Games That Embody The Term “Flawed Masterpiece”

Even the most celebrated games aren’t perfect and usually have some noticeable flaws. However, when a game excels in areas like gameplay, story, and characters, it’s often easy to overlook these imperfections and appreciate its overall impact and why it’s considered a classic.

Despite their issues, these games still make you imagine how amazing they could have been with a bit more polish. However, that shouldn’t diminish the hard work and creativity the developers put into making them as enjoyable and original as possible. Ultimately, these are prime examples of what people call ‘flawed masterpieces‘.

Resident Evil 4

The Escort-Missions With Ashley Can Be Very Hit Or Miss

Looking at the huge success of the original in 2005, it’s clear why Capcom chose to remake *Resident Evil 4*. The game introduced a fresh over-the-shoulder perspective, fast-paced and aggressive enemies – a step up from typical zombies – and a compelling new version of Leon. Many fans believe it revitalized the *Resident Evil* series. However, one part of the game still frustrated many players: the sections where you had to protect Ashley.

Early in Resident Evil 4, after Leon saves Ashley, players have to protect both themselves and her from enemies. Ashley is vulnerable and can be quickly defeated or carried off if Leon isn’t careful, which adds pressure but can also be frustrating. A common annoyance is when Ashley freezes and refuses to move, making her an easy target. The remake addressed this by removing her health bar, but in the original game – the one being discussed here – Ashley’s fragility remains a significant weakness in an otherwise excellent game.

Perona 3

An Engaging Story, Lovable Characters, But A Lackluster Dungeon

Many fans consider *Persona 3* to be the best game in the *Persona* series, and it’s easy to understand why. It features a compelling and mature story, along with a cast of characters players really connect with. *Persona 3* was a groundbreaking JRPG that brought the series to a wider audience, but it still has a significant flaw: Tartarus, which continues to be a challenge even in the remake.

Many Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs) use similar designs for their dungeons, but *Persona 3* really pushes this to the extreme. The game’s dungeon, Tartarus, is a huge, repetitive blue maze with over a hundred floors that players must complete to advance. While the combat is very enjoyable and visually appealing, having to navigate so many nearly identical floors is a significant drawback. Fortunately, features like Social Links provide plenty of engaging content to break up the challenging dungeon crawling.

Fallout: New Vegas

Obsidian’s Cult Classic Is In Desperate Need Of A Remake Or Remaster

One of the most impressive aspects of *Fallout: New Vegas* is how much the game world reacts to your choices. The Mojave Wasteland truly feels alive and dynamic, constantly shifting based on your alliances and the characters you eliminate while searching for the Platinum Chip. While the game’s writing has been highly praised since its release, it hasn’t held up perfectly over time, and there’s one main reason why.

Let’s be honest, *Fallout: New Vegas* hasn’t aged well visually. Like many games from the early 2010s, it uses a lot of drab browns and runs on an older engine prone to bugs. A remake or remaster would be fantastic, but it seems unlikely. However, if you can look past the outdated graphics, you’ll find a truly exceptional *Fallout* game. Its strengths lie in its smart writing, memorable characters, and meaningful choices that genuinely impact the game world of the Mojave Desert.

Alpha Protocol

If Alpha Protocol’s Gunplay Was More Refined, The Game Would Be An All-Timer

While not as famous as games like *Fallout* or *Persona*, *Alpha Protocol* is a hidden gem worth checking out. What really sets it apart is its unique dialogue system. Between action-packed gunfights, you’ll have conversations with characters where your choices truly matter. Selecting different things to say doesn’t just get you information – it shapes how characters feel about you and affects whether they’ll become allies or even turn against you later in the game.

The game encourages careful communication – what you say to others matters, as trust can easily be broken. You can also choose to play as a ruthless character and be openly aggressive. However, while the shooting is functional, it can become repetitive over time, lacking unique features to keep it exciting.

Shenmue

An Ambitious Title That Feels Like It Came Out At The Wrong Time

When discussing truly groundbreaking games, *Shenmue* always deserves a mention. Before open-world games were common, SEGA aimed to create an incredibly immersive and realistic experience, and they succeeded in several ways. *Shenmue* features a natural passage of time, and players can even take on jobs that are only available at specific times of day. The game centers around a gripping revenge story, following Ryo as he seeks justice for his father’s murder, launching him on an unforgettable adventure.

Released in the late 1990s, *Shenmue* was remarkably innovative for its time, though it does have some flaws. The voice acting is noticeably strange and hasn’t held up well, and the graphics are dated. However, these issues are minor when you consider the game’s expansive open world and the many enjoyable things you can do within it.

Fire Emblem Three Houses

Exploration Isn’t Quite As Fun As The Combat And Classroom Sessions

Intelligent Systems had been consistently improving their *Fire Emblem* games since the success of *Awakening* on the 3DS, but *Three Houses* feels like a real breakthrough. The tactical gameplay is even more engaging with its challenging maps and better graphics. What’s really innovative is the teaching system – players can train their characters between battles to prepare them for specific roles.

While *Three Houses* excels as a strategy game – potentially one of the best ever – its vast exploration aspect holds it back slightly. The sheer size of Garreg Mach Monastery can feel overwhelming, and searching for characters and items scattered throughout the map can become tedious for players.

Deadly Premonition

Deadly Premonition Blew Players Away; When It Was Able To Run, That Is

Okay, so *Deadly Premonition* is seriously one of the weirdest games I’ve ever played. It’s really rough around the edges – honestly, it struggles to even *run* on a lot of computers, and when it rains in the game, the performance just tanks. But, and this is a big but, a lot of us still think it’s amazing! It’s all down to the story and the characters. They’re just so well-written and memorable that it makes up for all the technical problems.

Deadly Premonition has a unique, dry wit that makes it incredibly charming. You play as detective Francis York, who frequently talks to himself while investigating, and he encounters a cast of equally quirky characters. The game’s creators clearly took risks with the story, setting, and dialogue, which helps it stand out. However, it could have been even more successful if the numerous bugs and glitches had been addressed before launch.

2025-10-06 05:35