‘Command Conquer 3: Kane’s Wrath’

‘Command Conquer 3: Kane’s Wrath’

(EA Games) for Xbox 360, PC

Genre: Strategy; Rating: T

Grade: C

Sometimes a game is so good that when an expansion pack is released, the expectations overwhelm it and you’re left disappointed. “Kane’s Wrath” definitely fits under this label as much as we all hoped it wouldn’t.

You’ll play as the Nod faction throughout, which has its limitations and may certainly turn off some “C C” fans who enjoy mixing it up as one of the other factions like GDI or Scrin. This is made better by the often-hammed-up performances of Joe Kucan as Kane and Natasha Henstridge as Alexa, both of whom have in-game cutscenes that are comical for their cheekiness. Once the game gets going, though, you’ll find that the action is fast-paced and some missions are just flat-out superb.

But this does not last throughout the course of the expansion pack, and you’ll notice more problems than moments of pleasure. This is mainly due to the subfactions and new tanks and other weapons that are not nearly as useful as they appear. Unless you’re able to draw battles out into long-winded affairs (unbelievably doubtful), there’s little chance to unleash these bad boys.

Also dragging the pack down is a turn-based global conquering game that plays a lot like a New Age version of the classic board game “Risk.” It’s not a terrible mode, but it doesn’t fit in the “C&C” umbrella, and so it feels tacked on for no reason.

“Kane’s Wrath” is not a wholesale disaster, and in fact many gamers will probably log plenty of hours with it, but “C&C3” was an excellent sequel and the expectations for this first expansion pack were much higher.

‘Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII’

(Square Enix) for PSP

Genre: Role-playing; Rating: T

Grade: A-

The gameplay mechanics in “Crisis Core” are quite the mind-bender. There’s something called the Digital Mind Wave. Calling it the DMV doesn’t make it any less confusing and may remind you to go renew your car registration before wrapping your head around this bit of RPG gameplay.

While it’s never really clear to me how it works, what the DMV does do for you in “Crisis Core” is help give you a richer RPG experience than almost any PSP game ever released. Along with a storyline that is a prequel to the console version of “Final Fantasy VII,” this is a fantastic game that mixes well both a long-term story with a host of short-term quests if you need a quick fix.

Besides the button-mashing combat sequences -- a departure from the standard turn-based combat that fans are accustomed to -- the DMV acts like a slot machine that determines how mana is spent, how special moves are doled out and much more than is possible to explain. Trust me: Ignorance is bliss here; PSP owners should get this game, go with the flow and enjoy.

‘Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3’

(Bandai Namco) for PlayStation 2

Genre: Fighting; Rating: T

Grade: C-

There is certainly nothing wrong with “Naruto” the show and its perfectly enjoyable characters and blend of action and campiness. But as a game, “Ultimate Ninja 3” doesn’t deliver enough to warrant satisfaction unless you are a fan of the show. For those who might be approaching this subject matter for the first time, they’ll easily feel out of place.

This is still not to knock the good qualities. The story and characters are right up the alley of a typical “Naruto” episode (not that I’ve taken in many, but I get the gist). But the ins and outs of the gameplay itself leave much to be desired. While you are mainly attempting quests and collection missions, there’s tons of mini-games and other side tasks that are very poorly done and play like cheap imitations from other titles.

A strange but oddly appealing dating mode is also thrown into the mix, which is hilarious only for the dialogue and interactions you have with both the girls and the guys. The fighting scenes between you and other ninjas aren’t thrilling at all.

—Chris Campbell, Scripps Howard