Top 20 most disappointing video games of 2024

About this gallery:

In this list, we didn’t just focus on the worst games of the year – we zeroed in on the ones that let down a huge player base. Whether it was because expectations were sky-high for a title that ultimately flopped or because everyone wanted to witness a game so infamously bad it earned its place in gaming history, we’re here to break down the disappointments.

Think we missed a tragically terrible game that deserves a dishonorable mention? Go ahead and drop it in the comments – misery loves company, after all!

20. Tales of Kenzera: Zau

Tales of Kenzera: Zau had all the ingredients to become a sleeper hit – a heartfelt story, a gorgeous hand-crafted world inspired by African mythology, and a promising Metroidvania framework. Unfortunately, like a half-baked loaf of bread, something just didn’t rise. While its narrative ambition is commendable and emotional beats hit occasionally, the gameplay often feels uninspired. Combat, while flashy, quickly devolves into repetitive button-mashing, and traversal – critical for any Metroidvania – is clunky enough to trigger flashbacks of older, jankier platformers.

Critics and players alike lamented how the game's pacing struggled to keep up with its storytelling aspirations. In the end, Tales of Kenzera feels more like an earnest passion project than a polished gem, leaving us wishing for deeper mechanics and tighter design. As stunning as the aesthetic might be, style without substance leaves a mark. | © Surgent Studios

19. Slitterhead

Slitterhead came into 2024 riding a tidal wave of hype – after all, this is the brainchild of Keiichiro Toyama, the creator of Silent Hill and Siren. Horror fans hoped for another terrifying masterpiece, but what we got instead was a bizarre cocktail of missed opportunities. While the body-hopping mechanic sounds intriguing on paper, the execution feels disjointed. The combat lacks the visceral punch you’d expect from a horror-action hybrid, and the environments – though unsettling – start to lose their charm after a while.

Most disappointing of all is the game’s inability to fully lean into either horror or action, leaving players confused about what Slitterhead actually wants to be. Is it scary? Not really. Is it fun? Sometimes, but not often enough. The result is a game stuck in the uncanny valley of its own ambition – creepy, yes, but not compelling. | © Bokeh Game Studio

18. Senua's Saga: Hellblade II

Senua's Saga: Hellblade II was supposed to be a technical and narrative masterpiece, a showcase for what next-gen consoles could achieve. And visually, it is a stunner – every detail, from Senua’s expressions to the eerie Icelandic landscapes, is breathtaking. But here’s the rub: there just isn’t enough game in this game. Hellblade II doubles down on its cinematic experience, but it sacrifices gameplay variety in the process.

Combat is overly simplistic and scarce, exploration feels linear, and outside of its emotional storytelling, there’s little else to engage with. For all its visual splendor, the game ends up feeling like an extended tech demo rather than a fully fleshed-out sequel. It’s an impressive work of art, but as a game? It barely moves the needle, leaving fans feeling let down after years of anticipation. | © Ninja Theory

17. LEGO Horizon Adventures

LEGO Horizon Adventures seemed like the perfect blend of two beloved worlds: LEGO's playful charm and Horizon's rich post-apocalyptic setting. How could it go wrong? Well, for starters, the game struggles to find its identity. The LEGO humor feels awkwardly shoehorned into a world that’s historically been about survival and epic machine battles. Worse yet, gameplay feels overly simplified, even by LEGO standards, with combat and puzzles that don’t provide much of a challenge.

For die-hard Horizon fans, it feels like a watered-down, plastic-coated version of a universe they love. For LEGO enthusiasts, it doesn’t quite capture the joyful creativity that makes their games shine. It’s not without charm – after all, LEGO machines are pretty cool – but charm alone doesn’t save it from being more of a forgettable side project than a game-changing crossover. | © Guerrilla Games / Studio Gobo

16. South Park: Snow Day!

South Park: Snow Day! promised players a rowdy, co-op multiplayer romp through the snowy streets of South Park, but what we got was a cold, slushy mess. After the triumph of The Stick of Truth and The Fractured But Whole, expectations were high, but Snow Day! takes an entirely different direction – and not for the better. The shift to 3D, while novel, loses much of the charm that made the previous games so visually distinct. Combat, meanwhile, is repetitive and shallow, offering little in the way of strategy or variety.

