This past year should be considered weirder than most, especially for gamers. With an abundance of great games came an equal amount of disappointing and crappy ones. Add in micro-transactions, loot crates, greedy executives, poorly written stories, along with cash-grabbing motives and 2017 can only be best described as chaotic.
One of the biggest disappointments of the year, but not bad enough to make this list, was that of Destiny 2: Curse Of Osiris. Bungie promised to fix the issues with the first Destiny. The solution? Destiny 2: Curse of Osiris, which is riddled with various problems until Bungie gets their act together. Besides a host of minor issues, there are the issues regarding DLC (downloadable content). The Prestige Leviathan raid was working well with the base package, but was recently locked to the DLC.
Destiny 2: Curse of Osiris is an awesome shooter game (and the most purchased game of 2017), these facts are secure. But the MMO problems are insanely annoying. Such as the token base loot system still being broken (supposed to be fixed soon), which sums up many of the problems experienced in other great games released in 2017.
Some names added to this list might cause controversy, but they’re in here for a reason. Whether it be because they failed to live up to expectations, or because they disappoint at every turn. No one should have to overlook issues due to loyalty, or because they only like one aspect of a multi-platform game.
We’ve started the list with the games that disappointed gamers the most, moving in a descending order down to the worst game of 2017 at the number one spot.
25 Galactic Misfortunes Within Star Wars Battlefront 2
I’ve been a loyal Star Wars fan since the age of three, but let’s be honest, besides Old Republic and maybe the original Battlefront, there hasn’t been any tremendous games released recently. Battlefront 2 was supposed to change that. And while it did in certain areas, Dice and EA blew it big time.
The PC controls are still horrendous, which isn’t fun when you need pinpoint accuracy and you’re fighting against drag instead of PvP. Plus, you can’t use a joystick if you’re playing on a PC. When one of the coolest features of the game is Starfighter Assault and Galactic Assault, this is a huge issue.
The card system works, but not when you add in having to unlock characters. Grinding is fine, but most gamers still have day jobs and lives to lead too. Points awarded for destroying AI’s is a mess, throwing off the overall balance of the game.
24 Comic Failures Staring Marvel Vs. Capcom: Infinite
Punch those buttons and hit em’ hard. A few hours of enjoyment and then the honeymoon geek wears off and you’re left with more issues than benefits. The MCU characterizations within the campaign toggled in with terrible art designs that suck the enjoyment right out of you while dealing in standard tropes. Tony with his Iron Man helmet off, Mega Man, Ultron, and Thor, just to name a few.
On the plus side, out of the 30 total characters, there isn’t necessarily a bad character one to choose from. Digging in to Marvel Vs. Capcom: Infinite has advantages and can be rewarding for certain players. If you bore easily and need something more stimulating, then this might not be the fighting game you were expecting.
23 Can’t Hide Pitfalls Of Ghost Recon: Wildlands
Not everyone hates Ghost Recon: Wildlands, and that’s fine. But a majority of gamers will not want to spend $60 bucks on a game that ultimately fails to live up to its expectations. Between long hours of grinding, along with various glitches and a poorly written story, Ghost Recon: Wildlands is neither new nor exciting.
In a game where stealth is essential, it becomes highly annoying when the technical aspects work against this style of play. You’re constantly spotted, turning each mission into a repeat of the previous one and so on. Neither the co-play or the solo missions are worth the time and investment. After an hour your patience will be at an end and finishing the game will be the last thing on your mind.
22 Sliced And Chopped Disappointment With For Honor
For Honor was in my top list of games that I was most excited to play in 2017. For those who spent full price on this broken letdown, you know my pain all to well. For Honor had the potential for so many amazing moments, but they were stripped away by endless and annoying grinding, poor game modes, and a never-ending string of glitches that Ubisoft could obviously care less about.
The best part of For Honor can be found in the one-on-one fights. But for some odd reason, adding more opponents takes away from the beauty found in the one-on-one, leading this game down a dark and dwindling path. Add in the confusing and awkward gear progression and this one is hitting the junk drawer permanently.
21 Rejected Shenanigans In Guardians Of The Galaxy: The Telltale Series
Not the worst game of 2017, but Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series was certainly a huge letdown after playing its previous instalments. The feeling left after playing is one of resolution, but not of investment. The arcs left hanging get wrapped up and answers are provided regarding our favorite rejects in the galaxy. But there wasn’t anything about Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series that left you wanting more. Like leftover meatloaf from a local diner — it’s good, but forgettable.
The music was top-notch as always, but the lack of investment in the characters steals its momentum. The story becomes more about getting to the end than bringing to life the odd-ball characteristics of the group that fans are hooked on.
20 Repeat Flops Of Halo Wars 2
Halo Wars 2 was supposed to overcome the massive amounts of controversy surrounding the original Halo Wars. What we got, however, was just a slightly improved version of the first. The biggest controversies surrounding Halo Wars involved it being another StarCraft series and for trying to emulate a PC RTS.
