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Most Disappointing Game of 2021

Most Disappointing Game of 2021 - Article

by Christian Evans , posted on 18 January 2022 / 3,969 Views

‘If you expect disappointment, then you can never really be disappointed’ may be the mantra to live by for MJ, but within the machinations of gaming's hype-machine we're promised the best, thus we expect the best. Of course, as if the universe expects balance, what the gaming gods give with one hand, they taketh away with another, and some endeavours inevitably fall short of our lofty expectations.

How far the fall, and if forgivable, is highly subjective of course, yet the depths of purgatory are determined by the multitude of the gaming sins committed; perhaps a series is guilty of a lacklustre iteration, maybe a title is released broken or unfinished, possibly it contains an ill-conceived or poorly executed idea, or we're given a lazy remake with features removed rather than added, or most egregious of all (at least until Square Enix tries to release Chrono Trigger: NFT Remaster), the unnecessarily infested and bloated gameplay-redefining microtransaction/loot box pay-to-win fest in a full price game. 

   

The Shortlist:

  

Balan Wonderworld

  

Call of Duty: Vanguard

  

Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition

  

Battlefield 2042

  

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl

  

  

  

  

The 'Winner':

Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition

'Runner-up': Battlefield 2042

Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition winning the award nobody wants should come as little surprise given this release is anything but definitive. The originals are rightly considered seminal works in the video game pantheon, and as such expectations for an updated experience were high, especially with the promise of a Switch version offering the full experience on the go for the first time. Ultimately, though, a distinct lack of care and attention, questionable choices, and I would say a lack of respect for what the originals mean to fans, left many bitterly disappointed.

While it has seemingly become normal to release major titles broken or unfinished, what with extensive patches in the months (or even years) after release able to ‘fix’ the issues, this trilogy should never have seen the light of day in such a state. It deserved better, and we deserved better; may it burn in hell... or at least get properly patched and placed in a decent sale!


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8 Comments
Angelus (on 18 January 2022)

Literally any of these games could have won, and I don't think anybody could deny it was a good choice

  • +5
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Spike0503 (on 18 January 2022)

As someone who played those 3 GTA games in his teen years, what saddens me the most about the dumpster fire that is the "Definitive Edition" is that some kids are going to experience the games for the first time that way. It absolutely deserved to win here.

  • +4
Kakadu18 (on 18 January 2022)

Voted for Balan Shitworld. Can't believe I actally expected it to be a game beforehand. The demo then presented a giant turd. Worst "game" I ever had the displeasure of interacting with.
That said Battlefield 2042 despite me not playing it was also a massive letdown because the marketing was so good, but it turned out as the lowest reviewed Battlefield.

GTA is just sad.

  • +3
Zkuq (on 18 January 2022)

This category seems to have had some great candidates in 2021.

  • +3
Leynos (on 18 January 2022)

Balan was not a letdown to me because Naka just isn't a good director since he left SEGA. Anything he made post SEGA sucked but Balan was his biggest flop since SE went all out for him. He's a notorious asshole so I found it hilarious how insanely bad that game is.


I'm not a fan of GTA in general but I loved Vice City and I agree. I wanted a remake of that game or a good HD port. This was not it. PS2 era was peak GTA in quality.

  • +2
LivncA_Dis3 (on 19 January 2022)

Should've been the disgusting pokemon remake,

Diamond and pearl doesnt deserve those "remakes"

  • -2
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