Games, like gamers, come in all shapes and sizes. The cousin who loves "FarmVille" probably won't be excited with "Call of Duty: Black Ops," and vice versa*. If you're planning on giving games to your loved ones this year, try to get some idea of how they like to play.

Here are some suggestions for all types of gamers:

The adventurer: Some gamers just want to live in a different world for 100 hours. "Mass Effect 2" (Electronic Arts Inc., US$19.99, for the Xbox 360, Windows PC) offers that kind of experience, immersing the player in an intergalactic* conspiracy* involving a lively group of human and alien* characters. A little closer to home, there's "Red Dead Redemption*" (Rockstar Games, US$59.99, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3), a stirring Western drama that's stuffed with shootouts, chases and, of course, poker games.

The warrior: This gamer likes online combat with other humans. "Call of Duty: Black Ops" (Activision, US$59.99, Xbox, PS3, Windows PC) is the home of the most intense online action right now, thanks to a new wagering* system, which lets you gamble with hard-earned game credits. "Halo: Reach" (Microsoft Corp., US$59.99, Xbox) adds aliens into the mix, as well as a broader range of multiplayer modes.

The partier: If your gamer has siblings, roommates or just a lot of neighborhood pals, you want something they can all play together. "Rock Band 3" (MTV Games, US$59.99, Xbox, PS3; US$49.99, Wii) adds keyboards to the winning "let's start a band" formula. "Pro modes" for guitar, keys and drums get you closer than ever to real musical skill. "NBA Jam" (EA Sports, US$49.99, Xbox, PS3, Wii) delivers high-flying dunks* and jaw-dropping alley-oops* with a dream team of basketball legends.

The casual gamer: You know, the ones who say they're just going to play for five minutes and then disappear for an hour? "Bejeweled 3" (Popcap Games, US$19.99, PC, Mac), the latest sequel to the gem-matching challenge that defined "casual games" in the last decade, offers eight variations, including a "zen mode" that's supposed to help the player relax. There's also "Puzzle Quest 2" (D3 Publisher/Namco, US$19.99, Nintendo DS; US$9.99, Xbox, PC), which builds a role-playing adventure around gem-matching action.

The kids: Walt Disney Co.'s "Toy Story 3" game (US$49.99, Xbox, PS3, Wii) is a good choice. Along with an adventure that follows the movie's plot, it includes a superb "Toy Box," which lets players build their own frontier towns. Also satisfying is Disney's "Epic Mickey" (US$49.99, Wii), a challenging adventure in which the iconic mouse tries to revive a world populated by forgotten cartoon characters.

The iPhone/iPad gamer: Chillingo's "Angry Birds" was the biggest phenomenon of 2010. The publisher's follow-up, "Cut the Rope" (99 cents, iPhone; US$1.99, iPad), is no less addictive*. It's a puzzler in which you have to cut ropes in order to feed candy to a friendly monster. Meanwhile, board-game lovers will relish the iPhone translations of "Catan" (USM, US$4.99) and "Carcassonne" (The Coding Monkeys, US$4.99).

The wanderer: Although the iPhone shook up portable gaming in 2010, many travelers still depend on the Nintendo Co.'s DS or Sony Corp.'s PlayStation Portable. The year's most absorbing DS game is Square Enix's "Dragon Quest IX" (US$34.99), an epic* that will keep even the most grizzled* sword-and-sorcery* veteran busy for dozens of hours. PSP owners can dive into Konami's "Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker" (US$29.99), which supplements a solid tale of global espionage* with more than 100 bonus missions.

The PC die hard: Some old-school gamers still refuse to buy a console. Fortunately for them, two of 2010's best titles are playable only on PCs. "Civilization V" (2K Games, US$49.99) lets the player build a culture from a handful of impoverished* settlers to a nation capable of space exploration. After achieving liftoff*, your gamer can compete with two other species for galactic dominance in "StarCraft II" (Activision Blizzard Inc., US$59.99).

猜猜他们喜欢哪款游戏？

vice versa 反之亦然

intergalactic 星系间的

conspiracy 阴谋

alien 外星人的

redemption 拯救

wager 赌博

dunk 灌篮

alley-oop 空中传球

addictive 使人上瘾的

epic 史诗

grizzled 头发斑白的

sorcery 魔法

espionage 间谍活动

impoverish 使......贫穷

liftoff 发射