10 Best Games That Aren't Fun (But Are Worth Playing)

In essence, many people often turn to video games as an escape from daily life, a chance to relax and unwind. They provide a fun diversion, helping us momentarily forget about our routine tasks or troubling global happenings.

Every now and then, games come out that might not meet typical measures of enjoyment, but their concepts are presented in such a thoughtful, moving, or unusual manner that they become “essential plays,” even if the traditional fun aspect is scarce or absent completely.

These games demand a specific mental readiness. They offer titles that can stir strong emotions, even provoking existential questions. While it’s true we often seek video games for amusement, there is also immense worth in traversing these profound narratives that delve deeper than many others in their genre.

The majority of the games listed here are likely to be played just once, and that’s perfectly fine. These games predominantly offer a compelling storyline rather than intense gameplay, which usually means you won’t find much reason to play them again.

After covering the essentials, let’s explore ten engaging games that might not always provide pure enjoyment, but surely offer value for your investment of time.

10.
Maquette

Love, Loss, And Moving On

As a player immersed in the captivating world of Maquette, I found myself navigating through a heartfelt puzzle adventure. At its essence, this game is a journey delving into the intricate backstory of the protagonist, recounting his tale of love’s bloom, the disintegration of that relationship, grappling with loss, and ultimately, making a choice to forge ahead in life.

The puzzles within this game aren’t poor by any means, and the dioramas depicting various stages of a romantic relationship, both thriving and waning, are visually captivating and a joy to observe. However, it should be noted that as the game progresses, some levels carry a melancholic and somber atmosphere.

Despite the fact that you might not finish this game due to its engaging gameplay alone, as your movements are rather limited and somewhat sluggish, and most puzzles involve adjusting the perspective of diorama pieces to advance through the narrative.

In other games, there might be more excitement or intricate puzzles, but the deep emotional depth of Maquette stands out uniquely within its genre. It’s a game that’s definitely worth playing till the end, as it provides a satisfying resolution to the protagonist’s heartache.

Certain stages are crafted for you to leisurely explore and contemplate the surroundings, proving effective even with minimal interactive elements.

9.
Gone Home

A Haunting House

Instead of saying Gone Home can be simplified as a walking simulator, it’s more accurate to explain that the game primarily involves exploring your family’s house in Oregon at a leisurely pace while examining various items like letters, bills, photos, and magazines scattered throughout.

This game flourishes less on conventional forms of amusement, instead focusing on mystery, ambiance, and an overall sense of sorrow and solitude. It lacks elements like combat, dynamic action sequences, and the presence of other characters.

But none of that disqualifies Gone Home from being an interesting and great game in its own right.

Occasionally, it can give the sensation of being in a suspenseful horror flick, but at other times, it’s like uncovering the secrets of a family soap opera. These individuals, whom you believed to be familiar, turn out to have depths that you never suspected existed, having hidden these complexities from your awareness for years.

Although it’s not particularly enjoyable, this brief 2-hour or so journey is still worth undertaking since you’ll discover various facets – dark, sad, amusing, and even unexpected – about those dear to you throughout the process.

8.
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice

Truly Gets Inside Your Head

Back in 2017, Hellblade made quite a splash in the gaming community upon its debut. Its unique and captivating approach earned it widespread acclaim, eventually leading to a follow-up in 2024. However, I personally find the original game more impactful as it presented its concepts more effectively overall.

Hellblade showcases breathtaking visuals and captivating world creation, boasts an engaging narrative, and features some of the finest audio design in gaming’s illustrious history. It’s highly recommended to experience it with quality headphones, a tip you wouldn’t want to miss out on.

As a devoted admirer, let me share my perspective: I embody Senua, our resilient protagonist, who grapples with the challenges of schizophrenia throughout her journey. Her life has been marked by hardships that this condition has brought upon her. You’ll be privy to every voice echoing in her mind, each self-doubt and derogatory thought she harbors, as well as every chilling hallucination that torments her. Each time I perish within the game, the darkness only deepens.

This concept is remarkably fresh and captivating, offering a distinctive gaming experience hard to forget. However, this game leans heavily towards serious topics and challenges, sacrificing some elements of enjoyment for a deeper emotional impact.

frankly speaking, the gateway riddles can get quite frustrating and hard to understand, and the battles within the game aren’t very exciting or captivating.

Instead of battling for exhilarating triumphs, you’re here for the atmosphere this game provides. However, the value it offers makes the cost of entry absolutely justified; it’s just not a game you’d typically replay following your initial playthrough.

7.
This War Of Mine

A Largely Unexplored Type Of War Game

In essence, “This War Of Mine” is a side-scrolling survival game set in a war-torn city devastated by conflict. Unlike other games on the list, it has a unique mechanic, but fundamentally, it’s about surviving amidst the chaos and unpredictability of a warzone where you have minimal control over the situation.

