X3TC: Coming Full Circle

“We sell you a universe. Do with it what you like,” remarks Bernd Lehahn, managing director at developer Egosoft. X3: Terran Conflict takes that concept further than previous games in the series, giving you more storylines to explore, new characters whose eyes give you fresh perspectives on the X Universe, and the long-awaited reconnection with the Sol System, where a mythical planet called Earth waits. Unfortunately, the deadly mechanized Xenon have found Earth too, and the fate of the Terran race rests on defeating them. [Oct 14]

BioShock: Ain’t Rapture Grand?

At the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean sits Rapture, a grand experiment gone horribly wrong. Fourteen years after it opened in 1946, you explore the ruined city in search of answers to what happened. Arm yourself with powerful plasmids that augment conventional weapons, and hack security turrets and robots when necessary. Defeat Splicers and Big Daddies along the way to confronting Rapture founder Andrew Ryan and learning terrible secrets. [Oct 7]

Quake Live: A Browser Blast

id Software’s signature Quake franchise comes to the world of browser-based gaming with everything you want in a first-person shooter, from oodles of maps, weapons, and power-ups to powerful stat filtering and social network building. Create your character, hook up with your friends, and choose from five game modes and 35 maps. Learn advanced techniques, such as rocket jumping, join a clan, and ascend the leader boards. Fame and fortune await in this fragger’s delight. [Aug 19]

Digital Downloads: Anytime Fun

Want to play a new game right now? Then read on to learn about the services that deliver titles right to your computer. No need to search store shelves or wait for a shipment to arrive, and there’s a wide variety of selections to choose from. Get ready for a Mac game revolution on par with the way iTunes and the App Store have changed how you buy, organize, and enjoy music, movies, TV shows, and games and other applications on your iPhone or iPod touch. [Aug 6]

Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword: New Ways

Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword features 10 additional civilizations, six leaders for existing ones, and a host of new technologies, units, and buildings, such as the corporation technology (see if you can franchise Sid’s Sushi Co. around the world), airships, and Moai Statues. Dozens of special events, including earthquakes and floods, keep you on your toes, while the espionage system lets you strike a blow against the enemy without mobilizing your military. [Jul 27]

The Abbey: Have Faith

A quiet remote monastery proves to be anything but serene when one of its monks dies mysteriously. Play as Leonardo, whose sharp analytical skills uncover the truth but also get him in trouble when the Catholic Church’s Grand Inquisitor arrives to take him off the investigation and charge him with a crime. Converse with other characters, collect objects, and solve puzzles as you guide Leonardo toward redemption. [Jul 15]

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

The penultimate chapter in the Harry Potter series finds our teenage hero dealing with not only romantic entanglements and other coming-of-age problems but also the build-up to a climactic confrontation with Voldemort. As you explore a version of Hogwarts based on the blueprints used for the movies, become adept at wizard dueling, learn how to mix potions, and lead Gryffindor to the Quidditch Cup. After the story concludes, Endless Day mode lets you discover all of Hogwarts’ secrets. [Jul 1]

SPORE Galactic Adventures: Boldly Go

Add new twists to SPORE’s endless space stage with Galactic Adventures, which lets you design your own adventures and try out ones created by other players. For the first time, spaceship captains can beam down to planets, with or without crews, and undertake missions that earn them higher ranks as well as new weapons and accessories. Use a pre-existing creature as a captain or design a new one. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination. [Jun 25]

The Path: A Fairy Tale For Adults

“What if ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ was not simply a cautionary tale, but a metaphor for life instead?” asks Michaël Samyn, co-creator of The Path. He and Auriea Harvey set out to explore that question, as well as others, in a game that you can’t win or lose. You must guide six sisters, one by one, to grandma’s house. There is only one rule — don’t leave the path — and you must break it. We’ll let you discover what happens next. [Jun 17]

Take Us Out to the Ballgame: OOTP X

Get ready for another season of home runs, strikeouts, and calls of “Hey, batta, batta” with the latest version of Out of the Park Baseball. Improvements in OOTP X include enhanced artificial intelligence, more robust play-by-play, a redesigned pitching system, widgets that can be moved around the in-game screen, a revamped injury system, and more. All of the 2009 Major League Baseball and minor league rosters are included, so you can get started right away. As Annie Savoy said in “Bull Durham,” by way of paraphrasing Walt Whitman: “I see great things in baseball.” [Jun 10]

