Weekly video game releases: 'Halo: Reach', 'Civilization V', PlayStation Move

Amongst upcoming video game releases, Halo: Reach is poised to become the biggest Xbox 360 game of the year as it concludes the current story arc of the Halo series; Civilization V is the long-awaited revamp to the Civilization games of historical discovery, diplomacy, and expansion; the PlayStation 3 receives new controllers with the suite of PlayStation Move motion detection devices; and party games.

Halo Reach (360)
Release: North America, September 14 / Europe, September 14
Age Rating: Mature / 16

Biggest game of the year on Xbox 360? It's certainly up there. The original developers' last entry to the sci-fi Halo series features singleplayer, co-operative, and online multiplayer modes, adds space flight into the mix, and improves the level creator. The Limited Collector's Edition includes a notebook and personal effects from one of the game's characters and some in-game armor; the Legendary Edition takes all that, adds a statuette of the five central soldiers, and stows it inside a hefty crate.
Price: $59.99 / €69.99
Limited Collector's Edition: $79.99 / €79.99
Legendary Edition: $149.99 / €134.99

PlayStation Move (PS3)
Release: September 17

Sony's response to the Nintendo Wii's broad appeal - Microsoft will be launching its take with the Xbox 360's Kinect in November. The PlayStation Move suite uses both a camera and a Move controller for heightened accuracy, while a standard PS3 controller can be used in place of the optional Navigation Controller. Games start at a reduced price of $39.99.
Move Controller: $49.99 / €39.99
PlayStation Eye camera: $39.99 / €39.99
North American Starter Bundle (PS Eye + Move Controller + Sports Champions): $99.99
European Starter Pack (PS Eye + Move Controller + 9 game demo disc): €59.99

Civilization V (PC)
Release: North America, September 21 / Europe, September 24
Age Rating: Everyone / 12

The latest in the acclaimed empire-building series. Players guide one of 18 historical cultures through the ages, making important scientific and social discoveries along the way, and negotiating relations with other civilizations through diplomatic or military means. The special editions include separate soundtracks, figurines, and an art book.
Price: $49.99 / €49.99
European Collector's Edition: €69.99
North American Special Edition: $99.99

TrackMania Wii / TrackMania Turbo (DS)
Release: North America, December 21 / Europe, September 24
Age Rating: Everyone / 3

TrackMania has grown from nothing to become a popular racing series on the PC. Its unique take on net-based multiplayer and the track creator tool both make it over to the Wii version, and there's a sequel to the first Nintendo DS version out at the same time too.
Price: $39.99 / €44.99
Wheel Edition: €49.99 (includes optional wheel accessory)
TrackMania Turbo: $29.99 / €39.99

Final Fantasy XIV (PC)
Release: September 22 (Collector's Edition), September 30 (standard)
Age Rating: Teen / 12

Not the first massively multiplayer online role-playing game in the series - Final Fantasy IX is still going strong - but with a monthly subscription fee a little lower than World of Warcraft and a rich universe of fiction to draw on, Final Fantasy XIV is no doubt an important release. PlayStation 3 version to follow in March 2011.
Price: $49.99 / €49.99
Collector's Edition: $74.99 / €69.99
Monthly subscription: $12.99 / €12.99

Dead Rising 2 (360, PC, PS3)
European release: Europe, September 24 (360, PS3), September 28 (PC)
North American release: September 28 (360, PC, PS3)
Age Rating: Mature / 18

Promising the same zombie-slaying action of the first while adding a clever DIY weapon system and a father-daughter relationship into the mix, Dead Rising 2 comes in a variety of flavors, depending on which side of the Atlantic it's purchased from. Each adds more and more trinkets to the package, from a novelty pen in the shape of a medicinal syringe to an artbook, zombie doll, and promotional film.
Price: $59.99 / €49.99
European SteelBook Edition: €69.99
European Outbreak Edition: €74.99
North American Collector's Edition: $79.99

Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock (360 PS3 Wii)
Release: Europe, September 24 / North America, September 28
Age Rating: Teen / 12

With a plot that has more than a few shades of Brütal Legend, a game once on the books of Warriors' publisher Activision, Warriors of Rock adds a twist to the now established music game genre, sending players on a quest to save rock music with a little help from KISS, Rush, and Dave Mustaine. October rival Rock Band 3 heads in the other direction, away from arcade action and towards musical tuition.
Price: $59.99 / €69.99
Guitar Bundle (game + guitar controller): $99.99 / €99.99
Super Bundle (game + guitar + drum controller): $179.99 / €199.99