The punchy comedic pacing that works so well in a series of video shorts does not hold up when stretched out over a few hours, and the few times you do chuckle will only punctuate the fact that such moments are few and far between.

A moving story, serene visuals, and brilliant puzzles make Braid an adventure that you absolutely should experience.

An improved control scheme and online campaign support aren't enough to save Monster Madness from mediocrity.

Grid offers a great balance of arcade and simulation racing with enough extras to keep you entertained for hours.

You have to give B-Boy credit for taking a novel approach to a relatively untapped subject. But then you have to take all that credit away for the fact that it has no story, a Byzantine move system, and repetitive gameplay. In the end, B-Boy is difficult to pick up, easy to master, and impossible to recommend.

Beijing 2008 proves beyond a doubt that rapidly pushing buttons is not fun.

Summer Athletics captures none of the passion and excitement of summer athletics.

Legend is just another uninspired action RPG.

PixelJunk Eden is beautiful and serene, until an impatient clock mixes far too much stress into this otherwise leisurely game.

Retro Evolved 2 takes adrenaline-soaked, addictive shooters to a level of unprecedented awesomeness.

The question, then, isn't whether or not you should play Soulcalibur IV, it's which version you should play.

The question, then, isn't whether or not you should play Soulcalibur IV, it's which version you should play.

Spectral Force 3 is a functional and predictable strategy RPG without a lick of personality.

The latest addition to this family of innovative city-building games leaves you wanting more, mostly because it offers so little that is new.

It's simple, yet deep; goofy, yet realistic. By straddling these contradictions, MLB Power Pros 2008 manages to appeal to casual and hardcore players alike. It doesn't step far from its predecessor's shadow, but that doesn't prevent it from shining.

It's simple, yet deep; goofy, yet realistic. By straddling these contradictions, MLB Power Pros 2008 manages to appeal to casual and hardcore players alike. It doesn't step far from its predecessor's shadow, but that doesn't prevent it from shining.

Summer Athletics captures none of the passion and excitement of summer athletics.

Some of the games in this collection are better than you remember, but many are worse.

Despite some shortcomings, Siren: Blood Curse is an enjoyably creepy adventure with some interesting gameplay mechanics.

Mister Slime looks about as simplistic as it plays, displaying gameplay on the bottom screen while relegating Slimy's health, points, and menu items to the top screen.

This entertaining update to the classic arcade game is fun while it lasts, which is under an hour.

Go Go Break Steady 's mixture of two gameplay styles sounds interesting, but it doesn't work out as well as you'd hope.

The elements of a charming Nancy Drew tale are here, but the game is far too short and too problematic to be recommendable.

The Revenge of the Plague Lord will reawaken Puzzle Quest addictions and provides hours of additional gameplay, although at a fairly steep cost.

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor has all the right elements, yet it still manages to do everything wrong.

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor has all the right elements, yet it still manages to do everything wrong.

Only slightly less painful than getting your brain removed through your nose.

Rapidly tapping buttons is still exhausting, but tight controls and a bunch of unlockables make this a worthy update.

World War II has been done before and done better, but it's never been done like this.

Nonetheless, it's an entertaining, well-balanced game that provides a good deal of fun while it lasts.

The epic story of love, betrayal, and redemption is reborn better than ever in glorious 3D.

Despite a cruel learning curve this bridge-building puzzle game is both fun and unique.

Getting pounded in the face with a real dodgeball might be more fun than this postmodern rendition of the schoolyard sport.

Just as the addition of the Online Dynasty mode will satisfy many, the lack of significant improvements to other key modes of NCAA Football 09 will disappoint many others.

The addition of the Online Dynasty mode will please many, but the lack of significant improvements to other key modes of NCAA Football 09 will disappoint many others.

A unique subject matter is the most compelling aspect of this otherwise boring real-time strategy game.

Golf: Tee It Up! offers respectable arcade gameplay and slick production values.

The single-player won't entertain for long, but the simple premise, clean visuals, and fiendish challenge deliver hours of multiplayer fun.

Plug in your gamepad and brace yourself: Devil May Cry 4 on the PC is every bit the equal of the console versions.

It's incredibly easy to get engrossed in the rhythm of expansion and evolution, and you can happily lose hours and hours at a time.

Civilization Revolution is an excellent, streamlined console version of the popular PC strategy series.

Civilization Revolution for the DS is a distilled, streamlined version of the popular PC strategy series that succeeds despite its limitations.

This mild collection of minigames isn't worth the admission price.

Final Fantasy flavorings keep this dungeon crawler enjoyable for fans in spite of some tiresome and frustrating elements.

Beijing 2008 proves beyond a doubt that rapidly pushing buttons is not fun.

Beijing 2008 proves beyond a doubt that rapidly pushing buttons is not fun.

With its repetitive, pedestrian amusement-park games and nearly lifeless presentation, Wonder World Amusement Park completely fails to amuse.

Even without player-created content, the Xbox 360 version of this online shooter holds its own, providing plenty of slick, thrilling sci-fi action.

Even an innovative sci-fi setting can't save the illogical and boring Immortals of Terra.

