As a seasoned gamer who has witnessed the rise and fall of countless digital worlds, I must say that the phenomenon of review bombing is one that leaves me both amused and dismayed.
The concept of allowing gamers to write their own reviews on Metacritic sounds beneficial in principle. However, it frequently results in the practice known as ‘review bombing’, where games receive numerous negative ratings due to unrelated issues or disagreements.
As a passionate gamer, I find myself sometimes expressing frustration by writing unfavorable reviews about newly launched games, often without even giving them a try, due to seemingly minor or insignificant issues.
Hey there fellow gamers! As we all know, game developers and publishers have been working hard to combat the issue of ‘review bombing’, where a large number of negative reviews are posted all at once. But alas, it still happens from time to time. So, I thought it would be interesting to explore some of the most ruthless gaming review bombs in history. Let’s dive in and see what we can uncover!
10. Mass Effect 3
Red, Blue, Or Green?
Discussing review bombs inevitably brings up the topic of Mass Effect 3. Given the emotionally charged ending of this cherished sci-fi series, it’s no surprise that fans found their decisions and actions echoing across the entire trilogy to be a contentious point.
There was no way BioWare could make everyone happy. Instead, they pissed everybody off.
In simpler terms, the conclusion of Mass Effect 3 left many players feeling unsatisfied because all the decisions made throughout the series seemed inconsequential in the final outcome. It appeared as though, regardless of the path taken to tackle the Reaper menace, the ending remained consistent, only varying in color.
9. Spore
Nowhere Near As Impactful As SimCity
Fun fact: Review bombing isn’t a recent phenomenon. Its existence was clearly demonstrated back in 2008 with the game Spore, where many players expressed their anger over the game’s Digital Rights Management (DRM) system.
The DRM system for the game Spore was designed as an anti-piracy measure, limiting the installation of the game to only three instances.
Players felt threatened, causing them to suspect that we were on the verge of entering a treacherous path where the games we purchase are not truly ours, but rather we’re merely leasing them.
It turns out that they were right; digital ownership rights are a big hot-button topic in gaming today.
8. Titan Souls
YouTuber Stans Took It Too Far
2015 saw the launch of Titan Souls, which garnered moderately positive reviews, with a Metacritic score hovering around 75. At first glance, it appears rather innocuous, doesn’t it?
Wrong.
As a gamer, I found myself in agreement with TotalBiscuit when he stated that a certain game wasn’t his cup of tea. However, Andrew Gleeson, the artist behind Titan Souls, seemed to take a jab at this, perhaps not understanding why it didn’t resonate with TotalBiscuit. To add fuel to the fire, TotalBiscuit suggested that the developer might have had some personal beef with him.
Consequently, supporters of TotalBiscuit started flooding the game with negative reviews as a form of protest, an action that the YouTuber expressed disapproval for afterwards.
In this situation, it appears that fans have overreacted significantly. The game itself was fine, but there seemed to be an issue because someone whom fans admire appeared to be distressed.
7. Star Wars: Battlefront II
Microtransactions In A Galaxy Far, Far Away
2015’s reintroduction of Star Wars: Battlefront left players feeling underwhelmed, as it seemed to offer more a showcase of technology than a complete gaming experience.
2017’s Star Wars: Battlefront II seemed to be the game we’d all been eagerly anticipating, and indeed, it delivered on many fronts. However, there was a minor issue that marred the experience: the inclusion of microtransactions and loot boxes.
The game was overflowing with these elements, creating a feel more suitable for a free-to-play game with a ‘pay to win’ structure as opposed to a high-end, paid AAA game. Critics quickly flooded the reviews with negative feedback.
In response to the criticism, developer DICE made improvements to the system to guarantee that microtransactions wouldn’t interfere with the gameplay experience.
6. Pokemon Sword and Shield
Phoning It In
A lot of individuals showed great enthusiasm for the initial Pokemon game launched on the Nintendo Switch. Previously, the primary installments of this series were on portable devices; however, we were now welcoming a complete Pokemon game onto a Nintendo system.
Sadly, the game’s release was controversial, though most of it wasn’t warranted.
A major concern among fans revolved around the game’s “National Pokedex,” which includes Pokemon that are not indigenous to Pokémon Sword and Shield.
Previous installments in the series were noticeably larger compared to this one, causing some players to speculate whether Nintendo and The Pokemon Company were compromising quality and releasing an incomplete game.
Their response? Review bomb the game into oblivion.