A redeeming quality, and the only benefit one might find in Halo Wars 2 is in the Blitz Mode. The gameplay wraps up in around 10 hours, being composed of 12 story missions that have a weak script attached to them. At the end of the day, Halo Wars 2 is simply a money maker game based on a name rather than good gameplay content. For RTS games, it’s just another regurgitated concept with a few eye-candy moments attached to it.
19 So Far To Go In Farpoint
Sony clearly has a long way to go before VR becomes associated with their name. Farpoint is an example of how everything that makes a game fun to play, gets put in the corner while all the money gets dumped into making more money off the game.
The story itself is basic and the tasks have no thought process put into them whatsoever. It’s essentially “do this to get here and then do that,” repeated over and over again. The new PlayStation Aim Controller has some benefits that can be explored within the game, and might be the future of decently priced VR gear.
Essentially, Farpoint falls for the standard VR trope. Make something visually appealing and we’ll work out the details later. Gamers deserve better than that, especially at a bundle price (with the controller) at $80 bucks.
18 Rushed Into Production Mass Effect: Andromeda
Millions of gamers had high expectations for Mass Effect: Andromeda, but EA failed to deliver once again — even the franchise has been put indefinitely “on hold.” One of the most prominent themes is exploration, but this makes it difficult to determine which objectives are important. Besides being to pick your gender as the lead character (always a cool concept), the story is bland. There’s no identifiable conflict, making it difficult to be excited about objectives. It’s not until the third act when pieces come together, and things get interesting.
One of the biggest issues with Mass Effect Andromeda stems from the lack of being able to choose between good or bad. Decisions you make don’t have a direct impact regarding positive or negative. The game was rushed into production and it feels like it. On the plus side, the multiplayer is awesome, along with the combat.
17 Heading Off A Cliff In Drive Girls
While anime fans might appreciate the concept behind the Drive Girls, the concept and its art is all this game has going for it. The controls are beyond clunky and the options for attacks are severely limited. Controlling the cars (which a wide variety of female characters turn into) isn’t what fun and makes the gameplay frustrating.
With all the car games on the market, how the mechanics of Drive Girls got so messed up is beyond reasoning. The campaign lasts around 5 hours, but it’ll become a tedious and grueling 5-hour stint. If the mechanics weren’t so awful, this game might have stood a chance, which anime fans deserve. But apparently, anime fans are only allowed to have one awesome game a year (Persona 5).
16 Drama Flop Life Is Strange: Before The Storm
The first Life is Strange had its fair share of flaws, but the story and characters weren’t the issue. Sadly, the table has flipped with Life is Strange: Before the Storm. Chloe and Rachel are the focal point, and the only characters really worth paying attention to. At some point, sympathies run dry for those who are suffering and have things going wrong in their lives. The well runs dry.
The other major issue lies within the direction of Chloe’s character. Exactly how much more is there to know about her? The decisions sometimes feel pointless and the game has more than a few dragging arcs. If you loved the first, you might somewhat enjoy Life is Strange: Before the Storm. But if you’re new to the party, passing is a good option.
15 Not So Bright In Arizona Sunshine
Published by Vertigo Games, Arizona Sunshine is a bland VR experience. For starters, the VR equipment you have will play a huge part in whether this game can even be enjoyable. The other part will depend on what exactly you were looking to get out of Arizona Sunshine. If a basic VR experience with basic zombies is all you’re looking for, then this might be a game worth checking out. But mostly, it’s a forgettable experience.
The best part of Arizona Sunshine would be the actual firing of your weapon. If you own a PlayStation VR Aim Controller, then you get the added benefits that others won’t. Overall, Arizona Sunshine is all about the toys associated with VR and not so much about gaming itself.
14 Connect The Dots With Sniper: Ghost Warrior 3
Like most video games, Sniper: Ghost Warrior 3 follows the same color by numbers theme that has become the template for open-world shooter games. By the time you finish playing, you realize that there was absolutely nothing special about your experience.
To make matters worse, most of the equipment and tools gathered throughout the game are meaningless and worthless. The game is notorious for freezing and bumping you off while also taking up to six minutes at times to load a map. CI games has responded to the technical issues and claims to be cleaning them up, but it still won’t improve the bland and sometimes joyless thoughts one feels while playing.
What you experience in the first 10 minutes of playing will be the highlight of your gaming experience with Sniper: Ghost Warrior 3.
13 Nothing To Be Seen Here In Rise And Shine
Beautiful images and references to classic games would lead one to think Rise and Shine was a bright point of 2017. But alas, stunning art is all it had going for it. The story is beyond bland and the gameplay is a weird blend of a side-scrolling shooting combined with a Gears of War style. With multiple enemies shooting a massive array of bullets at you, either death comes quickly or you spend all your time dodging. You can throw precisian aim out the window as you spray a mass of bullets hoping to survive and hit something.
