The problem lies in how far apart these missions are in relation to each other, making it seem like the developers are forcing you to explore the world instead of giving you the option.

The visuals hit the mark, and there’s a huge roster of fighters here, but the odd camera work and control issues don’t work in the game’s favor.

Casual players may find the game entirely too complicated. It’s not an easy game to pick up if you haven’t been playing the series since day one.

Misfires slightly as a stand-alone first-person shooter, as it's not deep enough to warrant too much replay. But in connection with the Guncon2, the game outshines any recent competitors.

Not-too-bright enemies coupled with garish graphics are both a lesson in frustration and an eyesore. It takes a lot of the fun out of blasting a floating brain type when the aforementioned baddie looks more like a smudge than a foe.

It's fast and easy to play, and it looks terrific. At least the cars do. Serious car culture enthusiasts and a very select group of auto-manga readers will dig it, but its dusting of drawbacks leave it just barely on the three-star side of the rating scale.

One area that the game is really lacking in, however, is its soundtrack.

Final Fantasy II is the first to truly deliver that experience of being transported to a world filled with fluffy yellow birds and medieval flying machines.

Juiced can be highly irritating at some times and completely unfair at others. Why, for instance, do you have to help pay to repair other racers' cars yet no one helps you get your car back into racing shape?

Just don’t expect something radically different from what we’ve all be playing for the past 8 years or so.

The game isn't particularly original, creative, or inspired, but for fans of the movie and parents looking for an entertaining, if harmless division for their kids, this is a good choice.

Not only does the commentary get old after a few games, but Ralph Lawler and Van Earl Wright, who provide the play-by-play commentary, sound eerily alike. The commentary may be accurate and colorful, but it'll be one of the first things you'll turn off when you want to concentrate on gameplay.

If you can get past the long loading times and come to grips with the busted controls, Tiger Woods offers so much.

For many, it will simply be the fantastic graphics and sound that seal the deal.

Offers up some fun, mindless action that fizzles out rather quickly. It's an easy game to pick up and dive right into, but for a single player, it's a weekend rental at best.

A more robust story line, more variety in combat, and greater length would help a lot. But the game is still extremely enjoyable for what it is -- a hack-and-slash weekend time filler.

For most gamers, this is a prime rental, able to provide a few hours distraction. But for 40 bucks, only the most dedicated players will get their money's worth.

Fate certainly isn’t the most innovative title out there. In fact, it’s quite easily labeled as a "Diablo" clone, and inherits its predecessor’s endlessly repetitive combat and gameplay. However, this game also somehow manages to stay fun hour after hour.

The lame dialog and acting shatters any real delusions of drama, as do the irritating glitches and the surprise ending, reminding you that this is just a game after all.

A fun game with great characters and level design, and plenty of gameplay. While the graphics aren’t as good as they should be, this port comes from a solid pedigree that manages to shine through.

Succeeds where other fitness-oriented programs fail because you are literally an active participant in the program instead of mimicking steps or following commands.

It isn't dross, but it probably works best as a quick rental, even for speed junkies.

It's sad to see the interesting features such as light versus dark and co-op play get shunted to the sidelines in favor of the same stuff we've been experiencing for years.

It's just sort of a bummer not to see anything new brought to the table other than a digital Steven Tyler (which actually looks less freakish than the real Steven Tyler).

Veteran platformers will make it through with little challenge, but that detriment makes it perfect for less experienced, older, or much younger players looking for a cute diversion.

A reliable, if unremarkable shooter. If only the story had been better reflected in actual gameplay we'd be getting somewhere.

A rental and possible purchase for fans. For anyone else, "hack Part 4: Quarantine is a repetitive action-RPG that isn't as interesting as its concept and is almost impossible to enjoy independently of the series.

Resident Evil 5 is mired in poor design decisions that drag down the experience and render single-player campaign a tedious exercise in working around the game. It’s frustrating to see a game that I so looked forward to playing and carried with it such potential, sabotage itself in so many ways. Compared against the ambition of games like Bioshock, Mass Effect, and Assassin’s Creed; Resident Evil 5 seems timid, unwilling to move out of its comfort zone. It’s a shame.