Civilization V, for newcomers and veterans alike

The goal in this one remains the same: Build a civilization that will dominate the planet.

RATING Everyone 10 and older

PLOT Time to build a civilization again

DETAILS PC, $50

BOTTOM LINE Rules the PC game world

.You pick one of 18 historic leaders, from familiar names like Napoleon and George Washington to others, like Askia of the West African Songhai empire, who are new to the series. Each culture has a few unique abilities: Germany, for example, can build Panzers, but they will have marginal effect on your overall strategy.

You start with a small parcel of land and two groups of followers, settlers and warriors. The settlers stay home and build your capital city, while the warriors venture forth and explore the space nearby. You then assign workers to cultivate your land, and train increasingly powerful troops to attack or defend against your neighbors.

There are many, many other ways to expand your empire. Starting with simple technology like pottery and animal husbandry, you can work your way up to nuclear power and space travel. Social policies aid growth in different ways: Piety, for example, makes your citizens happier, while rationalism accelerates scientific progress. And you can give your homeland a little pizazz by building "wonders" like the Taj Mahal or the Sistine Chapel.

For series veterans, the most substantial gameplay change is the addition of city-states: small, freestanding governments with no plans to take over the world.