greatest naval / pirate-themed game to grace any platform…ever. Where previous Assassin’s Creed games offered what amounted to a smattering of truly open-ended gameplay, perhaps allowing you to run around a series of cities, Black Flag gives you an entire series of islands and an ocean to explore. But the fun doesn’t end there, as you control your character aboard your very own ship, the Jackdaw, you can also do battle with passing vessels, even boarding them in a characteristic swashbuckling fashion. It also goes without saying that this game is graphically gorgeous, presenting you with a very life-like world to experience.

Don’t worry, there are also plenty of bona-fide shooters to delve into as well, “Killzone: Shadow Fall”, “Battlefield 4” and “Call of Duty: Ghosts” being among them. Naturally, each one of these games brings something unique to the table as well. For instance, Killzone: SF is a complete refinement and update of the KZ series in terms of graphics, features and overall design. Gamers will delight at the intriguing storyline involving what amounts to cold war theatrics as well as its’ more open-feeling gameplay, which features more expansive areas to move around in. Moreover, as expected, Shadow Fall is also a very pretty game as well and certainly one that’s perfect for breaking in that new PS4.

Battlefield 4 also ups the ante in terms of what it delivers to its core audience with enhanced visuals and additions to its treasured multiplayer gameplay mechanics. Arguably, aside from the improvements, FPS aficionados are probably going to be most impressed by the new destructive level designs, which allow you to radically affect the way the action unfolds. Speaking of which, you’ll also find a similar mechanic inside of Call of Duty: Ghosts, which builds upon the franchises many selling points with additional features and a whole new story line involving disintegrating world powers.

Of course there is also an assortment of other titles available via the PSN, like Flower”, “Escape Plan”, Trine 2: Complete Story and the highly addictive Mars mining title “Super Motherload”. Naturally, each one possesses its own unique charms and gameplay as well. For instance, Flower is a rather open-ended, free-spirited title that was originally released on the PS3, which exposes gamers to a whole new experience that’s largely based on beautiful aesthetics. You essentially float around, gliding across rich landscapes affecting them in various ways amidst a dazzling presentation that’s simply breathtaking.

Conversly, “Escape Plan” is one of those games that seem to be more firmly rooted in humor and carnage, with its rather direct puzzle-solving ethos. In it you guide two amusingly mismatched compatriots across a series of rooms which feature deathtraps. The goal of course is to traverse each area without falling victim to any of the devious traps. As you’re attempting to do this (and with the DualShock 4’s touchpad, no less), you’ll also hear a virtual “audience” cheering and jeering at your antics – all in all, it’s a rather bizarre setup which is quite delightful (as well as gruesome, at times).

Then there’s “Super Motherload”, which is perhaps one of the most fiendishly addictive 2D-centric titles to hit PS4. In short, you control a Mars miner who, armed with a digging machine, is charged with excavating the planet for various precious ores, minerals and valuable stones / metals. Along with the expected gravity-based obstacles and dangers, there’s also the threat of rising magma, which can quickly destroy your machine and/or ruin your operation. What makes it all so interesting though is that it fills the gamer with a sense of seclusion that’s somewhat meditative, to say the least.

Additionally, there are loads of other free-to-play games that you can also download via the PSN, such as “Contrast“, which will keep you busy for quite a while, check out what’s on the PSN for more information.

Top 6 Headsets Compatible with PS4:

Having a decent headset can really improve your gaming experience, and let’s face it, the PS4 headset is far from supperior. Read Top headsets that will be compatible with the PS4 for a more detailed read.

Sennheiser PC 350 – Collapsible Gaming Headset with Vol Control & Microphone Mute

Razer Tiamat Over Ear 7.1 Surround Sound PC Gaming Headset

Razer Kraken Over Ear Headphones

Mad Catz F.R.E.Q.5 Headset

Turtle Beach TBS-2214 Ear Force Z6A Gaming Headset with Multi Speaker 5.1 Surround Sound

Tritton TRIAX-180 AX 180 Stereo Gaming Headset

Top 5 PS4 Accessories:

Why not improve your gaming experience over Christmas with some of these great accessories?

PS4 Camera

PlayStation DualShock 4 Charging Station

PS4 DualShock 4 Colored Control Pad