I juggle multiple games simultaneously. They usually span different consoles and different genres, but one thing always remained constant: at least one of them was a joy to play.

For the past week or so, I’ve been playing Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, Metroid: Other M and Medal of Honor’s MP. I am still putting time into Civilization V and Bad Company 2′s multiplayer occasionally, but they’re like comfort food — I go to them to escape the other games. The three games I’m focusing on are all middling. It seems like every time I sit down and play one of these three games, I die a little inside.

They’re not terrible or unplayable; they’re in stuck in limbo. Each one of them does something to irritate me.

• Castlevania: Lord of Shadow - Insufferably slow pace with a heavy dose of repetition. Sluggish framerate as well.
• Metroid: Other M - Embarrassing story cutscenes and numerous bewildering design decisions that make me say “Oh, c’mon! Really?!”
• Medal of Honor MP – Awful maps and modes. I cannot believe DICE made this.

I’m only playing Medal of Honor’s multiplayer because I want to give it a fair shake and to help my brother with his Trophy addiction. I could stop playing the other two games, but I am of the mindset that I should finish what I started — especially if I paid for it. And who knows? Maybe I’ll develop Stockholm syndrome with these torturous things.

It’s bad luck and poor decision making on my part. I was suckered in by $10 off deals, franchise affinity and mixed impressions.

Oh well, thank goodness for Civilization V.