And while South Park’s trademark humor is still here in bits and pieces, it often feels diluted in the chaos of multiplayer gameplay. Fans were left frustrated by a lack of polish and the absence of the strong narrative focus that defined previous entries. Instead of a blizzard of fun, Snow Day! feels more like a lukewarm flurry. | © Question

15. Funko Fusion

Funko Fusion aimed to blend the collectible charm of Funko Pop! figures with dynamic crossover gameplay, bringing together characters from various franchises into a single, unified experience. On paper, it sounded like a collector's dream come true. In practice, however, the game struggled to find its footing. The mash-up of universes felt more like a chaotic jumble than a harmonious fusion, with each character's unique abilities failing to stand out amidst the cluttered gameplay mechanics.

The art style, while true to Funko's aesthetic, lacked the visual appeal needed to keep players engaged for extended periods. Moreover, the game's progression system was criticized for being overly grindy, turning what should have been a fun, casual experience into a tedious endeavor. In the end, Funko Fusion served as a reminder that not all collectibles translate seamlessly into the gaming world. | © 10:10 Games

14. Foamstars

When Foamstars was announced, it felt like Square Enix wanted to dip its toes into the colorful, competitive shooter pool dominated by games like Splatoon. The twist? Foam instead of ink, with sudsy arenas and characters that practically screamed "quirky fun." Sadly, the game didn’t quite stick. While its bubbly visuals and upbeat style were eye-catching, the gameplay turned out to be disappointingly shallow.

Matches quickly devolved into repetitive foam-spamming chaos, lacking the tactical finesse or depth needed to keep players hooked. Worse yet, progression felt unrewarding, with limited content and forgettable game modes making each session feel more like cleaning up a mess than having fun in one. | © Square Enix

13. Star Wars Outlaws

Star Wars Outlaws promised an open-world adventure set in a galaxy far, far away, allowing players to step into the shoes of a scoundrel navigating the underbelly of the Star Wars universe. The concept was tantalizing, but the execution left much to be desired. The expansive worlds felt surprisingly empty, with repetitive side missions and a lack of meaningful interactions making the vastness of space feel more like a void than a vibrant ecosystem.

Performance issues further marred the experience, with frequent frame rate drops and glitches disrupting immersion. Additionally, the narrative failed to deliver the compelling, character-driven story that fans have come to expect from the franchise. In the end, Star Wars Outlaws felt more like a missed jump to hyperspace than the thrilling escapade it set out to be. | © Ubisoft

12. MultiVersus

MultiVersus sought to capitalize on the crossover fighting game craze, bringing together characters from various Warner Bros. properties into a single arena. While the idea of pitting Batman against Bugs Bunny had its appeal, the game struggled to establish a cohesive identity. The combat mechanics were criticized for lacking the depth and precision found in genre staples, leading to a floaty and unsatisfying fighting experience.

Character balancing issues further plagued the game, with certain fighters dominating the meta and others feeling underpowered. The monetization model also drew ire, with an overreliance on microtransactions and a lack of meaningful rewards for free-to-play users. Ultimately, MultiVersus failed to deliver the knockout punch it needed to stand out in a crowded arena. | © Player First Games

11. Silent Hill: The Short Message

Silent Hill: The Short Message was supposed to be a fresh entry point for fans of the iconic horror series – something concise, modern, and unsettling. Unfortunately, it ended up being more of a fleeting whisper than a chilling scream. While the return to a psychological horror atmosphere was welcome, the game’s brevity worked against it.

The story felt rushed, like the developers tried to cram Silent Hill's signature dread and deeper themes into a tight, linear experience but forgot to leave room for nuance. As a result, its exploration of heavy topics, like mental health and trauma, felt surface-level and at times heavy-handed.

Gameplay didn’t fare much better. Simplistic puzzles and repetitive chase sequences stripped away any real sense of tension or danger, leaving you more annoyed than afraid. While the visuals and sound design managed to evoke glimpses of Silent Hill's eerie charm, the game lacked the substance and depth that made the series legendary. In the end, The Short Message felt like an experiment that didn’t quite deliver – an unsettling text you skim through, only to leave you wondering what could have been. | © Konami

10. Alone in the Dark

Alone in the Dark sought to resurrect the granddaddy of survival horror, promising a spine-chilling return to Derceto Manor. With a legacy as storied as this, expectations were sky-high. Unfortunately, the game stumbled in its attempt to modernize the classic. While the atmospheric visuals captured the eerie essence of the original, the gameplay felt dated, with clunky controls and uninspired puzzles that seemed relics of the past.

The narrative, though ambitious, was bogged down by pacing issues and lacked the compelling hooks needed to keep players engaged. In trying to honor its roots, Alone in the Dark ended up feeling like a relic itself – a nostalgic trip that reminded us why some things are better left in the past. | © THQ Nordic

9. Jujutsu Kaisen: Cursed Clash

Jujutsu Kaisen: Cursed Clash aimed to bring the high-octane battles of the popular anime to life in a 2-on-2 fighting game format. Fans were eager to dive into the cursed energy-infused combat, but the game failed to deliver a knockout punch. The combat system, while flashy, lacked depth, leading to repetitive button-mashing rather than strategic encounters.

Character balancing was another sore point, with certain fighters overwhelmingly powerful, disrupting any sense of fair play. Additionally, the story mode offered little more than a shallow retelling of the anime, providing minimal incentive for fans seeking new content. In the end, Cursed Clash felt more like a filler episode than a thrilling showdown, leaving players yearning for a more polished and engaging experience. | © Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.

8. Dustborn

Dustborn presented itself as a narrative-driven, road-trip adventure set in a dystopian America, where words wield literal power. The premise was undeniably intriguing, promising a blend of storytelling, unique mechanics, and a diverse cast of characters. However, the execution left much to be desired. The narrative, while ambitious, often felt disjointed, with character development taking a backseat to heavy-handed themes.

Gameplay mechanics centered around the "power of words" were underutilized, reducing what could have been innovative interactions to simplistic choices with minimal impact. Technical issues, including frequent bugs and performance hiccups, further marred the experience. Ultimately, Dustborn was a journey with potential that got lost along the way, leaving players stranded in a desert of unfulfilled promises. | © Red Thread Games

7. Life Is Strange: Double Exposure

Life Is Strange: Double Exposure aimed to continue the series' tradition of emotionally charged, choice-driven narratives, this time focusing on beloved Max Caulfield with new abilities and new friends. While the game retained the franchise's signature art style and atmospheric soundtrack, it struggled to recapture the magic of its predecessors. The central narrative felt derivative, rehashing themes and plot devices without offering fresh perspectives or compelling twists.

Character development was shallow, making it difficult for players to form meaningful connections with the new cast. Moreover, the choice and consequence mechanic, a hallmark of the series, lacked the impactful weight seen in earlier titles, rendering decisions inconsequential. In the end, Double Exposure felt like an overexposed photograph – familiar outlines without the depth and contrast that made the originals stand out. | © Dontnod Entertainment

6. XDefiant

XDefiant entered the free-to-play shooter arena with ambitions of challenging genre giants, boasting a blend of fast-paced gunplay and faction-based abilities drawn from various Ubisoft franchises. However, the game struggled to establish a unique identity in a crowded market. While the shooting mechanics were competent, they failed to stand out, offering a generic experience that lacked the polish and innovation of its competitors. The faction abilities, intended to differentiate gameplay, often felt unbalanced and tacked on, disrupting the flow of matches rather than enhancing them.

