Poorly-Reviewed Games That Have Aged Really Well

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First impressions are incredibly important, particularly in the fast-paced world of video games where new titles are released constantly. In this competitive environment, a single misstep can be costly, as players are quick to move on to the next popular game. This often results in new releases being immediately labeled as either a huge success or a complete failure. While it’s challenging, developers can sometimes change people’s initial opinions.

We’re taking a look at games that had rough starts but are now viewed differently. When these games first came out, they received poor reviews and low scores from both players and critics. However, over time, opinions have shifted. This happened because developers continued to improve the games, they became more affordable, or controversial elements were removed. Sometimes, it’s simply that players now recognize and appreciate what made these games special in the first place.

Fallout 76

Average Score At Launch: 53/100

  • As of Now: 76% positive Steam

Man, I still remember how rough the launch of Fallout 76 was. Even for a Bethesda RPG, it was a mess – seriously buggy and with almost nothing to do. I mean, no NPCs at all! Putting aside all the other stuff like the pre-order issues, it was just really hard to defend the game back then. It was a disaster, honestly.

Unlike many failed game launches, the developers consistently supported Fallout 76 with updates and new content for the past seven years. They’ve steadily improved the game’s performance, added features, and listened to player feedback, shaping it into the game fans originally hoped for. While it may not be considered one of the series’ best, Fallout 76 has evolved into a solid action-RPG with deep crafting, building, and social options, ultimately becoming one of the largest and most feature-rich Fallout games available.

Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint

Average Score At Launch: 57/100

  • As of Now: 72% positive Steam

As a big fan of the Ghost Recon series, I was really disappointed with Breakpoint. It felt like it was rushed out the door only two years after Wildlands, which everyone enjoyed. They pitched it as a direct continuation of that story, but it launched with a ton of technical problems and some really questionable choices. They tried to turn it into a loot-focused game like The Division, and even started experimenting with NFTs, which didn’t go over well at all. Honestly, it was a pretty rough launch and is often remembered as one of Ubisoft’s worst in recent years.

Similar to what happened with Fallout 76, Ghost Recon Breakpoint received excellent updates after its initial release. The game shed its controversial NFT plans, added a more traditional single-player experience with Immersive Mode, and fixed all technical problems. It also gained improvements to its tactical and stealth gameplay, ultimately becoming a large-scale and highly regarded tactical shooter. Fans of the genre, particularly those missing games like Splinter Cell, found it offered a lot of flexibility and fun, as there weren’t many comparable options available.

Need For Speed Payback

Average Score At Launch: 60/100

  • As of Now: 85% positive Steam

While the 2015 Need for Speed reboot didn’t quite meet expectations, Need for Speed Payback was a particularly low point for the franchise. Several issues contributed to this, including technical problems, uninspired driving mechanics (especially off-road), and a controversial upgrade system that relied heavily on randomized loot boxes – a gambling-like mechanic EA was using in games like Star Wars Battlefront 2 at the time.

When Need for Speed Payback first launched, fans didn’t respond well to its focus on in-game purchases. Even EA quickly changed course and reduced these features. Once the game’s issues were fixed and progression was made smoother, Payback became a popular title among recent Need for Speed games. Players enjoyed its thrilling, action-packed story, which felt similar to the Fast & Furious movies, along with its great graphics and sound. The unique way you could upgrade cars also helped the game stand out, and ultimately won over racing fans.

The Order: 1886

Average Score At Launch: 62/100

  • As of Now: Average Rating of 4.3/5 on PSN

The Order: 1886 is unusual because it completely changed how people viewed it, even though it hasn’t been updated since its original release. When it first came out as a PlayStation 4 exclusive, the game was visually stunning and offered a unique and captivating world. Unfortunately, the story was very short – more like a demo than a complete game – and it was expensive, which led to mostly negative reviews and discussions.

Over time, as the price of The Order: 1886 went down, more people discovered and loved the game. Even now, years later, it’s still remarkable for how well it was made, and players are amazed by the exciting new ideas it introduced. Today, many fondly remember the game and often wonder what could have been if a sequel had been made.