In contrast to many other games set in similar environments, you won’t be commanding a soldier embarking on thrilling adventures with rewards like strategic headshots. Instead, This War Of Mine offers a different experience.

Or:

Unlike most games where we direct a soldier undertaking exhilarating missions to protect his people and score impressive headshots, This War Of Mine deviates from that formula.

Or:

Most video games in similar settings have us controlling soldiers who enjoy action-packed missions and earn rewards with skillful headshots. But not This War Of Mine. Instead, it presents a unique gameplay experience.

If I had to pick a single word to encapsulate this game, it would be “overbearing.” As you might guess, such a game is not one that offers relaxation or escape from the harsh realities of life.

The Game ‘The War of Mine’ places you right amidst a struggle for existence – an ordeal that we fervently wish no one ever has to endure in reality. Yet, it serves as a stark reminder that such hardships are unfortunately experienced by people worldwide.

This game presents you with challenging moral conflicts, encounters with life and death situations, depictions of pain and aggression, as well as both the darkest and most noble facets of humanity – simultaneously.

As a passionate enthusiast, I must admit that delving into this topic isn’t light-hearted or enjoyable, but it carries an undeniable importance and impact. It’s one of those experiences you shouldn’t miss when you’re prepared to face something so profoundly somber.

6.
The Last Of Us Part 2

Revenge, Isolation, and Pain

Although The Last of Us Part 2 stands out as the most thrilling and lively among the listed games, it doesn’t fall under any category I’d describe as “fun.

Sure thing!

This game is weighed down by its focus on revenge and violence, making it feel too dark and serious from start to finish instead of just being a fun adventure.

Absolutely, I get where you’re coming from. The Last of Us Part II is generally hailed as a pinnacle of video game craftsmanship and narrative, yet it’s undeniably heavy-hearted for the most part.

As a fervent enthusiast, I must confess that I’ve found myself privy to a significant plot twist in this captivating game. This revelation, unveiled within the initial stages of my adventure, subtly foreshadows an arduous journey ahead. The tales of Ellie and Abby, woven throughout the world, are rife with intense pain, each for unique reasons that I’ve had the solemn privilege to bear witness to during gameplay. Every harrowing detail unfolds before my eyes, leaving me deeply moved by their experiences.

By the finale, if you share my taste, you might find yourself gazing blankly at the screen as the credits unfold, experiencing an emptiness that few other video games can evoke quite so profoundly.

Investigating the real-world depiction within the game can be acceptable, yet it seldom offers much excitement. There are numerous tasks that feel monotonous, such as activating a generator to unlock a gate, which leads you to another unremarkable scene.

In this rephrased version, I’ve aimed to maintain the original meaning while using more natural and conversational language. The focus is on making the text easy to read and understand without sacrificing clarity or sophistication.

Playing this game isn’t exactly enjoyable, but I find myself utterly captivated by the intense feelings it provokes. There seems to be no other game quite like it in this regard.

This game isn’t particularly entertaining, but it has a unique ability to stir deep emotions within me, unlike any other game I’ve played.

5.
The Banner Saga

I’m Here For The Art And Story

In The Banner Saga, the core action centers around strategic, grid-based battles where you lead a group of fantastical companions against an adversarial race known as the Dredge.

This gameplay isn’t exceptionally innovative or unique for its genre, and at times, it may even seem somewhat ordinary, hindering the overall gaming experience.

The gameplay is not overly original within this genre, and at moments, it can appear quite commonplace, potentially detracting from the enjoyment of the game as a whole.

That’s because the art, characters, story, and writing in The Banner Saga are simply exceptional, which makes engaging in grid battles feel somewhat like a tedious task or an obligatory aspect to maintain its status as a video game. Despite this, you might find yourself more captivated by other aspects of the game rather than the gameplay itself.

Absolutely, it’s exciting that your party members can perish permanently when they’re defeated in combat. However, I find that this feature turns the game into a more distressing and sorrowful experience rather than an enjoyable one.

At the conclusion of this game, you’ll face one of the most challenging decisions I’ve encountered in my gaming history, a choice that remains vivid in my memory even after all these years have passed.

While the turn-based combat in The Banner Saga may not be exceptionally fun for a super enjoyable experience, the rest of its gameplay elements are undeniably outstanding.

4.
Detroit: Become Human

A Little Cute With QTEs

As a gamer, if you’ve dabbled in any of Quantic Dream’s previous masterpieces like Heavy Rain or Beyond: Two Souls, you might have had a sneaking suspicion about Detroit: Become Human. These games are more about immersive storytelling through branching narratives, with the gaming aspect taking a slightly backseat.

Detroit: Become Human can be described as a traditional point-and-click adventure game, enhanced by numerous Quick Time Events (QTEs). These QTEs play a significant role in determining the success of your android characters throughout their journeys, and if you manage to keep them all alive until the final chapter.

