Monopoly games tend to follow a fairly set pattern in my house. First, there's the stage where it seems like a good idea and you set it all up. Then, for a while everyone plays and it's reasonably fun. But then something happens - landing on a hotel-laden Mayfair, for example - prompting squabbling over "local rules", and then the dog gets excited and knocks the whole lot off the table.

So taking the tried and tested game and putting it on Xbox in the form of Monopoly Party - relatively safe from a Golden Retriever's tail - seems like a pretty good idea. You can tailor things to play with your house rules such as whether landing on free parking wins a kitty, or whether houses must be evenly distributed between properties of the same colour. Everything is incredibly easy to follow, and it's slickly produced - you'd almost be able to persuade an elderly grandparent to join you for a game. To spice things up there are different boards based around glitzy sci-fi themes and the like. And you can play the with street names from other countries if London gets boring. And players can take their turns at the same time if you want, speeding things up.

Judged as a game of Monopoly, then, Monopoly Party is a success - it does all you could ask for. But if it's on Xbox, then perhaps it must also be judged as a videogame? And if so, then it simply isn't as entertaining as most "proper" games. After using the Xbox pad to manipulate stunning, exciting imagery, playing a board game that requires the use of one button is a little dull. All in all, you're more likely to have a laugh sat round a table with your mates and the real thing.

1. Polished
2. Custom rules
3. Different boards spice things up

1. Not a 'proper' videogame
2. Real Monopoly's more involving

Power
As you'd probably expect, producing a board game on Xbox hardly stretches it to capacity.

Style
The whole game reflects the Monopoly brand - it's slick enough, but slightly bland.

Immersion
With a few good mates playing, the game can be involving for a wee while...

Lifespan
...and you'll probably drag it out now and again at boring family occasions.

Summary
A solid take on the humble Monopoly, but there are more fun, raucous multiplayer moments to be had elsewhere.