10 Badly Reviewed Open-World Games That Are Actually Pretty Great

Looking back to the early 2000s, the concept of open-world gaming was just beginning to take shape. Few games dared to venture into this vast and expansive genre at that time, and even those that were successful, like GTA III from Rockstar, seem almost primitive when compared to modern standards.

It appears that every passing week brings another expansive open-world game competing for your focus.

Many of these games are both impressive and hard to put down. Yet, due to the competitive gaming market, there are numerous open-world titles that either overpromise or simply underperform. Instead of focusing on the unsuccessful games, let’s discuss the supposedly failed ones that actually have a lot of merit.

To provide a chance for these games to shine, let me share some underappreciated open-world games that are surprisingly enjoyable despite their negative reviews.

10. ARK: Survival Evolved

A Redemption ARK

Although the Nintendo Switch version of this game may not have received the best reviews, being quite the disaster as some might say, it’s important to note that ARK: Survival Evolved might be receiving more criticism than it deserves.

On one side, there are the criticisms about the game. It’s been pointed out that the game features an overwhelming amount of crafting and grinding, which is quite extensive even for a survival sandbox genre. Moreover, upon its release, the game was plagued with more bugs than an ant colony, and many of its mechanics can be frustratingly unpredictable, requiring constant struggle to function as intended.

Nevertheless, despite its flaws, ARK is a game that’s definitely worth exploring. It offers an awe-inspiring prehistoric setting teeming with exotic beasts, innovative mechanics that set it apart from other games, visually stunning graphics if your system can handle top settings, and numerous unpredictable gameplay scenarios waiting to unfold.

This game has a unique flavor that grows on you, and when it’s at its best, there simply isn’t another survival game quite like it. Unfortunately, similar problems seem to persist in ARK Survival Ascended, which means that ARK Survival Evolved remains the top choice for experiencing this dinosaur-taming adventure.

9. Outward

A Glorious, Gruelling Adventure

On numerous ‘Poorly Rated’ lists, the game Outward frequently appears, not because it lacks merit, but rather because it encompasses a multitude of genres, delivers an exceptionally immersive and fulfilling experience, and has often been subject to unfair criticism, whether referring to its initial release or the enhanced version.

It’s quite remarkable, actually. Outward seems to offer a bit of everything. It offers a fantasy setting reminiscent of Tamriel, allowing players to chart their own course in this harsh world, much like other popular survival sandboxes. Its combat is similar to the challenging style found in Dark Souls games.

It appears that numerous critics underestimated the greatness of this game due to its deliberately complex design. To excel at this game, one must strategize, exercise caution in their moves, and employ critical thinking skills to decide on the optimal path forward.

If you’re a fan of old-school RPGs that offer minimal guidance, Outward could be just what you’ve been waiting for! And the best part? It supports cooperative play, so grab a friend and embark on this adventure together – heading outward side by side.

8. Aka

A Slow Burn

Without hesitation, I’ll concede that Aka might not be an immediate hit for some, given its surface resemblance to games such as Animal Crossing. However, upon closer inspection, it’s a game with deeper narratives and significantly less instant rewards for those seeking a comforting gaming experience.

In simpler terms, this game offers a deeply moving and therapeutic journey for those who are open to experiencing it as intended. Unlike many games, it values tranquility and leisure over turning every activity into a challenge or competition.

This game concentrates on themes such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, the grim realities of war, and coping mechanisms (for humans or Red Pandas). It’s a slow-paced story, and many people felt scorched when it didn’t turn out to be the anticipated successor to Animal Crossing.

As a devoted gamer, I must confess that while the Nintendo Switch version of this game boasts some persistent issues according to reports, it delivers an extraordinary gaming experience that surpasses the skepticism suggested by the reviews.

7. Shadows of Doubt

Become A Maverick Cop

As a die-hard fan of detective games, I can’t seem to get my fill, yet the issue lies in their minimal replay value. After solving the mystery and mastering the key events, there’s hardly any incentive left to relive the experience again. It’s like reading a good book once and then having no desire to read it again, even though you enjoyed it so much.

In contrast, Shadows of Doubt offers an exclusive detective game environment that lets you explore a dynamic, procedurally generated universe full of fresh cases to unravel, murders to investigate, and numerous approaches to solve them.

This game is an extraordinary, engaging simulation with an innovative design. It might not have achieved mainstream fame because of its unique voxel-block visuals or because some tasks may be repeated as a result of its procedural gameplay structure.

In essence, this game requires effort proportional to the reward, so if you’re an imaginative, rule-bending detective with a flair for adventure, you’ll discover an abundance of engaging content in Shadows of Doubt.

6. Sea of Thieves

Yo Ho Ho

Initially, Sea of Thieves appeared to be on the verge of meeting a fate similar to that of Ubisoft’s failed pirate game, Skull and Bones, given its impressive status as a well-known success story nowadays.

Sea of Thieves initially appeared as a fun, whimsical title from Rare, brimming with brilliant concepts and memorable moments, along with unpredictable player interaction. Yet, at launch, these satisfying experiences were scarce, making the game feel somewhat sparse. It seemed more like a prototype than a fully realized product.