The Sims 3: Imagine the Possibilities

The latest version of the wildly popular people simulator offers a host of new features, including: a seamless world uninterrupted by loading screens; more robust options in Create-a-Sim; the ability to apply any color, pattern, or material to any object; overhauled personality indicators; and more. The Sims 3 also includes more options for creating, saving, and sharing Sims, objects, and gameplay video. [Jun 2]

UP: The Video Game: Up and Away

The Heavy Iron Studios team began its collaboration with Pixar minutes after they finished watching the moving storyboards for “UP” in 2007. Producer Brian Wiklem explains how they captured the essence of Pixar’s latest adventure, which takes elderly widower Carl Fredericksen and eight-year-old Wilderness Explorer Russell to the tepuis of South America in a house carried aloft by thousands of balloons. “We tried to capture the essence of UP’s most exciting film moments and offer an experience that happens between those big moments in the film,” Wiklem says. [May 27]

CSI: NY: Five Stories From the Naked City

Five cases. Five murders. Many suspects. Step into a pair of well-worn detective shoes as you collect evidence, interrogate witnesses, and ultimately pin criminal charges on the guilty party. Play as characters from the TV series, each voiced by the actors and actresses who portray them, and solve the puzzles that move you closer to the truth. There are eight million stories in the naked city. These are five of them. [May 6]

Commander: Napoleon at War: Find Glory

This turn-based strategy game features eight campaigns that cover the famous French Emperor’s reign from 1805 through 1815, ending with the infamous Battle of Waterloo. Assume control of the French forces or the Allied Coalition, which may include Great Britain, Prussia, Austria, Russia, and other nations, depending on the current scenario. Command 12 different types of land and sea units that march across a detailed map covering all of Europe. A dynamic weather system, including snow and rainstorms, may play havoc with your strategies, while trade routes and privateers offer wild card opportunities. Recruit historic commanders to give your side a key edge. [Apr 30]

SW Snowboarding: Your Mountain

Master tricks, take on challenges and competitions, and even discover secret areas on four mountains around the world. Professional snowboarder Shaun White and his friends serve as guides for your adventures, which also take you online for some friendly competition. If you become good enough, Shaun might even teach you a few special skills. Don’t forget to capture your favorite moments on film, edit your footage with the game’s built-in tools, and share the clips with your friends. [Apr 22]

C&C Red Alert 3: Back to the Past

“The Red Alert games are all about wacky alternate realities and time travel gone wrong, so the storytelling possibilities are really limitless,” says associate producer Matt Ott. Read on to learn more about the third edition, in which time travel shenanigans have led to the rise of a third world power: the Empire of the Rising Sun and its robotic military. Naval warfare adds a new “layer of depth,” Ott explains, while live-action cinematics make Red Alert 3 feel like an “interactive movie,” notes cast member Jenny McCarthy. [Apr 15]

Prince of Persia: Something Old, New

Two decades later, the Prince is back, but he’s not the same one from Jordan Mechner’s 1989 classic, nor is he the Prince who starred in the Sands of Time trilogy. He’s a new protagonist, one who shares this story with Elika, a princess trying to save her kingdom from the Corruption unleashed by Ahriman the God of Darkness. Together they must defeat Ahriman’s warriors and heal the lands infected by him. You’ll learn some new skills along the way, including wall-running and grip-sliding. [Apr 8]

LEGO Batman: The Videogame

More than 70 years after his debut, Batman’s journeys take him to a new world: LEGO. Building on the success of the LEGO Star Wars games and LEGO Indiana Jones, LEGO Batman takes you to Gotham City, where the caped crusader and his sidekick Robin battle Joker, Riddler, Penguin, and other villains. As you complete levels from the heroes’ perspective, switch to Arkham Asylum and experience the same adventures in the villains’ masks. [Apr 1]

Kung Fu Panda: The Bodacity of Hope

Meet Po. He’s a panda who dreams of becoming the fabled Dragon Warrior — in his words, “a fighter of extreme skill and bodacity” — but for now, he finds himself working in his goose father’s noodle restaurant. When the evil snow leopard Tai Lung threatens the Valley of Peace, however, Po rises to the occasion, learning the ways of kung fu from The Furious Five and eventually earning a spot next to them in the history books. Help him become a bodacious warrior. [Mar 25]

