Anyone who’s played Lost Planet knows it’s a bug-battling blast that borrows the best from Empire Strikes Back (snowy tundra settings) and Starship Troopers (giant friggin’ bugs). Colonies ups the frigid fun and arachnid ass-kicking while lowering the price: 30 bones buys the original’s content plus tons of new multi- and single-player offerings. Solo bug-squashers can sharpen their skills in arcade-y new modes like Trial Battle, where they’ll take on one screen-filling foe after another.

While offline’s fun, it’s mostly a primer for the robust online play, the highlight of which has you turning the tables on puny humans and donning the scaly skin of the monstrous Akrid — prepare to get your Godzilla on! All told, you get six modes and four maps, including a slick space station that places new importance on the grappling hook if you slip — yup, that’s zero gravity pulling you to an early death. If you’ve never played Lost Planet, now’s the time. Otherwise, don the parka again only if you’re an online addict.

On Xbox 360

+ More content + lower price = no-brainer

+ Playing as an Akrid.

- Save-games, online rankings, and multiplayer matchups don’t carry over between the Colonies Edition and the original Lost Planet!

? No new story-mode action...huh?

8.0