3 Absolutely Stunning Video Games That Have Horrible Gameplay

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Games are expected to be highly engaging because players prioritize fun gameplay over everything else, even beautiful graphics or a compelling story. A game can look and sound amazing, but if it isn’t enjoyable to play, many people will stop playing it quickly. We’ve seen several games that started with a lot of hype but ultimately disappointed players due to weak or boring gameplay.

As a gamer, I’ve definitely seen how a game’s performance can totally ruin the experience, even if the developers intended something awesome. Take Cyberpunk 2077 at launch – it was a mess! But they kept working on it, and eventually, the gameplay started to shine. Sadly, a lot of games don’t get that chance. If a game feels bad to play at first, a lot of people just write it off, even if it has a great story or amazing graphics. First impressions are huge, and bad performance can kill a game’s potential.

3. The Order: 1886

The Order: 1886 truly shines with its incredible visuals and immersive world, perfectly capturing the feel of the Victorian era. The game is packed with intricate details, from the characters themselves to the elaborate environments you explore. While the story is unique and engaging, it’s a bit shorter than many other action-adventure games. Since its release in 2015, players have consistently praised the game’s distinctive steampunk style, which blends dark fantasy with an alternate historical setting.

Honestly, while the game looks amazing, the actual gameplay just didn’t grab me. It tries to be cinematic like the Uncharted games, but it falls really short. Nothing really makes The Order: 1886 stand out, and it feels super restrictive. You’ll play for a bit, then it’s right back to a cutscene, which takes away from actually playing the game. Everything felt predictable – the enemies, the quick time events… and it all just moved so slowly. It’s a pretty game, but it doesn’t have much substance, and I couldn’t shake that feeling.

2. Death Stranding

Let me be clear: Death Stranding isn’t for everyone, but I think anyone who considers themselves a gamer should give it a try. However, that doesn’t change the fact that it has unusual and sometimes frustrating gameplay. Often jokingly called a “walking simulator” by those who dislike it, Death Stranding requires a lot of patience. A single mistake can set you back hours as you work to deliver packages and rebuild connections in a broken world. For many players, the strange story and annoying systems are enough to make them stop playing.

While Death Stranding can be frustrating at times, those who stick with it will discover a truly unique game – the kind only Hideo Kojima could make. As you play, the game becomes easier thanks to a network of connections built between players. The graphics are stunning, and this quality continues in the sequel, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. However, if you don’t appreciate the game’s deliberate design choices, you probably won’t enjoy it.

1. Final Fantasy 15

Final Fantasy 15 boasts stunning graphics and a massive, detailed world full of cities, roads, and scenery that players can spend hours discovering. However, this expansive scale can also be a drawback. Players often find themselves spending long periods simply traveling from place to place. While driving with Noctis and his companions and listening to their conversations builds character relationships, the extended travel can feel repetitive and drawn-out, much like a real-life road trip that’s gone on for too long.

This Final Fantasy game isn’t without its flaws, particularly when it comes to battles and how the RPG elements work. Leveling up doesn’t feel very rewarding because enemies always adjust to match your strength. Also, unlike other Final Fantasy titles, you have limited control over building and changing your team, even though character skills offer some options. Combat can become repetitive, lacking exciting maneuvers like flanking, dodging, or blocking.

Despite its problems, Final Fantasy 15 tells a truly epic story, rivaling the best in the series. Certain scenes are incredibly memorable, and the music creates a powerful atmosphere that can keep you engaged even with the gameplay issues. While the game often suffers from frustrating gameplay, it occasionally shines, hinting at the incredible potential it showed upon release.

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2026-05-26 02:40