Beautiful graphics, realistic sounds, story plots that can leave a person hanging - these are just some things that can hook an individual to play video games all day. But aside from getting entertained and getting involved in the game, do people really know what they're getting themselves into?

According to Yang Wang, MD, assistant research professor in the Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis and one of the authors of the study, playing violent video games can affect the gamer's brain.

Specifically, Wang's study suggests that playing violent video games have an effect on the brain when it comes to cognitive function and emotional control in young men.

Most Violent Games

Having said that, violent games have had their share of controversy as it depicts various senseless beatings and killings. In fact, some of these games have been gone so far as to be banned in some countries, while some just have a higher content rating.

With that in mind, what are some of the violent games that people should watch out for? According to AskMen.com, games that are ranked most violent are Carmageddon, Soldier of Fortune, God of War 2, Gears of War 2, and Mortal Kombat.

But the top five games that made it on the most violent list are:

#5 Thrill Kill - The fighting game made it on the list simply because of its sadistic fighting style where characters use different weapons ranging from syringes, to cattle prods.

#4 MadWorld - An Action game that is the very essence of hack and slash as the main chain-saw wielding protagonist finds ways to dispatch his enemies in the most creative and "stylish" ways.

#3 Manhunt - A game that involves a convict who is trying to escape, only to find himself in a sick and twisted game of a mad man who asks him to kill all those who stand in his way using only plastic bags and shards of glass.

#2 Grand Theft Auto - A third person game that literally lets people in on their vices; going to strip clubs, carjacking, driving through people and getting paid for it. One of the most controversial games, it certainly has made its mark on the gaming industry.

#1 Postal 2 - A not so well-known first person game that lets people use an assortment of weapons on unsuspecting civilians who refuse to sign up on your petition.

Other Side of Gaming

But playing video isn't all that bad, provided that the right video game is played. In fact, it has some beneficial effects too. Video games have been incorporated into hospitals and, though only a few, in schools.

According to SelfGrowth.com, several studies by leading researchers have shown that video games do have a positive effect. Some of these positives are:

- Gaming can help distract children who are ill and have injuries from the pain and discomfort

- Helps children with attention deficit disorders

- Playing video games help people gain motor skills and coordination, specifically, hand-eye coordination

- Promotes decision making and to think on their feet

- Hones social skills and aids in being a team player

- Enhances creativity

- Improves language and math skills

- Games based on history, city building, governance, and those that have an educational value teach gamers about new things

But just like everything else, too much of a good thing can be bad. The key to it is moderation.