Top 20 cringiest video games ever made

About this gallery:

For this list, we decided to focus on games that gave the entire gaming community a serious case of the cringe—whether from terrible designs, awkward dialogue, or way-too-forced messages. As always, we limited it to one game per franchise; otherwise, there are a few we know could have easily filled this list on their own.

Think we missed a game that deserves the cringe crown? Let us know in the comments!

| © Gearbox Software

20. Marvel's Avengers (2020)

Marvel's Avengers had the entire Marvel Universe at its fingertips but somehow ended up feeling like a lukewarm costume party rather than an epic superhero saga. The game was a mix of grind-heavy missions, half-hearted multiplayer experiences, and strangely uncharismatic characters that failed to capture that classic Avengers spark. The result? A game that left players wondering if maybe not every superhero needs their own video game. Square Enix had all the ingredients for a blockbuster, but they somehow missed the mark. | © Square Enix

19. Redfall (2023)

Redfall was supposed to be a thrilling vampire-hunting adventure, full of eerie thrills and chills, but instead, it delivered vampires about as intimidating as a bored barista. With laughable AI, an empty-feeling world, and one-liners so cringey they’d make even Dracula wince, Redfall left players feeling more confused than scared. It's hard to feel like a fierce vampire hunter when the biggest battle is against cheesy dialogue and lifeless gameplay. | © Bethesda

18. Monster Hunter World (2018)

For a game about tracking and fighting gigantic beasts, Monster Hunter World had a surprise monster: the cringeworthy dialogue. Between over-the-top monster roars, oddball weapon tutorials, and NPCs with personalities as deep as a puddle, there were moments that made players laugh unintentionally. While the game nailed monster design and gameplay, its attempt at lore and characterization felt awkwardly forced at times. The cringe was real, but hey, at least the monster battles were epic! | © Capcom

17. Immortals Fenyx Rising (2020)

Immortals Fenyx Rising was Ubisoft’s attempt to bring Greek mythology to life with a playful twist, but the result felt like a wannabe comedian laughing at their own jokes. Greek gods were reduced to corny one-liners, and a narrator who never seemed to take a breath filled the journey with endless quips that wore thin fast. Fenyx’s adventure had the potential for epic grandeur, but the game’s relentless comedy routine turned it into more of a parody of the mythological genre. At least the visuals were stunning, even if the humor fell flat. | © Ubisoft

16. Forza Horizon 5 (2021)

Forza Horizon 5 took racing to new heights, but it also took the stakes to absurd levels. With festival events hyped up like world-saving missions and NPCs treating you as if you’re a god behind the wheel, the vibe was often more melodramatic than motivational. And let’s not forget the overly dramatic dialogue that seemed lifted straight from a rejected Fast & Furious script. It’s a fantastic racing game, no doubt, but sometimes you can’t help but cringe at the overblown theatrics. | © Playground Games

15. Beyond: Two Souls (2013)

Beyond: Two Souls aimed for intense, moody storytelling with the help of Ellen Page (now Elliot Page) as the complex protagonist with psychic powers. But somewhere along the way, the writing took itself so seriously that it looped back to accidental comedy. With lines that were either oddly delivered or strangely sentimental, Beyond: Two Souls became unintentionally hilarious in its darker moments, making players feel more detached from the narrative. It’s a supernatural drama, yes, but it’s also a reminder of how melodrama can backfire. | © Quantic Dream

14. Genshin Impact (2020)

Genshin Impact dazzled players worldwide with its beautiful, open world and addictive combat mechanics, but beneath the shimmer was dialogue that often felt like it had been written by aliens trying to sound human. The main character’s “silent protagonist” act only highlighted the awkwardness of NPC lines, making social interactions feel more like dramatic monologues. Despite the visual appeal, Genshin Impact showed that even stunning graphics can’t always cover for cringe-worthy conversations. | © miHoYo

13. Final Fantasy X-2 (2003)

Final Fantasy X-2 brought us a cast of beloved characters on a journey that could’ve been another classic, but instead turned into something of a cringe-fest. The game’s sudden shift to a pop-star theme, complete with Yuna and friends in concert outfits and singing mini-games, left fans torn. Some saw it as fun and refreshing, while others found it painfully cheesy. Final Fantasy X-2 took a beloved universe and spiced it up in a way that, love it or hate it, you couldn’t ignore. | © Square Enix

