Best Open-World Game Franchises That Had Rough Starts

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Best Open-World Game Franchises That Had Rough Starts

As someone who grew up in the golden age of video games, I can vividly remember the struggles and triumphs of some of the most iconic open-world game franchises. Grand Theft Auto was a constant source of controversy and intrigue for me and my friends back in the day. We were always on the lookout for the latest installment, eager to explore the new cities and cause chaos. But we also knew that with each new release came the risk of technical issues and boycotts.

Some well-known open-world game series started out small and faced numerous challenges before growing into beloved brands with massive global followings. Right from their debuts, these series encountered obstacles beyond mere disappointing initial games or poor sales.

In the realm of RPGs and open-world Western games, from the most renowned series to the highest-rated titles, they all faced significant challenges at the beginning. They were targeted with numerous negative reviews and technical glitches. Some needed major overhauls, while others were labeled as inappropriate for children, facing a barrage of criticism. It wasn’t an easy path, but these franchises wouldn’t have achieved their current level of success without their turbulent beginnings.

5 The Witcher

From Niche RPG To Sprawling Masterpiece

Best Open-World Game Franchises That Had Rough Starts

The journey of the “The Witcher” game series started in 2007 with a small Polish Indie company that championed one of the least recognized fantasy book collections at the time. Amidst the lingering craze of “Harry Potter,” the gritty dark fantasy tale penned by Andrzej Sapkowski was brought to life as a video game for the first time.

Initially, CD-Project Red’s attempt at turning “The Witcher” book series into a game didn’t bring in as much revenue as anticipated, leaving its creators disappointed. They weren’t convinced that expanding the storyline in video game format was worthwhile. However, they persevered and released “The Witcher 2: Assassin of Kings,” which gained positive reception and served as a significant milestone for what later became an outstanding open-world RPG. Ultimately, when “The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt” hit the market, Geralt of Rivia’s adventures captured the hearts of many, resulting in the fruitful labor of over a decade.

4 Watchdogs

Despite Initial Technical Difficulties, It became Quite A Successful Franchise

Best Open-World Game Franchises That Had Rough Starts

The open-world game Watch Dogs was initially conceived as an innovative concept, offering a unique perspective on fighting for freedom in an urban setting, unlike anything that had been presented before. Unfortunately, the initial release of the game was met with heavy criticism due to numerous technical problems, bugs, glitches, and faulty AI. Despite these issues, the developers made significant efforts to address them, and the game still achieved substantial sales.

With Watch Dogs 2, the franchise rose to its optimal state, upgrading its narrative quality and introducing the best character of the brand: Marcus Halloway. The improved open-world experience and great mechanics were also major factors in the rise of this franchise into an iconic one. And even though Watch Dogs: Legion received its fair share of criticism, it did what no other game dared to do: allowing players to play as basically any NPC, switching characters with unique backgrounds and picking up heroes to fight the system with everyday citizens.

3 Grand Theft Auto

The Jump To 3D Consolidated The Franchise

Best Open-World Game Franchises That Had Rough Starts

The popular video game, Grand Theft Auto, has been a subject of continuous debate and disagreement between those who aren’t gamers and its players. Often cited as the cause of real-life violence, particularly when incidents escalate, it faces not only a negative image but also numerous calls for boycotts.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but reflect on how far the GTA franchise has come. Initially, its graphics were quite modest, and it wasn’t until we made the transition to 3D with GTA 3 that we truly tapped into the series’ immense potential. Rockstar’s rise to power in the gaming industry since then has been nothing short of remarkable, selling hundreds of millions of copies across all its versions. But let me tell you, if this franchise had stayed stuck in its classic Isometric 2D format, it wouldn’t have reached such unparalleled heights.

2 Red Dead

The Best Open-World Western Of Today Had A Rough Start

Best Open-World Game Franchises That Had Rough Starts

The Red Dead series has experienced quite a bumpy ride in its history. When it began with Red Dead Revolver, the game faced numerous technical challenges. Players complained about awkward controls and confusing mechanics that led to frustrating experiences. To add insult to injury, there was even a bug that caused the game to crash, erasing all progress made by the players.

From my perspective as a devoted fan, although Dan Houser states that “Red Dead Revolver” is not part of the official franchise lore, it’s hard to deny the significant influence this game had on the series. The franchise went through some initial struggles, but it reached new heights with the groundbreaking “Red Dead Redemption.” This masterpiece, acclaimed by critics and gamers alike, truly salvaged the franchise and established its identity as a pioneering open-world experience.

1 Assassin’s Creed

Lost Its Essence Along The Way But Gained So Much More

Best Open-World Game Franchises That Had Rough Starts

The Assassin’s Creed series, an open-world game franchise with a rocky beginning among iconic titles, initially faced considerable technical challenges and design flaws. These hurdles persisted throughout several editions, resulting in numerous crashes, bugs, corrupted data files, port errors, and other glitches that marred the experience for players.

With Assassin’s Creed 3, the devs took a leap of faith (pun intended) and re-envisioned the brand, slowly but steadily paving the way to turn this single-player open-world action franchise into a modern open-world Action-RPG. It reached its full potential with Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag, which many believe is the best naval game ever made. Then, the franchise tried some new things with Assassin’s Creed Unity and Syndicate. Ultimately, it was with Assassin’s Creed: Origins that the franchise became what it is today: a full-fledged open-world RPG, with breathtaking graphics and a top-notch combat system. Assassin’s Creed might have lost its original essence, but it has gained quite a lot on its long and tortuous path to greatness.

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2024-07-25 02:34