The Most Polarizing Games Released Since 2010

Looking back at video games from before the 2010s is interesting. Even though social media wasn’t as popular then, some games still caused strong disagreements. A good example is Night Trap; some parents and politicians thought it was incredibly harmful, while players were impressed by its innovative use of digital actors and technology.

Even popular games like Fallout 3 sometimes split fans, especially those who preferred the older, top-down style of the series. It’s not unusual for any game to spark debate, and there can be many reasons why. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the most interesting and controversial games released since 2010.

The Last Of Us Part 2

In Abby We Don’t Trust

Like the first game, The Last of Us Part 2 is stunning and intensely emotional. However, it’s proven to be quite controversial, particularly when it comes to its characters. This time around, Joel isn’t the central focus; instead, the story follows Ellie as she navigates the challenges ahead, meeting a variety of new characters along the way.

Throughout the game, Ellie starts to unravel, making decisions that go against her established personality and training from the first game. A new playable character, Abby, is a major source of controversy for players, though explaining why would spoil key plot points. Essentially, Abby does something deeply upsetting, and the game then forces players to understand her side of the story.

Death Stranding

This Is The Follow-Up To Metal Gear?

As a huge Hideo Kojima fan, I was so excited to see what he’d do after leaving Konami, and Death Stranding definitely delivered on the promise of a strange story! But honestly, nothing could have prepared me for the gameplay. It’s basically a really tough journey across a broken version of the United States – you’re constantly trekking through a post-apocalyptic landscape, and it’s a challenge!

Death Stranding focused on the simple task of delivering packages, and fighting wasn’t a major part of the game. The sequel addressed some player concerns with helpful updates, and it seems Death Stranding was ultimately the start of something larger and more expansive.

Starfield

Not Quite The Next Big Space RPG

Bethesda became a favorite among open-world RPG players in the 2010s thanks to successful games like The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim and Fallout 4. This created huge excitement for Starfield, their new game with similar gameplay. However, after a long wait, many players found Starfield to be only okay.

The game wasn’t terrible, especially considering it launched with fewer bugs than most Bethesda titles. The shooting mechanics were an improvement over the Fallout series, but it lacked a certain spark to make it truly special. While you could build your character and complete quests, those systems felt a little simplistic, and the story wasn’t very captivating. Despite the claim of having 1,000 planets to explore, many were barren and empty, which ultimately diminished the potential enjoyment of the game’s universe.

Final Fantasy 7 Remake

A Misleading Name

The idea for a remake of Final Fantasy 7 actually started with a technology demonstration Square Enix showed at E3 in 2005. This demo showed how the game’s opening could look in high definition. Although it wasn’t a formal announcement, fans immediately began hoping it would become a reality.

After years of anticipation, the first trailer for Final Fantasy 7 Remake was shown in 2015, but the game wasn’t released until 2020 due to a difficult development process. However, it wasn’t a complete remake – it was only the first part of a planned three-game series. This, along with some significant changes to the story, didn’t appeal to all fans. But those who approached it without expectations generally considered it a fantastic addition to the Final Fantasy 7 world.

DmC: Devil May Cry

Not My Dante

DmC: Devil May Cry was a fresh start for the series, developed by Ninja Theory instead of the original creators at Capcom. While the main character was still Dante, he was portrayed as a younger man with black hair and a new personality. This change immediately upset many longtime fans.

Okay, so Dante’s redesign was… a choice, let’s just say. But honestly, once you got past that, the game itself was really good. It totally felt like a proper Devil May Cry title – super fast action, the weapon switching was smooth and intuitive, and the story was a little weird at times, but in a way that actually worked. If you can look past how different Dante looks, you’ll find a genuinely fun game.

Metroid: Other M

The Baby

Metroid: Other M was developed with a new team taking the reins. Nintendo partnered with Team Ninja and Koei Tecmo, and the game’s third- and first-person gameplay showed influences from the Ninja Gaiden series. While it took some getting used to on the Wii, it still felt like a classic Metroid experience, featuring a large, interconnected world that you unlocked by finding new abilities and items.

Fans primarily struggled with the portrayal of Samus Aran, the series’ main character. Traditionally, Samus is a strong, silent type who efficiently completes her missions. This game, however, presented her as unsure of herself, frequently seeking approval, and preoccupied with a Metroid creature. This significant change in character, while not ruining the enjoyable gameplay, was difficult for dedicated fans to accept.

Heavy Rain

Not As Good If You Think About It Too Much

Heavy Rain was an adventure game centered around a compelling story. Players took control of four different characters throughout the game, but the main story followed Ethan, a man whose son had been kidnapped by a mysterious criminal known as the Origami Killer.

I remember playing Heavy Rain and being totally hooked on the story, even though it wasn’t super interactive. The choices you made and those quick-time events really kept you on the edge of your seat as I tried to save Ethan’s son. Honestly, though, the voice acting was…rough. Some of it was just hilariously bad. And the story? Let’s just say there were a lot of plot holes you could drive a truck through. It was a cool game for its time, pushing some boundaries, but those issues made it hard to fully recommend, even though I enjoyed the ride.

Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow

Bewildering Belmonts

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow was a fresh start for the classic Castlevania series, developed by MercurySteam with Konami’s approval. The game tells the story of Gabriel Belmont, who must defeat a mysterious group called the Lords of Shadow, long before the legend of Dracula began.

The story took an unexpected turn that surprised many viewers. Some felt it resembled the God of War series more than a traditional Castlevania game, which caused disagreement among fans. While MercurySteam’s trilogy was certainly bold, it didn’t quite deliver what most longtime fans were hoping for.

The Last Guardian

In Shadow’s Shadow

Many considered The Last Guardian to be a follow-up to the highly acclaimed Shadow of the Colossus, so expectations were incredibly high, especially considering how long the game took to develop. While The Last Guardian was beautiful, both in its graphics and the relationship between the main character and the creature, it ultimately didn’t quite meet those expectations.

Sometimes the AI controlling the creature wasn’t very bright, leaving players confused about whether they were missing something in a puzzle or if the game itself had a problem. This was often more annoying than challenging, as the creature acted a lot like a real pet – it would follow commands sometimes, but do its own thing at other times. Ultimately, this approach didn’t appeal to all players as a gameplay feature.

Deadly Premonition

The King Of Mixed Feelings

Despite being known as a flawed game, Deadly Premonition has gained a dedicated following, largely due to its protagonist, Francis York Morgan. Agent Morgan is a remarkably charismatic character, though his tendency to make odd and sometimes inappropriate remarks – often about movies or food – can create awkward moments, especially considering he’s usually in the middle of a murder investigation.

Opinions on the gameplay are really divided. It’s not very difficult, managing your time can be annoying, and the driving feels clunky. However, despite being a strange mix of ideas and characters, this is one game everyone should try at least once, just to see what all the fuss is about.

2026-02-04 16:41