This online RPG offers some witty humor and short-lived fun, but you'll be ready to move on after a scant few hours.

Under the Knife 2 is a fast-paced medical puzzler that's as infectious as its predecessor.

It's all funny and little fun in this politics-themed party game.

This classic fighter has aged well, but the XBLA version lacks both online play and features found in the Dreamcast game.

Supreme Ruler 2020's steep learning curve and micromanagement will turn off all but the most fanatical strategy gamers.

The latest Guitar Hero is an Aerosmith fan's dream come true, but the game's narrow focus and lack of content will prove unappealing to many others.

The latest Guitar Hero is an Aerosmith fan's dream come true, but the game's narrow focus and lack of content will prove unappealing to many others.

The latest Guitar Hero is an Aerosmith fan's dream come true, but the game's narrow focus and lack of content will prove unappealing to many others.

Happy Tree Friends False Alarm is clunky, unimaginative, and more like a false start than a fun game.

Commando 3 is an all-too-brief shooter that delivers high-caliber fun in solo and cooperative bursts.

This railroad-inspired board game offers subtle strategy and an easy learning curve for less than the price of a real train ticket.

The combat in Hellboy gets repetitive before the first level ends and never presents a challenge. This is a boring, bland game.

The combat in Hellboy gets repetitive before the first level ends and never presents a challenge. This is a boring, bland game.

This strategic RPG is ugly and frustrating--but it can also be a lot of fun.

Wall-E is overflowing with charm, but the simple gameplay makes the experience fall flat.

Wall-E is overflowing with charm, but the simple gameplay makes the experience fall flat.

Wall-E is overflowing with charm, but the simple gameplay makes the experience fall flat.

Like the movie it's based on, Wall-E is accessible enough for kids to enjoy but offers enough depth for an older audience.

WALL-E's finicky camera and repetitive gameplay make this one lousy robot adventure.

The Phantom Fortress is full of lame minigames, occasional fights, and tons of repetition. Enter at your own risk.

The production values and overall presentation certainly fit this cut-rate title, and you'll soon get bored if you're playing alone.

Grimoire of the Rift offers a surprising amount of depth, as highlighted by its impressive number of quests and skills, real-time area auctions, clan management, and unlockables, but many a Tactics fan might be put off by its cheapened quest-based plot progression and battle rules.

Overlord: Raising Hell may be the most feature-rich version of the game yet, but an unpredictable frame rate, sluggish controls, and a clunky camera detract from the minion-controlling fun.

Bad graphics and repetitive play make Mega Man's latest adventure a dull one.

Bad graphics and repetitive play make Mega Man's latest adventure a dull one.

Political junkies and board-game fans should love The Political Machine 2008, even if it is a bit too close for comfort to its predecessor.

If you can endure some vexing technical flaws, Alone in the Dark can be a clever, satisfying adventure.

The most fun, addictive shooter released so far this year. While far from perfect, the intense sandbox warfare is something that you have to experience. Dice calls it tactical destruction. We call it explosive fun.

Battlefield Bad Company is the most fun, addictive shooter released so far this year.

Top Spin 3 is a great tennis game, offering a deep challenge for diehard fans and one of the closest experiences to playing a grand slam.

Top Spin 3 is a great tennis game, offering a deep challenge for diehard fans and one of the closest experiences to playing a grand slam.

A tepid campaign mars this otherwise solid real-time strategy follow-up.

This expansion to last year's underwhelming city builder is surprisingly good and makes a number of important improvements.

Great strategic gameplay is dwarfed by embarrassing technical issues.

It's simply not enjoyable to contort your hand around the DS and listen to 25 low-fi songs while you strum the touch screen and fight the pain in your hand.

Rock Band for the Wii is still a great game, even if it's scaled back and late to the party.

Deriving pleasure from this dull, monotonous RPG is a challenge that should only be undertaken by the most hardcore Code Lyoko fans.

Improvements over the original release of this sci-fi racer don't make up for its floaty controls and poor item balance.

Sea Life Safari's on-rails adventuring is about as exciting as scuba diving in your own bathtub.

Elements of Destruction won't hold your interest for long, but it will satisfy your craving for blowing stuff up.

Stripped-down controls with little punishment for crashing make Wacky Races an extremely boring racer.

Stripped-down controls with little punishment for crashing make Wacky Races an extremely boring racer.

Fast-paced shooting action and enjoyable multiplayer help the Space Invaders series celebrate its 30th anniversary in style.

A very good example of how to update a classic game. The gameplay has been improved, and multiplayer adds a whole new dynamic to the experience. It's a shame that the PSP version of the game lacks online functionality.

Arkanoid is as much fun today as it was 20 years ago, and the DS version is arguably the best yet.

This disappointing strategy game isn't nearly as engaging as the Discovery Channel show it's based on.

Clank's first outing as a secret agent is a funny and action-packed adventure that you'll want to play more than once.

The nightlife theme might be a little corny, but the block-breaking gameplay offers a satisfying challenge.

The charming art style and budget price aren't enough to keep this rigid fishing sim out of the depths of mediocrity.