Similar to The Order: 1886, Ryse: Son of Rome was another visually impressive game released by Xbox at the start of the Xbox One era. While critics gave it similar lukewarm reviews – praising its beautiful graphics which still look good today, but criticizing its short length – Ryse: Son of Rome is now highly rated on Steam, with 85% of players giving it a positive review. This shows that many players now enjoy the game’s intense and cinematic action, especially at its current lower price.

Star Wars Battlefront 2

Average Score At Launch: 67/100

  • As of Now: 87% positive Steam

Like Need for Speed Payback, Star Wars Battlefront 2 launched with limited content, a weak story, and a heavy emphasis on lootboxes and gambling. This made it difficult for players to unlock the characters they wanted, and caused widespread frustration. The game received negative reviews, and many players refused to play until these problems were fixed. Facing intense criticism, EA was forced to change its approach and stop using these unfair practices.

Even though it had a rocky start, Star Wars Battlefront 2 quickly became a really enjoyable game. It looked fantastic, recreating iconic locations from the Star Wars films with impressive detail that still looks great today. With regular updates adding more content, the game evolved into the definitive multiplayer Star Wars experience, offering a huge variety of settings, characters, and exciting moments that any fan would love.

Sea Of Thieves

Average Score At Launch: 68/100

  • As of Now: 89% positive Steam

Sea of Thieves initially aimed to be the ultimate pirate experience, full of fun and adventure, but it had a rocky start. Like many online games when they first launch, it suffered from technical problems, didn’t have enough to keep players engaged, and experienced online connectivity issues. This led to a generally disappointing reception, making it seem like the game might fail. However, this wasn’t the end – it was just the beginning of a long journey of improvement.

From the start, Sea of Thieves had a solid base – it just needed effort, time, and commitment. Through consistent, major updates, the game gradually blossomed until it finally lived up to its potential. Featuring incredibly realistic oceans, detailed ship handling and battles, engaging player interactions, and endless adventures, Sea of Thieves has become the definitive pirate experience, earning a loyal following. It’s a truly enjoyable game and a fantastic illustration of how continued support after launch can transform a game, proving that early reviews don’t always tell the whole story.

State Of Decay 2

Average Score At Launch: 68/100

  • As of Now: 86% positive Steam (Juggernaut Edition)

Following the success of the first game, State of Decay 2 aimed to be the definitive zombie survival sandbox. However, the initial release didn’t quite live up to expectations. Players encountered bugs, rough gameplay, and it lacked some of the depth of the original. Though it launched in better condition than some troubled games like Breakpoint, the developers, Undead Labs, worked to address these issues and ultimately satisfied fans with ongoing improvements.

Major expansions like Daybreak and Heartland greatly improved State of Decay 2, fixing earlier issues and adding tons of new content – including game modes, missions, and deeper survival features. They also addressed concerns fans had voiced. The final major update, Juggernaut Edition, took things even further, essentially realizing the game’s full potential. Now, State of Decay 2 is widely considered one of the best complex zombie survival games, and players are eagerly awaiting the release of State of Decay 3.

No Man’s Sky

Average Score At Launch: 69/100

  • As of Now: 80% positive Steam

No Man’s Sky has one of the most impressive comeback stories in gaming. It’s become a case study for how to turn a troubled launch into a success, with many articles and videos detailing Hello Games’ dedication to fixing and enhancing the game. When it first came out, No Man’s Sky promised an incredible experience, but the initial release from the small, new studio didn’t deliver. It was filled with bugs, lacked depth, and had major online issues, leading many to believe it would quickly fade into obscurity. The problems at launch seemed almost as vast as the game’s original ambitions. But what happened next is now well-known.

As a long-time fan, it’s incredible to see how much Hello Games has poured into No Man’s Sky over the last nine years. Seriously, the game today is almost completely different from what it launched as! They’ve added so much – deep new ways to play, a stunning visual upgrade, and even proper online co-op, and that’s just scratching the surface. The best part? All of this support has been totally free for anyone who already owns the game, which makes No Man’s Sky one of the best gaming purchases you could ever make. It’s why I – and a lot of other people – are so hyped for their next project, Light No Fire. They’ve really earned our trust with everything they’ve done.

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2025-11-22 06:10