Xbox 360 Critic Reviews

Obviously, The Saboteur isn't representative of the peak of next-gen gaming but for my money, this is the most fun and addictive gameplay I've experienced in 2009, and I'll probably be pulling it off the shelf in 2010 to work on those secondary targets.

Even if you rush through the main storyline there is still a ton of Nazi clearing to do, as well as additional perks, achievement and trophies to unlock.

The Saboteur is not just one of 2009's biggest surprises -- it's THE big surprise of 2009. Despite its humble promotion, the lament that it was sent out to die, and the death of developer Pandemic, The Saboteur is a terrific experience deserving of more accolades and attention that it will ever receive. It looks terrific, it has a fun story with a wonderful main character, and addictive gameplay that allows you to explode Nazis again and again and again.

Silly slapstick mechanics and shenanigans aside, The Saboteur is a capable contender for this year’s fourth quarter brawl. Pandemic's last will be a sleeper hit, but hopefully enough will wake up and take notice of an impressive swan song.

Pandemic delivers one of their best efforts, offering an experience that innovates both the sandbox and WWII genres. It’s not without its flaws, but its slick action, cinematic style, and colorful characters rise above its shortcomings.

A rip roaring tale of urban warfare in Paris in the 40s against the Nazi war machine owes as much to cinematic storytelling as it does the variety of gaming styles utilised. Despite the complexities of weaving so many styles into a cohesive whole, this is a game that has surprised greatly, and on that basis, it’s worth investing in.

At its root, The Saboteur is a classic revenge tale with some tasks to perform to distract you from the main story. The fact that the side tasks have little to no effect on that main story is a bit of a shame, as these open-style games tend to really shine when some act you committed causes unforeseen consequences. All in all, it can be said that Pandemic’s last offering is a worthwhile one, especially for the gorgeous visuals and nail-biting gameplay that comes from trying to undermine a Nazi occupation one building at a time. Do yourself a favor and find yourself a copy… perhaps the one Ugarte gave to Rick to hide under the lid of the piano.

What The Saboteur lacks in innovation it makes up for with solid design and implementation.

The Saboteur is one of those games that gains points due to its atmosphere and setting, making up for any shortcomings that might pop up due to the fact that the game is yet another open-world sandbox game, or if you want to be more cynical, Mercenaries 2 in a World War II skin (which it admittedly is, just way more polished).

In all, The Saboteur is a very enjoyable game; for me. Some may be disappointed but given the chance you'll find the game play features (of which I've only touched on in this review) are comfortable, if not revolutionary.