Card Shark features an attractive art style, subtle writing, and a promising premise. But I couldn’t get past my dislike of the core gameplay encounters and the endless teaching segments. I applaud the effort to pull together a unique concept, but the accompanying frustrations mean I have to discourage a sit-down at this particular table.

Dynasty Warriors may have once provided a novel experience, but like metrosexuality and Jennifer Aniston's hair, things that fascinated us a decade ago eventually grow tiresome.

Eschewing the expected hack-n’-slash mindlessness, a timing-based evasion and blocking system is required to master the melee. It’s not enough to save an otherwise lackluster effort, but Secret Level was definitely on to something with the combat.

The Lego Movie 2 Videogame rarely pushes the player to do anything other than go into their building menu to select one object, and ends up being a shockingly bland experience in a series that has been mostly consistent in doing fun things with different properties.

Although there's really nothing outrageously bad about Dino Thunder, I ofter found myself a little bored with being a giaint robotic dinosaur, which just shouldn't happen. [Dec 2004, p.16]

Dynasty Warriors may have once provided a novel experience, but like metrosexuality and Jennifer Aniston's hair, things that fascinated us a decade ago eventually grow tiresome.

My feelings about the music extend to the whole of Baby Steps, I suppose. I see what they are going for. I understand why and how it’s funny. And I appreciate how unique it is, but I would be lying if I said I enjoyed it. It’s a truly singular experience, something we will always need more of in games. Some will enjoy struggling to climb sandy dunes and laughing at their friends falling down the same cliffside for the hundredth time, but no amount of creative appreciation will change how I felt playing Baby Steps. Every time I put the controller down, I dreaded picking it back up.

The characters, dialogue, and plot are all about as engrossing as run-of-the-mill fanfic, and the battle system is as boring a turn-based snoozefest as I’ve seen in years.

Despite repetitive gameplay, Floor Kids presents a distinct approach to the rhythm genre and allows you to enjoy the music in unique ways. I had a good time in small chunks, but the gameplay of every track just blends together extended gameplay.

If the pool itself is the sweet caramel, everything surrounding it is a moist, fetis sponge. [May 2004, p.101]

Unless your eight-year-old has an affection for Legos that borders on obsession, you don't need to bother with this title. [Jan 2004, p.141]

The time-tested bubble popping gameplay on its own is still enjoyable, but leaves a bit to be desired after going through the rounds. Unless you're a devout fan of the series, I'd say get mileage on your shiny new 3DS somewhere else as this version of Bust-A-Move is far from being the definitive package.

Once you’ve heard all the dialogue, you won’t have much reason to come back to Poker Night 2. It features Texas Hold ‘em and Omaha varieties, but the poker isn’t polished enough to stand on its own. After you’ve unlocked everything, there isn’t any reason to come back.

A virtual compendium of platforming conventions, almost to a bizarre (otherworldly perhaps?) degree. [March 2005, p.137]

If you’ve enjoyed past SOCOM games and are looking for a better-looking version of what you’ve played before, check out Confrontation. It’s fun in a way that just about all multiplayer games are — you’re sharing an experience with real-life opponents. If you’d like to play something with fresh ideas and a thick sheen of polish, though, keep marching.

Many of the minigames simply aren't much fun the first time, but they become horrendously painful by the fifth try. In short, thie Bomb is a dud. [June 2005, p.137]

Genuinely bizarre and often-comedic situations generated charm, but Way of the Samurai 4's dated visuals, control difficulties, and stiff combat makes it needlessly frustrating.

It's hard to know which is more laughable: Onechanbara's story of sisters who absorb zombie blood through their skin or the fact that this game is so shallow. [Apr 2009, p.81]

It lacks the cohesiveness and payoff of "Frequency," for example. Either way, the whole experience is a little too short. [Feb 2002, p.83]

Uninspired design, however, keeps this title firmly lodged in the B-class of RTSs. [Aug 2004, p.106]

As much as Hunted grated on me, I really liked Caddoc and E'lara. Even though their physical designs ape the stereotypical buff dude and barely clothed sexy elf, their personalities transcend their clichéd appearances. Their relationship is based on mutual respect, and there isn't any forced flirtation in their myriad conversations. The pair clearly enjoy each other's company, and I would have loved to learn more about their past together. If that means having to play through more of this, though, I'll just read some fanfic and call it good.

Basic combat just isn't very fun. [Feb 2006, p.104]

As much as Hunted grated on me, I really liked Caddoc and E'lara. Even though their physical designs ape the stereotypical buff dude and barely clothed sexy elf, their personalities transcend their clichéd appearances. Their relationship is based on mutual respect, and there isn't any forced flirtation in their myriad conversations. The pair clearly enjoy each other's company, and I would have loved to learn more about their past together. If that means having to play through more of this, though, I'll just read some fanfic and call it good.

The core gameplay is simply tired. Jumping around collecting random doodads is just old - it's time to move on to new objectives in platformers. [Dec 2004, p.167]

Despite its technical imperfections, Yoostar 2 can be enjoyable if you step out of your shell and be a total ham. Bring in some friends for a full cast, and you'll get some laughs during your acting debut.

As a racer, it's decent; as a freestyle trick game, it sucks. [Nov 2002, p.134]

From its art style and writing to its structure and design, Super Daryl Deluxe is strange. I enjoy the combat, humor, and the checklist structure of the quests, but the nondescript method by which you complete some missions mars the experience. Super Daryl Deluxe features multiple good ideas, but the execution is limited in its success.

It tries to be deviant and innovative, yet is actually little more than a sub-par action game that can be confusing and overly frustrating. [Apr 2002, p.73]