13 Much Hated Video Games That Are Real Gems

Not everyone lands on their feet in the video game industry. And as an example, there are these 15 much-hated video games that are authentic gems . In such a competitive market, it is really difficult to make a name for yourself and stand the test of time, especially if the launch does not go as everyone expects .

Video games have taught us that redemption is possible . Just ask CD Projekt, after the launch of Cyberpunk 2077, which generated immense (and well-deserved) streams of hate in December 2020.

Another good example is No Man’s Sky. Hello Games earned the hatred of gamers in 2016 for delivering a half-baked game without the promised online multiplayer mode. Thanks to the updates it has received, today it is an excellent space exploration game.

Below, we’re going to review 15 much-hated video games that are actually true gems that you should give another chance to.

Games hated by the press and players that are real gems:

• Cyberpunk 2077
• Deadly Premonition
• Death Stranding
• Destiny 2
• Dragon Age II
• Fallout 76
• Final Fantasy XIV
• Fortnite
• Mass Effect Andromeda
• Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
• Minecraft
• No Man’s Sky
• Sea of ​​Thieves
• Star Wars Battlefront II (2017)
• The Last of Us Part II

Cyberpunk 2077

• Gender: Role-playing.
• Developer: CD Projekt RED.
• Platforms: PS5 / PS4 / Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One / PC.
• Release year: 2020.

Cyberpunk 2077 was set to become the best RPG of the last generation. It had everything to fulfill its mission, but a disastrous launch (especially on PS4 and One) turned it into one of the most hated games in history. All seemed lost for CD Projekt .

However, with a lot of work (updates, patches, and the Phantom Liberty expansion ), Cyberpunk 2077 has transformed into the futuristic RPG we’ve all been waiting for. It’s a shame that some players have lost faith in it forever, as it’s still a hated game… albeit to a lesser extent.

Cyberpunk 2077 Review

Deadly Premonition

• Genre: Horror / Adventure.
• Developer: Access Games.
• Platforms: Nintendo Switch / Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One / Xbox 360 / PS3 / PC.
• Release year: 2010.

Hated by the press, loved by gamers, Deadly Premonition has the honour of being one of the worst games ever made on a technical level , with horrendous animations, low-resolution textures and numerous bugs. But beneath all its visual flaws lies a narrative gem.

The story of special agent Francis York Morgan, halfway between a Twin Peaks-style thriller and a dark comedy, won the hearts of many players. It was followed by a sequel for PC and Nintendo Switch in 2020, which inherited its technical flaws… and also its narrative greatness .

Deadly Premonition Director’s Cut Review

Death Stranding

• Genre: Action/Adventure.
• Developer: Kojima Productions.
• Platforms: PS4 / PS5 / PC.
• Release year: 2019.

Hideo Kojima , the genius behind the Metal Gear saga and the cancelled Silent Hills (and the PT demo), took his first step as an independent developer with Death Stranding. It is one of the biggest productions ever seen in the industry, with names like Norman Reedus, Léa Seydoux, Mads Mikkelsen and Troy Baker in its cast.

Its sci-fi story, characters and technical aspects were praised by everyone, but some players criticised its gameplay mechanics. Death Stranding is a slow adventure, which requires us to travel many kilometres with merchandise on our backs. It is not a game for everyone .

Death Stranding Review

Destiny 2

• Genre: Shooter.
• Developer: Bungie.
• Platforms: PS5 / PS4 / Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One / PC.
• Release year: 2017.

Not everyone is a fan of games as a service. Destiny 2 boasts one of the richest and most varied sci-fi universes ever, which has grown with the release of each expansion . Final Form marks the end of the Guardians’ adventure.

It’s a shame, but many players will never give Destiny 2 a chance, simply because it’s an online multiplayer game . It’s also another title that has improved over the years, and some users were disappointed with its original release.

Destiny 2 Review

Dragon Age II

• Genre: Role / Action.
• Developer: Bioware.
• Platforms: Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One / Xbox 360 / PC / PS3.
• Release year: 2011.

