Out This Week

No rest for the wicked, as they say. And this week sees the release of some wicked games. We've got the long-awaited Fable III, which Microsoft will hope helps the Xbox 360 shine this Christmas. Will it prove Peter Molyneux right all along?

Then there's LucasArts' Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2, which will no doubt cut a swath through UK sales like a lightsaber through bulkhead steel. But will the critics buzz with as much brightness?

Also of interest is Rock Band 3, which the industry hopes will prove the music genre isn't done yet. But are there too many Rock Bands and Guitar Heroes already making noise for Harmonix's latest to shine?

This Week In Shops!

Fable III

• Developer: Lionhead Entertainment
• Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
• Formats: Xbox 360

What is it? Very British role-playing game from Peter Molyneux's studio Lionhead. What we think: Eurogamer's review will be published tomorrow. "By shifting the tone of Fable III's story to more mature territory and reflecting current events, Lionhead seems to have upped the stakes," we said with our preview hat on in August.

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II

• Developer: LucasArts
• Publisher: Activision
• Formats: DS, PC, PS3, Wii, Xbox 360

What is it? Next in the popular action adventure series from LucasArts. What we think: We're working hard at the review, which will be published on Tuesday. Keza went hands-on for Eurogamer in August and returned with this: "The sequel should feature enough variety to stand amongst more accomplished peers. We can joke about God of Star Wars, but there are worse things to aspire to."

Rock Band 3

• Developer: Harmonix
• Publisher: Electronic Arts
• Formats: DS, PS3, Wii, Xbox 360

What is it? Latest in Harmonix's successful music game franchise. What we think: Expect Eurogamer's review on Wednesday. Oli went hands-on earlier this month. "Rock Band 3 looks like the ultimate music game. Can it live up to that promise? We'll just have to wait and see... but I know what I'm betting on," he said.

What Else?

• WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2011 (THQ / PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PSP)
• Super Scribblenauts (Warner / DS)
• BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger Portable (Pqube / PSP)
• The Sims 3 (EA / DS, PS3, Xbox 360)
• Tony Hawk Shred (Activision / PS3, Wii, Xbox 360)
• Deadly Premonition (Rising Star Games / Xbox 360)
• Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 (Konami / PS2, PSP, Wii)
• Dragon Age: Origins Ultimate Edition (EA / PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
• Bakugan Battle Brawlers: Defenders of the Core (Activision / DS, PS3, PSP, Wii, Xbox 360)
• Ivy the Kiwi? (Rising Star Games / DS, Wii)
• Shaun White Skateboarding (Ubisoft / PS3, Wii, Xbox 360)
• Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest (Warner / DS, PS2, PS3, PSP, Wii)
• FIFA Manager 2011 (EA / PC)
• Blood Bowl Legendary Edition (Focus Home Interactive / PC)
• TV Superstars - Move Compatible (Sony / PS3)
• Forza Ultimate Edition (Microsoft / Xbox 360)
• The Shoot – Move Compatible (Sony / PS3)

Chart Predictions!

Each week one of the team will step up to predict the UK all-formats chart. The following predicts the outcome for the week beginning Friday 29th October (to be reported on Monday 1st November).

Tom Bramwell, Editor

• Fable III
• Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II
• Fallout: New Vegas
• FIFA 11
• Just Dance 2

"Both Fable II and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed were big sellers when they first came out, so I'm tipping their sequels to take the top two spots. I would expect Fallout: New Vegas, FIFA and Just Dance 2 to hold onto the top five, although Layton may displace one of them. Medal of Honor dropped off considerably from week one to week two, which will probably continue as the Call of Duty adverts kick in and people get pumped for that. Or I could just be wrong."

Eurogamer Deputy Editor Ellie Gibson offered her predictions last week. Her crystal ball gazing resulted in Just Dance 2 on top, FIFA 11 in second, Fallout: New Vegas in third, Medal of Honor in fourth and New Carnival Games in fifth. How did she do?

UK All-Formats Top 5 (reported this morning)

• Fallout: New Vegas
• Medal of Honor
• FIFA 11
• Professor Layton and the Lost Future
• Just Dance 2