Usually "too short" usually just means too short. There are plenty of games that introduce various cool mechanics, and they might start to fit together like a glorious puzzle for a short stage...and then its over. Or the storyline makes a clumsy dash towards an abrupt and unearned finale.
The only time "too short" is meaningless in my eyes is when reviewers complain a game is too short for the launch asking price. The review will never be altered, though the asking price certainly will.







