As a gaming reviewer, I readily acknowledge our imperfections; sometimes, we might rate outstanding games too low or elevate mediocre ones with undeserved high scores. The clarity that hindsight offers can be both revealing and misleading, often causing us to overestimate the quality of certain titles based on initial excitement or hype.
This tendency can result in games receiving inflated aggregate scores and, in turn, achieving legendary status in the gaming community overnight, despite not fully living up to the expectations set by those scores. In this article, we will utilize that hindsight to explore several critically acclaimed games that, while enjoyable, may not truly deserve the high accolades they have attained.
For clarity, our focus will be limited to titles that have received an aggregate score of 85 or above on OpenCritic.
10 Owlboy
Not Quite a Masterpiece
Kicking off our exploration is Owlboy, an indie game celebrated for its stunning visuals and captivating soundtrack. While it has garnered a devoted following and a sizeable fanbase, the reality is that it doesn’t quite reach the heights of ‘all-time great’ status it might suggest from its reviews.
Though the game’s flight mechanics and vibrant artistry initially impress, they falter as players progress. Issues with platforming consistency arise, boss battles can become frustrating, and incoherent storytelling taints the experience. Owlboy is a charming indie title that elements of a Metroidvania, yet it’s difficult to justify its current aggregate score of 88.
9 Frog Detective 3
Concluding the Trilogy
Frog Detective 3 stands out for its self-aware humor and charm, but despite its captivating writing and relaxed gameplay, it ultimately proves to be somewhat limited.
As with previous entries in the series, players embark on a journey to solve a mystery through basic clues, which can typically be completed in about an hour. The inclusion of a scooter for quicker travel adds a fun twist, yet the gameplay lacks depth, rendering it a rather superficial experience.
8 Starfield
A Space-Faring Letdown
As I invested time into Bethesda’s Starfield, I held on to the hope that it would eventually deliver the RPG experience I had been anticipating. Unfortunately, my expectations were gradually dashed as the game unfolded, leaving me with an unsatisfactory conclusion that few others could rival.
The issues with Starfield are multifaceted; combat feels underdeveloped and tedious, while the colonization mechanics seem unnecessary and unengaging. Much of the gameplay comes across as mere busywork, rather than the rich experience expected from a title of its stature.
While it possesses some appealing technology and mechanics that might interest avid RPG and sci-fi fans, it hardly merits the lofty review scores that place it in discussions of potential DLC or Game of the Year boundaries.
7 Metro 2033: Redux
A Revamp with Missed Opportunities
Having revisited Metro 2033 alongside its sequel, Last Light, I can confirm that 2033 remains a gripping experience and a noteworthy first-person shooter from its time. However, the Redux edition failed to deliver the enhancements expected from a re-release.
Though it features visual improvements, the Redux version lacks significant quality-of-life updates, retaining many of the older game’s flaws, such as confusing quest design and difficulty spikes. Despite its recognizability as a classic, this iteration raises questions about the necessity of its release.
6 Dreams
A Visionary Idea with Limitations
Media Molecule has established itself as a pioneer of creativity, crafting unique gaming experiences. However, their ambitious project Dreams often falls short of the same high bar set by previous titles like LittleBigPlanet.
The game serves as an extensive toolkit for players, yet it lacks a compelling single-player narrative to engage with. Although community-created content adds some value, the concept of Dreams doesn’t fully resonate with casual gamers looking for a cohesive experience.
While the platform’s potential as a creative outlet is commendable, its gaming experience lacks engagement for those not inclined toward game development.
5 The Stanley Parable
The Fourth Wall Dilemma
While I hold a deep appreciation for Davey Wreden and his creative output, I struggle to grasp the widespread acclaim for The Stanley Parable. The game attempts humor and fourth-wall awareness, but ultimately feels shallow compared to its peers in the genre.
Though it offers branching paths and intriguing moments, the game lacks substantive depth, reducing the engaging experience to a series of mere gags. As a connoisseur of walking simulators, I find that the best titles thrive on narrative intensity and visual stylization, aspects where The Stanley Parable does not shine as brightly.
4 What Remains of Edith Finch
A Collection of Mixed Quality
What Remains of Edith Finch, while visually stunning and conceptually intriguing, falls short of being the flawless storytelling masterpiece many acclaim it to be. Instead of a cohesive narrative, it presents a disjointed collection of stories that vary significantly in quality.
The predicted plot twist lacks genuine impact, and many gameplay elements tying these family narratives together feel either limited or awkward to navigate. Although the canning story remains memorable, the game does not rank as the best walking simulator despite the high scores it achieves.
3 Dragon Age: Inquisition
Game of the Year? Seriously?
Once a prominent franchise, Dragon Age has evidently lost momentum, and Inquisition exemplifies this decline, despite having its defenders. Unfortunately, I am not among them.
This installment suffers from the curse of RPG bloat, filled with MMO-style filler that detracts from enjoyable gameplay. Combat becomes unenjoyable, diverging from the strategic brilliance of Dragon Age: Origins.
Despite its shortcomings, it retains some Bioware charm with compelling storytelling and decision-making. However, it represents the most lackluster Game of the Year winner in recent times.
2 Dark Souls 2
The Underappreciated Entry
While there is a growing movement to celebrate Dark Souls 2 as an underrated gem, that doesn’t change the fact that it didn’t receive the same critical accolades as Dark Souls and Dark Souls 3. Yes, the game includes notable moments and fantastic boss encounters, yet it is marred by poor design decisions.
Dark Souls 2 is laden with frustrating encounters, weaker boss fights, and a world design that fails to match the brilliance seen in other titles. While the DLC does improve the experience, the base game itself leaves much to be desired. It would have been insightful had critics been bold enough to express these concerns at the time.
1 Pokémon X & Y
The DS era of Pokémon faced criticism, with titles like Diamond, Pearl, Black, and White somewhat underwhelming compared to earlier generations. For many, X & Y represented a revival of the franchise; however, it is my belief that subsequent titles like Pokémon GO and Sun and Moon did the real heavy lifting in terms of revitalizing the series.
These games suffered from a lackluster storyline, mediocre new Pokémon additions, an absence of challenge, and half-baked mechanics like Mega Evolutions that were refined in later iterations. Despite the region of Kalos being visually appealing and introducing a connected online experience, the fundamental gameplay flaws are significant, which makes its aggregate scores misleading.
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