15 Video Games That Had Terrible Launches But Made Brilliant Comebacks

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Ignacio Weil

Gaming - June 27th 2025, 17:00 GMT+2

About this gallery:

To create this gallery, we focused on games that may have been mediocre or simply terrible at first, but over time managed to step up their game, and if they didn’t become excellent, at least they’re decent and playable.

If you think we missed an important game for this list, why not leave it in the comments? | © Hello Games

Driveclub (2014)

When *Driveclub* raced onto the scene, it immediately hit a patch of black ice. Server issues and a lack of content left players spinning their wheels. But Evolution Studios worked tirelessly to fix the problems, adding more cars, tracks, and features until *Driveclub* became the smooth, sleek, and fast-paced racing experience it should’ve been from the start. | © Evolution Studio

Battlefield 4 (2013)

At launch, *Battlefield 4* was a total wreck – literally. Server crashes, bugs, and broken gameplay mechanics plagued what was supposed to be a next-gen shooter experience. But over time, DICE ironed out the wrinkles, patching the game into a polished and chaotic battlefield that offered some of the most exhilarating large-scale warfare the series is known for. | © DICE

The witcher 1 msn — The Witcher (2007)

The original Witcher game was clunky, rough around the edges, and a bit of a narrative mess, with controls that made Geralt feel more like a drunk than a monster slayer. But CD Projekt Red stuck with it, refining the series over time. By the time we got to The Witcher 3, it was clear that those early stumbles were just the growing pains of a studio destined for greatness. | © CD Projekt Red

The Elder Scrolls Online (2014)

When *The Elder Scrolls Online* launched, it was like someone had taken the magic of Tamriel and diluted it into a somewhat soulless MMO. The storytelling and exploration felt flat compared to the single-player games fans loved. But Zenimax didn’t quit, releasing one expansion after another, fine-tuning the gameplay and lore until ESO became a vibrant and beloved part of the *Elder Scrolls* universe. | © Zenimax Online Studios

Fallout 76 (2018)

*Fallout 76* came out of the vault looking more like a mutated radroach than a post-apocalyptic masterpiece, with bugs, performance issues, and a severe lack of meaningful content. Players felt like they were wandering a wasteland of broken promises. But over time, Bethesda rolled out updates, NPCs (finally!), and expansions that made this online Fallout adventure actually feel like the beloved series it was meant to be. | © Bethesda Game Studios

STAR WARS Battlefront II — Star Wars Battlefront II (2017)

*Star Wars Battlefront II* had one of the roughest starts in recent gaming memory, thanks to its aggressive microtransactions that made players feel like they had to pay to win. The outcry was so loud, EA could hear it in a galaxy far, far away. They quickly revamped the progression system, ditched the paywalls, and added loads of free content. Now, it’s a lightsaber-slashing, blaster-blasting good time for Star Wars fans everywhere. | © EA DICE

Warframe (2013)

When *Warframe* launched, it felt like a barebones free-to-play space ninja simulator, with limited content and clunky mechanics. But Digital Extremes refused to let it drift off into obscurity, continuously expanding the game with massive updates, new worlds, weapons, and warframes. Now, *Warframe* is one of the most feature-rich, fast-paced, and addictive games in the free-to-play universe – truly a space-ninja’s dream come true. | © Digital Extremes

Tom Clancys The Division — The Division (2016)

The post-apocalyptic streets of New York in *The Division* were stunning at first glance, but players soon realized they were also eerily empty, with repetitive missions that felt like a grind. Ubisoft went back to the drawing board, delivering updates and expansions that added meaningful endgame content and gameplay improvements, making this urban wasteland worth saving. | © Ubisoft

Sea of Thieves (2018)

Initially, *Sea of Thieves* felt less like a pirate's life and more like a pirate's vacation – no real goals, no real danger, just a whole lot of open water. But over time, Rare kept adding more content, quests, and yes, actual pirates! Now it's a game full of treasure hunting, ship battles, and kraken encounters, giving you all the high-seas adventure you could ask for. | © Rare

Tom Clancys Rainbow Six Siege — Rainbow Six Siege (2015)

At launch, *Rainbow Six Siege* felt more like "Rainbow Six Yawn." Players faced limited content, and some pretty rough balancing issues made it feel like your tactical squad might be better off sitting this one out. But through steady updates, new operators, and tons of reworks, Ubisoft transformed Siege into one of the most popular tactical shooters around, proving that patience – and a few well-placed breach charges – can go a long way. | © Ubisoft

Diablo 3 — Diablo III (2012)

When *Diablo III* launched, players weren't exactly showered in loot – they were showered in error messages and a real-money auction house that sucked the fun out of demon-slaying. It felt like a grind, and not the good kind. But Blizzard took a fiery swing at the problems, releasing the *Reaper of Souls* expansion and the Loot 2.0 system, turning this infernal mess into the devilishly good time it should have been from day one. | © Blizzard Entertainment

Cyberpunk 2077 (2020)

Oh, *Cyberpunk 2077*, the game that had so much hype it could power a city, but unfortunately launched like a neon glitch fest. Bugs, performance issues, and broken promises had players asking for refunds faster than you could say "Keanu." But after months of patches and updates, Night City began to resemble the vibrant, dystopian playground we all wanted it to be – CD Projekt Red finally delivered, though it took some heavy chrome polish. | © CD Projekt Red

Destiny (2014)

Destiny’s launch had many players wondering if they had just paid for half a game. Sparse content and a confusing storyline left guardians scratching their heads. But Bungie doubled down, rolling out expansions and updates like *The Taken King* that expanded the universe, deepened the lore, and made us feel like true defenders of the galaxy. Destiny 2, we see you taking notes. | © Bungie

Final Fantasy XIV (2010/2013)

*Final Fantasy XIV* initially came crashing onto the MMO scene like a chocobo with two left feet, with clunky gameplay and a mess of confusing mechanics. Square Enix knew they had a mess on their hands and, in a rare move, hit the reset button. After some serious reflection, they launched *A Realm Reborn* in 2013, transforming the disaster into one of the most beloved MMOs around, showing us all how to make an epic comeback – Phoenix Down, anyone? | © Square Enix

No Mans Sky — No Man’s Sky (2016)

When *No Man's Sky* launched, it felt more like a space desert than the vibrant, infinite universe that players were promised. Instead of teeming planets and epic space battles, players were greeted with empty landscapes and a sense of “is this it?” But credit where it’s due: Hello Games didn’t give up. Over the years, the developers released one update after another, adding everything from multiplayer to base-building to epic space expeditions, and turned this cosmic misfire into a real exploration masterpiece. | © Hello Games

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Not every video game hits the ground running. Some stumble, faceplant, or even explode in a fiery mess of bugs, missing content, and broken mechanics. But here’s the thing: just because a game starts off as a disaster doesn’t mean it’s doomed forever. Some of the biggest flops have managed to rise from the ashes, turning things around and winning over fans through hard work, patches, and expansions.

In this list, we’re diving into 15 video games that had a terrible start but, like a phoenix from the flames (or a glitchy character finally patched), ended up becoming the beloved titles we enjoy today. Let’s celebrate the comeback stories of gaming!