The harmonious blend of narrative-rich campaigns and engaging multiplayer modes is pivotal for delivering a cohesive gaming experience. However, numerous titles have struggled to integrate multiplayer components, resulting in an impression that these features were hastily tacked on rather than thoughtfully designed. In many instances, the multiplayer functionalities were insufficiently developed, leading to either the introduction of new formats in later sequels or their complete removal from the franchise. While these controversial multiplayer components may not be entirely devoid of merit, they often pale in comparison to their single-player counterparts. Below, we rank some of the most underwhelming multiplayer experiences relative to their standout campaigns, taking into account their contentious reception within the gaming community.
8 Halo 3: ODST
Firefight v1
Bungie’s penultimate entry in the Halo series, Halo 3: ODST, is celebrated for its compelling neo-noir narrative, memorable jazz-inspired soundtrack, and a profound exploration of the Orbital Drop Shock Troopers, arguably the second-best soldiers in the galaxy. However, the development cycle of ODST was rushed, largely due to the cancellation of projects like Peter Jackson’s Halo Chronicles and a film adaptation directed by Neill Blomkamp, both of which were folded into ODST as Bungie pivoted to work on Halo: Reach.
As a consequence, some elements of ODST felt underdeveloped, particularly its inaugural multiplayer mode, Firefight. Lacking the matchmaking and gameplay customization features introduced in Reach, Firefight’s experience often felt incomplete. While I still enjoy revisiting Firefight on Lost Platoon, it is overshadowed by both the engaging campaign of ODST and the robust multiplayer offerings of Halo 3.
7 Dead Space 2
The concept of multiplayer has intrigued EA and Visceral Games since the early development phases of the original Dead Space. Following fan demand, Dead Space 2 introduced a multiplayer mode known as Outbreak, which pitted four Sprawl security forces against four players controlling various Necromorphs, reminiscent of the competitive dynamics found in Left 4 Dead.
While the novelty of playing as Necromorphs offered a unique twist, the gameplay balance left much to be desired, with significant disadvantages for the Necromorphs due to player limitations and prolonged respawn times. Although I hold Dead Space 2‘s campaign in high regard, I was relieved to see Visceral forgo Outbreak in favor of a more fitting co-op experience in Dead Space 3.
6 Condemned 2: Bloodshot
Crime in the Streets
The original Condemned: Criminal Origins emerged as a standout title on the Xbox 360, thanks to its immersive atmosphere, limited combat mechanics, and unsettling environments mostly comprising abandoned buildings. While the campaign for Bloodshot greatly improved upon Criminal Origins, its multiplayer mode felt like an afterthought, offering generic gameplay types like Team Deathmatch without much innovation.
Although Bloodshot maintained the impressive lighting of its campaign, the multiplayer experience ultimately felt lackluster, leading players into chaotic brawls that often lacked depth or engagement.
5 Dead Rising 3
An Odd Follow-Up to Terror Is Reality
Contrary to many fans of the series, I have always enjoyed the multiplayer offerings in Dead Rising 2‘s Terror Is Reality, appreciating its playful take on traditional zombie genres, despite some frustrating achievements. Unfortunately, multiplayer elements were absent in both Dead Rising 2: Off the Record and Dead Rising 3.
Instead, Dead Rising 3 expanded upon its co-op campaign featuring a new character named Dick, rather than a clone of protagonist Nick Ramos. The introduction of the Super Ultra Dead Rising 3′ Arcade Remix Hyper Edition EX Plus Alpha mode felt out of place amidst the more serious storylines, diluting the overall experience compared to the comedic tone of Dead Rising 4.
4 God of War: Ascension
A Confusing Offering to the Gods
It was surprising to see the God of War franchise delve into the territory of multiplayer with the 2013 prequel, God of War: Ascension. As the only installment to feature a multiplayer component, it offered a mix of PvP and PvE gameplay for up to eight players, who split into teams aligned with various Greek gods.
Instead of embodying recognizable characters like Kratos, players took on the role of other oath-breakers. Though this expansion of gameplay was intriguing, I found the multiplayer elements somewhat tedious and ultimately unnecessary, as they detracted from the gripping narrative of Kratos’ backstory and his struggles.
3 Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
A Surprising Yet Disappointing Black Ops Reunion
While Call of Duty: Black Ops remains one of the beloved entries in the franchise due to its engaging narrative, memorable characters, and classic multiplayer experience, fans were eagerly anticipating a direct follow-up in the form of Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. The campaign delivered a nostalgic return to the late 20th-century conflicts featuring returning favorites and multiple alternate endings.
However, Cold War’s multiplayer aspect continued a trend of imbalance and frustration, characterized by skill-based matchmaking dilemmas, uninspired map designs, and limited options for Zombies mode, detracting from the overall experience.
2 The Lord of the Rings: Conquest
Star Wars: Battlefront’s Disheartening Cousin
After the success of the Star Wars: Battlefront series, Pandemic Studios aimed to replicate its achievements within the cinematic universe of Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings. The result, The Lord of the Rings: Conquest, attempted to merge the beloved elements of Battlefront with a new campaign exploring iconic moments from the films, including an alternate scenario where Frodo meets a grisly fate.
Nevertheless, Conquest struggled with the translation of Battlefront’s class-based systems to the melee-focused combat of LOTR. Many classes felt too similar, and archers were disproportionately powerful, resulting in an unbalanced gameplay experience. The game suffered from technical issues, including lag and AI malfunctions, leading to a dwindling player base that prompted EA to shut down its servers shortly after launch.
1 Assassin’s Creed Unity
Fumbling Assassins
When trailers for Assassin’s Creed Unity teased a co-op option for experiencing the narrative of the Assassins during the French Revolution, excitement grew within the community. Unfortunately, the final product fell short, allowing players only to partake in brief co-op missions that were often disconnected from the main storyline, focusing on mundane heist objectives.
This was particularly disheartening given the rich, stealth-laden multiplayer experiences offered in previous titles such as Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood. The repetitive and shallow mission design was compounded by technical glitches that often led to a frustrating gameplay experience, particularly when considering the high standards set by earlier entries in the franchise.
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