Polarizing Horror Games You Either Love Or Hate

Key Takeaways

The Last of Us Part 2 faced controversy for political views but excelled in audio and visuals.
SOMA was divisive due to extreme opinions on being boring or thought-provoking.
Resident Evil 3 Remake succeeded as a standalone title but faced backlash for unfaithfulness.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I must admit that these three titles have left quite an impact on my virtual escapades.

Some video games receive widespread adoration, while others face widespread criticism, and there are some that exist in a precarious position between admiration and disdain. These games are frequently lauded for numerous achievements, whether it’s their engaging storylines or captivating characters. However, these same titles can be heavily criticized by players due to their handling of contentious issues. On the flip side, some games are roundly condemned for less complex reasons such as monotonous and repetitive gameplay, an unpleasant user experience, or deviations from the original source material in adaptations like remakes, reboots, or other transformations.

Upon their debut, these horror video games sparked a lot of conversation throughout the town. Some people adored them while others couldn’t stand them, causing a significant split within the gaming community. Despite whether players admired or disliked them, these highly divisive video games eventually became some of the most impactful titles in gaming history, though they might have achieved this status for questionable reasons.

5 The Last of Us Part 2

Beloved For Its Performances But Criticized For Controversial Political Views

Over the past four years, discussions about the controversial elements in “The Last of Us: Part 2” have persisted, leading to heated debates among audiences. Notably, actress Laura Bailey, who played Abby Anderson, was subjected to threatening messages from upset fans due to a specific scene. Unfortunately, this requires no further explanation. Upon its release, the game received numerous negative reviews on Metacritic, criticizing its political undertones in the storyline and harsh comments directed at its LGBTQ+ characters. The marketing campaign for “The Last of Us: Part 2” featured altered scenes that hid Joel and Abby’s roles within the narrative, which many players deemed misleading advertising.

Conversely, The Last of Us Part 2 garnered a great deal of acclaim for its exceptional audio design, enchanting soundtrack, compelling character performances, and stunning visuals. Many gamers were struck by Naughty Dog’s rendition of Seattle and Santa Barbara, while Ashley Johnson as Ellie, Troy Baker as Joel, and Laura Bailey as Abby (depending on who you speak to) delivered unforgettable and moving performances. Despite the divided opinions, The Last of Us Part 2 became one of the top-selling PlayStation 4 games in history, also holding the record for being the fastest-selling exclusive title ever produced for the PlayStation console.

4 SOMA

Praised For Its Gripping Storyline That Not Everyone Appreciated

If The Last of Us: Part 2 sparked debate due to its contentious themes, then Soma resides on the polar opposite spectrum, with critics finding it unengaging rather than controversial. Essentially, some players found it extremely dull. Soma adheres to the phrase “there’s no in-between” strictly, as those who have played Soma seem to either find it deeply thought-provoking and innovative or monotonous and lacking excitement. The general sentiment towards Soma appears to be that players can admire its intricate storyline twists and its compelling exploration of morality, they just weren’t captivated by it. Criticism also centered around the gameplay being formulaic at times, especially in the repetitive aspect of evading enemies.

Despite the impressive sound design creating an immersive experience that brought the world of SOMA to life, particularly in relation to the perils of underwater exploration, it’s the engaging and thought-provoking storyline that truly stands out about this game. Some players have even gone as far as claiming that SOMA has one of the best written narratives among all games, regardless of Frictional Games‘ success with Amnesia: The Dark Descent. One of the main reasons people are drawn to SOMA is the profound message it conveys about identity, humanity, and what it really means to be human.

3 Resident Evil 3 Remake

Great Standalone Title But Unfaithful To The Source Material

In summary, while the remake of Resident Evil 3 has been praised for its utilization of modern technology, it’s sparked debate among fans over how faithful it is as a recreation. The high launch price of $60 has also been a point of contention, leading many to question its value given the game’s relatively short length. There seems to be a discussion within the Resident Evil community about the game’s replay value; some fans claim they’ve played it numerous times, while others view it as a one-time experience.

The stunning graphics of Resident Evil 3 were highly praised, along with its meticulously designed settings and palpable tension. As a standalone game, Resident Evil 3 was acclaimed as an exceptional action title, boasting combat that is intense, authentic, and inventive in its delivery. It successfully revamps the world of Resident Evil for contemporary players, striking a balance between retaining the original’s spirit without diluting it. In terms of visuals, Resident Evil 3 is an exceptional adaptation of Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, but some scripted scenes and missing Nemesis content left certain fans yearning for more.

2 Visage

Immersive Atmosphere But Clunky Inventory Controls

The game titled “Visage” was greatly influenced by the canceled Silent Hills teaser, “P.T.”, in terms of both plot elements and visual design. It borrowed numerous striking features that made “P.T.” so popular. Generally, “Visage” received positive feedback, often being hailed as the pinnacle of psychological horror games and a top representative of the subgenre.

Specifically, the management of Visage faced criticism from players who had issues with the cumbersome inventory controls, glitches that allowed interaction with specific parts of the environment, and a convoluted narrative that left some gamers feeling frustrated like they were on a fruitless chase, even after completing tasks without much reward or satisfaction. Several reviews suggest that Visage is essentially a more challenging and less polished version of P.T., featuring disjointed gameplay and controls that can be frustratingly awkward.

1 Resident Evil 5

Lauded As An Enjoyable Action Game With Terrible AI

The main criticisms of Resident Evil 5 appear to revolve around three key areas:

To put it simply, the game “Resident Evil 5” was highly acclaimed for its exceptional graphics, which were among the best in any video game at the time, and for the realistic voice performances and motion capture that made characters like Chris, Sheva, Jill, and Wesker feel alive. Despite not fitting perfectly with traditional “Resident Evil” conventions, this action-packed title was well-received by at least half of its fanbase, though it may not be the most cherished game in the series.

2024-09-11 01:35