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.