It feels like every new trailer hypes a video game up to be the next big thing in the industry.
As we all know, that’s not always the case. Despite being great at building expectations, video game trailers are often not indicative of the final product and can be misleading. As a result, it can lead to major disappointment.
With that in mind, let’s review the most disappointing games we’ve had to play.
Anthem
BioWare’s legacy speaks for itself, backed by great games like Knights of the Old Republic and Mass Effect.
With Anthem, they wanted to create a live-service game with a lasting legacy, but all they did was deliver a massive disappointment. Instead of a deep, well-written adventure with memorable characters, Anthem feels like a half-baked, generic looter shooter that fails to inspire.
Mass Effect: Andromeda
Speaking of BioWare, we need to have a frank discussion on Mass Effect: Andromeda.
The spin-off to one of the best gaming trilogies of all time felt like it didn’t understand what made its predecessors so great. These games were never about exploring procedurally generated worlds; they were about a rich story filled with characters voiced by incredible actors. Sure, the action is enjoyable, I guess, but Andromeda lacks the magic of past Mass Effect games.
Resident Evil 6
After Resident Evil 4 reinvented Capcom’s iconic franchise, Resident Evil 5 was a worthy follow-up.
Resident Evil 6, however, failed to live up to that legacy. Despite an ensemble cast featuring characters throughout Resident Evil’s past, RE6 is a gigantic cluster of a game. The franchise would have to, once again, reinvent itself with its next entry.
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Duke Nukem Forever
If you’re a game that’s been in development for over a decade, anything but greatness would be a failure.
In all honesty, though, Duke Nukem Forever had no chance. Given the issues at the original developer, 3D Realms, this isn’t exactly a surprise. Still, most people, myself included, wanted this story to have a happy ending. Sadly, it didn’t.
Overwatch 2
I’m not sure why Overwatch 2 exists.
The original Overwatch is one of Blizzard’s best games, whereas the sequel changed everything people knew and loved about the game.
It was such a disappointment that Blizzard has reverted the game to feel similar to the first Overwatch title.
Saints Row
The Saints Row franchise was undoubtedly the best GTA clones of the 2000s and early 2010s.
In 2022, the series saw a reboot, but failed to capture the magic of the original games. Never mind the bland, outdated gameplay; Saints Row felt like an unfinished game on release. There was no excitement with the franchise’s return, just massive disappointment.
Metroid: Other M
It’s unfortunate that the Metroid franchise has so many ups and downs.
Despite the success of Metroid Prime and its sequels, the franchise didn’t see many new games released in the 2010s. One possible reason is the failure of 2010’s Metroid: Other M.
Team Ninja, best known for the Ninja Gaiden games, handled development. However, that didn’t translate to a successful action adventure. Instead, it was a disappointing experience that didn’t feel like a Metroid game.
Evolve
Left 4 Dead is one of my favorite games of all time. It’s one of the best multiplayer shooters with plenty of co-op and competitive action. Sadly, Valve has put the franchise on ice.
Turtle Rock Studios, who developed the first Left 4 Dead game, tried to capture lightning in a bottle twice with 2015’s Evolve, featuring a 4v1 multiplayer aspect.
Unfortunately, it didn’t have the same depth or appeal as Left 4 Dead, leaving fans disappointed.
Payday 3
From one multiplayer shooter to another, the Payday franchise’s first two entries delivered fantastic co-op gameplay.
The third entry in the series, released in 2023, was an overly shallow experience that felt a little too similar to its predecessors.
Starfield
The first new Bethesda franchise in years, Starfield may be the game that proves Bethesda’s Western RPG gameplay formula is starting to feel outdated.
Part of what makes Bethesda’s games great is the ability to get lost in their open worlds, but Starfield‘s world feels disjointed and lacks character.
Deathloop
While Deathloop is a Bethesda game, development was handled by Arkane Studios, best known for their work on Dishonored.
There was a lot of anticipation that the FPS would deliver a unique experience the studio was known for, but instead, it felt like Deathloop came and went with a whimper.
It’s not like the game was critically panned, because it got good reviews. It just never connected with gamers.
Marvel’s Avengers
I don’t like to dogpile on a game, especially before release, but Marvel’s Avengers was dead on arrival.
I understand that there are licensing issues when it comes to acquiring the likeness to the MCU characters, but that didn’t stop Square Enix’s Marvel’s Avengers from feeling like a discount version of the iconic superheroes. Add frustrating live-service aspects, and you have the perfect recipe for a massive disappointment.
Kingdom Hearts 3
The biggest problem with the Kingdom Hearts franchise is that lost sight of what made these games great with every subsequent release.
Combining an approachable action adventure experience while interacting with iconic Walt Disney worlds and characters is a dream come true. Having to play the countless spin-offs to understand its incredibly confusing story is a nightmare, and that’s why Kingdom Hearts 3 is a massive disappointment.
Halo 4
Xbox Game Studios.
The first Halo game not developed by Bungie would always have an extra set of eyes on it, but Halo 4 would have crumbled either way.
It’s not a bad game, but it’s a massive misunderstanding of the Halo franchise and its lore, helping to start the unfortunate downfall of the once major franchise.
Spore
When Will Wright puts his name on a game, you pay attention. The man created SimCity and The Sims.
We hoped that 2008’s Spore would become just as legendary, but it fails to live up to Wright’s legacy. The controversy surrounding its Digital Rights Management didn’t help, but the gameplay failed to allow people to look past those issues.
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