10 Most Overrated Video Games Of All Time

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the world of video games has certainly evolved over the years. However, some titles seem to have garnered more hype than they deserve. In my humble opinion, one such game is Fortnite.

Over time, many outstanding games have been released, with a new Greatest of All Time (GOAT) being crowned each year. However, it’s also worth noting that some games receive excessive acclaim, only to disappoint when they are actually played.

I trust you’re feeling upbeat at the moment. However, it might not take long before you find yourself quite incensed, labeling this piece as one of the most dismal ever penned. Yet, such reactions seem to be part of the job, don’t they?

Every game on this list is a good game, but maybe, just maybe, it got more praise than it deserved.

10 Deathloop

Dishonored 3 This Is Not

The game titled “Deathloop” debuted during the early stages of the PlayStation 5, which might be one factor contributing to its widespread acclaim.

Across the board, we encountered outstanding reviews – perfect scores and figures implying this could well become the next must-play game.

After giving it a try, the participants discovered that it was essentially a common first-person shooter game, but what made it intriguing was a unique mechanic involving death and restarting the same sequence with the objective of eliminating eight characters before the time loop restarts.

Is it a bad game? No, far from it, but playing it shows this is far from a 10/10.

This game includes some impressive PS5 Dualsense features that enhance the combat, but the recurring elements, the unengaging and, honestly, irritating character Julianna, and the rather monotonous setting you’re obliged to traverse seem unlikely justifications for such a high rating.

9 Final Fantasy 9

It Just Wasn’t That Great

Many devoted fans of the Final Fantasy series strongly praise Final Fantasy 9, and indeed, it’s hard to argue with their sentiment.

It has the classic Final Fantasy trappings and is a tribute to how the series felt pre-Final Fantasy 7.

Regardless, it had weaknesses in specific aspects, preventing it from matching up against the giants in the series.

After the game Final Fantasy 8, which featured the contentious junction system, engaging limit breaks, and a mix of concepts that ranged from successful to less so, Final Fantasy 9 seemed rather lackluster in comparison.

Regarding the narrative, the story was compelling, yet it fell short in developing some characters’ backstories, leaving us yearning for more. Moreover, certain intriguing characters were excluded from joining our party, even though their inclusion seemed warranted based on their appeal.

In the narrative, Amarant, an intriguing figure who enters the plot later on, remains uninformed about his own past events.

Additionally, there’s the fearsome being named Quina, whose sole desire is devouring anything she can get her hands on. What little we understand of her is that she’s insatiably hungry.

While there’s no denying that Final Fantasy 9 is excellent, some might argue that it gets more praise than it deserves compared to other notable games within the same series.

8 God of War: Ragnarok

A Tone Shift That Doesn’t Fit

2022 saw God of War: Ragnarok triumphantly win multiple Game of the Year awards, and it was widely hailed as the peak of the series and a skillfully crafted finale. Yet, in several aspects, it fell short as a follow-up to the extraordinary 2018’s God of War.

The main problem lies in the fighting aspect. Although it offers moments of enjoyment, there’s an obvious shortage of creative ideas being implemented.

In four years of development, we got one new weapon, and it was an underwhelming one at that.

In the updated version, they eliminated the entire progression of close-quarter battles and lessened the occurrence of magical assaults, creating a battle system that felt remarkably restricted in comparison to the initial game, where Kratos appeared as an almighty deity during combat.

There is also the segment of Ironwood, which, for my money, is the worst 3 hours in gaming history.

Before delving into our discussion, let’s note that the narrative, as I see it, missed several opportunities to be a fitting successor to the initial video game.

Due to details like forgetting to follow up on Kratos’s Leviathan ax, being imbued with poison.

In another version of events, Santa Monica Studios may have overlooked developing the Dark Elves’ storyline further and instead had Kratos informed, “He has committed a serious error.” Furthermore, they potentially failed to continue building tension around Freya seeking revenge against Kratos.

Ultimately, the portrayal of Ragnarök feels more like a humorous exaggeration than an apocalyptic event. The highly anticipated showdown between Thor and Jormungandr is merely a fleeting glimpse in the background, lasting barely 5 seconds, leaving one with the impression of a poorly funded reenactment of Helms Deep’s battle instead of the end of days.

While God of War: Ragnarok is indeed an excellent game, it might not have quite reached the level of near-perfection that some critics initially claimed upon its release.