EVE Online: Apocrypha: The Unknown

The latest EVE Online expansion pack increases the game’s universe by 41% with the addition of more than 2,400 new solar systems. You can only access them through wormholes that randomly appear and last a certain period of time, but they contain powerful technologies that allow you to design and manufacture next-generation starships. To obtain that new treasure, however, you must defeat a vicious race known as the Sleepers. [Mar 11]

InstantAction.com: Just Add Fun

Head over to InstantAction.com, create an account, and engage in five unique games: the futuristic arena sport Rokkitball; the first-person shooter Fallen Empire: Legions; the action platformer Marble Blast Online; the third-person shooter ThinkTanks; and the retro arcade shoot-‘em-up ZAP! (Zero All Productivity). Lead games, join sessions hosted by others, maintain a friends list and trade messages with buddies, and more. Most games offer solo play so you can practice before taking on live opponents. [Mar 4]

The PBS KIDS PLAY! Neighborhood

Let your kids spend time with the characters they know and love — from Bob the Builder to the residents of Mister Rogers’ neighborhood — and learn crucial skills in the process. PBS KIDS PLAY! features “a personalized experience that adapts and grows with each child,” according to PBS’ Ben Grimley, thanks to a focus on age-appropriate curricula covering creativity, healthy development, language, literacy, math, science, and social studies. Read on to learn what else your kids can do in this online playground. [Feb 25]

Game Designer Profile: John Carmack

John Carmack may have sparked a revolution when he and his fellow id Software co-founders released Doom in 1994, but he’s been the driving force behind so much more, from the lighthearted Commander Keen series to the Orcs & Elves cell phone games. Along the way, he’s helped advance videogame technology with innovative engines and has championed the cause of open source software. [Feb 11]

A Vampyre Story: Gothic Humor

Travel to Draxsylvania for the humorous tale of Mona, an aspiring opera singer kidnapped from her home in Paris by Baron Shrowdy von Kiefer. He turns her into a vampire and casts a curse that keeps her in his castle, but when he dies, Mona has an opportunity to escape, if she can figure out how to solve the puzzles that stand in her way. The sardonic bat Froderick provides help when he can. [Feb 4]

City of Heroes: A Super-Powered Existence

Create a unique character and travel to Paragon City, where superheroes battle villains and keep the remnants of an alien invasion at bay, or to the Rogue Isles, home of sinister Lord Recluse and his Arachnos organization. Undertake crucial missions, strengthen your powers, and join forces with other players for epic battles. [Jan 21]

FusionFall: Playing in the Cartoon Network

Planet Fusion has decided to make Earth its next takeover target, but the Cartoon Network characters — from boy genius Dexter to the Powerpuff Girls to Courage the Cowardly Dog — are determined to stop Lord Fuse’s Fusion Matter from infecting the globe. Explore a game world inspired by Cartoon Network’s most popular shows as you take on missions and battle Fusion monsters. Watch out for dark versions of Dexter and the gang. [Jan 14]

Black & White 2: Playing God

Take your deific ambitions to new heights in the sequel to this popular “god simulator.” The Greeks have been driven from their land by the Aztecs and they’ve summoned you to help them fight back. You and your Creature guide them in the gathering of resources, the raising of an army, and the building of impressive structures. Interact with the environment in all sorts of ways, from picking up rocks and throwing them at enemy soldiers to casting miracles that shake the ground. But will you be a good deity or an evil one? [Jan 7]

ATITD IV: The Pharaoh is Dead

As the fourth Telling of A Tale in the Desert opens, the Pharaoh is dead. His oldest son Sami wants to take his place, but another son, Wahim, opposes the move. Out of their conflict come tests in seven disciplines; each discipline culminates in a monument that can only be built with all players’ cooperation. As you explore ancient Egypt, many surprises await, from new characters to unique events. Read on to get a glimpse of them. [Dec 31, 2008]

