Despite a few flaws and one ill-conceived megamix, these games are treated with the respect they deserve at a price we’re willing to pay. We’re happy to see them on Arcade where they belong.

Bottom line: does the game live up to AC II? Well, no. Ezio's grand introduction is pretty damn hard to top, at least in terms of story content and franchise innovation. But that doesn't invalidate Connor's journey by any means. Assassin's Creed III's newly refined gameplay and incredibly rich setting are captivating stuff, and we're excited to see what adventures lie ahead for our new hero.

Hexic 2 deftly expands every concept that made its freebie predecessor the star of Live Arcade's launch. [Sept 2007, p.74]

We've seen a few middling attempts at Vietnam War experiences, but this one rocks because it doesn't try to bring politics or sense to the table--just lots and lots of death. [March 2011, p.77]

Like the rest of Saints Row: The Third's DLC packs, Clones is only an hour, but it's a terrific romp through Steelport, showcasing the series' unique style and fun. Of the game's three add-ons so far, it's definitely our favorite.

It’s all deftly anchored by a perceptive, nuanced narrative that helps fashion Croft into a convincing heroine who can weather extraordinary circumstances, while remaining convincingly human throughout. These quieter moments make what’s already a stunning ride even more worthwhile.

"Quotation Forthcoming"

Celebrity cameos by Ray Liotta, Michael Madsen, Chazz Palminteri, and Joe Pantoliano are fun perks, but what really stands out is how expansive and enthralling this hour-or-so mission is.

It offers a clever Deniable Ops mode, a co-op campaign that’s equal or superior to the solo section, and best of all, a solo campaign with lots of excellent missions in unique locations threaded by the series’ best narrative.

Call of Duty's three-pronged attack serves it well in Black Ops II, with the superb online play and Zombies co-op making up for a less-essential campaign this time - though its many changes and occasional high points still warrant a playthrough (or two) to see Treyarch's spin on the well-worn template.

For new and old players alike, this sequel is a superb adaptation of the classic CCG.

Impressive. After several plodding annual upgrades, FIFA 07 shows significant improvement and delivers its best soccer game in ages. [Nov. 2006, p.85]

All three tables look gorgeous, and all the familiar dialogue clips and sounds are a treat, too. Star Wars Pinball never up-ends the formula quite as much as Avengers Chronicles’ selectable balls and upside-down table did, but silverball and sci-fi buffs will adore it nonetheless.

If you've never set foot in the whip-cracking universe of the marvelously long and storied Castlevania series, Symphony is the best possible way to get your meet-and-greet on. [Mayt 2007, p.76]

We admit we miss the first Dead Rising's goofier schtick and the initial wow factor of its innovative challenge. But the latter hasn't been toned down for this sequel, and the game remains - even with its flaws - a shuffler lover's undead dream.

The action does start to drag in the last couple of hours...If you're excited by even the slightest hint of carnage, though, the rubblelicious Armageddon delivers. We absolutely got what we came for: an exciting sci-fi shooter with carnage galore and some of the most crazy-powerful guns we've seen in ages. [June 2011, p.50]

"Quotation Forthcoming"

Any game that has seen nine iterations must have either required a phenomenal amount of improvement or honed a hugely successful formula. Chalk up this new Winning Eleven in the later category. [Mar 2006, p.74]

Its giddy, family-friendly spirit makes Kinect Party a perfect game for adults and kids alike - though not necessarily in groups of five or six, where the game feels crowded and players may end up vying for screenspace and floorspace, even in a large, Kinect-ready room.

Like any human, Sam Fisher stumbles occasionally when the pressure’s on. But as long as you’ve got the patience to accept a handful of limitations, you can expect to have a damn good time saving the world once more.

The best addition, though, is undoubtedly the glorious 10-vs.-10 Be A Pro online mode, which lets every participant commit to a single position for the duration.

Repetitive battle music and minor camera issues aside, if you can stand the slow, turn-based nature of Gladius, you'll love it. [Dec 2003, p.154]

It’s Metallica’s underlying design that is the hero of the day, however. For starters, Neversoft has finally mastered the difficulty curve. A far cry from the torturous days of Guitar Hero III’s Hard setting, the songs here are a treat on any skill level. Better, though, is how the career mode is structured. It’s star-based, meaning you’ll unlock new venues and blocks of songs at certain star milestones.

