'Far Cry 3' offers more ways to play

“Far Cry 3.” While the bullets-in-the-jungle romp “Far Cry 2” wasn’t exactly what fans of the original shooter might have hoped, the third go-round at least promises to go bigger and offer more ways to play. The open-world island in this one is much bigger than in previous games and has new options like split-screen multiplayer and team-focused online modes. You’re trying to survive while stuck between ruthless warlords and rebel factions. Rated M for Mature. $50-$60 for Windows PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

“Rise of the Guardians: The Video Game.” The video game adaptation of the recent computer-animated movie allows players to take control of Santa, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny, Jack Frost or Sandman in an action combat game full of weapons upgrades and squad-based combat. Yes, you could say it’s a little over-the-top. Rated E-10+ for Everyone 10 and Older. $30-$40, for Xbox 360, PS3, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS and Nintendo 3DS.

Also out this week: “Mass Effect Trilogy” (PS3), “Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth” (Wii U), “Power Rangers Super Samurai” (Xbox 360), “Family Party: 30 Great Games” (Wii U), “007 Legends” (Wii U), “Guardians of Middle-Earth” (Xbox 360, PS3), “Cabela’s Dangerous Hunts 2013” (Wii U), “Rapala Pro Bass Fishing” (Wii U), “Brain Age: Concentration Training” (3DS), “Uncharted: Fight for Fortune” (downloadable for PS Vita), “Page Chronica” (downloadable for PS3), “Forge” (PC), “Resistance Collection” (PS3), “Rosh Online: The Return of Karos” (PC), “The Book of Unwritten Tales: Critter Chronicles” (PC), “EVE Online: Retribution” (PC), “Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus” (downloadable for PS3).

— Omar L. Gallaga

Film

Community Cinema. A screening of Wayne White’s “Beauty Is Embarrassing.” 7 p.m. Tuesday. Free. Austin Public Library Windsor Park Branch, 5833 Westminster Drive. 974-9840, www.austintexas.gov/library.

Weeknight Cinema. A screening of 2010 Norwegian thriller “Trollhunter.” 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Free. Austin Public Library Milwood Branch, 12500 Amherst Drive. 974-9880, www.austintexas.gov/library.

Events & programs

Dollars for Collars. A benefit for Austin Pets Alive! with live music by Whiskey Shivers, raffle prizes and more. 7 to 11 p.m. Tuesday. $7-$10. Lustre Pearl, 97 Rainey St. www.dollarsforcollars.eventbrite.com.

Holiday events

Blue Genie Holiday Art Bazaar. Features over 100 artists and craftspeople. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, through Dec. 24. Free. The Marchesa Hall & Theater, 6226 Middle Fiskville Road. 444-6655, www.bluegenieartbazaar.com.

Music

Texas State San Marcos School of Music. Tuesday: TX State String Orchestra, 8 p.m. Free. Music Building Recital Hall. Wednesday: TX State Chorale & Trombone Choir, 7 p.m. $5-$10. Music Building Recital Hall. Texas State University San Marcos, 601 University Drive, San Marcos. 245-3375, www.music.txstate.edu.

UT Sarah & Ernest Butler School of Music. Tuesday: University Orchestra, 7:30 p.m. Free. Bates Recital Hall. Butler Opera Ensemble, 7:30 p.m. Free. McCullough Theatre. Wednesday: Opera scenes, 7:30 p.m. Free. McCullough Theatre. Flute & Fortepiano, 7:30 p.m. Free. Recital Studio. Symphony Band, 7:30 p.m. Free. Bates Recital Hall. University of Texas at Austin campus. 471-5401, www.music.utexas.edu.

Museums

Austin Children’s Museum. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays-Saturdays; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays; noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. $4.50-$6.50; children younger than 12 months free. Free admission from 4 to 5 p.m. Sundays. 201 Colorado St. 472-2499, www.austinkids.org.