5. The Last of Us: Part II
Review Bombed Before Release
I’ll keep things spoiler-free for those who still haven’t played the game, but here it goes:
The plot details of “The Last of Us: Part II” were prematurely revealed online prior to its launch, causing a considerable stir among fans. However, it wasn’t the leak that upset them; rather, it was the perceived change in the game’s narrative trajectory that left them displeased.
Over time, a significant portion of online gamers expressed displeasure due to feeling that Naughty Dog was pushing diversity too aggressively through their narratives. As a result, developers faced cyberbullying and even received threatening messages.
One thing to note about the review bombing here is that it occurred before release, which meant users couldn’t have completed the game.
It’s unfortunate that the narrative of The Last of Us: Part II is among the most captivating and thrilling stories found in any video game.
4. Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition
A Rare Rockstar Blunder
Is it ever okay to review bomb a game? That’s a discussion for another day.
Instead of many similar instances, “Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition” stands out as a notable flop and arguably one of the poorest video game launches ever recorded. If you had affirmed the question earlier, this title might be the most deserving of such a label from among these options presented.
As a gamer, I can’t help but express my disappointment when I found out that one of the games I picked up in 2021 was among Metacritic’s lowest-scoring titles for the year. What made it even more frustrating was that all the existing, non-bugged versions of the game were replaced on digital storefronts, leaving me with a less-than-optimal gaming experience.
As a devoted gamer, I can’t help but feel that this latest release seems to be a distant cousin to the mobile shovelware genre, rather than the legendary titles hailed as the crown jewels of the PlayStation 2 era.
Regardless of whether the criticism towards developers is justified or not, it’s essential to emphasize that abusing or harassing them is never appropriate.
Rockstar Games openly acknowledged that the quality of The Definitive Edition fell short of their expectations. Consequently, any proposals to remaster previous games from Rockstar’s back catalog were temporarily postponed. Instead, all efforts are now being directed towards the development of Grand Theft Auto VI.
3. Warcraft III: Reforged
Blizzard Caught in a Storm
Speaking of games that were a critical failure…
In theory, it seems like an undeniable success: Blizzard Entertainment is revamping one of the greatest games in history. According to their statement, the game’s cutscenes will be upgraded and the user interface will undergo a complete overhaul, leading to a more contemporary and user-friendly experience.
Upon launching, it wasn’t as one might expect. The game seemed more like an incomplete cash grab. What made it even worse was that it required an upgrade from the original Warcraft III experience. Now, you can no longer play the original version; instead, you have Reforged or nothing.
Enthusiasts of the Warcraft series found themselves transitioning from enjoying one of their beloved games to an undercooked, less-than-satisfactory experience that left everyone dissatisfied. Later on, Blizzard made improvements to Warcraft III: Reforged, but a significant number still view it as inferior compared to the original version.
2. Helldivers 2
For Democracy!
It turns out that one of the top multiplayer games this year wasn’t exempt from receiving negative reviews due to something other than the game itself. In numerous instances, the cause was related to the requirement for Steam players to connect to a PlayStation Network account.
Sony, the publisher of the game, stated that this action is aimed at keeping tabs on the game’s online community and maintaining a secure playing experience for all participants.
For gamers, that aspect didn’t seem significant, particularly given the inconsistent availability of the PlayStation Network across various regions. In fact, Sony often removed the game from digital shelves in those regions entirely.
Following the incident of mass negative reviews (known as “review bombing”), the development team at Arrowhead Game Studios and Sony collaborated diligently to come up with alternate playing options for affected gamers, aiming to maintain their engagement with the game.
Fans were pleased with these actions, resulting in a reverse review bombing.
1. Team Fortress 2
Hello? Is This Thing Still On?
In 2024, Team Fortress 2 is making headlines due to the fact that it appears Valve has neglected this vintage gem for quite some time.
One could say it seems Valve is taken aback by the fact that there remains an active community for Team Fortress 2, despite not being as popular as it once was in its prime. Nonetheless, a significant number of players continue to appreciate and engage with the game.
Supporters are expressing their frustration towards Valve’s lack of attention towards the game, which has led them to give negative reviews en masse, a phenomenon known as “review bombing”.
Players find it disappointing when artificial players (bots) take over the games, making it less enjoyable for others.
It’s uncertain whether Valve plans to tackle these problems or if they’re entirely concentrating on the forthcoming multiplayer shooter game, Deadlock.
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2024-12-09 18:09