Technical issues, including server instability and matchmaking problems, further frustrated the player base. Despite a free-to-play model, XDefiant couldn't maintain player interest, leading to dwindling numbers and, ultimately, the game's sunset announcement. In the end, it served as a reminder that in the competitive world of shooters, defiance alone isn't enough to secure victory. | © Ubisoft

5. Dragon Age: The Veilguard

Dragon Age: The Veilguard was heralded as the next epic chapter in the beloved fantasy series, promising to immerse players in the intricate politics and rich lore of Thedas once more. However, upon release, it became evident that the game was more dragon than age – big, scaly, and a bit out of touch with the times. The narrative, while ambitious, was criticized for being convoluted, with plot threads that seemed to tangle rather than weave into a cohesive story.

Gameplay mechanics felt dated, with combat that lacked the fluidity and innovation expected in modern RPGs. Additionally, technical issues plagued the experience, from frame rate drops to unexpected crashes, making the journey through Thedas more of a slog than an adventure. In attempting to recapture the magic of its predecessors, The Veilguard seemed to have fallen into a nostalgia trap, forgetting that even dragons need to evolve. | © BioWare

4. Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection

Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection aimed to capitalize on nostalgia by bundling remastered versions of the original Battlefront games, offering fans a trip down memory lane with enhanced graphics and modernized controls. However, the Force was not strong with this one. While the visual upgrades were appreciated, the core gameplay remained largely unchanged, highlighting outdated mechanics that felt clunky by today's standards.

Multiplayer modes, once the heart of the Battlefront experience, suffered from connectivity issues and a lack of active players, turning epic galactic battles into lonely skirmishes. Moreover, the absence of substantial new content or quality-of-life improvements left players questioning the value of the collection. In the end, this attempt to resurrect the classics felt more like a carbonite freeze than a triumphant return, leaving fans longing for a true evolution of the series. | © Aspyr

3. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League had all the makings of a blockbuster hit: a notorious antihero ensemble, a mission to take down corrupted superheroes, and the pedigree of Rocksteady Studios. Yet, upon release, it felt more like a mission impossible. The game's live-service model drew immediate criticism, with an overemphasis on repetitive grind and loot mechanics that overshadowed the narrative. Combat, while initially engaging, became monotonous due to a lack of enemy variety and uninspired mission design.

Technical issues, including server instability and performance hiccups, further dampened the experience. Despite the star-studded cast and high production values, Suicide Squad failed to deliver a compelling reason to keep players engaged, making the prospect of "killing the Justice League" less thrilling than it ought to have been. | © Rocksteady Studios

2. Skull and Bones

Skull and Bones set sail with the promise of delivering the ultimate pirate experience, allowing players to command their own ships and dominate the high seas. However, after numerous delays and a protracted development cycle, the game docked with more barnacles than booty. The open world felt barren, with repetitive missions that boiled down to monotonous fetch quests and uninspired naval combat.

Customization options, while extensive, couldn't mask the shallow gameplay loop that lacked the depth and excitement of true pirate adventures. Technical glitches, including clipping issues and crashes, further marred the experience. In the end, Skull and Bones felt less like a swashbuckling escapade and more like a shipwreck, leaving aspiring pirates adrift and disappointed. | © Ubisoft

1. Concord

Concord was introduced as Sony's ambitious foray into the competitive first-person shooter arena, developed by Firewalk Studios. With a substantial budget and years of development, expectations were sky-high. However, upon its release in August 2024, the game faced a catastrophic reception. Sales were abysmally low, with reports indicating only around 25,000 copies sold and a peak of 660 concurrent players on Steam.

Critics and players alike cited a lack of unique features, poor marketing, and an oversaturated market as key factors in its downfall. The game's swift removal from sale, less than two weeks post-launch, and the subsequent shutdown of Firewalk Studios underscored the magnitude of the failure. In the end, Concord serves as a cautionary tale of how even well-funded projects can falter without clear differentiation and effective engagement with the gaming community. | © Firewalk Studios