In video games, I don’t have a problem with Quick Time Events (QTEs), but what stands out in Quantic Dream games is that they heavily rely on them. To such an extent that QTEs seem to be the main form of gameplay in their games, aside from exploring the environment and interacting with it.

Without a doubt, although the gameplay itself may not seem particularly enjoyable, the storyline and dialogue are exceptionally gripping, as you grapple with the complexities of artificial intelligence rights in a dynamic and transforming America. What’s intriguing is that this narrative grows increasingly pertinent as we become more distanced from it.

This game functions as an interactive narrative, similar to a “pick-your-path” story. Each decision you make significantly impacts the plot, offering numerous storylines and various conclusions that will entice you to replay it, even though the game itself doesn’t involve any particularly thrilling actions on your part.

3.
The Walking Dead

A Thoroughly Bleak Adventure Game

Over the last decade, I found myself drawn to Telltale Games’ unique blend of adventure titles, many of which were built around fresh concepts, yet often stemmed from well-loved, blockbuster franchises I adore.

The television series “The Walking Dead” played a pivotal role in the ultimate achievement of this team’s success. Regrettably, they were unable to replicate the unique charm that made “The Walking Dead” so exceptional, and never managed to do so again.

As a devoted gamer, I can tell you that The Walking Dead, back then, had its fair share of imperfections. It wasn’t exactly smooth sailing, as it often struggled to run smoothly. Moreover, the unique in-house engine that Telltale Games used for this game was a minefield of severe bugs and optimization problems. These glitches persisted across their releases like an unwanted guest, causing trouble for years.

Despite its simple adventure game mechanics and an abundance of Quick Time Events that may not elicit cries of joy, The Walking Dead’s storyline was so captivating that the gameplay shortcomings were largely overlooked.

In this tale, the quality of the narrative and characters is simply exceptional. Prepare to face tough decisions about survival, as you grapple with life-or-death scenarios in this rendition of a zombie pandemic.

It appears that the game’s narrative is captivating enough that one might find themselves overlooking the numerous gameplay issues while immersed in it. By the end, you may even find yourself shedding tears as a true gamer would.

2.
Papers, Please

A Dire Desk Job

Despite its seemingly ordinary theme, Papers, Please stands out remarkably well, delivering an extraordinary gaming experience.

In this imaginary nation, you serve as a customs officer. Your primary duty involves reviewing documents submitted by individuals seeking entry and making decisions based on the evolving guidelines issued by superior authorities, with the ultimate goal of permitting approved applicants to proceed within our borders.

Disputes may arise concerning individuals’ legal residency within the nation, leading to potential conflicts with higher-ups if handled incorrectly. Moreover, every decision you make has a direct influence on the paycheck you receive at the close of each workday, which is essential for supporting your own family economically.

Here, there’s primarily text-based interaction rather than traditional gameplay. You’ll find yourself immersed in plenty of reading, balancing tasks, and deciphering sometimes vague directives from above. The final decision-making process, when it comes to the individual before you, involves either stamping ‘approved’ or ‘denied’ on the paperwork.

This story might seem straightforward and less thrilling at first glance, but it beautifully explores profound real-world topics like humanity, power, governance, strife, prejudice, and endurance. It’s an enriching experience for these reasons alone, and also offers a fresh viewpoint on the world that you may not have previously contemplated.

1.
That Dragon, Cancer

A Devastating Slice Of Life

If you’re familiar with That Dragon, Cancer, you were expecting it. This isn’t at all a light-hearted video game, rather, it’s a powerful piece of art that was indispensable and worth experiencing by all.

As a gamer, let me share my thoughts about an exceptional game titled “That Dragon, Cancer.” If you’re new to this one, it delves into the heart-wrenching tale of a real-life family who received the devastating news that their one-year-old son, Joel, was diagnosed with cancer. The game takes you along on their emotional journey, from the initial diagnosis to the heartbreaking and unfortunate loss of Joel at just 5 years old. It’s a powerful narrative that touches your soul and leaves an indelible mark.

In the game, you get a remarkably authentic perspective on the experience, as the creators themselves are the ones who raised Joel.

The gameplay offers a distinctive blend of abstraction and originality at times, allowing players to feel the raw intensity and sorrow of various narrative segments that span from extraordinarily surreal to heart-wrenchingly real. Only a handful of other games have ventured so deeply into authentic human struggles, pain, and mourning.

This game may not be a place you wish to return to in the future, yet the experience offers a unique and profound insight into the personal and emotional aspects of its creators and their loved ones, making it an exceptional privilege to witness.

Reflecting on this, you might find yourself deeply moved by the family’s sorrow, thankful for your own blessings, mournful for the loved ones you’ve lost, and perhaps, more determined to cherish the moments with those dear to you.

2025-04-30 16:42

10 Best Games That Aren’t Fun (But Are Worth Playing)