10 Games That Look Incredible But Actually Suck

I’m a very careful shopper when it comes to video games, so it doesn’t often happen that I’m surprised by one. I usually have a good idea of whether I’ll enjoy a game, really love it, or dislike it before I buy it.

Looks can be misleading, and while it doesn’t happen often, I’ve definitely been fooled by video games that promised more than they delivered based on how they appeared. I’ve kept a mental list of these games over the years.

It’s really frustrating when a game looks amazing but doesn’t deliver on gameplay. I’m a big fan of visually appealing games, so it’s especially disappointing when they turn out to be underwhelming.

It seems many people experience this – with so many games released every year, it’s easy to get excited about ones that ultimately disappoint. I’ve put together a list of ten games that looked amazing but didn’t live up to the hype.

10. Bound by Flame

Fantastically Clunky

After Dark Souls came out, I spent years looking for games that captured a similar feeling, so discovering Bound by Flame was a huge relief.

Like many games inspired by FromSoftware, this one ultimately felt unfinished. The gameplay wasn’t as smooth as it looked in the trailers, and it was too awkward to really enjoy.

The game had a fascinating mythology and beautiful art, but these were just surface-level qualities. The story itself wasn’t very memorable, and you’ll likely forget the details soon after finishing it, especially since the game encourages you to simply get through the campaign as quickly as possible.

I’ve been following Spiders for a while now, and honestly, they’ve really leveled up! Their early game, Bound by Flame, wasn’t great, but they learned a lot. Now they’re making really satisfying RPGs like Greedfall and Steelrising – I’m definitely enjoying where they’re going with things.

9. Biomutant

Vibrant and Monotonous

I’ve covered game development for years, but recently, I was particularly invested in Biomutant. I followed its progress from the initial announcement all the way to its release.

I was incredibly excited when the game’s title was revealed. The promise of action-packed combat, a rich mythological setting, and deep RPG elements seemed amazing. However, the final product was a huge letdown.

Despite a promising concept and beautiful world, Biomutant falls short due to dull combat, a weak story, frustrating interfaces, and unengaging enemies. The narrator also detracts from the experience, and the game feels stuck in the past with its clunky decision-making. Ultimately, it lacks anything truly special.

A follow-up could definitely give the story a chance to recover, but honestly, the first attempt didn’t do well, so I wouldn’t be shocked if they just abandoned the idea altogether.

8. Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune

Tough Beginnings

I understand that Uncharted is a hugely popular series and a significant part of gaming history. But please don’t be upset when I say that the first game, Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, doesn’t quite live up to the quality of the others.

Even knowing it was made for a different era and shouldn’t be judged by today’s expectations, I’m still surprised by how flawed Nathan Drake’s original game is and how popular it became.

This story relies heavily on tired tropes and throws in unnecessary plot twists. The shooting isn’t nearly as impressive as games like Gears of War, and the platforming is incredibly frustrating – it barely works at all. The one bright spot? The setting is actually quite well done.

The game was frustratingly difficult, not because of a fair challenge, but due to glitches with the jumping, overwhelming numbers of identical enemies, random explosions, and truly awful jet ski sections. I died so many times I lost count, making for a very unpleasant experience.

Like many games here, Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune really stands out for how good it looks, even if the environments are mostly just jungles and a bit simple. Honestly, after playing it, I wish it wasn’t part of such a carefully planned series – I’d do anything to see it as a standalone experience.

7. Cry of Fear

Wasting the Benefit of the Doubt

I generally dislike strongly criticizing free video games, especially those not made by major companies. However, I find it hard to avoid doing so when the game in question is Cry of Fear.

For years, I’d heard this game praised as a cult classic, a groundbreaking horror title, and a perfect example of its genre. But when I finally played it, I found it to be a self-indulgent and ultimately disappointing experience.

Despite the confusing puzzles, unremarkable shooting, short story, and attempts at a gritty narrative, I think the game’s popularity comes down to it being an independent title that’s easy for anyone to pick up and play – and that’s something I genuinely like and understand.

Even if I set aside the bigger picture, there are a few things I like: the way the phone is used, the look of the enemies, and how the levels are designed. These are good elements, but the game isn’t the groundbreaking experience Cry of Fear initially appears to be.

6. The Order: 1886

A Beautiful Empty Shell

The PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, the eighth generation of video game consoles, began with a lot of promise. While they offered a significant leap in graphics, early games like The Order: 1886 didn’t quite live up to the potential, leading to a somewhat uneven launch.

It’s been over a decade, and the game still impresses with its stunning trailers and cinematic scenes – enough content for multiple adaptations. However, actually playing the game doesn’t quite live up to the hype.

I’m most disappointed with the Lycans. While it looks and sounds great, the story is very predictable, the world isn’t very engaging, and the gameplay is only okay. There isn’t much else to recommend it, unfortunately.

The Order: 1886 is a visually stunning game, but it lacks substantial depth. While I’d like to see a sequel, I’m not particularly longing for one.

5. Deus Ex: Mankind Divided

A Sequel to Forget

Following up a highly acclaimed game like Deus Ex: Human Revolution is incredibly difficult, and Deus Ex: Mankind Divided shows what can happen when those high expectations aren’t lived up to.

