Best New Games: Week of 7/7

With the holiday weekend out of the way, the Olympics beckon, and this week's new releases share a theme of international competition. Beijing 2008 is actually the second game based on the Olympics to be released, but it's the first that doesn't have cartoon characters doing the running. Civilization: Revolution also comes out of the blocks this week, so if you're in need of a crippling new addiction, it'll be right up your street. And speaking of streets, if you're looking for something more light-hearted, Build-in-Time offers you a glimpse into the history of real-estate development. Nice.

Top Three:

Civ Revolution

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Could this be the most addictive game on the planet? Maybe: the game's seventeen-year history on the PC is littered with missed deadlines, forgotten assignments, and unbelievably late nights. This week sees its console debut, in a slimmed-down and tuned-up format that's just right for the joypad. Napoleon, Gandhi, and Lincoln headline the cast, and no matter which you choose you'll find the strategic nation-building gameplay almost as compelling as its PC progenitor. Naturally, Civ Revolution packs console-tuned multiplayer modes to boot. Don't miss it.

Beijing 2008

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Can't make it out to China for the Olympics? No, us neither. Still, this cross-platform, 35-event extravaganza is probably the closest you'll get to taking part. It's particularly good in multiplayer, where you can take on your friends in international domination. Running, jumping, swimming, shooting, diving, fighting, cycling, kayaking and weightlifting all feature, and based on our early impressions, we think it's quite possibly the best Olympics game ever made. Granted, that's not saying much, but there it is.

Build in Time

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Unlike certain other real-estate management games, Build in Time spans a full fifty years of home-building history. From the white picket fences of the Happy Days of the 1950s to the sleek, minimalist and modern look of the present, you'll build your own real-estate company in a quest to become Craftsman of the Century. Funny, we thought that was Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor, but what do we know? Prove us wrong, and try out this addictive hit.

Best of the Rest

• Ranch Rush
  This time management hit delves into the world of what's surely the undisputed king of buttermilk-based salad condiments. Wait, what's that? It's about a farm, and not salad dressing? Oh, well, never mind then. Give it a try.
• Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo's Dungeon
  Cash-in? Call it what you like, this Final Fantasy game sees those iconic birds fighting it out in turn-based style.
• Fitness Frenzy
  Can you become the ultimate personal trainer? Here's your chance to find out.
• Unreal Tournament III (Xbox 360)
  Not content with dominating the PC, this multiplayer-focused shooter comes to the 360 this week...
• Devil May Cry 4 (PC)
  ...and meantime this difficult-yet-awesome action romp makes the jump in the other direction.
• Zoo Vet 2
  Treat enfeebled elephants, laryngitis-stricken lions and arthritic antelopes in this critter caper.
• DragonStone
  Baldric the Knight stars in this epic puzzle adventure game. Is your plan cunning enough?