But the interface provides the real horror show, with cryptic icons, buttons that have mysterious functions, and information displayed in a way that's difficult to understand.

Even without the attraction of variable online play, The Omega Strain would be a winner thanks to its tough, smart missions, and huge rewards system.

It's not deep or particularly innovative. However, the detailed graphics, familiar gameplay, and wide variety of characters and game modes make this brawler worth a look.

Long on promise and short on delivery. Had the developers opted for a real-time combat engine, strategic 3D battlefields, or some other interesting twists, MS Saga could have been worth a look.

This is not a game that will wow players with its graphics or its crash effects, which are more half-cocked than "insane," but aggressive drivers who want to blow off steam will find Crash 'N' Burn to be a smashing success.

By no means a bad game, but the sad truth is that it's about the best the DS will have in the way of semi-realistic racers. The hardware just isn't conducive to them.

Arena Football may be an engaging sport to watch in real life, with the excitement of packed arenas and the promise of frenzied action on the shortened field, but the developers did a poor job in conveying that sense of atmosphere in the game.

By the time you’ve whipped your way through a dozen or so levels, you’ll probably be getting a little bit tired of mashing the square button and twirling your analog stick. You’ll also notice that other aspects of the game are a bit sloppy.

Even with its extras -- [it's] still a bit on the ditzy, simplistic side. It's appropriate really, since almost nobody wants an overly simulated volleyball title. As a raw game, it certainly plays better than the admittedly better-looking "DOA Extreme Beach Volleyball."

The game can be completed in less than two hours, cut scenes included. Yes, there's much beauty in a simple control scheme, but not when it reaches the point of redundancy.

Although technically sufficient, the deliberate pacing and occasional trial-and-error nature may turn some players off.

Diner Dash is addictive enough that you’ll still want to bash through those crazy tough levels. When you’re willing to stick with a game through its flaws, that’s usually a pretty good sign.

And what's with all the text? One thing that continually aggravated our group of casual gamer test subjects (relatives we roped into playing) was the inordinate amount of text you need to wade through while you're playing.

MOO3 collapses under the weight of its own ambitious design. We doubt this can be fixed in a patch. Gamers need not apply. Masochists, you're on your own.

When you play it in bite-size sessions, you'll appreciate wading into a sea of overgrown beetles or phosphorescent foes, spiked baseball bat swinging. Despite a few design shortfalls, the gameplay succeeds admirably, as does its presentation.

This is not going to be everybody’s perfect Worms, but the odd controls and odder mini-games definitely set it apart from the rest of the series. As the subtitle suggests, Space Oddity is unique.

The other issue introduced into the game thanks to the PSP hardware is a downright horrible camera.

Why are so many missions so dull? Why is the combat-radio voice work so insipid? And which unemployed sports commentator and soccer mom did the tutorial and combat voices, respectively?

The game is addictive, fun, and quite lengthy, but these half-fledged console outings are wearing thin, if only because the franchise has the potential to be something great.

An engaging story and creepy locales simply aren't enough to overcome terribly clunky combat and technical flaws in the latest entry in Konami's venerable survival horror series. Silent Hill: Downpour's developers may have taken the series in a new direction, but that doesn't mean they should have.

If you ever run into one of the erstwhile developers of Stainless Stell Studios, you should probably buy him or her a beer and let them cry on your shoulder; it’s gotta hurt to see a game you made that obviously started out with a lot of potential get released in such an unfinished state.

The greatest crime depicted in the game isn't Syndrome's machinations, but the speed with which the lame design renders dull action out of such cool characters.

We can't stress how outstanding Sonic CD is. It was one of the finest games around in its day and it still offers a fantastic time years later. This game alone makes Sonic Gems Collection a consideration at $30. The other featured titles don't add enough to the offering.

Maximum Impact isn't a failure, per se, but it was an ill-advised move that SNK will hopefully learn a lesson from. It's better to be king of a flat empire than become a polygonal pauper.

So it ain't pretty, and it's not going to be everyone's cup of tea. But Operation Flashpoint: Elite is still a fairly compelling military sim.

Unfortunately, the biggest flaw in the game is easily the loading time.

For what it is – a colorful, action-packed dungeon hack – it’s as much of a credit to the Shining Force name as any 15-year-old strategy game.

There's a peculiar lack of in-game music that, when paired with the spartan sound effects, makes the game feel lifeless.