Badly Reviewed Open-World Games That Actually Have Great Gameplay

Fans of open-world games often find themselves overlooking hidden gems due to critical reviews early on. Yet, eventually, sometimes after months or years, an enthusiastic community springs up and transforms a niche game into a title with a devoted fanbase – a cult favorite. It’s not just about exceptional graphics or smooth functionality; when the fundamental gameplay mechanics resonate, even seemingly flawed games can be reborn as enduring classics within the underground gaming scene.

Occasionally, the most memorable experiences in open-world gaming arise from titles that challenge players more intensely, delve deeper into thought processes, or even tickle the funny bone with their quirks. Below, you’ll find a curated list of some notorious underdogs – games that received harsh criticism but continued to win the hearts of players due to their engaging gameplay.

Risen 3: Titan Lords

Tactical Swordplay and Pirate Adventuring Done Right

Open Critic: 60

In discussions about the game “Risen 3: Titan Lords“, there’s often emphasis on its awkward animations, outdated graphics, and a story that struggles to set sail. Yet, those who delve deeper into its mechanics will discover the classic design of Piranha Bytes – a world brimming with hidden secrets in every nook, and battles demanding precision in timing and strategy. The “Glory” system in “Risen 3” allows players to allocate experience points to attributes whenever they wish, eliminating the need for grinding in favor of instant rewards and custom-tailored builds.

The game’s battle strategy, often misconstrued, serves as an intriguing study of risk versus reward. Instead of mindlessly pressing buttons, players are encouraged to learn enemy behaviors, time their moves strategically, and utilize dodges and stamina wisely. With a blend of firearms and magic, the result is a complex system that rewards those willing to adapt. The true appeal, however, lies in exploration: islands brimming with concealed caves, buried treasures, and an immersive world design that suggests meticulous craftsmanship, making the initial challenges worth overlooking.

The Technomancer

Martian Mayhem and Multi-Stance Combat Mastery

Open Critic: 58

In a critic’s assessment on OpenCritic, The Technomancer received a moderate score of 58, as it was met with some criticism for its rough edges, rigid animations, and recurring need to retrace steps in an otherwise engaging Martian setting.

What’s exciting is that each position offers a unique skill progression, as well as an additional one for Technomancy abilities. This allows players to customize their combat skills freely, ensuring that every fight remains fresh and engaging. However, the storyline may seem slightly disjointed, and the overall production could use some polishing. Yet, those who persevere often find themselves captivated by the exhilaration and fulfillment of mastering its complex battle system.

Biomutant

The Combat Playground Where Customization Rules

Open Critic: 67

As a passionate gamer, I’d say there’s no other game quite like Biomutant that truly embodies the term “combat sandbox.” You’re thrust into a colorful, post-human realm teeming with mutated creatures, where the only guideline is to think outside the box. Customization reigns supreme! The character creation process, rooted in DNA manipulation, allows you to mold your hero’s attributes, shaping their appearance as they evolve. And that’s not all – the crafting system lets you fashion unique weapons from salvaged scrap, turning junk into tools of destruction!

The main criticism leveled at Biomutant included repetitive missions and an overly dominant narrator, but the enthusiastic fans were captivated by the fluid combat at the game’s heart. The combat system cleverly blends martial arts combinations, gunfire, and mutant abilities, rewarding players for their creativity and agility in movement. Despite the fact that the gameplay beyond combat can become monotonous, those who enjoy tinkering with various tools will find Biomutant to be a fun journey worth exploring.

ARK: Survival Evolved

Taming Dinosaurs and Crafting Legends in a Relentless Survival

Open Critic: 61

ARK: Survival Evolved receives a “Weak” 61 rating on OpenCritic. Critics were harsh towards it due to its technical issues and high learning curve, but the gaming community found that the game’s true charm lies in the grind. Each hour spent taming dinosaurs, creating super-species, or constructing a fortress carries significance. Each setback hits hard, while every victory brings well-deserved triumph.

The unique feature of this game lies in its intricate systems for taming and breeding creatures. Players often spend extended periods, even days, training the island’s animals, only to pit them against each other or endure harsh PvP battles, raids, or survival challenges. It’s not a game for the timid, as the initial phases can be challenging. However, those who stick with it will find themselves immersed in an unpredictable, constantly changing adventure driven by player determination, which is ARK.

Outward

Survival and Preparation Above All

Open Critic: 68

In this game, conventional elements common in contemporary open-world RPGs, such as fast travel, guided progression, and the heroic narrative, are discarded. Instead, the main character is an ordinary adventurer striving to survive in a ruthless, indifferent universe. The focus here lies primarily on survival aspects like foraging for food, resting, managing temperature, and selecting appropriate equipment. Moreover, there’s no guiding minimap icon; instead, players must familiarize themselves with the game world through exploration.

Instead of automatically respawning players following their demise like other games do, Outward presents “defeat scenarios” ranging from being captured by bandits to waking up far away from where your character fell. This isn’t merely a novelty; it transforms each setback into a fresh adventure, and victory becomes all the more satisfying as a result. It pays off to be well-prepared in this game. Frequently, players must carefully consider tactics such as using buffs, setting traps, and strategizing before engaging in major battles, which makes the entire journey an exciting series of purposeful choices.

Elex

Jetpack Freedom and a Brutal Power Curve

Open Critic: 61

The game received a score of 61 on OpenCritic, with critics highlighting its glitchy animations and challenging start. However, for those who persevere, it delivers an unparalleled “rags-to-riches” power experience. This game immerses players in a hostile environment with minimal guidance – no level adjustments, no tutorials; just raw, untamed liberty. Consequently, each early triumph seems historic, and the late-game dominance provides a sense of fulfillment that’s truly rewarding.

In essence, Elex’s jetpack isn’t simply a novelty; it forms the core of its exploration experience. Players are able to traverse cliffs, evade threats, and uncover hidden locations, thereby infusing the game world with a sense of vitality and responsiveness that is seldom observed in RPGs. It’s not just about navigating from one point on a map to another; survival often requires strategic thinking in three dimensions. Moreover, for enthusiasts who appreciate intricate, interconnected gameplay mechanics, Elex certainly delivers. The choices players make within factions significantly impact the world, and even seemingly trivial quests can have far-reaching consequences for the final outcome.

2025-09-02 03:35