4 Games Nobody Wants to Admit Were Actually Great

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In the world of video games, how a game is seen and what people think of it are crucial. A bad start or even a popular joke can ruin a game’s chances before many people get to play it. Often, those first impressions last a long time, even if the game actually had a lot going for it. But surprisingly, when time passes and players revisit these games, they often discover that what was once considered a ‘failure’ was actually quite good. Some of the most innovative and daring games of the last ten years were initially dismissed by many.

These four games all faced initial criticism and were largely dismissed, but each one offered something special that didn’t get enough attention. From innovative gameplay to immersive worlds, they deserve another chance. Here are four titles that people should reconsider ā€“ they were actually quite good.

4. Mass Effect: Andromeda

Mass Effect: Andromeda is unfortunately best remembered for its awkward character animations, which became a popular internet meme and overshadowed its potential. While the game launched in 2017 with noticeable technical issues and bugs, these problems unfairly defined the experience. Beneath the rough exterior, Andromeda was a captivating sci-fi adventure with a strong emphasis on exploration and charm. It successfully captured the spirit of discovery that made the original Mass Effect trilogy so beloved, while also pushing the series in a fresh and exciting direction.

What really made Andromeda stand out was its combat, which was the best in the series. It was fast and fluid, letting you move quickly with jetpack boosts and combine powerful abilities with gunplay seamlessly. The innovative cover system felt incredibly natural and fit the game’s fast pace perfectly. Combat wasnā€™t just about shooting; it was about finding a rhythm, and every fight flowed smoothly, encouraging players to react and adapt. Combined with a vast new galaxy to explore and meaningful connections with your crew, Andromeda delivered a complete sci-fi experience that deserved more praise than it got. While not flawless, dismissing it as a bad game simply because of some internet jokes feels excessive.

3. Assassinā€™s Creed Unity

When Assassinā€™s Creed Unity first came out, it quickly became infamous for its many problems. Players encountered humorous glitches like floating eyes and broken characters, and the game was filled with visual errors right from the start. It was especially disappointing because the game was designed for cooperative play, but didnā€™t work properly at launch. However, after several updates fixed the issues, Unity proved to be one of the most impressive and captivating games in the Assassinā€™s Creed series.

The parkour system in Unity is still one of the best in the series, offering precise movement and making the city rooftops feel like a dynamic puzzle. Stealth also played a key role, encouraging a slower, more thoughtful playstyle that valued planning and patience. While the co-op missions hinted at a promising multiplayer future that never materialized, the game truly stood out for its emotionally resonant story, centered around themes of grief and revolution. Looking back, Unityā€™s strengths are clear, and it was a forward-thinking game despite its initially rocky reception. However, the game suffered from a particularly negative reputation, and that was entirely due to issues with its release by Ubisoft.

2. Watch Dogs: Legion

I really loved how Watch Dogs 2 brought the series back to life, and I admired the guts it took to try something totally different with Legion. I know a lot of people were thrown off by not having a single main character, but honestly, that’s what made it so cool! The idea that anyone could be a hero was such a powerful statement about fighting back as a group. Every single person in that futuristic London had their own life and motivations, and building my team with a mix of spies, builders, and even retirees made it feel like you were really part of the city and its fight.

The game skillfully combined serious political themes with exciting gameplay, allowing players to use stealth, hacking, and social engineering in countless creative ways. Every mission felt like a test of how much the game’s world could be changed. While some critics wished for a main character, this missed the point of the game’s design. Legion wasn’t about one hero; it was about the strength of a collective, showing rebellion as something shared, not done by a single person. Very few open-world games have ever made that message so clear.

1. Dragon Age II

Adding Dragon Age II to this list will likely spark debate, but it’s a game that deserves a second look. After the massive scope of Dragon Age: Origins, players anticipated another huge adventure. Instead, they received something different: a more focused, unusual, and personal story. The game takes place primarily within a single city over ten years. While critics rightly pointed out that the environments were repetitive, those limitations actually allowed the game to prioritize its characters and political intrigue over a large-scale prophecy. It became a detailed character study, set in a believable city where relationships developed realistically through years of both success and hardship.

Unlike many heroes, Hawke wasnā€™t meant to save the worldā€”they were simply trying to survive in a city falling apart. The game showed the lasting impact of your choices, making decisions feel truly important. The combat was quicker and more exciting than previous games, but still felt impactful and grounded in the personal story. Dragon Age II took a risk by focusing on a smaller, more intimate narrative, and while some fans didnā€™t like this change, it resulted in one of BioWareā€™s most compelling and character-focused stories. Despite being unfairly criticized, Dragon Age II is a good game that most players find satisfying if they finish it. Itā€™s not the best in the series, but itā€™s definitely not a bad one either.

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2025-10-24 19:11