Summary
It’s no secret that gamers take their passion very seriously. Video games are a very important artistic medium and pastime for so many people; it’s only natural their opinions on them can get a little extreme. A game is rarelyjusta mediocre 5/10. It’s either the greatest triumph ever created, or an absolute dumpster fire.
Plenty of video games fall into these two opposing camps of either devoted adoration or equally devoted hatred. Yet then there are those games that exist right on the dotted line between the two sides. These are some of thegames that half of the gaming community loves, and the other half can’t stand.
JRPGs, in general, are a bit of a niche genre in Western gaming, butKingdom Heartstakes it a step further. This colorful blend of iconic characters from Disney movies andFinal Fantasywas a combination many people didn’t see coming.
Adding to that, the story ofKingdom Heartsseems to be constantly rewriting itself, withconstant retconsand countless plotholes across the multitude of games. Of course,Kingdom Heartshas a dedicated fanbase who love the characters, unique visuals, and fun gameplay, but even the most die-hard fan knows that their niche isn’t for everyone.
As one of the oldest video game franchises ever made,The Legend of Zeldahas seen its fair share of makeovers. Ever now and again, this classic adventure series likes to shake up its art style orclassic formulato keep giving players something new. Let’s just say some of these experiments have been more successful than others.
Skyward Swordis one of those times the franchise missed the mark. Many long-time fans weren’t impressed by the overly-simple gameplay, constant hand-holding, and linear world design. Others were enthralled by the game’s lovely, painting-inspired graphics, unique world-building, and a story exploring an earlier era of Hyrule. There was very little middle ground; players either believeSkyward Swordis the worst game in the series, or one ofthe Legend of Zelda’sbest.
TheGrand Theft Autoseries is known for a lot of things. Committing crimes and ignoring every road safety law ever written are some of the big ones, but for a while, the series knew not to take itself too seriously. Rockstar knew what their fans wanted — to have the most reckless, destructive fun imaginable — and they delivered on that.
A heavy story filled withbetrayal and heartbreak, with a much more realistic and bleak depiction of organized crime, wasn’t a part of that deal, but that’s what players got withGrand Theft Auto 4. This left a lot of fans confused, wondering what had happened. However, plenty of others quickly got invested in the game’s deep characters, givingGTA 4its own dedicated fanbase.
The originalAce Attorneytrilogy is a classic for many fans. Phoenix Wright’s journey from a fledgling lawyer to a legal force to be reckoned with was hallmarked with iconic characters, fun music, and plenty of fun and emotional plot twists. Fans were excited to see the next step the franchise would take, only to stop in their tracks when they came face-to-face with abrand-new protagonist.
In retrospect, many gamers have realized they may been too hard onApollo Justice. While it has its flaws, it’s still a fun game that stays true to the franchise’s core values, but for a long time, fans were salty over how their beloved Phoenix Wright had been unceremoniously shoved aside.
Most AAA video games tend to keep their stories pretty straightforward. Even when the subject matter or themes get heavy, they’re still easy to understand. Then there’sDeath Stranding, whose story reads more like poetry or abstract art, and not everyone “gets” either aspect.
Death Strandinghas a lot worth appreciating besides its obscure story. Having Norman Reedus as the mo-capped protagonist is wonderful, and so is the game’swild, futuristic world. Many players really connected with the game’s themes and symbolism of moving on from loss and grief, while others were simply left frustrated and confused by the slow-paced gameplay and lack of conventional mechanics.
David Cage is practically famous for making some pretty divisive games.Detroit: Become Humanis simply the most recent example. This tale of androids seeking independence in a futuristic dystopia had many gamers on the fence regarding its story and themes. Some found it hard-hitting and emotional, while others found the game failed to read the room.
Another point of contention is the game’s branching story. Many games boasting about how“choices matter”tend to over-promise and under-deliver. Some found thatDetroit: Become Humandid the trope well, leading to many varied endings based on player choices. Others found the differences minute and frustrating.
The Last of Us Part 1is one of the most universally celebrated video games in recent memory. The tale of Joel and Ellie navigating a world filled with grief and danger was an emotional roller coaster aided by fun gameplay and unique enemy designs. Fans were hyped for the sequel, but what they actually got was clearly not what they were expecting.
The Last of Us Part 2is a much darker, grittier tale thanPart 1, showcasing the once-innocentEllie going down a dark roadof hatred and revenge. Fans were left divided over how Naughty Dog chose to tell their tale about the cyclical nature of revenge. Some were up to the challenge and enjoyed the much-improved gameplay, while others were left with a bitter taste in their mouths.