Petz Sports: Every Dog Has its Day

Select one of 18 breeds of Dogz — from Chihuahuas to Rottweilers to Labrador Retrievers — and prepare it for the races by teaching it tricks and routines, as well as playing games with it. Compete in 36 races spread across four cups; each contest features a variety of obstacles, including hurdles and sandpits. Along the way, you’ll unlock new content and get the chance to adopt more Dogz. [Dec 24, 2008]

FATE: Write Your Multi-Generational Destiny

You and your loyal pet arrive at the town of Grove seeking fame and fortune in the dark depths that lie beyond Dungeon Gate. Enhance your fighting and spellcasting abilities — or focus on one over the other — as you gain experience defeating orcs, goblins, skeletons, dragons, and over 100 other denizens of the depths. When you’re done, retire your character and pass on wealth and prestige to a descendant who embarks on new adventures. [Dec 17, 2008]

Rayman Raving Rabbids: An Epic

Our hero’s latest adventure finds him captured by the Rabbids, who have had enough of being cute and cuddly bunnies — now they want revenge. They imprison Rayman and force him into their Coliseum, where he must participate in trials for their amusement. Rather than a sword and sandals, Rayman has a plunger and sneakers on his side, and he intends to use them to win more than 70 mini-games and earn his freedom. He may even gain the Rabbids’ sympathy in the process. [Dec 10, 2008]

Two Princes, One Destiny: The Two Thrones

The Prince of Persia trilogy concludes in The Two Thrones, as the Prince returns to his home city of Babylon only to find it under siege by an unknown army. Separated from his companion Kaileena, the Empress of Time, the Prince must find her and learn who attacked Babylon. The Prince’s powers include the ability to rewind time and slow down his enemies’ movements. In his Dark Prince alter ego, the Prince can do even more, including wield the powerful Daggertail weapon. [Dec 3, 2008]

LEGO Adventure Has a Name: Indiana Jones

Relive the thrills of the original Indiana Jones movie trilogy — “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “Temple of Doom,” and “The Last Crusade” — in LEGO form. Play as Indy, Short Round, Willie, Marion Ravenwood, Sallah, Henry Jones, Sr., Dr. Elsa Schneider, and over 70 other characters from the films as you whip, shoot, punch, jump, drive, dig, and climb your way through 18 levels of excitement. In the spirit of the LEGO Star Wars games, there are many hidden treasures to uncover along the way. [Nov 26, 2008]

Delight With Spore Creepy & Cute Parts Pack

The official SPOREpedia features tens of millions of creatures, so add some unique new ones to the mix with this collection, which offers 72 body parts, 48 paint styles, 24 test drive animations, and two editor backgrounds. Concoct creatures creepy or cute, or a mixture of both, and watch them appear on SPORE’s worlds. But can you design anything on par with the cyborg aliens of the enigmatic Grox Empire? [Nov 19, 2008]

Wrath of the Lich King: A Chilling Chapter

The latest World of Warcraft expansion pack revisits Northrend, which was last seen at the end of Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne, when the former human paladin Arthas Menethil merged with the Lich King to create one of the most powerful beings in Azeroth. As the undead Scourge carries out the Lich King’s plan for world domination, the Horde and Alliance become uneasy allies in the war against a common enemy. Join the cause as you undertake new quests and fight powerful new monsters. You’ll even get to create a Death Knight character that starts at level 55 and features unique abilities. [Nov 12, 2008]

Work the Mean Streets: CSI: Hard Evidence

The hit TV show comes to your Mac with five fiendishly complex cases. Gather evidence from crime scenes, analyze it at the lab, and interview suspects. Connect the dots and obtain an arrest warrant, if you’re certain who did it. The higher you rank in your post-case evaluations, the more stuff you’ll unlock, including a bonus blackjack game that’s perfect for unwinding after your encounters with some of Vegas’ seedier elements. [Nov 5, 2008]

ToCA Race Driver 3: A Wealth of Racing

People race all kinds of vehicles, and this is your chance to try nearly all of them, including high-performance sports machines, rally cars, trucks, go-karts, and, yes, even lawnmowers. Embark on a world tour, which takes you through 32 tiers of various types of racing, or focus on specific disciplines in a pro career. Just make sure you listen to Rick’s advice, because he could be the difference between crossing the finish line in first place and skidding off the track during the final turn. [Oct 29, 2008]