Fall of Cybertron never quite transcends its franchise the way, say, Arkham City does - loving Transformers will definitely heighten your appreciation of it - but it's every bit the game that series buffs hoped for, and an improvement on its forebear.

Impressive lighting, gorgeous art direction, and a smooth framerate really pretty-up the experience, while voice-acting from Hollywood veterans Rosario Dawson and Brian Cox add weight to the audio.

Dungeon Siege III is among the finer ways you can dungeon-crawl on your 360 these days, and if the developers can iron out its quirks, a sequel (which this game sets up nicely) could be epic.

Overcoming Greed Corp's challenging and clever adversaries is a taxing experience, but damn if it isn't one of the most gratifying. [Apr 2010, p.81]

Everything that you need to get your flabby butt in shape is included in Yourself!Fitness, except for the equipment, which isn't a requirement. [Jan 2005, p.74]

These small potholes aside, you won't find a better two-wheel racer on any gaming system. [Oct 2007, p.79]

Excessive loading times and way too many menus to button through are also annoying, but the on-court and online tennis are so terrific and pure that these faults are easily overlooked. [May 2011, p.84]

Overall, Crypto's latest is itchily compelling and easy to recommend. As original-Xbox game go, DAH!2 is one of the best of the season. [Dec. 2006, p.82]

But 10 bucks will net you a fulfilling and thoughtful odyssey, just in time to leave you salivating for the long-awaited sequel. [May 2011, p.78]

Now this is the right way to do a Platinum Hit! [Jun 2006, p.81]

A better, more realistic game than last year's, but its still-vicious checking system might turn off hardcore hockey enthusiasts. [Oct 2004, p.80]

The trick that Crooked Mile pulls off particularly well is in ditching “right” and “wrong” — this is ever more the land of shades of gray, and we found our choices dictated increasingly by the impact they’d have on the characters Bigby clearly cares for.

For the ride alone, Condemned's super-creepy serial-killer yarn cannot be beat. [Holiday 2005, p.82]

We had an absolute blast with most of the tracks on offer here and at $5, this late add-on is still very welcome. [Feb 2011, p.81]

It's graphically below par (shouldn't they be over par?), but the gameplay is so smartly evolved that it's $60 well spent. [Jan 2006, p.81]

With a 20-hour runtime, both it and the gameplay are prone to meandering and missteps, but Lords of Shadow 2 nonetheless manages to bring the series crashing to a satisfying conclusion. [April 2014, p.70]

While so many stealth games equate any sort of detection with total failure, Human Revolution lets the chaotic consequences of exposure play out in all their unpredictable glory. Shoddy storytelling means that all the sound and fury that results ultimately signifies dreadfully little, but at no point short of death do you every truly lose - you just have a different kind of fun. [Oct 2011, p.72]

We have seen the future of real-time strategy on Xbox 360, and its name is Battle for Middle-Earth II. [Sept 2006, p.76]

It completely nails what a sequel should be: it expands on everything its predecessor did best without sacrificing what we loved most about it in the first place. [May 2010, p.74]

This three-player scrolling shooter has that old-school, spray-and-slay mojo that your inner rageaholic craves. [July 2008, p.62]

No new content, but Ubisoft's Montpellier team astounds us again with just how pretty games can be. [May 2014, p.71]

Whether you still watch wrestling or just enjoyed it back in the day, Legends is entertaining to the end. Its pared-down controls may disappoint hardcore fans, but they do make it more playable for newcomers - and players of all stripes will appreciate the giant bearhug it gives to nostalgia.

Viva Pinata is a sandbox game in the vein of "The Sims" and "Zoo Tycoon". There's no real way to"win". Your reward for playing is increasing your level, unlocking new content, and, of course, earning achievements. [Jan. 2007, p.80]

With the string of 3D-style casualties in this series' history, Lords is the first time we've been looking forward to where this shining new direction takes us. Go, Team Belmont.

