
It's one of the most gleeful moments IGN has seen in gaming so far this year: a helicopter circles a nondescript city shrouded in smoke, its resident soldiers packing assault rifles clearly in a heightened state of alertness. It could be lifted from any number of identikit modern-day warfare shooters. Then comes the money shot, as a hoarse cry of "Incoming Gryphons" breaks the silence, and one of the creatures of legend tears through the mist and takes a swipe at the chopper. Ask the question of how to improve upon the current first-person formula that's bogging down consoles, and anyone who answers "Gryphons" can go straight to the top of the class.

In this special 'Sadistic Santa' edition of the Black Panel Podcast, the team discusses the horrid presents they have received for Xmas, including Farming Simulator, Duke Nukem Forever and Legendary.

Looking for great games for the holidays?
In honor of Thanksgiving and real turkeys everywhere that have laid down their lives in the service of your belly, here is a small collection of PC gaming 'turkeys' we've reviewed over the last year to avoid this holiday season.
Blair Herter announces the winner of G-Phoria '09 Game Most Deserving of a Uwe Boll Movie. Nominees include 'Golden Axe: Beast Rider', 'Castlevania Judgment', 'Legendary', 'Onechanbara: Bikini Zombie Slayer' and 'X-Blades'.
NOTHING deserves a Uwe Boll movie. That guy is simply atrocious at everything he does. I can't believe how he can make a move so stupid, I'm not kidding I got sick after watching House of the Dead. It's like he actually wants to fail. A monkey with a camera and 10 bucks can make a better movie than this guy.
I've already seen an Onechanbara movie. Made in Japan and campy as hell but I enjoyed it thou :)