10 Minor Issues That Ruin Near-Perfect Games

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Of the thousands of video games released each year, a select group comes close to perfection.

While some reach the pinnacle of perfection, others fail to attain total excellence, having minor flaws that keep them from being fully complete or well-rounded.

Although these flaws occasionally mar their quality, these titles still rank as exceptional within their genres due to their notable strengths in storytelling, pace, gameplay, and various other aspects. However, it’s important to acknowledge the minor shortcomings that can sometimes impact these elements.

Consequently, here’s a rundown of ten relatively small problems that can mar otherwise exceptional games, reflecting my feelings about certain titles I cherish deeply.

10.
Elden Ring

Repeated Content

Throughout every moment of my Elden Ring journey, right from the start to the very end, all I could think was that I was experiencing a groundbreaking game of its generation.

After thorough enhancement and upgrading, FromSoftware perfected an established approach to its peak, resulting in a game that sets a nearly unparalleled standard not only within its genre but also beyond.

In an attempt to build an expansive universe, the creator unfortunately repeated content excessively, resulting in numerous dungeons and landmarks that unintentionally overshadowed the intriguing aspects of the voyage.

In my opinion, if Elden Ring was shortened by 20 hours and featured less redundant material, it could potentially achieve perfection. However, I still view it as an enduring masterpiece and among the greatest games ever made, but that imperfection remains constant.

9.
Blue Prince

Dependence on Randomness

I didn’t anticipate experiencing emotions similar to what I felt from playing Portal and Outer Wilds once more, let alone in the same game. But that’s exactly how I felt while engaging with Blue Prince.

One truly unforgettable experience for me over the past few years has been found in games that blend roguelike mechanics with puzzle-solving, offering a richness and intricacy that remains etched in my memory.

Exploring a world where altering the landscape rather than your character is captivating, as you continuously mold the surroundings using your creative flair until you discover elusive Room 46.

The intricate web of connections is impressive, but eventually, you lean excessively on chance to discover the combinations required to tackle the few puzzles left unsolved.

Without the annoyance of needing to begin fresh attempts to improve our chances, we’d be discussing the flawless version of the “Blue Prince.

8.
SOMA

Interactivity

In a captivating psychological thriller called SOMA, the suspenseful ambiance and deep narrative keep you thoroughly engrossed.

Despite excelling in its world creation, storytelling, and audio aspects, the experience is marred by a less-than-intuitive interface when it comes to gameplay.

Navigating around and effectively engaging with the map features can sometimes feel perplexing, given that the input methods are quite basic, making for a less smooth user experience.

When encountering mysterious entities and becoming engrossed in a game’s feelings becomes challenging due to uncertainty about which key to press, it becomes clear why the game SOMA doesn’t quite reach perfection.

7.
Darksiders 2

Mission Structure

One aspect I dislike intensely in video games is being constantly tasked as a delivery boy, which unfortunately occurs frequently in Darksiders 2.

Although the game skillfully combines different genres, providing an impressive narrative and well-developed characters in a captivating environment, I find myself growing impatient as my tasks often revolve around the same idea.

In simpler terms, all the objectives within this game essentially involve repetitively completing the same action over and over again until you are able to progress.

For me, the unparalleled combat, awe-inspiring boss battles, and incomparable soundtrack make Darksiders 2 one of the greatest hack-and-slash games ever created. However, its mission structure has always been a persistent challenge.

6.
Nine Sols

Difficulty Spikes

Among the latest independent games, I’ve been particularly impressed by “Nine Sols,” which seamlessly blends elements reminiscent of “Hollow Knight” and “Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.” The fusion of these two titles is exceptionally well-executed.

Although every aspect, including the battles, character development, level layout, boss fights, and storylines, have been meticulously designed, there are some challenges that arise due to an apparent inexperience with the Metroidvania game genre.

To put it simply, the game’s difficulty was quite well-balanced throughout most of the storyline. However, there were moments where the challenge became extremely steep, making me seriously consider quitting the game.

Indeed, they can be conquered and give a sense of divinity upon victory, yet they remain an issue that hampers a seamless progression in the game called “Nine Sols“. This challenge disrupts the learning process.

5.
Cyberpunk 2077

Prologue

Despite its controversial initial release, I’ve come to really enjoy exploring the captivating universe of “Cyberpunk 2077”, making it one of my favorite open-world games.