The dogfighting, though, feels aimless unless you're playing with people who really know what they're doing: We predict it'll be the stomping ground of the uber-hardcore pilots. [Nov 2007, p.88]

By far the most commendable feature is the massive influx of new fighters and divisions within UFC 3. The Featherweight and Bantamweight classes (imported from UFC's recently absorbed sister company, WEC) add faster and more agile fighters to the Undisputed roster, but the bigger addition comes by way of Pride FC, the former Japan-based MMA promotion purchased by the UFC in 2007.

One of the finest examples of the burgeoning tower-defense genre on Xbox 360. [Nov 2009, p.70]

Great open world with tons to explore and thrash. [July 2010, p.82]

A case of Jekyll and Hyde. Single player isn't bad, but the multiplayer is head and shoulders cooler than than the PC version, thanks largely to the clever use of the Xbox Communicator. [June 2003, p.76]

Much more evolutionary than revolutionary, but the series remains one of the 360's finest sports sims. [Apr 2011, p.74]

Whether you're playing with buddies online or in the same room, or just battling through the career, this extremely polished sequel is an excellent way to rock out. [Nov 2010, p.66]

Irreverent yet addictively engaging, Gotham City Impostors may not be the shooter you expected, but it's definitely the one you deserve.

Yes, NHL 08 can feel challenging and hard, but it rewards you with the sport's best representation in videogame form that we've seen yet. [Oct 2007, p.73]

However you play, Pinball FX 2 is a must-have for any pinball fan who doesn't have a real machine tucked away somewhere. [Nov 2010, p.67]

If stupendous puzzler Peggle and the cute gelatinous hero from de Blob had a teleportation accident à la Jeff Goldblum and the common household pest in The Fly, then The Splatters would be the result - except it'd be totally awesome and not a hideous Brundlefly monstrosity.

Controls are idiot-proof, and deliberately simplified to make sure that controlling your squad is never an impediment to the action... This is an approachable and enjoyable shooter. [Oct 2003, p.76]

You'll notice WWE '12's wider accessibility right when the first bell rings. Controls are far easier to grasp (they're almost as newb-friendly as WWE All-Stars') and matches flow naturally, which is great given how minimal the HUD is

It's madness worth embracing.

The deep storyline and character development system, seemingly endless quests, and miles of detailed, highly interactive locations to explore all amount to more than 200 hours of gameplay for those attempting to see it all. [Jan 2004, p.76]

Though Crysis 3’s (admittedly beautiful) solo campaign never feels quite as strong as it could be, its enthralling competitive multiplayer sits comfortably among the strongest offerings of this console generation. Unless you have no interest in competing against your fellow human beings, these modes alone make the game worth buying.

What's here is a smart, somewhat kinder, but no less addictive approach to the series' trademark challenge. And that's just the way we like it.

At a mere $20 it represents impossible value and is probably a must-have for crusty old gamers. [Dec 2003, p.92]

Traveller's Tales has done it again: Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy is an even quirkier blend of off-kilter humor, weird puzzles, and blaster-blazing, lightsaber-slashing action. [Oct. 2006, p.84]

You'll probably crave a bit more challenge than you'll find, but by the time you arrive at your destination and its revelations, you'll clamor for the story to continue. [Nov 2010, p.78]

Prototype offers an engaging tale, and it lets us stomp baddies in endlessly engaging ways. For action and superhero fans, that’s an irresistible mix.

Yes, Forza 2 is a crazy mix of genius and B.S. [Aug 2007, p.70]

The puzzle-like challenges are a great way for seasoned players to test their mettle. So is multiplayer, especially the new four-player Planechase mode, in which the rules of the game change at random through a specialized deck of cards.

Hardcore Battlefield 3 strategists will be disappointed by the sudden emphasis on breakneck speed over deliberate tactics, not to mention Close Quarters' 16-player limit and infantry-only focus. But even they'll be sucked in if they give this add-on a chance.

