Currently, the gaming landscape presents a diverse array of experiences. On one side, an abundance of fresh titles across various genres and platforms cater to a wide range of preferences. However, it’s also true that not all new releases have been successful, and the frequent appearance of microtransactions can feel overwhelming. Additionally, delays in release dates and the long wait for games initially announced years ago leave some players wondering if they will ever get to play them.
While there have been some fantastic games released recently, it’s time to bid farewell to certain contemporary gaming trends that have overstayed their welcome. Here are the top gaming trends from today that we’re eager to see disappear this year.
10. Trying to Capitalize on Trends & What’s Worked in the Past
Every now and then, it seems like a new farming simulation game is marketed as the successor to Stardew Valley. If I got a coin for each time, I’d be financially comfortable by now! It appears that the gaming market these days is flooded with titles attempting to replicate successful formulas rather than venturing into uncharted territory.
The year 2025 seems especially overwhelmed with farming simulations featuring pixel art reminiscent of Stardew Valley, in addition to an abundance of first-person shooter games aiming to outshine Call of Duty or even harken back to the heyday of Halo.
While these games are indeed fantastic, sticking to trends or reinventing familiar designs can often overlook a wealth of untapped creativity. What captivates us most about our favorite games isn’t just their ability to emulate the previous ones, but rather the novelty and originality they bring to the gaming world. Chasing popular trends or reusing proven formulas may lead to missing out on that unique experience which eventually earns the title of ‘Game of the Year’ for many. Instead, taking a chance on something fresh and unexpected could potentially unveil the next innovative breakthrough.
9. Remasters & Remakes Over New IP or Fresh Installments
Much like how it seems, there’s been an abundance of re-imagined and updated games from established franchises in comparison to brand-new ones lately. I was just as eager for The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered as the next RPG enthusiast. However, my preference lies with the novel adventure offered by The Elder Scrolls 6, rather than revisiting a narrative we’ve already experienced in Cyrodiil.
It seems like a constant flood of remastered games or re-releases from major franchises is taking over game stores today. Surely, nostalgia has a powerful influence on sales and provides a boost to the happiness of veteran gamers. However, the sheer amount of effort put into remakes and remasters leaves us wondering: where are the fresh, innovative ideas? Where can we find new intellectual properties (IPs), or those long-awaited sequels that could excite us as much as our favorite classics did in their time?
8. Forcing Open Worlds Where They Don’t Belong
Exploring open-world games can offer a captivating experience, filled with endless adventures that players shape themselves. These games often hide treasures for keen-eyed explorers to discover. However, not all video games require an open world setting, as some might benefit more from other game designs.
As a passionate gamer, I’ve got to say, even I was hyped for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, expecting an immersive open-world Pokemon adventure. But, to be honest, it felt a bit underwhelming. Don’t get me wrong, the world is huge, but it just didn’t have that punch of excitement you’d expect with so much space to explore. Recently, I’ve seen a similar issue with Starfield’s portrayal of space – vast and empty.
Seems like developers are on this never-ending quest for the open-world format, disregarding what truly matters – content. Over the past few years, it’s been a letdown, with games blindly following the footsteps of Skyrim and Breath of the Wild without considering if an open world is the best fit for their game. It’s high time developers thought about what suits their project before defaulting to an open world just because it worked for others.
7. Too Many Microtransactions/DLC For Paid Games
It’s common knowledge that I am a fan of free-to-play games, and I can put up with a lot of grinding for in-game currency. In fact, I even find the process enjoyable. Nevertheless, there is one issue that needs addressing: the excessive number of microtransactions and additional paid DLC for games that are already quite expensive to begin with.
When I spend the full cost for a game, I expect it to deliver a complete gaming experience. However, in today’s market, many full-priced games are packed with microtransactions such as Battle Passes or in-game shops filled with cosmetic items. While I appreciate earning in-game currency to customize my character, paying actual money for add-ons that should have been included from the start is not appealing. Some titles, like Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, even leave parts of the main story unfinished and require players to purchase additional DLC to access all game content.
6. Online Only Gameplay Options, Even for Singleplayer
Have you ever found yourself packing your Nintendo Switch for a road trip, only to discover later that you couldn’t play your preferred games due to their requirement for an internet connection? This is particularly applicable for multiplayer games or those with live services that need regular updates. However, these days, even single-player games often demand an online connection before you can start playing, significantly reducing the Switch’s portability as a gaming device.
