Essentials
Que Proreader
From: Plastic Logic, www.plasticlogic.com, $649 (4GB, WiFi)/$749 (8GB, WiFi, 3G)
Rating: 1/2
So it costs a spare kidney: The first eReader (eBook player) aimed at working professionals straight up wows. Thank a shatterproof 8x11 touchscreen that displays emails, appointments and greyscale renditions of The Wall St. Journal and USA Today that actually resemble print editions. Wonder if we'll become 8x11 sized in the near future?
God Of War III
For: Playstation 3
From: Sony, www.playstation.com
Rating:
Greek mythology rewrites itself in the goriest, most gleefully overblown historical odyssey yet. Again blending button-mashing melees with simple, action-based puzzles, slaughtering centaurs and skeleton warriors with chain-mounted blades and oversized gauntlets proves irresistible as ever. From high-definition joyrides on colossal Titans to blood-spurting tussles with Cyclops, there's never a dull moment.
Other Must-Haves
Aliens VS.Predator
For: PC, PlayStation 3Xbox 360
From: Sega, www.sega.com
Rating:
Giving two aging sci-fi franchises (and their requisite first-person shooter line) a much-needed reboot, this predictable run-and-gun outing doesn't disappoint. All chattering machinegun fire and claustrophobic corridors, skip the space marines and play as inhuman rivals to enjoy its real strengths: The joy of playing invisible alien hunter, or shredding torso with tooth and claw.
Ideapad U1
From: Roku, www.roku.com, $999
Rating:
Talk about a two-for-one deal. This unique hybrid acts as a 1.6lb touchscreen-equipped tablet PC that runs Linux on its own, but becomes a 3.7lb, Windows 7-sporting notebook when attached to its base. Each an impressive piece of kit, the dynamic duo is as much an instant conversation piece as a portable computing solution.
Battlefield: Bad Company 2
For: PC, Playstation 3,
Xbox 360
From: Electronic Arts, www.ea.com
Rating: 1/2
Gigantic warzones filled with bodies to perforate, buildings to topple and tanks, ATVs and helicopters ready for jacking? Count us in. This epic blaster - equal parts dramedy and tense thrill ride - ratchets up the pyrotechnics and weapon count to stunning effect, with multi-player firefights a revelation in modern-day military mayhem.