Open-World Games That Were Victims Of Their Own Hype

Key Takeaways

Open-world games often fall short of player expectations due to excessive marketing hype and lackluster gameplay.
Star Wars Outlaws and Dragon’s Dogma 2 underperformed due to failing to innovate and deliver promised features.
Cyberpunk 2077 and Horizon Forbidden West improved post-launch, overcoming initial disappointment from players.

As a long-time gamer who’s witnessed the rise and fall of many promising titles, I can attest that some games have left me more disappointed than others. One game that comes to mind is “Watch Dogs.” Back then, I was so hyped for this open-world action-adventure game, eagerly anticipating the next-gen visuals and innovative hacking gameplay it promised. But boy, was I let down! The post-launch backlash was as intense as the hype that preceded it. The game’s graphical quality took a nosedive on consoles, and the story fell flat compared to the marketing hype. It felt like someone had pulled the rug out from under me.

As a gamer, I can’t help but notice how open-world games have taken center stage in the gaming world. It seems like every big studio is aiming to create the next big hit in this genre. The level of detail and complexity that goes into crafting these open worlds is astounding. And you can tell from the marketing blitzes that they’re pulling out all the stops to grab our attention, making sure we don’t miss their titles.

Sometimes, open-world games spend an excessive amount on promotion, leading players to anticipate a truly remarkable experience. If these games fall short of expectations, it can result in a less satisfying playthrough for many.

8 Star Wars Outlaws

A Reliance On Dated Gameplay Mechanics Prevented This Game From Reaching Greater Heights

The much-anticipated game titled “Star Wars Outlaws” was met with enthusiasm due to the popularity of the franchise. However, certain aspects held it back from achieving the success it potentially could have, as Ubisoft found themselves in possession of a potential treasure trove but didn’t quite maximize its potential.

The unveiling of the gameplay for this title left much to be desired, causing a significant number of fans to lose interest and reconsider their options regarding this game. Although it presented some intriguing concepts, Star Wars Outlaws ultimately failed to generate strong sales, which subsequently put Ubisoft in a precarious financial situation not too far down the line.

7 Mafia 3

Included Too Much Filler Compared To The First Two Games

Enthusiasts of the “Mafia” series, who appreciated the realistic backdrop and immersive narratives in these games, anticipated similar qualities from “Mafia 3”. While it offered an engaging storyline, it received criticism for certain adjustments to gameplay mechanics and open-world design that didn’t sit well with fans.

The game attempted to add stealth elements, but they felt quite basic. Additionally, players were required to complete a lot of tasks in the open world to advance the story, which didn’t enhance the experience. Previous games in the series were criticized for lacking engaging side activities, and unfortunately, Mafia 3 struggled to address these concerns effectively.

6 Starfield

Failed To Evolve The Bethesda Open-World Formula

Bethesda Studios, renowned for creating some of the most popular video games, had built up great excitement with the announcement of a new space-themed intellectual property (IP). Fans were eagerly waiting for the launch of Starfield, but found themselves disappointed when they realized that its outdated game design didn’t resonate well with many players.

Players found issue with the absence of fresh ideas and mandatory cinematic sequences that disrupted the immersive experience of space exploration, leading to a game where certain perplexing aspects had to be overlooked in order to enjoy it more.

5 No Man’s Sky

Hyped Itself To The Moon And Back With False Promises

From the very start, Hello Games and Sean Murray promoted No Man’s Sky as an innovative game where players could traverse a vast, enormous universe. They marketed it as offering something extraordinary. However, upon release, many players found that the game lacked several of the promised features.

It was quite remarkable how No Man’s Sky, despite facing immense criticism, managed to endure and grow under the guidance of Hello Games. They focused on enhancing the game by incorporating all missing features in subsequent updates and introducing additional gameplay aspects as well. Consequently, No Man’s Sky has transformed into one of the most feature-rich survival games available for players who seek a relaxing gaming experience.

4 Cyberpunk 2077

A Broken Launch Turned This Game Into A AAA Punching Bag For The Longest Time

Similar to No Man’s Sky, Cyberpunk 2077 was a game that did not meet the expectations set by its extensive promises. At its release, many essential features were absent, and it didn’t escape notice due to the abundance of bugs and glitches that underscored its incomplete nature.

Due to the game causing quite a stir, which lingered for quite some time, multiple improvements and an additional content pack have been released to let gamers fully appreciate the quality of work from CD Projekt Red. This is why it’s not hard to understand how Cyberpunk 2077 has garnered the positive reviews that earned it recognition as one of the most captivating open-world games, offering a deep dive into the vibrant world of Night City.

3 Dragon’s Dogma 2

Poor Industry Practices And Subpar Technical Performance Held This Game Back At Launch

Over time, Dragon’s Dogma grew in popularity as it became known for its intense action within the RPG genre. Every class was distinct and thrilling to manage, which explains why enthusiasts were eager to explore further possibilities presented by this gameplay dynamic in the sequel.

Unfortunately, the sequel to Dragon’s Dogma, known as Dragon’s Dogma 2, fell short of recapturing the enchantment of its original version due to several factors. A faulty PC launch, aggressive microtransactions, and a lack of progression on the engaging gameplay from the first installment left many fans underwhelmed. Consequently, Dragon’s Dogma 2 has become a lasting stain on Capcom’s otherwise impressive portfolio in recent years.

2 Horizon Forbidden West

Doesn’t Feel Like A Massive Step Forward For The Series

As a gamer myself, there’s no arguing that Horizon Forbidden West stands out as one of the PS5’s most visually stunning games. What makes it even more captivating is the pulse-pounding combat, which keeps me eager to engage with the multitude of robotic beasts and dinosaurs found within this game – a mix of old favorites and fresh challenges.

Nevertheless, two aspects where the game falls short are its unmemorable characters and an open world that may initially overpower players. As the first installment expanded the series’ scope as the story unfolded, the absence of this design in the follow-up is a more significant drawback for “Forbidden West” than many might have anticipated.

1 Watch Dogs

The Marketing Inflated The Graphics And Gameplay Of This Title

The buzz generated prior to the launch of Watch Dogs, which many fans still recall fondly, came at the onset of the new era in video gaming. Its stunning graphics and engaging hacking mechanics fueled expectations for a game that would demonstrate the capabilities of consoles such as the PS4 and Xbox One.

Regrettably, the after-release reception of “Watch Dogs” went down in video game lore as a notable misstep. The game scaled back its graphics for consoles and delivered a heavy-handed storyline that was overly serious, causing many players to find the gameplay less groundbreaking than the advertising had promised.

2024-11-05 05:34