It would be beneficial for more games to include an offline play mode. In today’s world, not everyone plays games online or consistently updates their software. Requiring an online connection to play a game like Digimon Survive can limit when and where gamers can enjoy the games they’ve purchased. Additionally, it increases the risk that the game may disappear if online support is ever discontinued.
5. Leaving Games in Early Access Limbo
In many cases, independent games often face the challenge of needing immediate funds to sustain their development, leading to an increased number of games being launched in Early Access without a clear roadmap towards reaching version 1.0. While I believe Early Access is generally not a flawed concept – as demonstrated by games like Hades 2 using this stage for polishing mechanics and preparing for a complete launch – there are instances where games remain in Early Access for extended periods, causing players to question whether a full release was ever the intended goal.
Launching a game during Early Access shouldn’t serve as an opportunity to release an unfinished product and earn money from players without delivering a completed game. Far too often, gamers choose Early Access only to find the game remains in that state with no updates or further development. While it’s understandable that projects may face unexpected challenges, it has become concerning how many games remain stuck in Early Access without proper communication or clear plans for future developments.
4. Forcing Live Service Elements into Everything
You might recall when EA suggested that if Dragon Age: The Veilguard had incorporated live-service elements, it would have been successful. However, I strongly dispute this assertion. It isn’t necessary to incorporate live-service components into every game. While some games, such as MMORPGs and those designed for long-term play, might benefit from regular updates, not all titles require a live service. In fact, some games can thrive without it.
Games that follow a narrative structure often thrive with a well-defined start, progression, and conclusion. Unlike action-packed Battle Royale or multiplayer modes, these story-based games don’t necessarily require post-launch additions. It’s not always beneficial for a game to receive regular content updates after its release. In fact, such an approach can undermine the game’s potential for replay value and long-term appeal. If a game’s quality hinges on constant updates, the development team must continually dedicate resources to sustaining that title. Without ongoing support, the game might as well be considered defunct. Additionally, keeping up with continual live service updates can become exhausting for players, who may eventually lose interest if they have to remember numerous login events. Some games are simply designed to offer a complete experience at launch without relying on frequent events and updates to maintain player engagement.
3. Poor Optimization & Shoddy Frame Rates
As a dedicated PC gamer, it’s been really disheartening to see an alarming number of games launch with suboptimal performance in recent times. Even fan-favorite titles like Monster Hunter World, which ruled on other platforms, have struggled to deliver a smooth experience for us PC gamers. It feels like the pursuit of stunning graphics has overshadowed the importance of gameplay efficiency, and for someone who relies heavily on PC gaming, it’s nothing short of frustrating.
Players prefer their gaming experiences to be smooth and glitch-free, avoiding frame drops or performance problems. Such issues not only disrupt the immersive nature of gaming, but they can also cost valuable seconds in battles and exploration. Lag can even impact gameplay decisions that mean life or death within the game. When new games hit the market, they should be optimized to function smoothly on contemporary consoles and computers that meet the suggested system requirements. However, it seems that this is not always the case at present.
2. Announcing Games Too Early
Anticipation can make something enjoyable, yet there are instances when it’s beneficial for a game to remain hidden for a while longer. Over the past few years, we’ve witnessed several highly anticipated titles being abruptly canceled. This is largely due to games being revealed prematurely, often before they’ve developed beyond a concept.
It’s been a long time since we’ve heard anything about Witchbrook, much like years of silence, and there are other games that give the impression they may never be completed. Projects such as Insomniac’s Wolverine or the canceled Wonder Woman game were unveiled far too early, before any substantial progress beyond a basic idea was made. When games are announced well ahead of when they’ll even be ready for a gameplay trailer, it becomes challenging to maintain genuine excitement because it feels more and more probable that these projects won’t come to fruition. Achieving the right balance in this area seems to have been elusive for many game developers lately.
1. Releasing Broken Games
Without a doubt, one of the most disheartening tendencies in gaming is the premature launch of incomplete games. I’m not referring to Early Access or DLC here; I’m talking about titles that are riddled with errors and malfunctions, making them almost unplayable upon release. Regrettably, this issue seems to be increasing in frequency lately.
At the beginning of this year, supporters were taken aback when the much-awaited game “Mindseye” launched with numerous glitches, leaving one to wonder about the quality control measures in place for the game. It seems that this trend correlates with announcing games prematurely, as companies appear to be eager to release their games before they are fully polished. Instead of delaying the release, it appears that companies opt to launch the games early, intending to fix the issues at a later date. This approach often leads to a disappointing launch day experience for fans and can dampen the excitement for games that might have been exceptional if given more time to mature.
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2025-08-23 21:43