Guitar Hero: Aerosmith: Strum This Way

You’re back on tour, but this time you’re a member of Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame inductee Aerosmith. Six venues chronicle the band’s history, from Nipmuc High School to Super Bowl XXXV, with 18 Aerosmith songs and 13 other tunes to play in career mode, plus another 10 Aerosmith and Joe Perry tracks you can unlock along the way. Multi-player mode, complete with head-to-head Guitar Battles, returns for an encore. [Oct 22, 2008]

FlatOut 2: A Smash ’em Up Race

Over 40 tracks, each with more than 5,000 destructible objects. A dozen stunt-filled mini-games. Six crash derby arenas. Forty vehicles, including a rocket stunt car and others unlockable with cheat codes, each with 40 deformable pieces, such as tires, doors, and hoods. It all adds up to a smashing good time at the races. [Oct 15, 2008]

Meet Your Destiny in Jade Empire

Favor the Way of the Open Palm or the Way of the Closed Fist as you embark on an ambitious quest that will shape the future of the Jade Empire. You grew up an orphan in Two Rivers and became Master Li’s star pupil, but a devastating attack on the town forces you into a wider world, one full of flying machines, wandering spirits, deadly monsters, and the vicious Death’s Hand and his Lotus Assassins, who are searching for you. Customize your character by focusing on specific fighting styles and use your conversation skills to sway others to your cause. [Oct 8, 2008]

Give Yourself a Brain Boost With futureU

Prepping for the SAT? Want to see if you really are smarter than a twelfth grader? Aspyr’s futureU is the key to both. From test-taking strategies to games based on the Critical Reading, Writing, and Math sections of the SAT, futureU helps you hone your skills while having fun. [Oct 1, 2008]

Plunder the High Seas in Sid Meier’s Pirates!

Travel between ports of call in the 17th century Caribbean, playing four nations against each other as you scheme and fight your way to riches and fame. Along the way, you’ll dig for buried treasure, discover lost cities, upgrade your fleet, woo governors’ daughters, battle on land and at sea, and search for your missing family members, who were kidnapped a decade ago by the evil Marquis de la Montalban. Can you work your way to the number one position on the Top 10 Pirates list? [Oct 15, 2008]

Modern Warfare in Call of Duty 4

Call of Duty 4’s modern-day single-player campaign takes you around the world as you find yourself embroiled in a conflict that could herald World War III. On the multi-player side, establish your own legacy as you customize your character class, complete with special perks, and rise through levels to the ultimate: prestige mode. With six ways to compete against live opponents and 16 maps to choose from, you won’t tire of going online any time soon. [Sep 17, 2008]

Let There Be SPORE

Begin your eons-long journey as a single cell in a primordial stew. Emerge on land and dominate the other creatures you find. Form a tribe with a village and then establish a civilization with cities. Your world unified, blast into space and explore the galaxy, conquering other empires and seeking a secret in the galactic core. Along the way, design wondrous creations and share them with other players. Just watch out for the Grox. [Sep 7, 2008]

Will Wright: Such Wonderful Toys

Will Wright made his mark with SimCity and The Sims, but his greatest adventure may lie in the science-fiction simulation SPORE. Ultimately, Wright sees all of his games as open-ended toys that give players new perspectives on the world around them. Find out what inspired his early career and who influenced his toys’ development. [Aug 27, 2008]

As You Wish: The Princess Bride Game

Based on the movie adapted from the S. Morgenstern novel abridged by William Goldman, The Princess Bride Game features your favorite characters, including three voiced by the actors and actress who portrayed them: Wallace Shawn (Vizzini), Robin Wright Penn (Buttercup), and Mandy Patinkin (Inigo Montoya). Help Westley juggle his farm chores with Buttercup’s requests, engage Vizzini in a battle of wits, cross the deadly Fire Swamp, mix potions with Miracle Max, and storm Prince Humperdinck’s castle. Experience true love and high adventure throughout. [Aug 20, 2008]

