You'll need dozens of playthroughs to get a handle on everything that's going on, and Deathsmiles is addictive enough to keep you replaying. [Aug 2010, p.79]

A good trick structure and decent playability. [Jan 2002]

Best of all, tantalizing hints of what's to come will leave you anxious for the next chapter in your gruff super-soldier's saga.

The inclusion of new tools only complements this rawness, and even adds a distinctly unique flavor to combat.

Twenty bucks is a perfectly reasonable sum when you consider how many retail Xbox 360 games offer the same quantity of content…and we'll bet you didn’t laugh half as much playing any of those as you will playing this.

There are moments of gut-wrenching terror and suspense, but the most remarkable part of Ties That Bind is that it never, ever flinches at depicting gore, evil, and depravity. [Dec 2005, p.114]

That one missed opportunity aside, Zuma's revenge is an awesomely addictive revamp, and $10 well-spent. [Aug 2012, p.67]

Multiplayer makes up for a lot. [Sept 2010, p.84]

If you can overlook the lack of any narrative cohesion, The Club looks great, controls well, and offers you tons of options for giving your trigger finger a good workout. [Mar 2008, p.90]

It's tough in the way classic arcade games make you dump good quarter after bad - pitching you against waves of enemies, offering loads of alternate paths, and serving up some seriously demented import-centric humor. [July 2004, p.78]

It's still not perfect, but it's a great step in the right direction. [Holiday 2010, p.87]

Its Pixar charm makes it well worth trying, but it never reaches the level of brilliance that you hope it will. [Aug 2010, p.80]

The real draw is the mix of action and hardcore puzzle-solving. [May 2009, p.84]

Though Prejudice repeats what most of us missed in the first go-round, it's still an original, must-play multiplayer game, and we'd love to see it take off this time. [July 2011, p.80]

Having this much Taken-slaughtering glee in such a small, concise package makes Alan Wake's American Nightmare an instant "yes, please" for series fans. But what's more surprising is that its accessible approach to combat makes it an equally worthwhile experience for those who've never suspended their disbelief to wander Wake's dream-like world. [Mar 2012, p.62]

Speaking of action, there's a metric ton of it. You're constantly thrown into massive battles that look straight out of an RTS. [Feb 2003, p.72]

Definitely worth at least a rental, Shattered Dimensions has its charms: quality writing and voice-acting, inventive set pieces, and, yup, four different Spider-Men.

Spend your 800 Points with a smile, and dive deep. [Oct 2007, p.70]

Disappointed with "Double Dragon"? Want a good 2D brawler? Here's five bucks well spent. [Dec 2007, p.78]

After spending most of your time in Dragon Age II confined to the cramped, dingy corners of the politically scrambled seaport of Kirkwall, the wide-open greenery and lush palatial estate of Mark of the Assassin are refreshing.

The game structure itself is where the depth starts to suck you in, and a career mode with garage management, budget responsibilities, and even morale to manage is a hefty challenge. [July 2003, p.78]

The included map editor defines the term user-friendly. [Oct 2008, p.84]

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

Amid shelves crammed with me-too mediocrity, we'll take Overlord's wicked humor and creativity, warts and all. [Sept 2007, p.80]

Does a fantastic job of putting not only putting "it" in the game, but you as well. [Feb 2002, p.75]

Lives up to its hype, but we can't help but think how much better it would have been with a better choice of cities. [Aug 2003, p.84]

Engaging combat carries Space Marine's campaign and multiplayer a long way, although we can't help but feel like a little more time - or maybe ambition - would have made this game a superstar. Still, it's one heck of an entertaining fragfest, and the ideas here should nicely set up a bolder, hopefully more memorable sequel.

It’s one of the 360’s best social experiences, and one that anyone can enjoy. That it also doles out Gamerscore points like candy on Halloween only makes us even happier to play it.