Austin History Center. “Building a Community: The First Century of African-American Life in Travis County,” through March 24, 2013. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, noon to 6 p.m. Sundays. 810 Guadalupe St. 974-7480, www.austinhistorycenter.org.

Bullock Texas State History Museum. Exhibits, plus an IMAX theater. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, noon to 6 p.m. Sundays. $4-$22. 1800 N. Congress Ave. 936-8746, www.thestoryoftexas.com.

Capitol Visitors Center. “Welcome Home,” a look inside the newly restored Governor’s Mansion. Through Feb. 17, 2013. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Free. 112 E. 11th St. 305-8400, www.tspb.state.tx.us/CVC/home/home.html.

Dolph Briscoe Center for American History. History research center focused on Texas and U.S. history. “An Extraordinary Life: The Dominick Dunne Papers.” Through Dec. 14. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. UT’s Sid Richardson Hall, 2313 Red River St. 495-4518, www.cah.utexas.edu.

Elisabet Ney Museum. Collection of sculptor’s works in her studio. Noon to 5 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays. Admission by donation. 304 E. 44th St. 458-2255, www.austintexas.gov/department/elisabet-ney-museum.

Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center. Dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Mexican American, American Indian, Chicano and other Latino cultural arts and heritage. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Free. 600 River St. 974-3772, www.maccaustin.org.

French Legation Museum. A glance into the Republic of Texas and Victorian eras. 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays. $2-$5. 802 San Marcos St. 472-8180, www.frenchlegationmuseum.org.

George Washington Carver Museum & Cultural Center. Dedicated to the preservation of African-American culture and history. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays-Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Free. 1165 Angelina St. 974-4926, www.carvermuseum.org.

Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms. A 100-acre living history park and museum depicting 1800s rural Texas life. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. $6-$8; $5 each for groups of 20 or more; children younger than 2 free. 10621 Pioneer Farms Drive. 837-1215, www.pioneerfarms.org.

Joseph and Susanna Dickinson Hannig Museum. Exhibits on the life and legacy of Susanna Dickinson, who survived the Battle of the Alamo. Noon to 5 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays. Free. 411 E. Fifth St. Free. 974-3830, www.susannadickinsonmuseum.org.

LBJ Library and Museum. Lyndon Baines Johnson’s presidential library. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Free. 2313 Red River St. 721-0200, www.lbjlibrary.org.

Harry Ransom Center. Dedicated to art and literature. Free. General hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays; noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Free. 300 W. 21st St. 471-8944, www.hrc.utexas.edu.

Mexic-Arte Museum. Exhibits on the culture and art of Mexico. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Free. 419 N. Congress Ave. 480-9373, www.mexic-arte.org.

O. Henry Museum. Dedicated to the life and work of William Sidney Porter, better known as O. Henry. Noon to 5 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays. Free. 409 E. Fifth St. 472-1903, www.ohenrymuseum.org.

Republic of Texas Museum. Artifacts from the 1800s. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. $2-$5. 510 E. Anderson Lane. 339-1997, www.drtinfo.org.

South Austin Popular Culture Center. 1 to 6 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays. Free. 1516 S. Lamar Blvd. 440-8318, www.southaustincenter.org.

Texas Memorial Museum. Dinosaurs, fossils, gems, minerals, wildlife and exhibits. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Saturdays, 1 to 4:45 p.m. Sundays. Free. 2400 Trinity St. 471-1604, www.utexas.edu/tmm.

Texas Music Museum. “Contributions of East Austin African-American Musicians to Texas Music,” through Dec. 31. 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Free. 1009 E. 11th St. 472-8891, www.texasmusicmuseum.org.

Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum. Contemporary sculptures in a natural setting. 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays, 1 to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. $1-$3.50, children younger than 6 free. 605 Robert E. Lee Road. 445-5582, www.umlaufsculpture.org.

The Williamson Museum. Highlights the history of Williamson County. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. Free. 716 S. Austin Ave., Georgetown. 943-1670, www.williamsonmuseum.org.