Microsoft's (MSFT.O: Quote, Profile , Research) "Halo 3" has dominated video game headlines this week, but if blasting aliens isn't appealing there is more on offer in other games, including role-playing the composer Frederic Chopin.
"Halo 3" is also only available on Microsoft's Xbox 360, so owners of Sony's (6758.T: Quote, NEWS , Research) PlayStation 3 or Nintendo's (7974.OS: Quote, NEWS , Research) Wii have to look elsewhere.
The good news is that there are a number of games that have garnered high marks from reviewers and don't involve plasma rifles or parasitic alien life forms.
"'Halo' is sucking up a lot of the publicity right now but that will calm down," said Billy Pidgeon, a video game analyst with market research firm IDC.
"There are a number of things you don't hear about because 'Halo' is out there," Pidgeon said. "A lot of the more family stuff and alternative-type stuff still does really well."
Here are some titles from major publishers that have been released recently or will hit the market in the coming weeks:
