No gamer wants to spend their hard-earned cash on a disappointing video game. But what makes a video game bad? Is it the graphics, the storyline, or the controls? Well, it’s a combination of factors that can make or break a game. Let’s take a deep dive into the world of bad video games and see what really makes them a flop.
The worst of the worst
First and foremost, a bad video game lacks innovation. Players want to experience something new and exciting, not a recycled version of a game they’ve already played. If a game fails to bring new ideas to the table, it can quickly become stale and uninteresting.
This is why Ubisoft games are often considered bad games, despite generally having decent mechanics and graphics. They are soul-less copy and paste jobs.
Secondly, a game can be bad if it has janky optimization poor graphics. Nowadays, video games are expected to have stunning visuals; if a game fails to meet those expectations, it can be a dealbreaker. Low-quality graphics can be distracting and take away from the overall gaming experience.
Worse though, is when a game is poorly polished and bug-ridden. Think Cyberpunk 2077 when it first released. It was an unplayable mess.
Next up, a game with a bad storyline can ruin the entire experience. Players want to be invested in the characters and their journey. Players will lose interest and stop playing if the plot is weak, cliche, or just plain boring.
Fourthly, a bad game can have frustrating controls. Nothing is more annoying than trying to navigate a game with clunky, unresponsive controls. It can make the game unplayable and leave players feeling frustrated and unsatisfied.
Next, is predatory monetization in video games. It’s a particularly insidious concern that has been growing in recent years, and it’s a topic that has come up frequently in the discussion of games such as Diablo Immortal. This free-to-play mobile game has been criticized for its aggressive monetization strategies that some players consider predatory.
One of the most common forms of predatory monetization in video games is the use of loot boxes. Diablo Immortal allows players to purchase “Treasure Troves,” which contain a random assortment of items. Players are encouraged to purchase multiple Treasure Troves to obtain rare and valuable items, creating a “pay-to-win” scenario. This can be particularly frustrating for players who have invested time into the game, only to be outmatched by someone who has spent money.
Lastly, a bad game can lack replay value. Once players finish the game, there’s nothing left to do. There’s no reason to go back and play it again. Games with low replay value can be a major disappointment, especially if they were highly anticipated.
Diabo Immortal is a game that many consider terrible due to it’s implementation of pay-to-win mechanics and predatory monetization.
To sum it all up – a bad video game is a combination of factors that can leave players feeling disappointed and frustrated. Innovation, graphics, bugs, storyline, controls, monetization, and replay value are all crucial elements of a successful game. When one or more of these factors are lacking, the game can quickly become a flop. As gamers, we want to be entertained and challenged, not bored and irritated.
Here’s a list of some of the worst video games of all time, based on critical reception and public opinion:
- E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (Atari 2600)
- Superman 64 (Nintendo 64)
- Big Rigs: Over the Road Racing (PC)
- Bubsy 3D (PlayStation)
- Shaq Fu (Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo)
- Leisure Suit Larry: Box Office Bust (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC)
- Plumbers Don’t Wear Ties (3DO, PC)
- Ride to Hell: Retribution (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC)
- Hong Kong 97 (Super Famicom)
- Sonic the Hedgehog (2006) (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
These games are widely regarded as some of the worst due to their poor gameplay mechanics, bad graphics, lack of innovation, and a host of other issues. Despite their negative reception, some of these games have become infamous and gained a cult following for their sheer terribleness.