7 Metal Gear Solid V

What Could Have Been

Metal Gear Solid V is one of the biggest missed opportunities in gaming history.

The issues can be traced back to the tumultuous development cycle that eventually culminated in series creator, Hideo Kojima, leaving Konami for good.

As a gamer, I can’t help but admit that this game is hard not to love. Despite its challenges, it’s packed with so many fantastic elements that set it apart. The third-person combat system is nothing short of brilliantly designed, offering some stealth tactics that are truly top-notch. Plus, the freedom to approach missions in my preferred style makes each playthrough unique and engaging. Truly, this game has reached a level of excellence that’s hard to find elsewhere.

Unfortunately, surrounding that gameplay is a mess and an unfinished game.

As you progress in the game, it seems that some missions become repetitive, not by having identical goals but by being the same missions repeated verbatim.

After that, things only seem to deteriorate further. You reach a stage where an astonishing preview of chapter 2 unfolds before you. Exciting, large-scale scenes are hinted at. Chasing Liquid after he takes Metal Gear, it appears quite spectacular.

It finally looks like the real Metal Gear Solid is coming, and then the game ends. No resolution.

After that, it’s worth noting several aspects that seem amiss in the game. For instance, Snake, who is usually almost completely silent, appears to break this pattern. Furthermore, the villain, Skullface, lacks the menacing presence that one would expect from a character of his caliber. Lastly, the quirky charm that the series is renowned for seems to be absent after the initial mission in the game.

In contrast to typical expectations, “Metal Gear Solid V” generally underperforms across many aspects. Initially, it received much praise upon release, but in retrospect, it seems to have been excessively hyped.

6 Death Stranding

A Lack of Respect For Your Time

2019 saw Death Stranding as one of its most successful releases. This was the highly anticipated debut title from Hideo Kojima’s independent game studio, boasting a star-studded cast, with Norman Reedus taking the main character.

Exploring Open Critic reveals an abundance of high ratings, including numerous 100s and 90s, leading one to believe that we’re on the verge of another legendary game creation by the mastermind behind Metal Gear.

Unluckily, the majority of critics were misled by the game titled “Death Stranding“. Its gameplay revolves around the task of transporting parcels through a devastated America.

This results in endless retrievals, and hours on end of collecting packages that were dropped for one reason or another and, eventually, you just grow sick of it.

Between all that action, I find myself dodging the chilling Beast Titans or squaring off against them using one of the most bizarre boss concepts ever – flinging urine-filled grenades and blasting foes with bullets that ooze blood. Quite a creative twist, isn’t it? (Referring to Attack on Titan video game)

There is also a story that is so convoluted and full of bad writing that it makes Kingdom Hearts seem comprehensible by comparison.

Although our journey here isn’t over yet, there remains optimism. The upcoming sequel, Death Stranding 2, hints at a possible future where the series might bridge its divides. However, I’m not overly hopeful about it just yet.

5 Breath of the Wild

Pitchforks At The Ready

In a more casual and accessible manner: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was hailed as a reboot of the series in 2017 and even won Game of the Year, but despite it being an exceptional installment in the Zelda franchise, I’ve always found myself questioning the universal acclaim it received online.

The world seems desolate, and although it’s intriguing to delve into its mysteries, the side quests lack the richness of those found in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Instead, you’ll encounter more fetch missions.

The exploration is a let-down because no matter what cool weapon you find, it’s going to break.

That’s not hyperbole; it’s a game mechanic that will have you ripping your hair out as you frantically swap weapons on the fly.

Even the iconic Master Sword isn’t immune to this terrible mechanic.

Moreover, to emphasize the discrepancy between this game’s claimed perfection and reality, it’s worth questioning why there are so few elaborate dungeons to explore in a series like Zelda, which is renowned for its complex dungeon designs.

In many aspects, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild excels, particularly in areas such as combat, graphics, and open-ended gameplay.

However, I hold steadfast in my opinion that it ain’t flawless, and people need to accept that.

4 Red Dead Redemption 2

A Cowboy On Rails

Red Dead Redemption 2 stands as one of the most significant games from the last decade. Its visuals remain impressive to this day, a testament to its exceptional voice acting and character development. Moreover, it powerfully highlights the notion that gaming can be considered a form of art.

However, the essential query is: Isn’t it enjoyable to engage with Red Dead Redemption 2? Often, players find themselves pondering over this question during their gaming experience.

It seems that Rockstar aimed to establish a tone of hardship and despair, yet they neglected to incorporate enjoyable gameplay in several areas.

