Video Game Releases October 19 – 25: 'Bayonetta 2,' 'Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth,' 'Disney Fantasia,' & More

Posted Oct 18, 2014 at 10:57 PM PDT by Brian Hoss

A week full of platform exclusives.

'Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth' (PC)

The 'Civilization' series has been non-stop, turn-by-turn, addicting fun. But this time around, the history lesson is being set aside in favor of space. 'Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth' is teeming with sci-fi cool facets. An alien world must be tamed for the human race to survive, but differing factions and ideologies have some radically varied means of getting there. Plus, there's the planet-sized problem of indigenous life. This is a perfect PC title, that's sure to addict players old and new to Sid Meier games.

Order From Amazon

Bayonetta 2 (Wii U)

Back before the Wii U launched, Nintendo announced some high profile third party exclusives to help sell players on the Wii U. Platinum Games' 'Bayonetta 2' may be the last of that group, but fans have already taken serious notice. (Impressions here.) The sequel looks, plays, a feel worlds better than its PS3/360 predecessor, and as a special incentive, this new game comes bundled with a Wii U version of the original action hair witch gun fetish game.

Order at Amazon

Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved (Xbox One, 360)

Last year, Disney and Harmonix announced a partnership for an all-new rhythm game built with the visual flavor of Disney's 'Fantasia.' The issue for the game then was its other major component, Kinect. Postforced Kinect and Xbox One pairing, 'Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved' faces a challenging road, but for Kinect owners, this may be the most substantial attempt to produce a non-fitness/dancing game for Kinect for the foreseeable future. (Impressions here.)

Order from Amazon

Samurai Warriors 4 (PS4, PS3, Vita)

Koei Tecmo knows its fans very well, which is 'Samurai Warriors 4' is coming to all three current PlayStation systems. This is a feature packed installment, and it won't be surprising if it's even better than 'Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends Complete Edition."

Order from Amazon

F1 2104 (360, PS3)

The beautiful thing about Codemasters' 'F1' series is that while it's obviously a great way for Formula1 fans to get in on the season, it's also an excellent way for anyone to learn the ins and outs of the world's top racing championship series. 'F1 2014 ' incorporates all of the sport's engine changes, including turbochargers, the ERS boost system, and the new team configurations.

Order from Amazon

Shantae and the Pirate's Curse (3DS)

The 'Shantae 'series is only worthwhile for fans of colorful and classic side-scrollers. In 'Shantae and the Pirate's Curse,' Shantae is forced to do a kind of 'Face/Off' as she joins the pirates after losing her genie magic. A version for the Wii U may show in the future, but why deny the 3DS such a likely gem?