Upcoming video games 2013

Two alternative takes on the action genre, both featuring main characters augmented by mechanical improvements: "Crysis 3" plunges players into an overgrown, Amazonian New York, fighting peculiar alien life forms, while "Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance" turns its parent series from stealthy, almost anti-war thriller into a frenetic slice-'em-up.

Crysis 3 (360 PS3 Win)
North America: February 19, rated Mature 17+
European regions: February 22 (Australia: Feb 21), rated 16+. Ger 18, AUS MA15+
Japan: March 22, rated D (17+)

Don a nanotech-powered suit of armor and head out into a literal urban jungle -- New York meets rainforest -- to take down the alien Ceph that have infiltrated the Liberty Dome. Bows, guns, and nanosuit abilities are at your fingertips, while developer Crytek looks to extol the virtues of its CryEngine platform by combining the environments from "Crysis" and "Crysis 2."
Price: $59 / €69 / £39 / $AUD 99 / ¥7,665

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (360 PS3)
North America: February 19, rated M17+
European regions: February 21, rated 18+. Ger 18, AUS MA15+
Japan: Feburary 21, rated D (17+)

The stealthy, highly polished "Metal Gear" series seen through the eyes of a studio obsessed with slick action. Or, a super good-looking "Fruit Ninja" with a cyborg main character and slow-mo abilities for extra awesomeness potential.

Price: $59 / €59 / £35 / $AUD 89 / ¥6,980

Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan (3DS)

North America: February 26, rated T for Teen
European regions: TBA
Japan: since July 2012, rated A (all ages)

This popular adventure series arrives on Nintendo 3DS for the first time, and comes equipped with a "casual mode" for newcomers and several tweaks for returning fans, plus an orchestrated soundtrack to keep those gaming ears happy. Famitsu's four reviewers gave it a 9, 9, 9 and 8 out of 10.
Price: $39 / ¥6,279

The Bridge (Win)
Worldwide: February 22

MC Escher is cited as crucial inspiration for this entertainingly mind-bending brain tickler, whose hand-drawn presentation and cleverly thought-out puzzles have already won it awards at the Independent Game Festival, Dream Build Play, IndieCade and Indie Game Challenge competitions.
Price: $14.99 / €13.99 / £11.99 / $AUD 11.99

Bit.Trip Presents Runner 2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien (Win)
Worldwide: February 26

Commander Video returns, filled with boundless energy and accompanied by an infectious soundtrack, ready to leap over and duck under all manner of objects in a bid to save the world through the power of running, complete with voiceovers from Mr Mario himself, Charles Martinet. Also due on 360, PS3, and Wii U.
Price: $14.99 / €13.99 / £11.99 / $AUD 14.99

Tomb Raider (360 PS3 Win)
North America and European regions: March 5
Age ratings: NA, M17+. EU, 18+. AUS, MA15+
Japan: April 25, rated Z (18+)

Touted as a series reboot, this might not be as heavy on the puzzles as previous "Tomb Raiders," but it's Lara Croft's origin story, which finds her shipwrecked upon a remote island near Japan, crew in disarray, an ancient curse to be investigated, and in need of personal transformation from vulnerable castaway to tough-as-nails survivor.
Price: $59 / €59 / £39 / $AUD 89 / ¥7,980