Dragon Age Origins is considered a gem of Western role-playing, heir to the brilliant ARPG mechanics that Bioware implemented in Baldur’s Gate and Baldur’s Gate II. That’s why Dragon Age II, a sequel more oriented towards combat and action , was one of the most hated games of its time.

More than ten years after its release, Dragon Age 2 remains an excellent role-playing game, with a more direct approach that abandons the tactical foundations of its predecessor. Many already consider it a great game , but some fans will always hate this first sequel.

Dragon Age II Review

Fallout 76

• Genre: MMORPG.
• Developer: Bethesda Game Studios Austin.
• Platforms: PS4 / Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One / PC.
• Release year: 2018.

The idea of ​​adapting Fallout to an MMO (massively multiplayer online) format was risky, to the point that long-time fans hated the concept from the moment it was announced. Its disastrous launch and premium subscriptions didn’t help at all, and things were looking bad for Bethesda.

Fortunately, thanks to services like Game Pass and PS Plus, Fallout 76 has grown with new content, quests, characters, and a classic touch from the first installments. Today, it is considered an excellent MMO (and also a good Fallout ), but not all players will discover it.

Fallout 76 Review

Final Fantasy XIV

• Genre: MMORPG.
• Developer: Square Enix.
• Platforms: PS5 / PS4 / Xbox Series X|S / PC.
• Release year: 2010 (original) / 2013 (remake).

It’s always important to acknowledge mistakes, and Square Enix did just that. The original version of Final Fantasy XIV Online was a huge failure with critics and the public, which is why it closed its servers in 2012. The company set itself the goal of raising the MMO to success.

More than ten years after A Realm Reborn, here we are. Final Fantasy 14 has released its fifth expansion, Dawnguard, and has even stopped being exclusive to PlayStation on consoles. However, the most purist fans of the series will never forgive its disastrous launch.

Final Fantasy XIV A Realm Reborn Review

Fortnite

• Genre: Battle Royale.
• Developer: Epic Games.
• Platforms: PS5 / PS4 / Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One / Nintendo Switch / PC / Mobile.
• Release year: 2017.

Born as an imitation of the successful PUBG, Fortnite quickly became the most celebrated battle royale in history. Epic Games always has some collaboration or event up its sleeve, and it is the reason why Fortnite holds the crown in its genre .

It is a game hated by many, who do not understand why its F2P concept is the most successful in the industry. In addition, parents’ associations have it in their sights, because it has caused serious cases of addiction (isolated, of course) among the youngest.

Fortnite Analysis

Mass Effect Andromeda

• Gender: Role-playing.
• Developer: Bioware.
• Platforms: PS4 / Xbox One / PC.
• Release year: 2017.

Mass Effect Andromeda’s biggest problem is that it’s the sequel to one of the best trilogies in gaming . Without Commander Shepard and his iconic crew, the fourth installment of the RPG series holds its own, but is logically below its three predecessors .

The truth is that Andromeda is not the disaster that many make it out to be. It stands out as a remarkable RPG with some brilliant moments, interesting characters and a successful plot. As the years go by, fans have appreciated it at its fair value. It is very reminiscent of the case of the Star Wars prequels .

Mass Effect Andromeda Review

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

• Genre: Open world action/adventure.
• Developer: Konami.
• Platforms: PS4 / Xbox One / PC / PS3 / Xbox 360.
• Release year: 2015.

The story of Metal Gear Solid V is worthy of the best soap opera. It marks the end of a glorious era at Konami, as it catapulted Hideo Kojima out of the company (although Silent Hills was the trigger), and also closes the spy franchise … at least for now.

Many gamers hate The Phantom Pain for one reason: the game isn’t finished . Kojima left Konami before he could finish the job, and so many of the side quests feel repetitive and clichéd. Plus, its open world feels empty at times . But it’s still an excellent stealth action game.