Everything you’d hoped Rise and Shine would be, isn’t what it is. If you want nostalgia in your life, play the originals and skip spending $15 on something you’ll most likely be extremely disappointed in.
12 Ruining Another Past Time With Gran Turismo Sport
Remember the glory days of GT? Well, with Gran Turismo Sport those days seem to be officially sealed in the history banks. What once paved the way for console racing simulators has become something that feels like a bad demo.
The first mistake made was in making Gran Turismo Sport a strictly online game. While this makes sense for most first-person shooter and PvP games, it’s a ridiculous concept for a racing game. For starters, you have to get online to access the garage. The same goes if you want to build your stats, or even give your new toy a different paint job.
If your internet isn’t the best, forget about even trying to play this game. Then there’s the issue of the safety rating score. This is a concept built in to punish those who drive recklessly. The problem though, is if you get slammed by someone else (which naturally happens in driving games), you get punished too.
11 Sucking Joy Out Of Nostalgia Double Dragon IV
Double Dragon IV was supposed to bring the nostalgia back from spending endless hours and quarters at the arcade. And while it may have accomplished that to some degree, we’re confused as to why the glitches and clunky controller options weren’t rectified. You’ll get the exact feel you had while playing the arcade version as a kid, along with the same frustrations which led you to blowing your allowance every week.
What could have been a cool callback with perhaps updated images and fighting styles, falls way short of the original. If you’re in a nostalgic mood, go find a bowling alley and throw a few quarters into an arcade. You’ll get the same rewards from that, which you would from playing Double Dragon IV.
10 Indie Flop And Roll With Troll and I
We give the indie companies huge props for trying on this one, but ultimately Troll and I is a giant fail and one of the worst games released in 2017. What makes this extremely hard to digest is the price tag associated with the game. For $50 bucks you’d think you were getting a somewhat decent product, but Troll and I doesn’t even come close to decent.
The controls are clunky and beyond awful while the combat encounters have absolutely no meaning behind them. Add in a trashy climbing mechanic and this game ends up being nothing more than buyer’s remorse. Save your money or buy three somewhat par games with what you shouldn’t waste on the Troll and I. As we stated previously, garbage is garbage no matter how pretty you try to make it smell.
9 First Person Shoot-Off Dead Effect 2
Dead Effect 2 is a first-person shooter video game which combines the genres of sci-fi and horror. Your character is that of a highly trained soldier who follows various modes to take control of a massive colony ship. Besides enemy soldiers, you also need to worry about zombies, or undead clones as they’re referred to.
Each game mode by itself was fun, but unfortunately, that only lasts for a short time. The recommended level of play outpaces your progression from the story missions, forcing you to play other modes whether you want to or not. Or you can keep your crappy gun and let your enemies continue to destroy you. If that wasn’t bad enough, the guns have an accuracy rating to them, making it feel like aiming doesn’t matter.
8 Horrifying Experience Through Perception
The concept behind Perception sounded extremely intriguing on paper, but sadly it didn’t carry over into the final product. The first-person horror game starts off with a small thrill and only goes downhill from there. Cassie, the character you’re playing, is blind — but she has to see in order for you to be able to play the game. The result from this debacle is one of humor rather than suspense and horror.
In order to see, Cassie taps on her cane. This sends sound waves out and allows the gamer to have a visualization of their surroundings. The story is beyond horrible, removing any scary aspects that the authors might have been trying to achieve. Overall, it’s just a basic and vanilla like first-person game that has you wandering around an old mansion.
7 Repeat Me Silly With Has-Been Heroes
Has-Been Heroes is a rogue-like with gameplay that combines real-time and turn-based strategy. The game is filled with “runs” that will have you losing track of time, but not in the best of ways. More like being told you have a dentist appointment you forgot about.
The concept behind Has-Been Heroes is an interesting one, and we hope it can get tweaked for a better product in the future. The controls are awkward and complicated, leading to a massive amount of unnecessary frustration (because playing games is supposed to be fun, right?).
The game is repetitive beyond what a normal person can endure, with all the enemies looking exactly alike. If tediousness is your thing, then have it. But for the rest of us, it’s one of the worst games to play that came out in 2017.
6 Snoozing Through Dying: Reborn VR
2017 wasn’t the best year for VR games and Dying: Reborn VR is just another one to add to a long list of subpar to horribly boring VR games. What makes this game even worse, is its essentially a cut down version of the non-VR game Dying: Reborn. Meaning all the flaws of the console game are still there, along with other problems associated with the VR experience.
The puzzles were way to easy to solve and didn’t provide an ounce of entertainment, or scare regarding a horror game. Only some levels from the original are present and the overall feel of the game is that of a poorly made demo. In short, Dying: Reborn VR is nothing more than a cash grab, so don’t waste your money.
