Serious PC game in next-gen blockbuster removal shock!

Put more simply, Killzone 2 has been knocked off its perch chart by straight-laced PC wartime strategy game, Empire: Total War. We never saw that one coming…

In fact Sega’s historical RTS is the first PC exclusive to top the charts since Football Manager managed the same feat back in October 2007 - and that seemed like a fluke at the time. But that’s not to diminish Empire: Total War’s achievement - 18th century global conflict has never looked so good, the signature turn-based gameplay is enhanced with an improved user interface and the welcome addition of gunpowder, and the game has just become the fastest-selling in what is already a hugely popular series. It’s a darling of the pundits too, rating 93% on Metacritic.

Meanwhile Killzone 2’s sales have fallen off by 58%. That’s loads on the one hand, but it’s still enough to keep the game at number two. Which isn’t bad considering that Wii Fit is on the march again, up a notch on last week’s fourth place position.

Thereafter it’s hello to Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X., brand new at four, and bye-bye to the Mega Drive Ultimate Collection and Mario Kart Wii, at 11 and 14 respectively. It looks like the guests might be leaving the Street Fighter IV party early too. We blame the ongoing joystick shortage!

The rest of the top ten is the usual mix of familiar faces, all of which should be shuffled around by the arrival of Resident Evil 5 this weekend. Until then it’s like this:

1. Empire: Total War (NE)
2. Killzone 2 (1)
3. Wii Fit (4)
4. Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X. (NE)
5. Halo Wars (2)
6. Professor Layton and the Curious Village (5)
7. Street Fighter IV (3)
8. FIFA 09 (7)
9. Call of Duty: World at War (8)
10. Ben 10: Alien Force (9)

Leisure software charts compiled by Chart Track, ©2009 ELSPA Ltd.