The gameplay of Street Fighter V is excellent, and no matter what mode you play, the superb mechanics follow. Unfortunately, the content isn’t substantial, and omits several standard offerings that we’ve come to expect from the genre. It’s a shame that the structure presents so many frustrations, because the gameplay itself is entertaining.

It's a decent journey, but I felt like I was along for the ride instead of in the driver's seat. [Mar 2006, p.104]

The Full Spectrum Warrior series has given inspiration to "Brothers in Arms" and 360's "Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter", but is still lacking some of its own. [Apr 2006, p.116]

A rookie with solid fundamentals. [Apr 2002, p.82]

Multiplayer now includes online play, but most people will probably focus on bettering their online time trial rankings.

As the first entry in the Famicom Detective Club series, The Missing Heir gives you a chance to experience a key point in visual novel history. Piecing together this mystery and seeing where it leads has this undeniable appeal. However, while the new graphics offer a beautiful leap in quality, this remake doesn’t alter some of the more archaic aspects of the experience, or even attempt to make the characters or story more interesting to keep with modern times. If anything, it’s an enticing way to look back at the history of this franchise, which I’m glad to have as it satiates my curiosity about this classic series. Unfortunately, it doesn't make more of an impact than that.

Speaking of strategy, Wolfenstein is in dire need of a new one. Grinding through waves of predictable enemies in corridors is no way to pay homage to the franchise’s unquestioned legacy in the genre.

Medal of Honor: Airborne sprinkles minor moments of brilliance though a minefield of questionable game design. Fans of the series will experience some memorable gunfights, but if you’re a casual gamer looking for a great World War II title, stick with Call of Duty.

The game fails to innovate on its early mechanics, and it can feel like a chore to master some of the later levels. [Apr 2011, p.96]

Add in the fact that this game features a paltry six international leagues (as opposed to the over 20 of some past FIFAs), the double-team defensive feature still doesn’t work, players’ collision fields are too large, the AI shows very little movement in the box on your corner kicks, and that shots and passes have little accuracy, and you’ll find that this game has taken steps back which counter its promising progress – not unlike the American national squad.

Good, but not good enough. [Apr 2003, p.93]

The game fails to innovate on its early mechanics, and it can feel like a chore to master some of the later levels. [Apr 2011, p.96]

My party of seven felt like a little army when explosive Arts and flashy Ouroboros combos lit up an already-chaotic battlefield. And the quality-of-life improvements like customizable shortcut hotbars and in-game GPS streamlined menu-surfing and traversal. Still, the narrative and world designs left much to be desired as critical plot twists are frustratingly obvious, character growth is virtually nonexistent, and navigation in each uninspired environment proves to be a tiring exercise. Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is a double-edged sword that needs a bit more sharpening.

Star Trek: Bridge Crew nails something that franchise fans have long desired: a chance to control a starship, tap out commands on a console, and work together as a team. But Star Trek is also about character interactions, moments of discovery, and stories that address the human condition. Without any of that flavor, something feels off in the endless torpedo launches and ship scans. As a VR experience, Star Trek: Bridge Crew is another step forward for the medium, offering some of the most compelling interpersonal communications, cooperation, and deep presence in a shared space that I’ve yet seen. I’d love to see Ubisoft continue to iterate on this franchise; the core mechanical systems here are solid, and the rest of the Star Trek fantasy would fill in some notable gaps.

There were so many aspects of this game that showed promise, but I winced in pain as I watched each one fail to attain noteworthy heights. [Dec 2004, p.175]

Is it great? Heck no. Does it offer little substance, but an enjoyable handful of thrills? It does, more often than not. [Aug 2005, p.97]

This game's visuals are more a bitter pill for the eyes than a feast, and most of your time is spent jamming on the A button; but I couldn't help but enjoy Dark Legacy. [May 2002, p.84]

The buttons can be unresponsive, and the pace is slower than it should be. On the upside, flatland tricks live up to the hype; you can string great combos together. [Sept 2002, p.80]

The art direction, character design, and storytelling are all top notch. [Nov 2004, p.146]

Obduction’s gradually unfolding setting is compelling, and its narrative answers your big questions while leaving enough ambiguity to uphold a sense of mystery. A few exceptional puzzles reproduce the best of the genre’s glory days but the gameplay moments filling the space between them are too uneven and unrefined. Since it comes from the same creative talent, Obduction clearly takes some pages from Myst’s book, but these excerpts only result in flashes of greatness rather than a true successor.

The problem is – despite everything mentioned above – the game isn’t that fun. While Charged is an improvement over the original, it still piles on so much craziness that it buries itself with simplistic gameplay.

This final PS2 installment doesn’t move the franchise forward, but it does take us all along for a ride into its past. With a collection of goodies for fans of the franchise, this budget-priced game offers some thrills but fails to stand particularly well on its own.

Team Sonic Racing delivers a fun, easy-to-play experience that bolsters its adequate gameplay with distinct flavors to help it stand out from the rest of the genre. Unfortunately, the core gameplay provides mediocre action, limiting the fun of the otherwise promising racer.

From its old school design to its gameplay struggles, Prototype resembles a superhero who leapt off a building only to realize he doesn’t possess the power to fly. I hate to say it, but picture a frustrating Spider-Man game, and you have a good idea of what this experience has to offer.

Inferno is the definitive version of Alone in the Dark.

If you're interested in Moon Diver, play halfway through the game by yourself to gain some levels, collect various magic, and get used to the structure. Then fire up multiplayer and never look back.

While Harry Potter doesn't offer much innovation for the LEGO franchise, it at least puts it back on track.

Soul Sacrifice has some shining components, and should hold its head high. The depth of weapon customization, strategic layer of combat, and robust multiplayer offerings kept me invested and having fun – even in the face of frustration.