The initial encounter left me somewhat taken aback because some events transpired so suddenly, and multiple plays-through have shown me that, yes, it’s undeniably a challenging ordeal in the storyline.

The narrative strives to provide a comprehensive look into life within Night City, yet its rapid pace prevents a deep connection due to insufficient time for reflection and absorption of the information it conveys.

As a gamer, I’d say: The game really gets going at a smoother speed and the side quests fit in well, but for some, Cyberpunk 2077’s prologue could be a turning point that makes them decide to put the game down within the initial hours.

4.
DOOM Eternal

HUB

One of the numerous factors that have me completely smitten with DOOM Eternal is its remarkably engaging gameplay cycle, which keeps me enthralled for hours on end by allowing me to relentlessly slay demons.

Every stage offers an exhilarating, unexplainable thrill due to the finely-tuned gunfights and melee encounters, featuring foes and layouts that motivate you to employ all the weapons you have available.

Yet, as your heart pounds with eagerness, prepared to face off against a whole army, the screen suddenly dims, transporting you to the ominous Fortress of Doom, the very core and central hub of the game.

Although I recognize the significance of balancing quick and tranquil sequences, this approach seems to diminish the pace of events excessively, making it feel overly apparent that I’m in a virtual environment.

Consequently, the immersion and pace in DOOM Eternal are significantly diminished. While the HUB is impressively designed, its presence tends to undermine the core appeal that draws players to such action-packed games.

3.
The Last of Us Part 2

Story’s Rhythm

In simple terms, The Last of Us Part 2 shines exceptionally in virtually every aspect. The acting, the depiction of sorrow, the intense gameplay mechanics, and the meticulous craftsmanship are all features that attain an impressive level of excellence within this production.

Despite having completed the game thrice, I find that the narrative flow seems to be hurried, often leading me to lose concentration on the goals at hand.

The shifting characters, frequent flashbacks, and extended duration of the narrative make it challenging to fully grasp the significance of events, as the emotional intensity seems lessened due to excessive focus on setup.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but marvel at the masterful craftsmanship of The Last of Us Part 2. Its knack for keeping me on my toes and delivering unexpected twists is truly unparalleled. However, in comparison to its predecessor, it seems to fall short when it comes to weaving a seamless narrative, which I believe was crucial in refining its ultimate form.

2.
God of War Ragnarök

Final Act

Without a doubt, God of War: Ragnarök ranks among the top games within the series, outshining its bold predecessor in nearly all aspects.

In terms of comparison, Kratos’s last Norse journey is not as strong as the initial one, primarily because its narrative, and especially the finale, lacks consistency with the overall storyline, potentially slowing down the pace set earlier.

Throughout our journey, we were constantly briefed about the epic scale and unavoidable nature of Ragnarök. However, when it finally came to its resolution, it felt somewhat anticlimactic as the significant event transpired in the distance, without any direct involvement from us.

After investing a considerable amount of effort in crafting the impression of this event, experiencing its conclusion come swiftly seems to diminish its full emotional weight, leaving behind a subtle mix of joy and sadness as we reach the end as depicted in the title.

Valhalla provided Kratos with a fresh resolution, yet God of War: Ragnarok is recognized for its ability to construct an engaging plot, but not for concluding it satisfactorily.

1.
Bloodborne

Blood Vials

Bloodborne” resonates deeply with me due to its unique blend of challenging gameplay that doesn’t coddle players, combined with innovative features that distinguish it among other games developed by FromSoftware.

From the scene to the fight, encompassing its exceptional ambiance and adversaries, every aspect of the game showcases an individual charm. This leaves you with the sensation that you are engaging with one of the most distinctive video games ever created from the initial second of play.

Following all that, you eventually stumble upon the vials of blood. Upon finding out they’re scarce, you understand that you’ll need to consistently gather them. Consequently, the magical feelings lose some intensity because the system cautions you against taking unnecessary risks in battle, as it wants to preserve your resources.

Over time, the issue diminishes significantly as your skills progress and you become more efficient with your resources. However, it should be noted that this system offers no enhancement to the gaming experience.

In my opinion, while Bloodborne’s overall gaming experience isn’t entirely ruined, I must say that its healing system is arguably the least effective one the developer has ever created in terms of minor flaws.

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2025-05-25 17:12