Gamer Gift Guide: Shooters

The holiday season is so close (like literally right there!). As expected, we have several games set to release before the end of the year. Keeping track of all of these games can get confusing. Here is a list of the most popular shooter games available this season. You're sure to find something you like for yourself or a gift idea for that special shooter fan in your life.

Halo 5: Guardians

• Release Date: 10/27/15
• Platforms: Xbox One
• Orientation: First-person
• Price: $59.99
• Rating: 4/5

Buy it on Amazon.

Master chief returns in the latest installment of the Halo series to lead blue team a group of Spartans who go rouge during a mission. He is pursued by Jameson Locke leader of the Osiris spartan team; Locke is on a mission to bring the AWOL Chief back in. Campaign mode uses a new eight player structure. Osiris players will be hunting the blue team players throughout the story. Players will spend their time playing as both teams during the campaign

Halo 5: Guardians has revamped the series. 343 improved the aging franchise's mechanics to feel more modern. New features help you to feel like the Spartan you are. Unlimited sprinting, zoom on all guns, a hover and dash function help the game feel faster and refreshed from previous games. Make sure you bring along some friends, campaign is best played with up to three players in co-op mode.

Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain

• Release Date: 09/01/15
• Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows
• Orientation: Third-person
• Price: $59.99
• Rating: 5/5
• Buy It: Amazon

Phantom Pain released earlier this year to rave reviews. The last game in the franchise Kojima Productions brought their best with this project. Controls are smooth and rewarding. These controls along with the beautiful graphics allow deep immersion into the games world. This is great because the game offers a great amount of content to get lost in.

Destiny: The Taken King

• Release Date: 09/15/15
• Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, 
• Orientation: Third-person
• Price: $49.99
• Rating: 5/5
• Buy It: Amazon

This is more than just an expansion for Bungie's popular game. this is practically a separate game of its own. For all its shortcomings, Destiny has maintained a solid player base since its release. Bungie heard the fans complaints and requests, and went above and beyond with this expansion.

New enemy mechanics, improved menus, and better loot distribution makes us wonder how we ever played Destiny without this update.  The game's story also received some much needed narrative improvements. This is the game that Bungie always wanted to create. If you are a Destiny player then acquiring this expansion should be a priority.

Call of Duty Black OPS 3

• Release Date: 11/06/15
• Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows
• Orientation: First person
• Price: $59.99
• Rating: 4/5 (beta test)
• Pre order: Amazon

This franchise requires no introduction. The best-selling FPS returns with the third installment in the Black Ops series. Set in the far future the lines separating weapon, soldier, and machine are blurred into one of the world's biggest altercations.

Aside from the campaign, the ever present and popular multiplayer mode returns. Added are new Specialist classes. Gameplay will now reward players with in-match abilities to add a competitive edge. Abilities range from armor boosts to warping back in time. This is a new CoD experience and longtime fans will surely enjoy it.

Fallout 4

• Release Date: 11/10/15
• Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
• Orientation: First person
• Price: $59.99
• Rating: N/A
• Pre order: Amazon

Once more into the nuclear abyss. Bethesda is back with their action RPG Fallout series. Fans of the series have been waiting nearly a decade for this installment. Fans can explore the open world environment at will allowing non-linear gameplay. Gamers who enjoy a sense of freedom in their gaming will quickly get lost in what this game offers.

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Siege

• Release Date: 12/01/15
• Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
• Orientation: First person
• Price: $59.99
• Rating: 4/5 (beta test)
• Pre order: Amazon

The most extreme game of cops and robbers ever, Siege is not a shooter you can win using old-fashioned run-and-gun gameplay. For Siege you will have to use the specific abilities of your class as well work with your team to achieve victory. This tactical-shooter has more of a learning curve but is well worth the time for its attention to detail.

Just Cause 3

• Release Date: 12/01/15
• Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
• Orientation: Third Person
• Price: $59.99
• Rating: N/A
• Pre order: Amazon

The next game in the series of open world/sandbox games; Just Cause 3 has players exploring and liberating a fictional island nation. Exploration, destruction, and chaos are encouraged. All the tools to defeat your enemies in the most creative ways possible will be available to you. New vehicles, a grappling hook, and a wing suit make exploration faster than ever before. See what crazy stunts you can perform; everything is possible with this franchise.

Star Wars Battlefront

• Release Date: 11/17/15
• Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
• Orientation: Third Person
• Price: $59.99
• Rating: 4.4/5 (beta test)
• Pre order: Amazon

Dreams do come true. After all these years EA is back with a new Star Wars Battlefront game. Return to the famous movie scenes and fight for the Rebels or the Empire. After playing the beta for this title I can say that this is the game of the season. Innovative gameplay and the crisp graphics, this game will drain hours of your free time away.