12. Star Ocean: The Last Hope (2009)

Star Ocean: The Last Hope may have looked like a thrilling space opera on the surface, but then came the dialogue and character interactions that felt straight out of a daytime soap. With characters prone to long-winded monologues and a plot that struggled to find its rhythm, the cringe factor was dialed up to ten. Sci-fi fans hoped for galactic adventure, but instead found themselves cringing through interplanetary melodrama. | © Square Enix

11. Kingdom Hearts (2002)

Kingdom Hearts introduced players to a world where Disney met Final Fantasy, and while the concept was cool, the execution sometimes wasn’t. Between Sora’s relentless optimism and some seriously melodramatic moments, Kingdom Hearts occasionally veered into eye-roll territory. Still, the game has a special place in fans' hearts, proving that even the cringiest lines can be forgiven in the name of nostalgia. | © Square Enix

10. YIIK: A Post-Modern RPG (2019)

YIIK: A Post-Modern RPG aimed for quirky, but what it delivered was an overdose of self-awareness that bordered on painful. The game’s protagonist had a tendency to monologue like an undergrad philosophy student, and the story’s “deep” themes often felt forced. It tried to be clever and cutting-edge, but ended up sounding like it was trying a little too hard to be cool. The result was a game that left players cringing instead of pondering. | © Ackk Studios

9. The Quarry (2022)

The Quarry promised spine-tingling horror, but at times it delivered more teen-drama cheese than genuine chills. With characters spouting awkward, overly dramatic lines, the game often felt like a B-movie horror flick. Some scenes were genuinely terrifying, but others left players laughing at the characters rather than fearing for them. In the end, The Quarry walked a fine line between spooky and downright cringeworthy. | © Supermassive Games

8. Tell Me Why (2020)

Tell Me Why wanted to tell an emotional story about identity and family, but sometimes the delivery was a bit heavy-handed. The dialogue tried to be meaningful, but in some scenes, it felt more like a public service announcement than natural conversation. Still, the game’s heart was in the right place, even if it occasionally tripped over its own earnestness. | © Dontnod Entertainment

7. Borderlands 3 (2019)

Borderlands 3 amped up the series' trademark humor, but this time it seemed to forget that less is more. With endless one-liners and over-the-top villains, the game’s humor quickly turned from funny to cringe-inducing. Even fans who loved the franchise’s wit found themselves rolling their eyes at some of the dialogue, which felt like it was trying just a bit too hard to be edgy. | © Gearbox Software

6. Saints Row (2022)

The Saints Row reboot promised a fresh take on the franchise’s wild antics, but what we got was a blend of awkward humor and forced edginess. Characters and dialogue felt like they were plucked from a sitcom gone wrong, and the over-the-top nature that used to define Saints Row was replaced by cringe-worthy attempts to stay relevant. It’s as if the franchise forgot what made it fun in the first place. | © Deep Silver

5. Concord (2024)

Concord was hyped as a bold new entry in gaming, but early gameplay and previews left players scratching their heads. Its attempt at mixing surreal storytelling with complex mechanics felt like it was trying to be “deep” without giving players anything to hold onto. The result? A cringe-heavy adventure that left fans more confused than captivated. | © Firewalk Studios

4. Dustborn (2024)

Dustborn set out to explore themes of identity and belonging, but sometimes it felt like it was reading from a philosophy textbook. The dialogue tried to be profound, but came off as preachy, with characters dropping lines that felt more like lectures than real conversation. While the game had its heart in the right place, it often stumbled over its own self-importance. | © Red Thread Games

3. Goodbye Volcano High (2023)

Goodbye Volcano High put players in the shoes of dinosaur teens dealing with the end of the world and high school drama. While the concept was unique, the execution sometimes felt like an after-school special. Dialogue often tried to capture teenage angst, but sometimes veered into melodrama, making players cringe more than connect. It’s a unique game, but one that definitely has its share of awkward moments. | © KO_OP

2. Forspoken (2023)

Forspoken placed players in a magical realm with a protagonist who had one-liners for every occasion—and most of them missed the mark. The game’s attempt at witty banter quickly felt forced, with dialogue that sounded more like a stand-up routine than an adventure. Players were left wanting more from the story and less from the awkward humor. | © Square Enix

1. Life is Strange (2015)

Life is Strange delivered a heartfelt story of friendship, time travel, and teenage angst, but some of that “angst” was, well, hella awkward. With characters dropping lines like “hella” in nearly every conversation, the game’s attempt at teenage slang sometimes felt like it was written by someone who just discovered Urban Dictionary. But hey, cringey dialogue aside, Life is Strange still managed to capture something real beneath the surface—a hella genuine story that resonated with fans, even if it occasionally made them cringe. | © Dontnod Entertainment