Jack Keane Brings 19th Century Adventure

Jack Keane finds himself on Tooth Island after being hired to take a British secret agent there. When a monster drags the agent into the jungle, however, Jack must figure out the island’s mysteries on his own. Who is Dr. T., and why is he assembling an army of monkeys and carnivorous plants? Why did Jack’s companion, Amanda, double-cross him? And how do you get a wrecked ship to list further in the water, allowing you to climb aboard and retrieve some much-needed things? While exploring the game’s 15 locations spread across 13 action-packed chapters, don’t forget to unlock the bonus content. [Aug 13, 2008]

Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties

Japan, China, and India headline this Age of Empires III expansion pack, which features three single-player campaigns; a new resource, Export, that you spend on shipments from a European ally; the ability to advance to a new Age by building a Wonder, rather than conducting research; new multi-player modes; and more, including new maps and units. [Aug 06, 2008]

Petz: It’z Raining Catz and Dogz

Petz have come to the Mac. No, that’s not a typo: Ubisoft’s popular Petz games, Catz 2 and Dogz 2, are now available. Choose from 14 total breeds and customize your pet’s look, from fur color to collar design. Feed and water your pet, teach it tricks, and play with it. Complete challenges to unlock toys and costumes for your pet, as well as decorations for your house. [Jul 23, 2008]

Jeopardy! Deluxe & Wheel of Fortune Deluxe

The Deluxe versions of Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune recreate the game shows we all know and love, featuring over 5,000 total clues and puzzles created by the shows’ writers as well as multi-player competition against the computer or live opponents. Both games also offer true-to-life versions of their sets and authentic sound effects. I’ll bet $5,000 on Double Jeopardy, Alex, and I’ll give the wheel another spin before I solve that puzzle, Pat. [Jul 16, 2008]

Battlestations: Midway Recreates the War

Damn the torpedoes and full speed ahead! Launch the fighters! Battlestations: Midway recreates World War II in the Pacific, giving you full control over everything from PT boats to aircraft carriers, P-40 Warhawks to B-17 bombers, and submarines. Begin with the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and finish your campaign at the Battle of Midway; you’ll even encounter a famous guest star along the way. Up to eight can compete online in the game’s 10 multi-player maps. [Jul 2, 2008]

Help Us, WALL•E: You’re Our Only Hope

Based on Pixar’s latest computer-animated tale, WALL•E takes you through expanded versions of the Earth- and space-bound environments seen in the film. Guide our plucky unlikely hero as he falls love with a robot named EVE and hitches a ride into space, where a grand adventure awaits him. His goal: Help humanity learn the error of its ways, which have resulted in an inhospitable Earth several centuries from now. [Jun 25, 2008]

SPORE Creature Creator: Monster Mash

Mix and match body parts and color schemes as you seek to create the ultimate in higher — or perhaps not-so-high — intelligence. Put your alien through the paces, commanding it to do anything from laugh to throw a punch, and summon baby versions that mimic its moves. When you’re done, share video clips and pictures of your pride and joy with everyone in the SPORE community. The Creature Creator is just one small part of what you’ll be able to do in SPORE, Will Wright’s upcoming simulation of alien civilizations and interstellar travel. [Jun 18, 2008]

EVE Online: Empyrean Age Thunders

Return with us to the universe of EVE Online, where 35,000 years from now, humanity has lost all contact with — and memory of — Earth. Four factions rule known space, an uneasy peace allowing their pilots to travel between star systems as they carry out missions, mine asteroids for valuable metals, and help their corporations’ influence grow. However, a recent series of deadly events have escalated into war, and you’ve been called on to support your side’s cause. The Empyrean Age introduces factional militias, the ability to capture solar systems, a new region of space known as Black Rise, and more. [Jun 10, 2008]

Sid Meier: On a Wing and a Dare

The second inductee into the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences’ Hall of Fame, prolific game designer Sid Meier is best known for his Civilization series of strategy games, although he’s sailed the high seas for Pirates!, blasted into outer space for Alpha Centauri, and even hit the links for SimGolf. And he might not have accomplished any of that if not for a dare from a fellow programmer. Read on to learn all about it, as well as Meier’s philosophy toward game design and more. [May 14, 2008]

Ankh: Heart of Osiris: An Egyptian Slacker

Assil, the shiftless son of a pyramid architect, managed to meet the Pharaoh and get his death curse removed in the first game, but when the story in Heart of Osiris opens, someone has stolen his precious Ankh. That someone happens to work for the god Osiris, who wants it for his own fiendish plans, but you and Assil will figure out a way to get it back. Sure, that quest may involve combining seemingly unrelated objects to produce results that move the story along, but that’s the point of this Monkey Island-inspired humorous game. [Apr 30, 2008]

