IL-2 feels like two separate games: one a solid, fun arcade flyer, the other a testing simulation of true aerial combat circa Hitler-times. It's inevitable then, that if you're at all interested in planes, or just want to embarrass yourself at a different altitude, IL-2 can hardly come more recommended.

Exceptional racing with brilliant atmosphere.

Completely towers over the rest. [Dec 2009, p.107]

New ideas, but the payoff is disappointing. [Nov 2009, p.94]

The genre's star might be fading ever so slightly, and this game is no revolution, but it does deliver great music and a more refined band experience.

A decent diversion, but far from a black belt. [Nov 2009, p.98]

A brilliant experience. No other license-shackled developer has understood their subject quite as well as Rocksteady, and this is without a doubt the definitive representation of the Dark Knight.

Shadow Complex is a stunning demonstration of what you can squeeze onto the service. Play it, marvel at it, and hope that it's the future of downloadable games.

Popcorn shooter that's fun but unoriginal. [Oct 2009, p.88]

Heaven for the fans, tough love for the rest. [Oct 2009, p.86]

With such layered and near-endless challenges, not to mention the addition of a remarkably powerful level creator, you'll be firing this up for a quick blast for years to come. We don't say this often, deeply cynical as we are, but if for some ludicrous self-abusing reason you only buy one XBLA game this year, make it Trials HD. [R. King]

Don't get us wrong, the 3D makeover turns it into a responsive and thoroughly modern duff-em-up. We just wish the fun lasted a little bit longer.

A boring, brain-dead waste of time. [Oct 2009, p.82]

Lots of items, not much excitement. [Nov 2009, p.108]

The reason it works is it's so damn accessible.

Great new maps, but deleted scene too short. [Oct 2009, p.92]

A great series addition for fans and newcomers. [Sept 2009, p.79]

The cruelty of the levels can be frustrating, but you'll keep coming back. The infinite lives and near-instant reloading of checkpoints means stress always loses out to the classic "one-more-go" syndrome.

Even with its signature gimmick disabled, it's actually not too bad.

Finer than a hundred pieces of eight. [Sept 2009, p.90]

Surprisingly slick with excellent online play.

Our brains just shut down after a while. [Nov 2009, p.99]

Battlefield action polished until sparkling.

Great fun but over-the-top style can wear thin. [Oct 2009, p.93]

Still awesome online. [Aug 2009, p.94]

It's a distinctly average game from Harry, so a fittingly average mark for him as we give him a "five".

Bound in Blood is like a Wild West theme park: corny, but at least there's constant gun smoke and plenty of bad guys being put to rights. It's not a must-buy by any stretch, but it is bearable.

For those who fancy something different. [Apr 2010, p.102]