I know a little about Gundam, but after playing Mobile Suit Gundam SEED: Never Ending Tomorrow, I know even less.

Unless you're a fan of the show you won't have a clue what's going on with the storyline. It's so full of references to past episodes, characters and situations that it would be a lesson in futility to attempt to get up to speed. Even if the story were good it still doesn't save the gameplay which is frustratingly flawed with sluggish animation and sloppy controls. Whatever appeal this game has to anyone is totally beyond me. Even a true blue Gundam fan would have an impossible time trying to defend it.

The most fun I've had with the whole Gundam experience is attacking it in this review. So I'm just going to keep on until I get my fill. Hey, I've paid my dues. If you don't want to hear anything bad about your precious Gundam game then stop reading now and go and check out the rare Beanie Baby auction on Ebay.

Gundams are essentially mechanized suits that are equipped with various weapons and locomotion capabilities. Some of them fly and some of them plod along occasionally using boosters to kick things up a notch. I hope I don't have to pay Emeril a royalty for that last sentence. I've heard him quote me more than a few times on his show, especially the way he sometimes begins a sentence with the word, "The."

Using the lock-on system, you target an enemy and button mash your way to victory. Lather, rinse, repeat. Do this until you can't stand it anymore. Some of the missions may be different - but only in name. Progress comes in the unlocking of cutscenes which is supposed to further the storyline but only manages to erode any sense of understanding that you may have had at the start. It really doesn't matter what's going on, because nothing's really going on.

Camera angles are loose which makes getting a visual on your enemies more difficult than need be. Keeping track of one or two enemies is quite easy since your lock-on will assist you by sending blasts directly at your favorite foe. As soon as a swarm comes in the camera will disorientate you, albeit temporarily, which can still cause you major grief. Often you will have to retreat like a scared child and attack with your ranged weapons. Finessing your way through a fight is not an option. Where's the fun?

Sharing the misery with another player via the split screen can be a delightfully sadistic pleasure. Why should you be the only one to have a crappy time? You might even want to go so far as to lend this game to people you don't particularly care for - because after they play it they won't particularly care for you.