Critically-Acclaimed Games That Fell Short Of A Perfect 10

Summary

Even top-rated games have minor faults, but the impact they make upon release is undeniable.
Red Dead Redemption 2’s realism can be annoying, but it’s still a masterpiece deserving all praise.
Baldur’s Gate 3 may have performance issues in Act 3, but the experience before that is special.

Occasionally, a game comes along that’s a huge hit and almost flawless, earning perfect scores from most reviewers. However, even the best games aren’t perfect and can still have some issues.

Look, even amazing games aren’t perfect – they almost always have a few little issues. But honestly, those don’t really matter when a truly great game drops. I might notice a small bug or something, but it doesn’t take away from how awesome the game is when it first comes out. It still hits hard!

Red Dead Redemption 2

Incredible Graphics And Storytelling, Although The Game’s Insistence On Realism Can Be A Bit Too Strong At Times

Red Dead Redemption 2 remains an amazing game that players still love. With what many consider to be Rockstar’s best story and a deeply engaging open world, RDR2 has become a classic title that really needs an update for newer gaming systems.

The beginning of *Red Dead Redemption 2* can be a little slow, and the game’s commitment to realism sometimes creates annoyances, like needing to manage Arthur’s food. However, these minor issues don’t detract from the fact that it’s a truly exceptional game that lives up to all the praise it receives – and then some.

God Of War

Atreus Getting Drunk On His Newfound Power Wasn’t Handled All That Well

Man, when the new God of War came out, it totally blew me away. It dropped you right into an incredible story – seriously, one of the best I’ve ever experienced in a game. Playing as an older, more thoughtful Kratos was a cool change of pace. And the combat? So satisfying! Every hit *felt* good. Plus, the writing and graphics were just top-tier. It really set a new standard.

The game is excellent overall, but one part feels a little rushed. When Atreus learns he’s a god, he gets a bit of an ego, and the way he’s quickly brought back down to earth by Kratos feels too abrupt. It’s the only section where the story’s timing doesn’t quite feel right.

Baldur’s Gate 3

Act 1 & 2 Are Incredible, But Some Performance Issues Take Away From Act 3

Baldur’s Gate 3 is a passion project that most RPG fans are loving. The developers clearly put a ton of work into it, creating a game where your choices really matter and every time you play feels fresh and exciting.

Players might start to lose interest around Act 3 due to performance problems and frustrating bugs in the quests. However, the first hundred hours of gameplay are so enjoyable that most won’t mind these issues in Larian’s otherwise impressive game.

Elden Ring

As Incredible As This Game Is, The Balancing And Repeated Boss Fights Aren’t The Greatest

Elden Ring is considered one of the best open-world games ever made, and it significantly boosted FromSoftware’s popularity. Its refined combat system and expansive world, which encourages exploration without constant map guidance, make it a truly memorable experience.

As FromSoftware’s first truly open-world game, *Elden Ring* inevitably had some balancing problems. However, this didn’t diminish the game’s quality, and the *Shadow of the Erdtree* expansion addressed many of those issues with the addition of Scadutree Fragments.

Grand Theft Auto 5

The Convenient Storytelling Can Be Hard To Digest, At Times

Grand Theft Auto 5 is a technically impressive game featuring three engaging characters. Players can experience the series’ signature blend of mayhem in both city and countryside environments. The exciting heists and the incredibly responsive open world make for endless replayability.

While some players found the story in *GTA 5* a bit too convenient and felt it mainly served to introduce the exciting missions, the game excels in other areas like its gameplay, making up for any narrative shortcomings.

Dark Souls

As Brilliant As The Game Is, It Loses Some Of Its Steam After Players Acquire The Lordvessel

Dark Souls is a truly exceptional video game, widely considered one of the best ever created. It offers a challenging but rewarding experience with its deep exploration and strategic combat, making it perfect for players who want a demanding game that respects their skill.

Even fans who love the game admit the second half isn’t as strong as the first, likely due to time and money pressures during development. Despite this, *Dark Souls* was incredibly important, and its success helped establish FromSoftware as a leading game developer.

Persona 5

The Game’s Agonizingly Slow Beginning Is A Slog To Get Through

Persona 5 is widely considered one of the best Japanese role-playing games ever made. Like the previous game in the series, it starts slowly, taking a while to establish the story and explain how the game works before you really get to explore its full potential.

The initial hours of *Persona 5* are its weakest point, though the game quickly becomes incredibly engaging. *Persona 5 Royal* addressed this slow start, making it the best and most enjoyable way to experience the Phantom Thieves’ story.

Fallout 3

A Successful Transition For The Franchise, Even If The Narrative Took A Hit

Bethesda successfully reinvented the *Fallout* series with *Fallout 3*, creating its first truly open-world experience. While the fighting might seem a little old-fashioned now, the game’s vast world and captivating side quests are well worth playing.

Dedicated fans of the *Fallout* series have noted a drop in writing quality compared to earlier installments, and the main story’s ending proved controversial, though it was later updated. However, these issues don’t diminish the game’s overall success. *Fallout 3* remains a fantastic open-world RPG and rightfully receives high praise.

2025-09-17 05:36