Top 5 games that get you into character

Tired of being an accountant, a middle manager -- or even a journalist, for that matter? How about trying on the life of an elf or a superhero or perhaps try being a better, more exciting version of yourself?

Developers understand just how much gamers want to feel drawn into the virtual world. So many games offer the player the opportunity to shape the precise appearance and attributes of the character they control.

With that in mind, here are some of the games that do the best job helping us get into character.


'City of Heroes'

Just about everyone has fantasized about being a superhero at one time or another. But "City of Heroes" actually allows you to be one. Well, sort of.

In this massively multiplayer online role-playing game, you get to create a unique superhero from head to spandexed toe. The character creation system here not only allows you to customize the details of your hero's face and body, but you also get to tailor the costume and super abilities to your dream specifications.

Once you've created the hero you've always wanted to be, it's off to save the citizens of Paragon City from the forces of evil.


Mii Channel

One of the coolest things about Nintendo's new Wii console is the Mii Channel.

Here, you get to create a caricature of yourself – called a Mii – that then appears in games like "Wii Sports" and "Wii Play." With their big heads and small bodies, Miis are more cartoony than they are realistic... but that's half the fun.

Though creating your Mii is a simple process, it's easy to spend hours building your digital persona as you try to make your Mii look like you...or perhaps not anything like you at all.


'Saints Row'

So you want to live the gangster lifestyle but aren't too excited about ending up dead? In "Saints Row" you can let your inner gang-banger run free without worrying about all that nasty business of dying in a hail of bullets.

This Xbox 360 game (coming to the PS3 this year) lets you play the role of an up-and-coming hoodlum jumped into a gang known as the 3rd Street Saints. But before you start gunning for enemy crews, you must first customize the physical features of your character.

Here, you can tailor your skin color, hair style, the shape of your nose, chin and eyes and the look of your body. And since this game takes full advantage of the next-gen console power, the degree to which you can shape your character's appearance is uncanny.


'Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion'

It's easy to get lost in this epic fantasy role-playing. But first, you have to create yourself. Would you like to be a human, an elf or perhaps a cat-like Khajiit? Will you be a warrior, a monk or maybe a thief?

There are plenty of decisions to make as you dive into "Oblivion's" deep character customization system. And once you've found your new skin, you'll set out to find the missing heir to the throne and close the gates of hell.

"Oblivion" is available for the PC, Xbox 360 and, as of March 19th, for the PS3.


'World of Warcraft'

Talk about losing yourself in an alternate universe. There's a reason this game is nicknamed "World of Warcrack."

And this massively multiplayer PC game first gets its hooks in you with its robust character-creation system. Here there are ten races to choose from (orcs, elves, dwarves, gnomes, etc.), a whole variety of classes (paladin, priest, shaman, warlock) and plenty of professions to take on (alchemy, blacksmithing, jewelmaking).

In "World of Warcraft," you can be whoever and whatever you please (yes, even a huge, hairy bull-beast called a Tauren). And once you start building an avatar and a life for yourself in "World of Warcraft," you may find it difficult to make time for your real life.

Source : MSN