What Games Were Considered Good but Eventually Flopped? Gamers Weigh In

image of assassin's creed valhalla
Credit: Ubisoft

image of assassin's creed valhalla
Credit: Ubisoft

No Man’s Sky is an exceptionally wonderful game that had a rough start. Developer Hello Games worked hard on the game and made various improvements, resulting in NMS receiving many awards.

Such cases are rare in gaming, but developers who are dedicated to their craft have proven time and time again that games can be improved no matter how they are launched.

More often than not, many critics positively reviewed some games that eventually flopped due to unforeseen issues. An avid gaming fan shared their thoughts about these games, which made fellow fans think about how these titles missed the mark.

Originally posted by user u/lessthanfox on the gaming subreddit, the user asked what titles were bad games in hindsight. They thought of the 1987 game Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest. Initially, the game was received well by critics but was then reviewed negatively in retrospect. Poor localization and complex elements took away what could’ve been a positive reception for the game.

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Many gaming fans share what games they thought of, given the example, and several players mention critically acclaimed games such as Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Hogwarts Legacy, Helldivers 2, and Starfield.

What all these games have in common is the initial hype through marketing and reviews. While each of these titles plays differently, the similarity of having the feeling of a declining experience plagued these games, according to avid gamer fans.

One fan shared a breakdown of their experience playing Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, saying that the first few hours were excellent, but the way Ubisoft created the narrative made the game feel like a slog.

On the other hand, Starfield initially received mixed reviews and high player expectations due to being Bethesda’s latest IP. The game has since started declining, but an upcoming DLC hopes to turn the tides for the space exploration RPG.

Helldivers 2 had a unique case with a massive positive reception from its fans, but it eventually declined due to some weapon nerfs and gameplay changes.

Another recent title, Hogwarts Legacy, lets players experience Hogwarts in an open-world setting, but it starts to lack towards the end with its empty world.

image of an astronaut in Starfield
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Credit: Bethesda

While modern games have access to better technology and hardware, they also suffer from early hype and expectations set by the media and critics. Titles like Black Myth: Wukong and Astro Bot are prime examples of how games can properly utilize technology and marketing to deliver results consistent with player expectations. With the current state of gaming, publishers and developers may have to set proper expectations and provide quality products to sustain their games’ marketing and reception.

Regardless of whether you will be playing cult-classic retro games or diving into the latest AAA game, be sure to stay updated with the latest gaming community news and stories by following Gfinity Esports.

READ MORE: The Vanishing Act of Stealth Games, Where Did They Go?

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