Lost Odyessy

Star Ocean: The Last Hope

If you're going to play wrpgs i'd recommend oblivion first. If you get dragons age or fallout first then go on to oblivion i'm afraid it's clunky controls and the dated engine will turn you off. Which would be ashame because it's one of the best games of this gen.

Magna Carta 2 (for underrated, cheap and awesome) and Final Fantasy XIII if you like RPG's

Bayonetta and Tomb Raider Underworld (read the magna carta 2 brackets, plus get all the DLC levels for TR too, they are totally worth it) for action-y/adventure ones

those would be my main recommendations

Get Ninja Blade.  It's a hack'n'slash and I don't know anybody else who liked it but I loved it.  It's ridiculous and the story is not so great, but I just loved it.  I can't figure out why.  I remember my roommate took the controller and said it was too hard and that standing upside down on a planes wing is retarded but heh, I thought it was cool.  Man I love that game and maybe you will to.  It can't cost much now because nobody bought it so jump in.  If you buy it, let me know.  If you buy it and hate it, don't tell me cause it will make me sad.  If you don't buy it, tell me you'll donate $4 to charity, even if you don't, it will make me happy.  I want a sequel but it probably won't happen.  If you buy it, maybe it will.  You're my last hope on getting a Ninja Blade sequel.

Disclaimer:  I am not insane but I have an irrational love for this game and the special outfit you can wear that is pink, red, and white and is covered in hearts.  Killing alien ninja things in that outfit was so awesome. 

P.S.  Still not insane but I don't think they are aliens but they definitely aren't fully human.  You can get a clown costume as-well if I recall correctly. 

THE ORANGE BOX would be a good one to get.

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow is a great Action game with tons of atmosphere. I very much recommend it (and it's a reimagining of the franchise, so you don't need to be up to date with the other games in the series).

And even though you said no FPS', I'd still say to give Bioshock a rent and give it a try. It's really unlike 90% of FPS' out there thanks to its focus on single player and exploration. I'm not a fan of FPS' either and I loved the game.

PGR4 > GRID > NFS Shift

All awesome racers, but that would be my order.

Hot Pursuit is also pretty good, but it's pretty hard (and sometimes a bit unfair) and if you don't play online it might not be worth it.

Fable 3 is worth it.  I don't think it was as good as Fable 2, but it's still worth it, especially if you liked Fable 2.

Next, GET ALAN WAKE.  It's $10, you would be stupid not to.

After that, give some niche/smaller games a try.  These should all be cheap and they're all good for various reasons:

• Bayonetta - balls out over the top action.  I generally hate games like this (beat-em-ups like Devil May Cry and God of War) but this game made me a believer.
• Ghostbusters - Who doesn't like Ghostbusters?  It's cheap new and even cheaper used.  I don't care which version you get, just get it and play it!
• Bioshock - I know you don't like shooters but this doesn't play like most shooters and is definately something you should experience.  One of the better games this generation.
• Saint's Row 2 - Don't waste time with GTAIV, this is the game GTAIV should have been.
• Eternal Sonata - It's not a great game but it is great eye candy.
• Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit - should be exactly what you're looking for and I believe it's cheap now

Thanks guys for all the recent updates. I should have posted what I got earlier. So far I have picked up Fable 3, Alan Wake, Fallout 3, and The Lost Odyssey.

I'm enjoying Fable 3, I like it very much but agree that it is not as good as Fable 2.

I'm enjoying Alan Wake as well, impressive visuals, and fun gameplay. I wish the dialogue was a little better, so the storyline would be compelling.

Fallout 3, and The Lost Odyssey, I'm intrigued by both, but I'm still running into the same problem of being a little overwhelmed by all of the menu's and options, which has always been my trouble with RPGs. But I plan to stick with it, because I'm enjoying the story/atmosphere of both games.

Once I work my way through some of these games (it will probably be awhile), I'll check this thread again pick up some more recommended games.

Cool.

Don't give up on Fallout 3 even if it feels overwhelming at first! It'll be worth it in the end.
(and then if you liked it, you should get Oblivion)