10 Amazing Multiplayer Games Featuring Poor Single Player Campaigns

In the dynamic landscape of gaming, the evolution of campaign and multiplayer modes is often dictated by advancements in technology, storylines from previous installments, or the pursuit of broader audience engagement to drive profitability. While these elements can lead to simultaneous enhancements in both modes, there are instances where the campaign experiences a notable decline in quality, even as multiplayer receives accolades and maintains a robust player community.

This disparity can stem from inadequate communication between development teams, hasty or troubled campaign production, or a divergence from the franchise’s foundational principles, contrasting with multiplayer modes that build upon previous successes. Below, we explore several games that achieved remarkable multiplayer experiences yet stumbled in delivering single-player campaigns that satisfied fan expectations regarding storytelling and gameplay dynamics.

10 Blur

A More Realistic Mario Kart

Released in 2010 by Activision, Blur is often overlooked despite its distinction as a unique blend of Mario Kart’s whimsical power-ups and Forza’s racing mechanics. The game offers exhilarating multiplayer options, allowing players to engage in thrilling races with a range of vehicles, from classic Dodge Challengers to spacious Ford trucks, all while utilizing power-ups reminiscent of those in Mario Kart, such as the Shunt.

While the multiplayer mode delivers high-octane fun, the single-player career campaign disappointingly pales in comparison. Following the generic racing story of a driver vying for fame among tough competitors, the campaign lacks an engaging narrative and features a silent protagonist, undermining its potential to stand out in a crowded genre.

9 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

A Downgraded Adventure Mode

Renowned for its incredible roster of iconic gaming characters, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate did have high expectations following its predecessors, particularly after the cinematic Adventure Mode, The Subspace Emissary, introduced in Brawl. Players were enthusiastic about a potential follow-up that could deliver an equally gripping narrative.

However, Ultimate’s World of Light left many fans underwhelmed. Lacking cinematic engagements and character interactions beyond combat scenarios, World of Light felt disjointed and unsatisfying compared to its predecessor. Despite this, Ultimate’s core gameplay and vast character selection remained compelling, showing where the strength of this franchise lies.

8 Perfect Dark Zero

An Imperfect Launch Title

Launched in 2005, Perfect Dark Zero offered an impressive multiplayer setup that catered to the early Xbox 360 audience. With features like four-player split-screen and support for up to 32 players, it provided immersive gameplay formats such as Territorial Gains and Infection. As a newcomer to the franchise, my initial experience was marred by a campaign that failed to convey the series’ prior acclaim.

The campaign’s uninspiring narrative, characterized by outdated AI and repetitive engagements, contrasted sharply with the multiplayer’s vibrancy. This disparity highlighted the challenges the developers faced, as the campaign felt more like a means to connect combat scenarios instead of providing a coherent backstory.

7 Battlefield Hardline

Visceral Games’ Unfortunate Swan Song

Battlefield Hardline, which debuted in 2015, shifted the franchise’s focus from traditional warfare to urban crime and policing. Although the game’s campaign attempted to pioneer a narrative filled with stealth elements, it often fell prey to clichéd tropes typical of crime fiction.

Conversely, Hardline’s multiplayer showcased brilliant advancements from Battlefield 4, particularly in terms of destructible environments—a feature that added depth to gameplay. Unique modes such as Heist and Blood Money provided engaging and dynamic experiences that enriched the overall multiplayer offering, overshadowing the campaign’s shortcomings.

6 Killzone Shadow Fall

A Monotonous End to Killzone

Once a hallmark series for PlayStation’s FPS segment, Killzone faced a dip in narrative quality with the launch of Shadow Fall in 2013. This installment felt like an unnecessary addition to the franchise, lacking the strong storytelling that characterized earlier titles.

Although Killzone Shadow Fall retained an engaging multiplayer experience, its solitary campaign featured an uninteresting lead character, Lucas Kellan, and a plot that felt unoriginal. Whereas players had relished rich lore in previous installments, Shadow Fall fell short in delivering a compelling narrative that matched the franchise’s legacy.

5 Gears of War: Judgment

Baird’s Controversial Time in the Spotlight

The first spinoff of the beloved Gears of War franchise, Judgment showcased new multiplayer features but struggled with its campaign’s execution. Set shortly after the Locust invasion, the narrative is marred by a choppy structure and missions tailored more for gameplay than storytelling.

Judgment’s multiplayer, however, successfully introduced class-based modes like Survival and OverRun, breathing new life into the established gameplay mechanics. Despite missteps in narrative, the multiplayer aspect remained enjoyable and added to the franchise’s longevity.

4 Destiny

Bungie’s Worst Campaign Ever Made

Following Bungie’s exceptional storytelling in the Halo series, expectations for Destiny were understandably high. Unfortunately, its initial campaign fell short with a confusing and poorly fleshed-out narrative that lacked substantial depth, making for a mere four-hour experience.

The campaign’s shortcomings were starkly contrasted by the robust multiplayer, which thrived through collaborative PvE raids and the competitive dynamics offered by Crucible matches. These multiplayer elements ultimately proved essential in sustaining the game’s appeal beyond its flawed single-player narrative.

3 Halo 5: Guardians

A Cracked Mantle of Responsibility

Halo 5: Guardians stands out as a disappointment in the series’ campaign history, failing to include split-screen co-op and featuring misleading marketing. Introducing new characters required external media for comprehension, which alienated many long-time fans.

Despite a lackluster single-player experience, the game’s multiplayer introduced classic weapons along with fresh variants that brought enjoyable changes to classic game modes. This multiplayer engagement served as a saving grace, ensuring that Guardians retained its place in the competitive gaming landscape.

2 Star Wars Battlefront II (2017)

Rebel Scum

EA’s Star Wars Battlefront II was promoted as a narrative-rich experience, allowing players to step into the shoes of Iden Versio of the Empire’s Inferno Squad. Unfortunately, the campaign quickly diverted from its initial premise, leading to a muddled narrative with character arcs that felt incoherent.

While the campaign struggled to engage players, the multiplayer experience flourished compared to its 2015 counterpart. It successfully revived class-based gameplay and expanded its universe through continuous updates, making the multiplayer aspect a true highlight that kept players invested.

1 Call of Duty: Black Ops 3

A Campaign Unworthy of the Black Ops Name

Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 marked a turning point for the franchise, diverging from established storylines associated with previous Black Ops titles. The result was a distinctively flat narrative that misstepped in engagement.

Even though the campaign left many fans disappointed, its multiplayer experience, including the highly praised Zombies mode, demonstrated the franchise’s ability to captivate players, proving that compelling gameplay can often outweigh narrative failures.

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