8 Great Open-World Games With “Mixed” Reviews On Steam

Open-world games are incredibly popular, so many developers are now creating them. However, players demand amazing graphics and smooth performance, and even well-made games sometimes struggle to deliver everything fans expect.

As a PC gamer, it really frustrates me that so many developers focus on consoles first. We often get the raw end of the deal! These open-world games can be amazing, but the PC versions frequently launch with performance problems and a lack of clear communication from the developers. It’s a shame, because it really hurts their reputation on Steam, even if the core game is good.

Borderlands 4

Performance Issues And Randy Pitchford’s Incendiary Comments Have Angered Fans

A fourth *Borderlands* game had the potential to be a big success for the developers, particularly because the previous installment left some players wanting more. While the game offered fun shooting and collecting gameplay, and was great to play with friends, many PC players experienced frustrating performance issues, even on powerful computers.

Adding to the problems, Gearbox Software CEO Randy Pitchford has been blaming players and their older computer parts for the game’s issues, which many disagree with. While the graphics in *Borderlands 4* aren’t pushing visual boundaries, Pitchford’s critical comments have angered fans and fueled concerns about the game’s performance.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

Another Game That Is Suffering From Performance Issues On PC

Many players were excited when *Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024* came out, as the concept of flying realistic planes through detailed environments was very appealing. While the PC version had some performance problems, fans generally expected the developers to fix them with updates… but that hasn’t quite happened.

The game suffered from both slow updates and new bugs introduced with each fix, leading to frequent crashes for many players. This has understandably upset the Steam community, as reflected in the overwhelmingly negative reviews.

ARK: Survival Ascended

Just Like Its Predecessor, The Game’s Unoptimized State Has Angered Many Fans

ARK: Survival Evolved was known for being demanding on computers (its large file size was a clue!), but players still enjoyed its immersive survival experience, particularly when playing with friends. Now, with the release of ARK: Survival Ascended, a remastered version, fans hoped the original game’s performance issues would be resolved.

I’m really torn about this game. The core survival stuff is so addictive, just as good as it ever was! But honestly, the performance is a mess. It’s running even worse than the original *Survival Evolved* did, and that’s saying something, especially with all the visual improvements. It’s frustrating because I love the game, but it’s hard to support a developer who doesn’t seem to listen to our feedback – you can really see that in the Steam reviews, everyone’s feeling the same way.

Monster Hunter Wilds

Capcom Has Taken Way Too Long To Address The Performance Issues On PC

Monster Hunter Wilds got off to an amazing start, with huge sales and big expectations for the future of the series. A new story mode made the game more accessible for newcomers, and longtime fans were excited for continued updates and content.

PC gamers were disappointed with the game’s poor performance, and Capcom’s explanation – blaming the high cost of PlayStation 5 consoles – only made things worse. On Steam, players strongly dislike practices that seem to prioritize profit over customer value, and even great games can receive negative reviews for being too expensive.

Infinity Nikki

The Developer’s Greed Is Negatively Affecting Reviews

Infinity Nikki had a successful launch, representing a significant evolution for the Nikki series and offering a different kind of gameplay experience compared to Genshin Impact. While Genshin Impact allows players to enjoy the game fully without spending money, Infinity Nikki doesn’t offer the same possibility.

While a few required purchases weren’t ideal, the real damage to the game’s reputation came from its poor performance on PC. The 1.5 Update was widely considered a failure, and it will take a lot of work for *Infinity Nikki* to regain players’ trust.

Starfield

Disappointed Many Fans, But Not Meeting Their High Expectations Doesn’t Mean The Game Is Totally Irreedemable

While *Starfield* might not reach the heights of some of Bethesda’s best titles, it’s still a very enjoyable game. If you’re looking for a large-scale sci-fi adventure and don’t mind a lot of similar-looking planets and frequent loading screens, you’ll likely have a great time.

While some players are enjoying *Starfield*, others, particularly on Steam, strongly dislike it. This has made *Starfield* a very polarizing game, sparking intense reactions – people either love it or hate it, with very little middle ground.

Need For Speed Unbound

It’s A Shame That The Game’s Overbearing Grind Takes Away From The Amazing Racing And Gorgeous Visuals

Need for Speed Unbound had a chance to build on the success of Heat and really elevate the modern Need for Speed series. The game’s unique art style is visually appealing, and its focus on underground street racing culture resonates with many players.

Many players feel this game took a step forward but ultimately fell short. Constant police chases and repetitive gameplay were major complaints, leading some fans to believe *Unbound* isn’t living up to its promise on Steam.

Halo Infinite

The Single-Player Is Immaculate — The Multiplayer Is What Rubs Fans The Wrong Way

Halo Infinite took a big risk by offering an open-world campaign and a free-to-play multiplayer mode. While players generally loved the campaign, the multiplayer hasn’t been as well-received.

As a longtime Halo fan, I’m a little disappointed that 343 Industries hasn’t quite captured the magic that once made Halo the king, the game that really challenged Call of Duty. But honestly, the campaign itself is still really good! It’s fun to just play around in the open world, and they’ve streamlined the story a bit, which I appreciate. It seems like whether you’ll love *Halo Infinite* really depends on what you’re looking for – if you’re a single-player person or a multiplayer person. You can definitely see that split in opinions if you check out the Steam reviews.

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2025-10-11 06:05