10 Great Video Games That Come Close to Perfection

Immersive worlds, imperfect play

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt follows Geralt of Rivia as he searches for his adoptive daughter, Ciri, pursued by spectral hunters who want to exploit her powers. Its detailed world and side quests create room for spontaneous adventures and subtle lore.

Some fans, however, find the gameplay loop repetitive and the movement clunky, particularly when riding Roach. Combat can also grow stale, tempering the impact of the game’s expansive worldbuilding.

Ambition meets technical limits

In Subnautica, a crash landing leaves the player on a largely ocean-covered planet. Exploring, gathering resources and crafting machines are key to finding a way off the planet, whether by building a ship or being rescued.

The open world invites players to uncover its secrets, but technical limitations can bring frame drops, rendering errors and poor performance in some areas. Super Mario Sunshine faces different problems: its vacation setting on Isle Delfino gives way to a quest to clear Mario’s name after he is framed.

The platformer’s difficulty spikes and issues with blue coin tracking, physics and collision can frustrate players. Those technical flaws keep it from standing among the strongest 3D Mario games.

Strong mechanics, mixed reactions

Control centers on Jesse, the new director of the Federal Bureau of Control, as she confronts strange phenomena in the Oldest House and searches for her brother. Its kinetic action makes the power system engaging, but the building’s shifting, layered layout can be difficult to navigate and disorienting.

Fire Emblem: Engage sends the awakened Divine Dragon to collect 12 emblem rings and defeat the Fell Dragon Sombron. Fans have praised its addictive gameplay, while its story has drawn criticism for being underwhelming, campy and corny, with thinly developed protagonists.