Jigsaw’s madman-with-a-message shtick is gripping because it mingles insight with insanity, but you’d never know it from Saw II: Flesh & Blood. As Detective Tapp’s estranged son, you’ll toil to save depraved scum from grisly ends inside nasty mechanical contraptions, but every trap boils down to a dreary twist-the-knob puzzle.

The plodding journey between the big man’s victims fares only slightly better. You’ll swing pipes and axes at assailants, but only at the behest of quick-time events that bleed combat of all immediacy. This approach was undoubtedly easier than fixing Saw’s busted collision detection, but the result couldn’t be any less satisfying. Worse, while the first game at least amplified anxiety with scavenged light sources and enveloping darkness, Saw II relies entirely on instant-death door traps and trip wires for its tension.

There are a few faintly intriguing puzzles, but they can’t make up for repeatedly enduring the same dull electrical puzzle because of downright punitive checkpoints. Even Jigsaw’s most ardent apostles should spare themselves this torture.

On Xbox 360

+ No positives.

- Generic and tiresome circuitry, light box, and icon-matching puzzles.

- Terrible QTE combat, aggravating checkpoints, and some obviously unfinished chase sequences.

- Mistakes ordinary grit and grime for atmosphere.

? Why does Michael open each door like he’s starting a lawn mower?

4.0