GAME ON

More Battlestar Galactica than Battlefield Earth, the latest from role-playing impresario BioWare (Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Jade Empire) scores with its epic script and galaxy-spanning ambition. This is no mere sci-fi dungeon hack; players traverse archaeological sites and stunning alien worlds flush with quirky characters and emotionally gripping scenarios, with every action affecting the tale’s outcome. Equally notable for ethically ambiguous choices and furious real-time battles, genre innovation is plentiful. Dork cred strictly optional here—with humanity’s fate yours to decide, even those who can’t tell Drs. Phil from Who will still be in high-tech heaven. —Scott Steinberg

Gritty, Hollywood-style drama gets top billing in this engaging crime thriller from the creators of the best-selling Hitman. Controlling ex-mercenary Kane, players enjoy intense, squad-based gunplay alongside computer- or buddy-controlled ally Lynch, a schizophrenic nutcase. Think Ocean’s Eleven meets The Odd Couple: rappelling along towering skyscrapers and airing out crowded nightclubs with a spray of gunfire; sparking frantic chases; and executing high-stakes heists. A coarse vibe, stark visuals, and even cruder dialogue prove immediate draws, but it’s the trigger-happy co-op mode where the title really shines. Corrupt a friend into participating, and you’ll see why it’s number one with a bullet.

Way back when (13 years ago for those counting, gramps), this rubber-burning off-road racing series was the shiznit in arcades. Now, after a nearly decade long pit-stop, it shifts back into high gear on home systems, delivering a solid, if unspectacular look at mud-spraying four-wheeled mayhem. Handling like a long-lost quarter-munching classic, expect wild physics, scrotum-shriveling powerslides, and deformable terrain that noticeably affects handling the more muck gets churned. Unfortunately, there are also the familiar downsides, like repetitive action, a small selection of linear tracks, and ruthless AI opponents. Guess that proves the more things change, yeah, the more they play the same.

Lacking the essential components (say, musical talent) needed to start your own club-thrashing garage act? Just cop this guaranteed party-starter from Guitar Hero’s inventors. It lets wannabe headliners caterwaul along on a USB mic or jam together in person and online using guitar, bass, and drum peripherals. Punk, grunge, alternative, every imaginable chord-shredding genre is represented, with dozens of chart-toppers like Nirvana’s “In Bloom” and Rush’s “Tom Sawyer” fueling the ultimate headbanger’s ball. Optional downloads featuring artists like The Who and Metallica only provide added incentive to squeeze into those neon-tinged Spandex tights.

So you hated the cliffhanger ending during your fi rst trip to Vegas with Team Rainbow? So did we. Our trigger-finger has been itching to head back to Sin City since. While this shooter sticks close to the original playbook—tango takedowns, snakecam shenanigans, and blistering online play—you’ll notice a few changes. First off, your teammates are back, but you aren’t, as main man Logan Keller has been replaced by a customizable badass named Bishop. The missions parallel the original’s and hit a variety of environments. Like us, you probably know the multiplayer maps better than your apartment after hours of online play. Rejoice! RSV2 includes over 11 new maps and two new game modes. —Casey Lynch