Highlights
- Gamers are passionate about their favorite games, either loving them or hating them intensely, with little middle ground for mediocrity.
- Some games, like Kingdom Hearts, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, and Grand Theft Auto 4, divide the gaming community with mixed reactions.
- Titles like Death Stranding, Apollo Justice, Detroit: Become Human, and The Last of Us Part 2 challenge players with complex narratives and divisive themes.
It’s no secret that gamers take their passion very seriously. Video games are a very important artistic medium and pastime for so many people; it’s only natural their opinions on them can get a little extreme. A game is rarely just a mediocre 5/10. It’s either the greatest triumph ever created, or an absolute dumpster fire.
Worst Games For Each Major Genre (According To Metacritic)
Looking at the worst Metacritic scores given to various titles, gamers can determine which are the worst entries across different genres.
Plenty of video games fall into these two opposing camps of either devoted adoration or equally devoted hatred. Yet then there are those games that exist right on the dotted line between the two sides. These are some of the games that half of the gaming community loves, and the other half can’t stand.
7 Kingdom Hearts
The Odd Love Child of JRPG Meets Disney
Kingdom Hearts
- Platform(s)
- PS2
- Released
- September 17, 2002
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
JRPGs, in general, are a bit of a niche genre in Western gaming, but Kingdom Hearts takes it a step further. This colorful blend of iconic characters from Disney movies and Final Fantasy was a combination many people didn’t see coming.
Adding to that, the story of Kingdom Hearts seems to be constantly rewriting itself, with constant retcons and countless plotholes across the multitude of games. Of course, Kingdom Hearts has a dedicated fanbase who love the characters, unique visuals, and fun gameplay, but even the most die-hard fan knows that their niche isn’t for everyone.
6 The Legend Of Zelda: Skyward Sword
An Overly-Linear Step In The Series
As one of the oldest video game franchises ever made, The Legend of Zelda has seen its fair share of makeovers. Ever now and again, this classic adventure series likes to shake up its art style or classic formula to keep giving players something new. Let’s just say some of these experiments have been more successful than others.
Why a Skyward Sword Sequel Could Be Perfect as the Next Open World Zelda Game
With the next Zelda game after Tears of the Kingdom still unclear, a sequel to Skyward Sword could elevate the open-world formula in a massive way.
Skyward Sword is one of those times the franchise missed the mark. Many long-time fans weren’t impressed by the overly-simple gameplay, constant hand-holding, and linear world design. Others were enthralled by the game's lovely, painting-inspired graphics, unique world-building, and a story exploring an earlier era of Hyrule. There was very little middle ground; players either believe Skyward Sword is the worst game in the series, or one of the Legend of Zelda's best.
5 Grand Theft Auto 4
The Streets Of Vice City Just Got A Lot More Gritty
The Grand Theft Auto series is known for a lot of things. Committing crimes and ignoring every road safety law ever written are some of the big ones, but for a while, the series knew not to take itself too seriously. Rockstar knew what their fans wanted — to have the most reckless, destructive fun imaginable — and they delivered on that.
A heavy story filled with betrayal and heartbreak, with a much more realistic and bleak depiction of organized crime, wasn’t a part of that deal, but that’s what players got with Grand Theft Auto 4. This left a lot of fans confused, wondering what had happened. However, plenty of others quickly got invested in the game's deep characters, giving GTA 4 its own dedicated fanbase.
4 Ace Attorney: Apollo Justice
The Verdict Is Still Out On This One
Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo DS , iOS , Android , Nintendo 3DS
- Released
- February 19, 2008
- Publisher(s)
- Capcom
- Genre(s)
- Adventure , Visual Novel
The original Ace Attorney trilogy is a classic for many fans. Phoenix Wright’s journey from a fledgling lawyer to a legal force to be reckoned with was hallmarked with iconic characters, fun music, and plenty of fun and emotional plot twists. Fans were excited to see the next step the franchise would take, only to stop in their tracks when they came face-to-face with a brand-new protagonist.
All Ace Attorney Games, Ranked
The Ace Attorney franchise contains some incredible entries and some of the most memorable characters in gaming. This is how each entry ranks.
In retrospect, many gamers have realized they may been too hard on Apollo Justice. While it has its flaws, it’s still a fun game that stays true to the franchise’s core values, but for a long time, fans were salty over how their beloved Phoenix Wright had been unceremoniously shoved aside.
3 Death Stranding
A Confusing, Mind-Melting Experience
Most AAA video games tend to keep their stories pretty straightforward. Even when the subject matter or themes get heavy, they’re still easy to understand. Then there’s Death Stranding, whose story reads more like poetry or abstract art, and not everyone “gets” either aspect.
Death Stranding has a lot worth appreciating besides its obscure story. Having Norman Reedus as the mo-capped protagonist is wonderful, and so is the game's wild, futuristic world. Many players really connected with the game’s themes and symbolism of moving on from loss and grief, while others were simply left frustrated and confused by the slow-paced gameplay and lack of conventional mechanics.
2 Detroit: Become Human
A Challenging Narrative About Prejudice, Or A Preachy Trope-Filled Mess?
David Cage is practically famous for making some pretty divisive games. Detroit: Become Human is simply the most recent example. This tale of androids seeking independence in a futuristic dystopia had many gamers on the fence regarding its story and themes. Some found it hard-hitting and emotional, while others found the game failed to read the room.
Another point of contention is the game’s branching story. Many games boasting about how “choices matter” tend to over-promise and under-deliver. Some found that Detroit: Become Human did the trope well, leading to many varied endings based on player choices. Others found the differences minute and frustrating.
1 The Last Of Us Part 2
A Sequel Made To Challenge Fans
The Last of Us Part 1 is one of the most universally celebrated video games in recent memory. The tale of Joel and Ellie navigating a world filled with grief and danger was an emotional roller coaster aided by fun gameplay and unique enemy designs. Fans were hyped for the sequel, but what they actually got was clearly not what they were expecting.
The Last of Us Part 2 is a much darker, grittier tale than Part 1, showcasing the once-innocent Ellie going down a dark road of hatred and revenge. Fans were left divided over how Naughty Dog chose to tell their tale about the cyclical nature of revenge. Some were up to the challenge and enjoyed the much-improved gameplay, while others were left with a bitter taste in their mouths.
Why Abby Kills [SPOILER] in The Last of Us Part 2 Explained
Abby is a new character in The Last of Us Part 2 with a deep connection to Joel, and things don't end well when the two meet.