The mission layout is disappointingly restrictive, pushing players along a strictly linear route where deviations usually lead to ‘Mission Unsuccessful.’

As a passionate admirer, I must express that the gunfights feel somewhat antiquated and simplistic. While I understand and appreciate the historical context, I can’t help but wish for a more dynamic and modern take on firearm interactions. It doesn’t have to be a strict reenactment of the Wild West all the time.

Occasionally, something can simply offer enjoyment without striving for unyielding realism, and it’s quite amusing to note this, given the game includes a dramatic slow-motion feature reminiscent of Max Payne.

We all know this was a great game, but much like other entries on this list. It’s the unanimous and unwavering praise that seems a little shallow-minded and disingenuous. Still great, but a little bit overrated. Now, put your six shooters away.

3 Call of Duty Series

World War Yawn

For close to two decades, “Call of Duty” has remained a significant player within the gaming world, but as time passes, its initial novelty seems to be waning.

Year after year, this title is among the top sellers, and it achieves this not by making small innovations but rather by causing significant annoyance.

At this stage, it functions more like an ultimate gaming device, and the creators don’t hesitate to flood players with numerous in-game purchases.

In this game, you can only get character outfits, weapons, power-ups, and various other items by either spending real cash or investing a significant amount of time playing the game.

Year after year, players continue to purchase it, be it Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 or a new main installment. Nowadays, it seems that whatever content the game offers is immaterial; its popularity ensures sales will always be made.

It’s hard to blame Treyarch or Infinity Ward, but we need a full resurrection.

An offering that lacks in-game purchases, something fresh and unique, and a product that justifies the $70 annual fee we pay for playing a game that is largely unchanged from the previous version.

2 Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

Your Friendly Neighborhood Rehash

The much-anticipated release of Spider-Man 2 was buzzing through the air as it soared into the final months of 2023, carrying high hopes for Game of the Year accolades.

Although the game was enjoyable, there seemed to be an overwhelming eagerness among players for it to surpass Spider-Man 2018. As a result, so long as it didn’t turn out to be abysmal, it would be hailed as an extraordinary triumph.

The gameplay itself was also just a full rehash of a game from 5 years prior and Spider Man: Miles Morales.

They somehow decided that more Mary Jane missions were the move here, and again, they are awful.

In essence, the battle remained quite similar, and what’s puzzling is their choice to eliminate the power-suit features that added excitement when finding new suits in the initial game.

The sequel doesn’t compare to the original game’s narrative, as the first one had significantly greater personal implications. However, the twist revealing Venom as the main antagonist seems hasty, suggesting that both characters could have benefited from their own separate games to fully develop and explore each villain more extensively.

Without a doubt, this is a respectable addition to the series, yet its hastily done sections, underwhelming battles, and failure to surpass the original game have led some to consider it excessively praised.

1 Fortnite

A Stolen Idea, An Empire Born

In an unprecedented fashion, Fortnite has revolutionized the gaming world over the last eight years. It has earned the title of the most played game globally, and this is no exaggeration.

There’s no denying its impact on the gaming community, yet when it comes to the game itself, it doesn’t stand out as particularly extraordinary.

This game offers some pretty ordinary third-person shooting mechanics, refreshes familiar characters with modern twists, and keeps things simple with its straightforward construction features.

There are also far better Battle Royale’s out there as well, like Call of Duty: Warzone.

As a passionate gamer, I find myself questioning the influence Fortnite has on gaming aesthetics. Its distinctive graphical style seems to be seeping into various game genres, including Dragon Age: The Veilguard, leaving me wondering if Fortnite is, in some way, setting new trends in the gaming world.

As a dedicated gamer, I can confidently say that Fortnite has evolved beyond being just another game. It’s like the social media platform of the gaming world, offering interactive concerts right within its virtual realm.

Additionally, there are constant small purchases like microtransactions, season passes, and virtual currency to accumulate. It has even led to quite a frenzy, with children spending thousands of dollars merely to observe the game being played.

In the realm of video games, this behavior serves as a poor precedent, and unfortunately, it seems to have inspired numerous disappointing live-service games. These games, much like poison, can harm the overall health of the gaming industry.

Although it isn’t a poor game, one might assume from the hype that it is the best game ever made, but in truth, it seems to be more highly praised than it deserves and can be considered the most exaggeratedly acclaimed game overall.

2024-11-10 19:10