shooters

So many great games, so little time. Actually, I don't mind carving out the time (who needs sleep?)--it's dropping $40-50 on a single game that pains me.

Fortunately, as I've mentioned many times before, if you don't mind being patient, game prices can and will drop--sometimes steeply. Today, I've rounded up four top-rated games (for Windows) that are all fairly recent, and all heavily discounted. (Note that all prices are subject to change and were accurate when I wrote this post.) Take a look:

Assassin's Creed: Director's Cut Edition for $6.42. … Read more

On today's preGame we're killing with skill in Bulletstorm and exploring the uncharted digestion tracks of monstrous creatures in PixelJunk Shooter 2.

But first we'd like to thank everyone that participated in our biggest contest ever! We had a tremendous response and hope to be able to bring more contests to preGame very soon!

Aside from two excellent game demos today, the guys take a look at Dreamcast Collection, a new release from Sega that includes four Dreamcast games: Sonic Adventure, Crazy Taxi, Space Channel 5 Part 2, and Sega Bass Fishing. We're not in love … Read more

Dead Space is all the rage right now, and with good reason. The original console game was widely regarded as one of the scariest survival-horror adventures ever, and the new sequel delivers even more sci-fi terror.

You might assume that any iOS version of the game would be little more than a port of the original, a slapdash effort to drive sales of the sequel. But you'd be wrong.

Dead Space for iOS is an original chapter in the saga, with a new story and even some new weapons. It's visually stunning, thoroughly engrossing, and genuinely scary--especially if … Read more

According to a recent study by IDC, the iPad has definitively dominated the tablet market, accounting for almost 90 percent of tablets shipped worldwide in the third quarter of 2010. It stands to reason that fourth-quarter results will probably be even higher after the big holiday season. Now that many of the early naysayers have come around to the larger iOS device, I have to think the launch of the iPad 2 in April will be leaps and bounds more successful right out of the gate.

I got the first-generation iPad when it came out for obvious reasons, and probably won't be buying the new iPad personally at launch time (though we will certainly have them here at CNET for testing). But what about you? Are you one of those who decided to wait for the second-generation iPad?

As usual, Apple is not telling us much about its shiny new device, but there have been plenty of rumors regarding a higher-resolution screen, front- and rear-facing cameras, and much more at the various rumor sites.

I'm interested to see who is planning to pull the trigger on the new iPad in April. Let us know your plans in the comments.

This week's apps include a strange interactive storytelling app and a shooting game that cleverly uses the iPhone 4's gyroscope technology.… Read more

This week, over at our Signal Strength blog, Maggie Reardon answered questions from readers regarding the upcoming Verizon iPhone. The article is not about the iPhone specifically, but about how a mass exodus from AT&T to Verizon might effect both carriers.

I got the iPhone 4 when it was launched, knowing that I would have to stick with AT&T for two years, but obviously, I had little choice as an iPhone app reviewer. Like many who got the iPhone 4 near launch day, I was sad to hear later that I missed the chance to get an iPhone with Verizon, which many say has the best network. But Maggie has an interesting point: With a mass exodus from AT&T, it will probably mean that those stuck in contracts will experience significantly better signal strength with a lot less users clogging up the network. Also, current Verizon customers have to wonder just how much a huge influx of iPhone users will effect the historically strong Verizon network.

I suppose we'll have to wait and see what effects a Verizon iPhone will have on each carrier, but you have to admit it's heartening to hear that AT&T users might be getting better service as a result of the Verizon iPhone. Hopefully both carriers will benefit from the change so all of us finally get good connection speeds.

This week's apps include the sequel to one of the best racing games for iPhone and the debut of an FPS game formerly only available on desktop computers and consoles.… Read more

Space Miner Blast is a slimmed-down arcade version of one of our favorite games on the iPhone called Space Miner: Space Ore Bust. The original game included a storyline in which you tried to keep your uncle's space-mining company afloat by mining various sectors of space and using the ore to make money so you could upgrade your ship. Though we still recommend the original as a more involved and unique game, Space Miner Blast takes the basic gameplay mechanic (flying around and shooting asteroids) and makes it into a fun challenge on its own.

Space Miner Blast tasks … Read more

It's been a huge week for iOS gaming. Yesterday witnessed the arrival of a dazzling new Star Wars title, and today I've got quick takes on five more noteworthy new games--starting with a just-in-time movie tie-in.

Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4  A near-perfect replica of the outstanding console game, Lego Harry Potter (which I previewed last week) loses almost nothing in its transition to the small screen. (And for now, it's only for small screens: the game requires iOS 4.1 or later, which leaves iPads out.)

Alas, there's no option for cooperative play, and … Read more

Zombie Crisis 3D is a rail shooter that gives users the pleasure of destroying zombies without the hassle of having to control the character's movement. This particular version of the popular zombie-themed games that populate Apple's App Store relies on a predetermined course through a multitude of levels to help players escape the zombie attack.

The loose storyline is fairly typical of most zombie games--escape. The plethora of creepy characters attacking you don't really stand out as particularly ground-breaking from a design standpoint, but certainly trump many attempts of competitors on the iOS platform.

Overall the game … Read more

Aftermath is a challenging, top-down, zombie-themed arcade shooter with innovative dual-stick controls and a dread-inducing atmosphere.

Similar to other dual-stick shooters, you move around and fire with two touch-screen virtual joysticks, one under each thumb. What Aftermath does differently (and which greatly contributes to the game's tense, anxious feel) is that the left joystick controls movement while the right joystick just turns you left and right, letting you light up the otherwise dark, urban terrain with your handheld flashlight--and automatically using the weapon you're holding to "light up" any zombies in the field of your flashlight. … Read more