kill.switch
Platform: Xbox
Backward-compatible: Yes
Price: $8 used

Can’t get enough Gears of War? While you wait for the inevitable sequel, pick up a cheap used copy of Namco’s kill.switch. It’s not as much fun (we gave it a 7.8 back in the December 2003 issue) but many of its elements will seem awfully familiar.

The cover system warrants the most attention. Hold the L trigger and you’ll duck behind short walls and barrels, peeking out the sides to snipe off enemy heads or blind-firing over the top. Tap A and a direction and you’ll leap to safety; hit B and you’ll strike with a nasty melee blow. Yeah, that’s what we thought, too. Granted, Gears simplifies the controls and offers SWAT turns between close bits of cover, but using L to press up against a wall will feel spot-on to players of Rainbow Six Vegas.

There’s no multiplayer, the game is short, and even at 480p, it ain’t too pretty by modern standards — but there is a funky sci-fi plot and you will occasionally man a few turrets.At the time, the game’s accent on stealth pigeonholed it as a fast-paced Metal Gear Solid wannabe, but now we see that it’s practically the grandfather of Gears of War. If you just can’t wait for Marcus Fenix’s next adventure, a used copy of kill.switch is probably worth the $8 you’ll pay. And if you like shopping on eBay, we’ve spotted sealed games selling for less than a buck (plus exorbitant shipping, of course).