Back in the day, I found the game to be quite challenging due to griefers and lack of guidance for new players. But fast-forwarding to today, it’s been beautifully balanced to minimize those issues. The world is now brimming with quests and clear guidelines to help newcomers navigate, and the combat has been significantly improved, offering a rich variety of experiences. There are also countless random events and activities to keep me engaged when I’m not chasing treasures!

Although it didn’t initially begin as such, it’s undeniably part of the discussion about the greatest pirate game ever made. If you’re someone who enjoys a bit of sword fighting and treasure hunting, then this game should definitely be on your playlist.

5. Sonic Frontiers

Sonic’s Biggest Curveball

Over the years, it seems like Sonic has been taking quite a beating in the gaming world, primarily because his recent titles haven’t always met expectations. Some of these games have fallen flat, but even with a few missteps, I believe that Team Sonic is subjected to more criticism than they deserve.

Sonic Frontiers showcases a bold step by SEGA, introducing some of the most innovative and unconventional Sonic gameplay within an open-world environment. However, even though this game propels the Sonic series forward without relying on nostalgia to garner support, it was still criticized by many.

The open world of this game might not be overly exciting at first glance, its story may require some acquired taste, and it does have some awkward moments, much like other Sonic games. However, the platforming puzzles are thrilling and quite challenging, the bosses are impressive, and the game manages to appeal to both newcomers and dedicated Sonic fans alike.

To put it simply, this is a remarkable adventure that innovatively uses the Sonic Intellectual Property. It deserves recognition. And if one goes into it with the expectation that every Sonic game will be flawlessly polished, well, they might have set their expectations too high.

4. Maneater

Shark in the Water!

It often surprises me that more people don’t discuss Maneater, a game where you can experience a modern take on the Jaws storyline by playing as a Megalodon, the fearsome sea creature that causes havoc along the coastlines.

It seems likely that the negative feedback stems from two main factors: firstly, the game appears to be relatively brief compared to other open-world games; secondly, it has a more lighthearted approach which includes some comical scenes, which some players may find amusing while others might find them overly playful or even annoying.

Although it falls short on storyline depth and suspense, the game excels in its underwater gameplay, which surprisingly doesn’t disappoint, offers a blend of comical yet intense combat, and gradually advances your character from a small fish to a formidable force.

The game isn’t great with story or tension, but it’s awesome for swimming around underwater, the fights are funny and violent, and you start as a weak fish and end up as a killing machine.

This game confidently embraces its quirky nature, so I encourage you to give it a spin. If it doesn’t appeal to you, remember there are numerous other games available.

3. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

No Bugs, Just Bug Types

As a gamer, I must admit that my journey with the latest Pokemon games on the Nintendo Switch has been quite a rollercoaster ride. Transitioning from handheld to full 3D open-world adventures hasn’t always been seamless. Some titles, like Arceus, have truly shone and provided an exhilarating experience. However, others, such as Scarlet and Violet, seemed to stumble at the starting line initially but eventually found their footing.

At the outset, the problem was an overabundance of glitches in the game, including some amusingly bizarre ones suitable for satire, along with several technical flaws that severely compromised the enjoyment of the game for Pokemon enthusiasts who were simply eager to collect them all.

Although there are still some performance issues, I must say the game has significantly improved compared to earlier times. Most of the bugs have been nearly eliminated, making it possible to appreciate the game’s fantastic features from day one.

There’s a wealth of exciting territories to discover, and this story surpasses many formulaic efforts by Game Freak in previous times. It was initially met with criticism, but over time, it has emerged as arguably the finest contemporary Pokemon game available today.

2. Kingdom Come Deliverance

The Blueprint For KCD2

The overwhelming affection shown towards Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 by both fans and critics indicates that the initial, less favorable reviews it received upon its debut may have been somewhat unjustified.

Although it’s clear that the game served as a blueprint for the refinements found in KCD2, it’s remarkable how skillfully the original version was constructed, despite its rougher aspects.

In simpler terms, KCD maintains an engaging storyline, a medieval environment that makes living within it rewarding, and challenging RPG and survival mechanics that make even minor victories seem significant.

The original King’s Crown Development (KCD) had room for improvement when it came to onboarding new players, possibly not setting them up for success as effectively as it could have. Some aspects were more cumbersome than in the sequel. However, despite these shortcomings, KCD remains a remarkable game that you should revisit if you’ve exhausted KCD2.

1. Days Gone

B-Movie Story, A-Grade Gameplay

In simpler terms, it’s fair to acknowledge that the film adaptation of Days Gone might make even low-budget films wince, given its questionable script. However, if you can look past the inconsistencies in the storyline, the rest of Days Gone offers a cinematic experience worthy of a blockbuster hit.

In this thrilling saga reminiscent of The Last of Us, but with an expansive open-world setting, you’re tasked with gathering resources and employing a mix of sneaky tactics and shootouts when necessary.

Combining its remarkable zombie horde physics and mechanisms, which are arguably the best seen so far, with the thrilling experience of surviving an apocalypse, makes playing this game an exhilarating, explosive adventure, whether metaphorically or literally, based on your proficiency with explosives.

The game tends to last quite a while, but since its world is expansive, it’s worth sticking with it, especially if you approach it more as an open-ended playground rather than focusing on the narrative. If you can overlook the awkwardness that comes from the storyline, you’re in for some enjoyable gameplay.

2025-03-10 15:41