Whenever a developer decides to take a risk when making a game, it usually causes a little bit of division among those who play it. The majority of the time, this has to do with the gameplay which might feel a little unusual and out there to a lot of players, but there are many other factors that can make a game polarizing, such as the graphics, the story, or simply just not living up to the hype.
This is why it's always best to try out these types of games before spending the big bucks, especially if it's a triple AAA title. Whether it's through PlayStation's Premium Membership trials, borrowing a game from a friend, or even just trying out a demo, it never hurts to play through the early portions of a game to see whether it proves to be an enjoyable experience, especially when it comes to these titles listed below.
8 Fallout: New Vegas
Fallout New Vegas has amassed somewhat of a cult following since it was first released in 2010, and while some praise it as the king of role-playing games, others see it as nothing more than a cheap imitation of Fallout 3. The truth is, the amount of freedom New Vegas offers along with the incredibly deep branching storylines do make it very in-depth and addictive.
However, the classic Bethesda jankiness paired with the rather ugly brown color palette can definitely be a little too jarring for some players. Still, if they can ignore the annoying enemies and dated graphics, then they should definitely think about buying the full game to truly experience everything the Mojave Wasteland has to offer.
7 Red Dead Redemption 2
There's no denying that Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the most immersive games ever made, but the extreme attention to detail has proven to be a little offputting for some players who find that they just want to get on with the game. Having to slowly pick up items, store weapons on a horse saddle, and get a haircut to maintain hygiene can seem tedious to many people, but on the other hand, this truly brings the game to life for some fans.
This really comes down to how much enjoyment the player gets from the immersive experience of a game and whether they would think it might dampen the overall flow of the gameplay, or improve it. The lengthy prologue provides an excellent introduction to how the game is going to run from then onwards, so trying this out can be a good idea for anyone who's on the fence.
6 Alpha Protocol
When reviews first dropped for Alpha Protocol, many of them spoke about how ambitious the game was in terms of its dialogue trees, combat, and the fact that it was essentially a third-person action game and RPG all rolled into one. Admittedly, the game does have quite a few bugs and glitches, alongside some fairly unpleasant character models, but beneath all the technical issues is a game that really plays like no other.
Many games will tell the player that their choices will have an effect on the wider story, but nowhere is this more true than Alpha Protocol where something as simple as killing a hostage can completely change the way characters talk to the protagonist, and what data he can receive later on. The clunky gameplay really does let the game down, but if players click with the deeper mechanics of this game, they will truly be in for a wild ride.
5 Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 has come a long way since its rough launch back in December 2020. The game is now at a point where virtually every bug and technical hiccup has been fixed, and plenty of new features have been added that were promised at release, including the ability to buy apartments, more weapon modifications, and a whole host of new characters in the Phantom Liberty DLC.
Still, though, it's understandable that many players would be a little hesitant to jump back into the game given how much criticism it garnered when it finally dropped after being so hotly anticipated, so it's probably best to test out how the game feels in its current state before going all-in with buying it.
4 Battlefield 2042
Another very controversial game that has improved exponentially over the years, Battlefield 2042 is no doubt groundbreaking when it comes to the scale of its battles, and while some find the maps a little too big for their liking, others now see it as the best way to enjoy this classic franchise. Not only have Dice decided to bring back the class system, but there are also plenty of guns to experiment with, several new maps, and a much better Battlefield Portal mode, which is a lot of fun to play now.
Everyone has their preferences when it comes to first-person shooters though, and while this entry is much slower-paced compared to previous Battlefield games, fans of the series still shouldn't pass up on at least testing it out now that there have been so many improvements.
3 Final Fantasy 16
The release of Final Fantasy 16 has once again raised the question of what exactly it means for a game to be a Final Fantasy title, and the main reason this has come about is because of just how different this latest title feels from its predecessors. The spirit of this long-running series is undoubtedly still here, with plenty of intriguing characters, incredibly rich lore, and a vast open world for players to explore, but a lot has also been cut out this time around.
The hack-and-slash combat makes Final Fantasy 16 feel like an entirely different genre from the classic RPG style that fans are accustomed to. Luckily, SquareEnix has released a pretty lengthy demo of the game that gives players a taste of the story and combat encounters so that they can decide whether this new take on the series could be just what they're looking for.
2 The Last Of Us: Part 2
The Last Of Us Part 2 might be one of the most divisive games of all time, with many fans turning on it before the game was even released after seeing leaks of what happens to some of the characters in the story. The game divided the fanbase almost as soon as it dropped, but as time has gone on and the dust has finally settled, a lot of people have warmed up to this game and appreciated it for what it is.
Regardless of what some fans might think of the plot, the graphics in this game are absolutely stellar, and the intense combat encounters improve on everything that made the first game's gunfights and stealth sections so enjoyable. With an average completion time of 20 to 25 hours, players should definitely test out the early sections of Ellie's adventure before jumping into the real thing, just to make sure they know exactly what they can come to expect going forward.
1 Death Stranding
Death Stranding is truly a unique game in the sense that, while it's very simple in the way it plays, it has created a huge divide between the gamers who loathe playing it, and those who see it as a revolutionary work of art. For the majority of the game, players will be controlling Sam as he transports cargo across the United States, which has been devastated by a mysterious event known as the "Death Stranding".
Along his journey, Sam will be tasked with balancing his cargo crates, finding tools to navigate through rocky terrain, and also using stealth to slip past enemies. Many have jokingly labeled the game as a "walking simulator", but a lot of people have found that the sense of freedom and grounded nature of the game makes it extremely atmospheric and beautiful to play. Death Stranding really is a different experience for everyone who plays it, and considering much of the game follows the same gameplay loop, trying it out for an hour or two is a great way to see if it's going to be worth the time and money.