Open-World Games That Should Have Failed, But Didn’t

by

Video games are constantly pushing boundaries, with developers experimenting and new technology making more complex ideas possible. However, this ambition can sometimes backfire. Games can fail if they’re too large in scope for the development team to handle, if they don’t connect with players, or if they end up costing far more to create than originally planned.

Sometimes, games defy the odds and become surprisingly great, even when everyone expected them to fail. They prove that with enough passion and a strong concept, even a struggling project can be a success.

No Man’s Sky

Ambitious Beyond Belief

Details:

  • Promised an open universe unlike anything else
  • Managed to survive a troublesome launch and is now a widely-loved exploration game

Even before its release, many people were skeptical about No Man’s Sky. The game promised a vast, almost limitless universe, which seemed impossible to deliver. Unfortunately, the initial launch confirmed those fears, as the game was full of bugs and didn’t live up to the developers’ vision.

As the game developed with more content, the initial concept really came together, and many of the early issues were resolved. The result is a remarkably impressive open-world game and a unique, unforgettable journey through space.

Death Stranding

More Than A Walking Simulator

Details:

  • Strange new IP with a completely different gameplay style
  • Celebrated for its unique aesthetic and breathtaking storytelling

Okay, so Death Stranding was seriously different, even for Hideo Kojima. He’s always been one to try new things, but this felt like a huge leap. Honestly, when I first heard about it – a massive open-world game where you mostly walk everywhere, and the characters looked incredibly real – I thought, ‘Is this even possible?’ It just sounded so ambitious.

The final product exceeded expectations in nearly every area. Players found the gameplay loop to be fun and rewarding, the graphics were a step above what was shown in the trailer, and the story felt like a high-quality movie, establishing this game as a major milestone in the industry.

Cyberpunk 2077

Almost Stumbling Before It Could Run

Details:

  • Teasers showed absurd visuals that many thought couldn’t be achieved
  • Long wait time allowed the game to be released and be polished into an exceptional experience

Cyberpunk 2077 initially generated a lot of excitement when it was announced. Some viewers questioned if the impressive first trailer accurately represented the final game, and despite CD Projekt RED’s experience with open-world games, creating this title presented significant challenges.

I remember when this game first came out – everyone wrote it off immediately! It was so buggy and unfinished that a lot of people just gave up on it before they even got to experience the story. But wow, the developers kept at it with patch after patch, and now? It’s honestly one of the best games in the genre. It just goes to show that sometimes, a little time and effort can really turn things around.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Would Realism Really Sell?

Details:

  • Focus on authenticity, which many thought would fall flat
  • True medieval simulator in virtually every way possible

When Kingdom Come: Deliverance was first announced, it sounded amazing – a totally open medieval world where you could basically do whatever you wanted. Honestly, a lot of us were skeptical. It sounded cool, but we figured it’d probably end up being kinda dull, even if they managed to actually make this huge world work.

The game ultimately exceeded all expectations, becoming a timeless classic that people will enjoy for years to come. Its success led to a highly anticipated sequel, and this time, players had full confidence in the developers’ ability to deliver a great experience.

Horizon Zero Dawn

A Different Direction Than Expected

Details:

  • Killzone devs taking a bold new step
  • Successfully launched a new IP into the mainstream light

Guerrilla Games first gained attention with Horizon Zero Dawn, after announcing they were shifting away from the Killzone series to create something entirely new. Early glimpses of the game revealed a vast world populated by robotic creatures, a fascinating concept. However, many people weren’t sure if it would be as fun to play as other popular games in the genre.

Those who were skeptical were proven wrong: the game delivered on its promises. The world was rich with things to do and see, and the gameplay was just as enjoyable as the trailers suggested. It’s a rare example of a game where the marketing accurately reflected the final product, avoiding the usual disappointment.

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

Almost Killed By Art

Details:

  • Completely different art direction than expected
  • Now a fan-favourite in the franchise

The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker came out when the Zelda series was already incredibly popular, and fans were anticipating more realistic game worlds. When the game’s bright, cartoonish style was revealed, many players disliked it and predicted it would be a commercial failure.

The game immediately resonated with players and quickly became a beloved installment in a franchise known for its classics. Though the new art style was a daring choice, it’s now praised for demonstrating how much variety is possible within a single series.

Assassin’s Creed Origins

Definition Of Franchise Fatigue

Details:

  • Open-world RPG that sounded less than desirable to long-term fans
  • Became a favourite quickly among fans

When Assassin’s Creed Origins was released, many players were starting to feel overwhelmed by the number of games in the series. Because so many similar Assassin’s Creed games had already come out, the idea of another one, especially a larger open-world title, didn’t immediately excite fans.

Today, this game is celebrated as the start of a new high point for the series, offering a level of quality and depth that places it among the very best. Despite a slow start, it captivated players with its compelling story and rewarding gameplay, effectively revitalizing the Assassin’s Creed franchise.

Dying Light

One Last Effort At A Zombie Apocalypse

Details:

  • Rough Development after Dead Island
  • Spawned a new franchise for a struggling developer

Dying Light aimed to be a fresh take on the open-world zombie genre. The developers, after creating Dead Island, wanted to innovate, but many gamers were skeptical about whether the game would actually be finished and released, especially after it faced delays and changes during development.

The game’s release was initially troubled by bugs and performance problems, leading many to believe early criticisms were justified. However, after a period of fixes and improvements, the game became stable enough to earn the developers the positive reception they’d hoped for after years of work.

Sleeping Dogs

What Started As True Crime Grew Into An Undercover Adventure

Details:

  • Originally part of the True Crime series, but was canceled by Activision
  • Developed into one of the best modern-day open-world games ever made

The development of Sleeping Dogs was really difficult, and many people doubted it would ever be released. At one point, the game was actually canceled because the developers couldn’t quite get their vision for a *True Crimestyle game set in Hong Kong to work.

Over time, the game transformed into an exciting action-adventure, and players loved it when it was released. The story presented multiple perspectives on a single world, exploration felt rewarding, and the action sequences were spectacular. It delivered a unique and modern open-world experience, a far cry from its original concept.

Yakuza 0

Unexpected Success In The West

Details:

  • The series struggled to find a mainstream Western audience in the past
  • Managed to bring the franchise to the masses across the globe.

Yakuza 0 was released as a new installment in a series that hadn’t gained much popularity outside of Japan. Previous games often struggled to connect with Western audiences, who didn’t always appreciate the unique humor and gameplay, leading many to dismiss the series.

The game didn’t just make the series popular around the world – many fans consider it one of the very best installments. With so much to do, players could completely lose themselves in the story, whether they were following the main plot or enjoying the side activities. After a long struggle, the Yakuza series had finally broken through to a global audience.

Read More

2025-12-07 08:36