Head Toward the Light in Penumbra 2

Black Plague concludes the story begun in Penumbra: Overture, in which a mild-mannered physics professor named Philip found himself exploring a nightmarish abandoned mine in Greenland, after receiving a book from his long-lost father. Philip escaped the mine only to find himself in a high-tech research station. Armed only with what you can find around you, guide Philip to the truth. Penumbra’s advanced physics engine allows you to interact with the game environment in new ways. [Apr 23, 2008]

Triple Your Gaming in Puzzle Quest

Travel the world of Etheria and take on more than 150 quests as you strive to become powerful enough to defeat the evil Lord Bane. Play as one of four character types in a fantasy game that mixes the role-playing, puzzle, and strategy genres into an experience that’s more than the sum of its parts. [Apr 9, 2008]

Forge Your Destiny in Fable: TLC

Unlike many role-playing games, Fable: The Lost Chapters does not place you in a predetermined role, with a specific path to follow. Rather, you have many decisions to make between good and evil actions. As you undertake quests and your renown in the world known as Albion grows, your appearance becomes more beatific or more demonic, depending on your inclinations. You can also develop your character’s magical or physical abilities, or both, as you see fit. [Apr 2, 2008]

Light Up the Circuit in Cars: Mater-National

Return to Radiator Springs and reunite with old friends in Cars: Mater-National. Lightning McQueen has come back to set up his racing headquarters and build a new stadium, so Mater wants to celebrate by hosting an international racing festival. Complete races and mini-games as you head toward a Mater-National championship showdown against Italian hotshot Giovanni. Play as many of your favorite characters, including Lightning, Mater, Doc Hudson, and Mike and Sulley of “Monster Trucks, Inc.” [Mar 26, 2008]

Enemy Territory: Quake Wars: Next Rank

The latest entry in the venerable Quake series moves beyond tactical first-person shooters of the past by allowing you to earn experience points and improve your character’s abilities and weapons between battles. The action takes place in 12 maps set on Earth, where the Global Defense Force (GDF) is trying to repel a Strogg invasion in the year 2065. Choose one of five distinct character classes and join the fray, achieving objectives that will help your side win the battle. [Mar 19, 2008]

The Sims Castaway Stories: Be a Monarch

Play as David Bennett or Jessica Knight and learn how to survive on a deserted island where mysteries lie hidden in the jungles, the wildlife can be tamed, and other Sim castaways and natives wait to be found. Collect resources that you can trade for amenities and even embark on an island-themed career as you progress through the story. In free play mode, join the castaway civilization on Wannami Island and build your own hut or modify an existing one. [Mar 12, 2008]

Neverwinter Nights 2: Reach a Crossroad

A horrific battle happened in your hometown of West Harbor when you were just an infant. You have little memory of the event, and the villagers only whisper rumors about it. An attack, however, heralds a new war, and soon you are sent on an epic quest to not only defeat evil but to also reveal the secrets of the past. Or will you turn to evil, leading the Forgotten Realms down a dark path? The choice is yours. [Feb 27, 2008]

The Lights Are Bright in Neon Tango

Freeverse’s Neon Tango owes some of its digital DNA to the shoot-‘em-ups of yesteryear, but this is a game with 21st century attitude. Pilot your ship through 50 levels of mayhem, dodging Penta-Fighters, Triangle Troopers and other bad guys as you grab power-ups and figure out the best angles for bouncing your shots off walls. Watch out when the level boss appears, because he won’t show you any mercy. [Feb 6, 2008]

Tomb Raider Anniversary: Even Better

Lara Croft’s original, groundbreaking adventure comes to life in new ways as Tomb Raider Anniversary retells her first story with enhanced graphics and sound, new moves, plenty of unlockable content, and more. Lara travels to Peru, Greece, Egypt, and the fabled lost city of Atlantis as she seeks the three pieces of the Atlantean Scion, a major artifact that her father sought all his life, until he vanished a few years ago. Join us for a fresh look at familiar territory. [Jan 30, 2008]