Alice: Madness Returns for Xbox 360 Reviews by Gamers

First and foremost, Alice: Madness Returns was saved from a lower score by it's fantastically dark setting. Everybody assumes that the old Disney animation is a drug-fueled trip, but this game brings that assumption to life in full force. Twisted re-imaginings of classic Alice characters, bloody combat/cinematics, and the dark atmosphere definitely earns this game's M rating. Other than that, Alice: Madness Returns is your typical third-person adventure game, which comes with the genres trademark problems.

The camera needed some work. It would get caught in tight areas and why the camera does not stay behind you when you're locked onto a target during combat is beyond me. Having to unlock from a target just to adjust the camera became incredibly frustrating.

Combat started out really exciting. Enemies were interesting and there was actual strategy involved in defeating them. Unfortunately, and this can be attributed to the overly long length of the game/chapters, the enemies and combat became quite repetitive.

When it comes to platforming in a 3D space, games usually get it right or they don't. Alice fell somewhere in between. There was just something that felt off. As the game got further along, it actually began to feel like the problem was associated with the flaky camera more than anything else. Take a jump toward a platform without adjusting the camera and death is very likely.

Weapons in Alice were very cool. There are five which you will eventually have at your disposal, four of which you can upgrade (with teeth which you collect throughout the game). Each was very original and fit the setting perfectly.

Like I said in the beginning, were it not for the atmosphere, this game would've have definitely received a 5 from me. But, if you're a fan of the Alice universe, such as myself, your score will probably be bumped up just as mine was. If you're not a fan, I would still recommend checking it out, but expect more of the same old thing.

"Alice" does an admirable job of presenting a lushly realized, well thought out 3rd person brawler/platformer. It's uncommonly well written for a brawler, with an engaging story that wraps itself snugly around the action while never becoming too obtrusive. I found myself very invested in Alice's madness, and her desire to remember her troubled past.
The action is straightforward and effective. while lacking the loving, geeky depth of fighting system like Bayonetta, combat remains engaging and fun for most of the game. Like all brawlers, it gets repetitive quickly, but new enemies add a good amount of spice to the mix.
If you are in this game to see some massive boss fights (God of war, Bayonetta, Dante's Inferno, most others) you will be VERY disappointed. The creators actually seem to take perverse delight in confounding your hopes, setting up for what appears to be a big end boss encounter, then ending it with a (always funny) deus ex machina cut scene.
anyways, TL;DR: Solid gameplay, some fun puzzles, good length, good challenge, limited replay, beautiful graphics. Solid B+