3 Disappointing Games That Hurt Their Franchises More Than Expected

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Gamers aren’t always disappointed by bad games. Sometimes, a game fails to resonate because of timing, unrealistic hype, or the weight of expectations from previous installments. While fans are often understanding of technical issues or a bumpy release, it’s much harder to accept when a beloved series seems to lose its way. We’ve seen this happen with several major franchises in recent years, leaving players questioning if the series can recapture its former glory.

These recent failures are particularly upsetting because these game series are incredibly important in gaming history. They weren’t just popular – they helped create the types of games we play today, setting standards for role-playing games and shooters. When these franchises disappoint, it’s more than just a sales issue; it damages the relationship with players who have spent years enjoying these worlds and characters. While some series bounce back, certain mistakes can cause lasting harm. These three games didn’t simply fall short of expectations; they actually hurt their respective franchises in surprising ways.

3) Dragon Age: The Veilguard

The Dragon Age series was once a cornerstone of BioWare, celebrated for its intricate character development, sophisticated stories, and challenging moral choices within a fantasy world. With Dragon Age: The Veilguard – the sequel to Inquisition – anticipation was high. However, the game quickly became controversial. From the initial trailers, fans expressed concerns about its overall feel, visual style, and a move towards faster-paced action that seemed unlike the tactical RPG gameplay of previous titles.

The main problem with Veilguard wasn’t its quality – in fact, it looked promising. However, it felt like a departure from what made Dragon Age special, almost as if it wasn’t the same series anymore. Dragon Age is known for more than just fantasy combat; it’s about complex politics, choices that matter, and building relationships with your companions. Many fans worried that these key elements were being ignored in favor of a more generic style of game.

The biggest problem wasn’t with the game itself, but with how it made fans feel about the future of the series. After many setbacks, internal changes, and pressure from EA, players were hoping Veilguard would be a strong comeback for BioWare. Instead, it brought back worries about the studio’s direction, especially after disappointing releases like Mass Effect: Andromeda and Anthem. Doubts overshadowed any good qualities the game had, even before it came out. This was a major blow for a franchise that used to be as popular and respected as The Elder Scrolls and The Witcher.

2) Mass Effect Andromeda

Man, I was so hyped for Mass Effect: Andromeda. The original Mass Effect trilogy is legendary – seriously, it set the standard for how RPGs tell stories and let you actually impact what happens. It’s a series with a fanbase that’s unbelievably dedicated. So when Andromeda came out in 2017, everyone, myself included, had crazy high expectations. Sadly, it ended up being a huge letdown, and it’s gone down as one of the biggest disappointments in gaming history.

The game was plagued by severe technical problems. Awkward movements, strange character faces, and serious bugs quickly became popular jokes online, drawing attention away from anything the game did well. These weren’t small issues; they actively ruined the emotional impact the series was famous for. When characters look robotic during important scenes, it completely breaks the player’s immersion.

Beyond its technical issues, Andromeda had a bigger problem: it didn’t feel like a true Mass Effect game. The writing wasn’t as deep or emotionally engaging as the original trilogy, and characters and stories felt less complex and more predictable. The exciting, high-stakes feeling of the earlier games was missing, replaced by a more relaxed and directionless experience. While the game focused on exploration, most planets felt empty and similar, failing to offer genuinely interesting discoveries.

The biggest disappointment with Andromeda wasn’t that it was broken, but that it could have been fixed. While technical problems were addressed and the game showed promise, the damage to fan goodwill was already done. EA closed the development studio in Montreal and canceled all future expansions. As a result, the Mass Effect series went on hold for years, and Andromeda’s failure continues to cast a shadow over the future of Mass Effect 5.

1) Halo Infinite

The Halo franchise is one of the most important in gaming. For twenty years, it’s been closely tied to the Xbox brand and has defined what console first-person shooters can be. When Halo Infinite finally launched in 2021 after a difficult development process, it faced enormous expectations. It wasn’t enough for the game to simply be good; it needed to prove that Halo was still relevant. Unfortunately, it ended up being the biggest letdown in the series’ history.

When Halo Infinite first came out, it showed a lot of potential. The story mode was good, the shooting felt fantastic, and the free multiplayer had a strong base to build from. However, that initial excitement didn’t last. The biggest problem was a severe lack of things to do. Fans had to wait for many months for essential features like Forge mode, the ability to play the campaign with friends, new maps, regular seasons, different game types, and ways to meaningfully improve their player experience. Games that are constantly updated need a steady stream of new content, and Infinite didn’t give players enough reasons to keep coming back during its first year.

The game’s progression system felt old-fashioned, and players felt pressured to spend extra money for customization options. Frequent delays also upset and divided the player base, leading to a significant drop in player numbers. Even dedicated fans started to lose interest because updates and improvements took so long. This was particularly harmful to the Halo franchise, as Infinite was intended to rebuild trust after the mixed reception of Halo 5: Guardians. Unfortunately, it instead strengthened concerns about the future of the series under 343 Industries. Now operating as Halo Industries, the team is aiming to win back fans with Halo: Campaign Evolved and a new multiplayer game.

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2025-11-28 02:13