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With the stereotype gamers have, a book might not be the first thing you think of when you're looking for something a little different to buy yourself or someone close to you. Not just because gamers tend to be seen as bedroom ridden illiterate geeks who only 'read' when they're looking at porn, but also because the majority of books on their hobby tend to be about the history, business side of, programming and cultural significance of gaming... not the most interesting variety. However, that has all changed with the arrival of gameXplore's new book, The Book of Games.

But just what is the Book of Games? Well as is more than a little obvious from the title of the book, it is a book about games. Well duhr I hear you say. Ok, so maybe that was a little too obvious but dive into the book and you will find 448 pages brimming with details of 150 of this year's top titles across all platforms except mobiles and internet based Flash games which is a little bit of a disappointment but something that can quite easily be corrected in the next edition. 150 games is a lot of games, but it is only a percentage of the total amount of games that were released this year and inevitably games have been missed. Now while it might seem like lots of games, some big games have been missed such as Pro Evolution Soccer.

The book is quite ingeniously separated into sections based not on era, developer or publisher but on genre. In addition the lists titles according to their genre. While it might seem like a minor feature of the book, the impact it has on its usefulness can't be underestimated. It takes the book from merely being a chronicle of the games from the past year but something that can be used; something that can help gamers identify games that are available now, but that they might have missed and that they may enjoy.

However, listing books in terms of genre isn't all the book does with the format. This book is not just written for those who are already avid gamers, but also with non-gamers and those planning on doing research on the topic whether it be academic, business or law related with a view of the industry written from the biggest experts on it: Gamers like you as well as those that like me and my colleagues, who write for a living about the subject we love. It really does add something extra to the book, with it giving vivid accounts of how the genres came to exist as well as where they are now and appear to be going.

Moving on to look at how the book presents the main bulk of the content; the games of the year, each game is given two pages, both colour with on the first page all the key information and on the second page, nine screenshots.

On the first page, which is on found on the left, has details such as a picture of the box art, which platforms the game is available on, facts such as who the Publisher and Developer are, its released date, it's cinematic genre (i.e. what genre the game is considered based upon the look of the game rather than the style of play), the time period it is set in and perhaps one of the best features of the book, it's complexity or how difficult the game is. The book also has details on the games main features such as its key gameplay elements, the size of the game world, playtime, your role, morality of the game, its replay value as well as its online modes, multiplayer capabilities as well as the amount of reading.

Of course, while the features above all have their merits, we believe that the complexity rating makes the book perfect for parents of children who themselves might not be into gaming but would like to know what would make the perfect game for their child.

The book also includes a summary of the game, presented in a factual manner rather than an opinion based and a list of the challenges you can expect to face within the game as well as including a list of similar games as well as the games ratings both in the US and Europe. However, although limited to the UK, it doesn't include the BBFC rating which sometimes differs by a whole age rating from the PEGI rating.

Unfortunately one of the games weaknesses is that book has a significant bias towards showing North American covers, while the European covers only tend to appear when it is a game that is only available in Europe. This is something that could easily be improved on in the next book with all covers from across the world making an appearance and possibily even a feature on the differences.

I suppose the closest book to give those who have read many of the texts written on gaming is DeMaria and Wilson's 'High Score' which focuses largely on games in a vaguely similar way to the Book of Games, however one vital difference: the majority of games covered are from a time most games journalists on the circuit now were still in school.

For a book that claims to be an encyclopaedia of gaming, it does pretty well. Sure there are elements which let the book down such as the omission of any mobile or flash based games, as well as some questionable entries into the book. Then again the book isn't meant to be a commentary on the games of the past year but a chronicle of which titles which most representative games from this year. In short, an unbiased look at games from the past year with useful facts and some interesting features. The Book of Games will fit well into any games book collection as well as providing gamers with some idea of titles they have missed but may enjoy.

If you're still unsure then Amazon are currently running a deal with the book only £13.85 but you'll have to grab it fast.

Reviewed By: Ben Furfie