The 2010 Holiday Buyer's Guide to the Best Roleplaying Games

Video games are one of the most popular forms of entertainment, especially with kids and teens, but not just with them. Chances are you know somebody that owns a video game console, and you can bet your Christmas stockings that they will have a whole slew of games on their lists.

One of the oldest and most popular genres of video games is the RPG or roleplaying game. The way they allow gamers to immerse themselves in robust worlds and epic storylines is unparalleled. There are tons of RPG's out there and buying the right one for the holidays can be stressful. Don't worry! This holiday buyer's guide will hold your hand through the whole process. The games will be broken down by the three major consoles: Playstation 3, Xbox 360, and the Wii. Also, I'll note if a game is available on multiple consoles.

The Sony Playstation 3 is a workhorse of a video game system. Not only does it have a vast library of games, but it also has a built-in Blu-ray Disc player. But enough about the video game console. Let's move on to the games!

Final Fantasy XIII (also available on Xbox 360)

Final Fantasy XIII is the latest installment in Square Enix's long running and venerated Final Fantasy series. Don't be put off by the XIII at the end of the title. The games are unrelated, so gamers don't need to have played the previous twelve to understand this one. The game boasts some of the best graphics ever seen in video games. Final Fantasy XIII also has over at least twenty hours of gameplay, so it will be a while before the recipient of this game gets bored.

Dragon Age Origins: Ultimate Edition (also available on Xbox 360, PC)

If the science fiction feel and the futuristic setting of Final Fantasy XIII isn't what the gamer you're shopping for is looking for, then perhaps the critically acclaimed Dragon Age Origins: Ultimate Edition by BioWare is the roleplaying game for them. Dragon Age Origins allows the player to create a character and choose from one of many different origin stories. The game tells the tale of the Grey Wardens, an ancient order sworn to defend the lands and people from the darkspawn. The game offers tons of dialogue choices and moral ambiguity. Best of all since this is the Ultimate Edition, it comes with the full version of the game, the Awakening expansion pack, and nine other content packs. All in all its over $100 worth of content for half the price.

Demon's Souls

A Playstation 3 exclusive, Demon's Souls by  has a reputation for being a very challenging game. If your gamer likes a challenge, then this might be the roleplaying game for them. Demon's Souls contains elements of action games, and the player will hack, slash, and cast magic through an array of different enemies and environments. There is an online component too. Players are able to leave hints and warnings in the places where they died, offering advice for fellow adventurers that follow in their footsteps. Demon's Souls is a critically acclaimed Playstation 3 game that should be included on any gamer's holiday wish list.

Microsoft's Xbox 360 is a gamer's delight. It has a vast library of games as well as a bunch of critically acclaimed exclusives. It also has Xbox Live, an online platform for gamers to play together, download new content, and experience a whole host of other features. On to the top roleplaying games!

Mass Effect 2 (also available on PC and will be available on Playstation 3 Jan. 31, 2011)

Mass Effect is a science fiction roleplaying series from developer BioWare. This second game in the series expands on everything that made the first one so great. If a gamer has played the original Mass Effect, then they can import their saved file into Mass Effect 2. But even if the gamer hasn't played the original, Mass Effect 2 still bridges the gap to let people start the series there. As is a staple in many BioWare games, Mass Effect 2 allows the player to choose how they want to handle situations and conversations. Do you want to go in guns blazing, or do you want to be suave and sophisticated? All of this is set against a stunning space opera backdrop. Truly a must have.

Fallout: New Vegas (also available on Playstation 3, PC)

The Fallout series came back from a long hiatus with the critically acclaimed Fallout 3 back in 2008. Now it's back again, but this time set in post-apocalyptic Las Vegas! "Not even nuclear fallout could slow the hustle of Sin City," the product claims, and it shows. The player meets a huge, colorful cast of supporting characters and hostile factions as they try to navigate the sun-parched deserts and the bustling Strip. The game features a huge open world that lets players immerse themselves into a ground-breaking roleplaying experience.

Fable III

An Xbox 360 exclusive and the third game in Peter Molyneux's action-packed and critically acclaimed Fable series. Fable III is a roleplaying game that lets the player "be the hero and forge their own destiny." The player gets to start a revolution to overthrow a tyrannical king, and they get to equip a vast array of swords, guns, and magic to accomplish their goals. However, there's a big twist! Once the revolution is successful, the player gets to become the next King or Queen of the land of Albion. You get to make choices that will affect Albion's destiny. Even though this is the third game in the Fable series, it is not necessary to have played the first two games. This game is probably at the top of many gamers' holiday wish lists.

The Nintendo Wii is a family friendly console with an array of games sure to please both casual and hardcore gamers. The Wii also features innovative motion controls that Sony and Microsoft are scrambling to implement for their own consoles.

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

You can't talk about Nintendo without bringing up The Legend of Zelda. It's a flagship franchise and with good reason. Some people complained about the last installment, the Wind Waker, but they should be appeased by Twilight Princess. Spiritually a successor to Ocarina of Time, Twilight Princess allows the player to swing the Wiimote in conjunction with protagonist Link's sword. You go through vast dungeons and collect new equipment in order to save the land of Hyrule from darkness. Both new and old players will find something to love with Nintendo's Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.

Little King's Story

Little King's Story is a single player roleplaying game with some light real-time strategy elements to it. With its adorable art style, Little King's Story is a delightful change from all the ultra-realistic and ultra-gritty games that dominate the other video game consoles. The game has a clever sense of humor and innovative gameplay. It combines strategy kingdom expansion gameplay along with a questing system with roleplaying mechanics. This game deserves to be on holiday wish lists.

Monster Hunter Tri

The Monster Hunter series has been big in Japan for a long time, and now it's finally available in the United States. Your character gets to hunt down gigantic and fantastic monsters, hence the title. Not only does the game feature single player, it is one of the few multiplayer roleplaying games out there. The player can save their character to their Wiimote, allowing them to play their character on a friend's console. There's something so satisfying in slaying a beautifully rendered monster especially when you have friends helping you. If Little King's Story seems a little too "cute" for you, then Monster Hunter Tri will satisfy that hardcore niche. It's a game that will be appreciated when the wrapping paper comes off.

This is just a small sample of all the great roleplaying games out there. Another great resource is Amazon.com where you can browse the best-seller lists. Hopefully this will help get you started! Happy holiday shopping everyone!