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain Review

Minecraft

• Genre: Simulation / Multiplayer.
• Developer: Mojang Studios.
• Platforms: PS5 / PS4 / Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One / PC / Nintendo Switch / Mobile / PS3 / Xbox 360 / PS Vita / Wii U / 3DS.
• Release year: 2009 (original version) / 2011 (current).

A similar case to Fortnite, but Minecraft has been in the eye of the storm for more years. It is one of the most important video games of all time, having sold more than 300 million copies , and it also marks the way forward in games as a service.

Minecraft is loved by many, but hated by others who have always linked it to the world of YouTubers and streamers. It was even considered that Mojang’s game was only for “rat children.” The reality is that it is a masterpiece, key to understanding the past decade in the digital entertainment industry.

Minecraft Review

No Man’s Sky

• Genre: Open world adventure.
• Developer: Hello Games.
• Platforms: PS5 / PS4 / Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One / Nintendo Switch / PC.
• Release year: 2016.

No Man’s Sky proves that redemption is a more than possible path in video games, as we have seen with titles of the caliber of Cyberpunk 2077. In 2016, Hello Games and director Sean Murray took a few blows, by presenting a half-finished game.

The single-player experience wasn’t bad, but the game was released without a multiplayer mode . Through updates, free expeditions, and patches, No Man’s Sky became the exciting space RPG everyone was hoping for. It’s a shame that not everyone has tried the game in its current state.

No Man’s Sky Next Review

Sea of ​​Thieves

• Genre: Open world adventure / Multiplayer.
• Developer: Rare / Xbox Game Studios.
• Platforms: Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One / PC / PS5.
• Release year: 2018.

It was a dream for many to have the iconic creators of GoldenEye, Perfect Dark and Conker make a pirate MMO. However, Sea of ​​Thieves had a low-key launch, with little content and bugs that marred the experience. Many interested users skipped the game.

Relying on cross-play between Xbox and Windows, and leveraging Game Pass, Sea of ​​Thieves has become an excellent open-world action RPG with online multiplayer. Its recent release on PS5 underlines what was already tangible months ago: it’s a great game that has been unfairly mistreated .

Sea of ​​Thieves PS5 Review

Star Wars Battlefront II

• Genre: Shooter / Multiplayer.
• Developer: DICE.
• Platforms: PS4 / Xbox One / PC.
• Release year: 2017.

The resurrection of Star Wars Battlefront didn’t go the way we all wanted. EA and DICE delivered a technically spectacular shooter, but very limited (no campaign mode) and with little content. With its sequel, Battlefront II, the story was quite different… although it also had a bad start .

EA, as greedy as ever, introduced loot boxes , a mechanic that was totally rejected by players. They realized their mistake, removed this feature and provided tons of content year after year. The reality is that it is a Star Wars gem of a game, but few stuck around to check it out.

Star Wars Battlefront 2 Celebration Edition Review

The Last of Us Part II

• Genre: Action/Adventure.
• Developer: Naughty Dog / PlayStation Studios.
• Platforms: PS5 / PS4.
• Release year: 2020.

The Last of Us 2 is one of the most divisive games in history . Many think it’s a masterpiece , on par with its glorious predecessor, but a significant portion of the fandom (and the community at large) believes that Neil Druckmann has ruined everything that’s been achieved since 2013.

The ‘problem’ with this sequel lies in the character of Abby. Many fans were shocked by a certain moment in the story, and hated the game’s secondary protagonist (after Ellie) forever. It’s a brave and glorious sequel, but we completely understand the criticism.

The Last of Us Part II Review

Years ago, we even called certain titles “bad games” while highlighting their great doses of fun. Take a look at the 10 video games considered very bad but that are tremendously fun .

On the other hand, some games were buried (either by hate or by the success of a similar release) by the passage of time , and almost no one remembers them anymore. Discover the 15 single-player games unjustly forgotten .

Have you tried the 15 much-hated games that are absolute gems? If you did when they came out, you should give them another chance, because the general perception has changed a lot since then … and their status even more so.