Based on all the previews, interviews, and details released about the game, I expected a polished update to the beloved 2011 title. It was therefore really disappointing to find that wasn’t the case.

The game is enjoyable, and the story is decent, but the ending feels rushed and incomplete. It’s as if it was quickly finished to bridge the gap to a larger, planned sequel, leaving you with a strangely unsatisfying feeling when the credits roll.

The game has a lot of potential, but several issues hold it back. The story feels cut short because the final boss shows up too early, and frustratingly poor AI completely breaks your connection to the game. Whether you try stealth or direct combat, it just doesn’t feel satisfying, ultimately leaving you with a disappointing experience.

I’ve always loved the Deus Ex games because they tell these incredible stories where your choices really feel like they could change the world. But honestly, Mankind Divided felt different. It got bogged down in a ton of side quests, and the big finale just didn’t have the same impact as the earlier games. It didn’t feel like it mattered on a grand, societal level like the previous Deus Ex titles did.

The main issue with Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is that it feels more like an expansion pack than a full sequel, and that’s a hard feeling to shake off. While the game looks and often feels fantastic, the campaign doesn’t quite deliver a satisfying conclusion.

4. Assassin’s Creed III

The Guild Is Dead

I loved the Assassin’s Creed series, especially during its peak, so I was particularly disappointed with Assassin’s Creed III.

Honestly, when I first heard they were thinking about a new Assassin’s Creed game set during the American Revolution, with a fresh protagonist after playing as the amazing Ezio, I was super excited! It sounded like a fantastic change of pace, getting away from the cities and into a more natural setting. But sadly, it never actually happened, which was a real bummer.

Honestly, I was really disappointed with Connor as a character – he just didn’t feel very engaging. The world itself felt surprisingly empty and lifeless, despite how beautiful the screenshots looked. And the story? It didn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things, and they totally sidelined the Assassin’s Guild, which was a huge letdown. But the worst part was the combat. It didn’t get any better, it just got repetitive and boring, unfortunately.

For me, Assassin’s Creed III – aside from its villain and modern-day scenes – was where the series started to decline. While the next game was impressive, I don’t think the franchise ever truly bounced back from the letdown of the third main game.

3. Anthem

BioWare’s Decline

I quickly fell in love with the Dragon Age and Mass Effect series, right alongside Assassin’s Creed. Because of this, I became a huge fan of BioWare and started trusting them with any game they made.

This ultimately caused the initial negative reaction to Mass Effect: Andromeda, and was later proven correct with the release of Anthem, a live-service game that didn’t succeed in any of its goals.

The game was visually stunning, and the setting was beautiful, but that’s where the positives end. It felt completely empty and lacked any real depth, which was especially disappointing coming from a developer known for creating incredibly immersive worlds.

The fighting quickly became monotonous, and combined with a dull story and uninteresting missions, it became clear that the game wasn’t enjoyable for more than a short time, despite any initial appeal.

Anthem had a lot of potential, stemming from the skill of its development team. However, it ultimately remained an idea-driven project and, despite numerous attempts to improve it, couldn’t overcome its fundamental flaws.

2. Godfall

A Decaffeinated Start of Generation

Similar to the launch of the PlayStation 4, Sony’s newest consoles debuted with an exclusive game, Godfall, that appeared amazing but ultimately disappointed players.

Have you ever seen a really impressive tech demo – something visually amazing but that doesn’t quite feel like a real game? That’s how this feels – all spectacle, but lacking substance.

The game blends the intense fighting of God of War with the rewarding loot system of Diablo, which is initially fun. However, the gameplay eventually feels empty, and you’ll find it hard to stay motivated beyond the brief excitement of finding new items.

I really dislike games that make you repeat the same actions just to progress, especially when they rely on pretty visuals instead of fun and engaging gameplay. If a game doesn’t offer satisfying mechanics on their own, I’d rather not bother playing it.

Plagued by technical problems and a remarkably dull storyline, Godfall was so unremarkable that I actually had to search for its title when compiling this list.

1. Wolfenstein: Youngblood

The Tombstone of an Icon

Honestly, out of all the games I’ve tried lately, the biggest letdown has been Wolfenstein: Youngblood. I really love MachineGames’ Wolfenstein games, so I was super excited for it, but it just didn’t hit the mark. It’s a real shame because I had high hopes!

I absolutely loved the first two games in this series – they reminded me how much I enjoy first-person shooters. Knowing the latest game had received bad reviews, I tried to keep my hopes in check, but I was still incredibly disappointed.

With Arkane Studios assisting and a new blend of game genres offering a promising start, expectations were high. Ironically, the best outcome turned out to be not playing the game at all.

Whether you play it alone, with a friend, as a fast-paced shooter, a role-playing game, or even compare it to other Wolfenstein titles, Wolfenstein: Youngblood just doesn’t measure up – it’s a letdown no matter how you look at it.

I was probably too optimistic, hoping I could fix this game like I did with Redfall or Dark Souls 2. But it turned out the public was right to be critical. Let’s just say Wolfenstein: Youngblood was a mistake we should all try to forget.

2025-10-23 16:13