Marble Blast Ultra is not just a lot of fun to play; it's(dare we say it?)a blast. [Jun 2006, p.60]

Taste in music is always a personal thing, but we absolutely love Boom Boom's 10 modern takes on famous classical music, which veer from ska to disco to electronica and good 'ol metal. [June 2007, p.70]

Wickedly clever...Strikes the right balance between imagination, creativity, and a little borrowed inspiration. [Aug 2005, p.79]

Though the gameplay tends to be somewhat repetitive, there are scores of characters, techniques, and magical items to choose from. [Nov 2003, p.124]

It sometimes feels overwhelming to navigate labyrinthine passageways while directing a team and trying to not get flanked by a flak cannon, but that’s exactly the kind of chaotic depth that helps replay value.

Fuse together "Grand Theft Auto's" open-ended game world, "Mercenaries" militaristic vibe, "Far Cry's" tropical vistas, and the movie "Desperado's" titular hero, and you got Just Cause in a nutshell. [Nov. 2006, p.72]

On 360, you'll get a basketball simulation that, while a bit short on extras(sorry, but 24/7 Mode just can't compare to "NBA Live's" slick All-Star Weekend package), tickles the twine where it counts: on the court. [Dec. 2006, p.87]

Not since the Lego Star Wars games has this series been so charming. [Sept 2010, p.80]

With its greater depth, online play, and the same extraordinary realism, fans will find this release a worthy purchase.[Nov 2004, p.88]

Between some innovative new online features and a mess of shrewd tuning, it’s the kind of compulsively playable game that sports fans will have a hard time tearing themselves away from.

With a song list that ranges from Louis Prima to the Ghostbusters theme to Katy Perry, and choreography that includes Charleston and chair dancing, JD2014 makes vamping like a diva (and shedding some pounds in the process) an astonishingly engrossing timesink.

The game successfully achieves the goal of making its predecessor obsolete. [Aug 2010, p.76]

Greatness. The one-liners and parodies are still funny, the level design is outstanding. [Nov 2008, p.64]

We love the new ability to craft an extreme weapon out of a couple of items: you can sample a handful of the full game's countless possibilities - including a Spiked Bat (baseball bat + nails) and head-pulping Drill Bucket (bucket + electric drill) - and discovering new combos and unleashing gonzo gear like the Air Horn (pylon + spray paint) is a blast.

Scott Pilgrim hardly has an original idea of its own, and that's entirely the point: it's a wonderful homage to its predecessors, while still proving thoroughly enjoyable in its own right.

All told, you'll have a hell of a good time blowing up and blowing past your friends. [Dec 2011, p.78]

Absolution has the pacing and exotic set-piece locations of a James Bond film, which seems appropriate given that 47 is essentially Bond stripped of his smirk, gadgets, and vices.

F.E.A.R.'s downsides mean it's thrilling at first and much less absorbing later on, but its magnificent combat sequences still make it irresistible for serious FPS fans. [Dec. 2006, p.62]

Grid 2 might not be quite up to the lofty standards of an all-inclusive open-world competitor like Forza Horizon, but it does more than enough to carve out a comfortable niche worth exploring.

What's here is already a fun reminder that gem-bashing is the best way to raid dungeons. [Sept 2010, p.86]

The beating heart of chess is laid bare with such care that aspiring Kasparovs might yet be lured from the PC dungeon.

If you're a Hitman fan, Blood Money will make you fall in love all over again, and if you never dipped your toes in 47's particular brand of wetwork yet, the time has never been more ripe. [June 2006, p.74]

You Monster may not convert every tower-defense holdout, but it's definitely one of the most devious and memorable bits of DLC we've played.

Traveller's Tales has done it again: Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy is an even quirkier blend of off-kilter humor, weird puzzles, and blaster-blazing, lightsaber-slashing action. [Oct. 2006, p.84]

The whole thing meshes well, is addictive in its playability, and looks absolutely beautiful (in a wonderfully detailed 3D anime way) in the process. [Feb 2003, p.68]

The challenge comes from learning how to avoid the enemies, not figuring out what to do...it provides a quick paced progressive story with a very nice game. [Sept 2002, p.89]

It's a fine set of fresh experiences for Modern Warfare 3. If the rest of the year's DLC is this strong, consider that Elite subscription well worth the investment.