5 Games With Great Stories But Terrible Gameplay

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A captivating story alone doesn’t make for a great video game; it requires engaging gameplay as well. This is because the quality of gameplay is paramount. Whether you’re navigating the chilling streets of Yharnam in Bloodborne or battling mythical creatures in God of War, the experience should be thrilling. If it falls short, even a compelling narrative might not hold players’ attention for long.

Regrettably, numerous video games have fallen short in this aspect. While they excelled at narrative, their gameplay left much to be desired. This could be due to lackluster battles, flawed level structures, or game-halting glitches. This compilation highlights some of the most notable flops in the gaming industry – titles that boasted compelling stories but delivered disappointing gameplay, inviting justified criticism. Essentially, these are games with impressive promise that ultimately proved to be a hodgepodge of quality and issues.

1. Vampyr

One outstanding vampire video game from 2019 is “Vampyr”. In this engaging title, you assume the role of a doctor who’s been transformed into a vampire during the early 20th century. Throughout the storyline, you encounter numerous decisions regarding whom to kill, manipulate, or set against one another. Remarkably, your choices significantly impact the game world and its other non-player characters (NPCs). Intriguingly, it’s possible to complete the game without taking any lives at all. There are countless praiseworthy aspects of “Vampyr’s” narrative. Regrettably, the same cannot be said for its gameplay mechanics.

In simpler terms, the game “Vampyr” is set in a densely populated semi-open world version of London. The city is broken down into various districts, which are quite compact and cluttered. The buildings are close together, there’s no room for exploration on rooftops, and moving between districts often involves lengthy loading screens. Navigating through the city tends to feel more like a tedious task rather than an enjoyable aspect of gameplay.

As a gamer, I’ve found that the battles in this game seem to be missing the thrill they should have. It feels like most enemies follow predictable patterns, making them feel more like repetitive opponents rather than tactical challenges. When it comes to boss fights, it’s often more about endurance than strategy – there’s not much required from me other than dodging and landing occasional attacks.

The weapons I have at my disposal are numerous, but unfortunately, none of them stand out as being unique or particularly memorable. The same goes for the superpowers – they don’t seem to pack quite the punch I was hoping for, leaving me in a loop of dodging and firing without much variety.

The game ‘Vampyr’ is truly exceptional, but it may not have gained as much acclaim as it deserves because of its gameplay. If a ‘Vampyr 2’ ever materializes and resolves these issues, there’s no question that it could become one of the most successful vampire-themed games in history.

2. NieR: Automata

Automata is often praised for its compelling storyline in video games. However, some critics argue that the game’s engaging narrative is overshadowed by less captivating gameplay, particularly in combat sequences. This action game places you in control of androids as they battle mechanical beings on a post-apocalyptic Earth. The game’s perspective is from a third-person viewpoint. The world design is breathtakingly beautiful, making exploration enjoyable with its numerous captivating sights. Unfortunately, while the combat moves at a brisk pace, it can become quite monotonous.

In simpler terms, the battle system in NieR can feel repetitive as it primarily involves using one button for attacks, another for blocking, and a third to make your helper continually fire projectiles. Once you get the hang of these basics within the first few hours, the combat may seem monotonous because it doesn’t significantly change. As you advance, you’ll discover new weapons and types of projectiles, but they are essentially upgrades with minimal differences in gameplay, mostly requiring button-mashing.

As a fervent fan, let me tell you, strategies aren’t always necessary for an enjoyable gaming experience. However, when they do make an appearance, they tend to be rudimentary and uninspiring. It’s at these moments you’ll discover that the captivating narrative is what truly drives you forward. If you’re seeking a tale that will leave a lasting impression, NieR: Automata is definitely worth considering. However, be aware that while it delivers an unforgettable adventure, the combat might not live up to your expectations. Fingers crossed that if there’s ever a sequel, they address and improve this aspect.

3. Yakuza 3

Most people who have completed the entire Yakuza series usually concur that Yakuza 3 is considered the weakest in the franchise. What makes this game particularly flawed can be traced back to its core gameplay mechanics. There are numerous issues with it, but without a doubt, its most problematic feature is the AI blocking. In the game, bosses and enemies will continuously block your attacks. You might throw a hundred punches, yet only two or three will connect, while they’ll simply deflect the rest.

It might seem like there’s a method to bypass their defensive moves in Yakuza 3, but surprisingly, that’s not the case – this is done intentionally. The only strategy that works is for you to consistently use grab attack moves, which means the combat system in Yakuza 3 can feel rather repetitive as both you and your enemies tend to get stuck in a loop of spamming these moves.

The frustration level of that situation is hard to put into words, and I must admit, it’s a stretch to consider something like that a genuine combat system. Even when the combat functions during an encounter and you manage to land a few blows, it feels shallow. Kiryu’s move set appears quite limited, with just blocking using one button and repetitively executing three or four basic combo hits.

Besides that, the vibrant Action sequences are what typically make the Yakuza series enjoyable. However, in Yakuza 3, these sequences are significantly diminished and seldom appear. While Yakuza 3 offers a compelling narrative centered around Kiryu’s efforts to safeguard his orphanage, as a gameplay experience, it falls short.

4. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor could be described as an expansion on its predecessor, Fallen Order. Essentially, it’s a larger version of the previous game, following much the same path. The storyline continues Cal’s adventure as he fights against the Empire, traversing through various galaxies. The plot immerses you in numerous grand planets showcasing breathtaking landscapes. However, when it comes to gameplay mechanics, there seems to be no significant alterations.

In the latest installment, I find myself wielding Cal’s Lightsaber with an expanded repertoire of five unique stances. However, there’s a twist – I can’t activate more than two at once. You see, in the previous game, I had just two stances to juggle, and it was the same deal then: only two could be active simultaneously. With Jedi Survivor, I’ve got more options, but it still feels like I’m back to my old routine… seems like I’ve taken a step forward but ended up in the same place all over again!

The dodging in Survivor felt smoother initially, and there seemed to be an imbalance in hitboxes and enemy attack patterns. In contrast, Fallen Order was more refined at its launch compared to Jedi: Survivor. However, despite Jedi: Survivor being a decent game overall, the combat experience unfortunately takes a step back from the first installment.

5. The Callisto Protocol

2320 found me incarcerated in Jupiter’s moon Callisto’s Black Iron Prison – a grim place where a vessel crashed, triggering an eerie epidemic transforming prisoners into grotesque creatures. The concept is chilling, but the gameplay execution leaves much to be desired, especially when it comes to level design and action.

In The Callisto Protocol, linearity is the name of the game, with nary an open area in sight. Instead, there are just branching passageways that lead from one small room to another, confining me within the prison’s cold walls for the entire duration of the game. This repetitive design quickly becomes claustrophobic and frustrating – a feeling that grows stronger with each passing moment.

In the gameplay aspect, there’s a challenge with the absentee combat system. Unlike traditional games that offer a dedicated dodge button, this game requires you to merely move the left control stick in any direction for an automatic dodge. Melee attacks are essentially rapid button presses. Ranged combat is restricted due to ammunition scarcity, and stealth can be unpredictable – occasionally, you can creep up behind monsters and stab them, but these instances are infrequent, and the game usually encourages brute force instead. This sums up the gaming experience.

Without a doubt, The Callisto Protocol boasts visuals that rival those of Horizon Forbidden West and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. Its narrative setting is equally captivating. Yet, upon closer inspection of its gameplay mechanics and level design, one might ponder if it could have been more effectively presented as a television series.

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2025-09-06 23:13