They might not be all that bad, but they're just not all that good either.
"God protect us."
Welcome to WatchMojo.com.
And today we're counting down our picks for the Top 10 Most Disappointing Games of 2014.
"They can't hide from me."
For this list, we're looking at games that left us feeling more jaded than Final Fantasy VII fans after a Sony press conference.
These are not the worst titles of the year...
...but are those that were promised to be some of the biggest games of the year and certainly did not meet expectations.
"This is what happens when you give command of the government to half-starved lunatics and command of the army to blood-thirsty savages."
Snake? Snake? Snaaake! Why is your game so short?
"Put the target on the chopper."
We know, we know, we know.
We were told off the bat that this was a prologue to the upcoming Phantom Pain.
And it certainly isn't the first big name title to have an appetizer before the main course.
Am I right, Gran Turismo 5?
But that doesn't mean we weren't frustrated when the adventure was over after only 90 minutes.
There are side missions, but they offer at most an extra 2 hours of content.
And for a game that was asking up to $40 dollars for the next-gen version at launch, we have to call it out for what it is.
A demo, you had to pay for.
"Speak."
You know that Nintendo's games have to constantly deal with the negative stereotype that all of their content is the same with little changes.
Unfortunately, Yoshi's "New" Island only strengthens that stereotype.
It even uses the same plot of the original Yoshi's Island.
And anything in this game that can be considered new is barely capitalized on.
As unique features make the odd appearance, and then are never seen again.
Overall, the game feels a bit lazy. And seems to only to try sell itself on brand name alone.
We don't mind delays if it means getting a better game.
The problem is, we expect polished perfection when the game is finally released.
Otherwise, you end up being... Well, Number 8 on this list.
After multiple delays, when we finally got our hands on Driveclub, it wasn't the next-gen "Forza Killer" we were anticipating.
But rather, an extremely generic racing game that does nothing to stand out.
Playstayion UK's Chief Executive, Fergal Gara, even went on record saying that, "It was an ebarassment.", and apologized to fans who had been anticipating the release.
(Simlish)
(More Simlish)
It's probably not the best idea to upset your fans before your game is released by removing the key features from its predecessors.
Nor is it a good idea to get review copies to reviewers the day before the game is released.
A trend that unfortunately became common this year.
But, you know, that's exactly what happened in the latest installment to the long running Sims franchise.
Truly there are new features in the game, but nothing saves it from the lack of content and desire for patches and expansions right off the bat.
Your best off sticking with The Sims 3 until EA gets their act together.
"I'll head back. See if you can find any of the other villagers on the island."
The hype for this game just writes itself.
Elder Scrolls is one of those franchises that, upon speaking its name, you assume that you're in for a glorious gaming experience.
Especially, if you have fond memories of Morrowind & Skyrim
Unfortunately, PC gamers got treated to a game that paled in comparison to both Elder Scrolls and other MMOs out there.
In fact, in hindsight it seems out of place that a series that established itself on stellar single-player experiences would even try to go MMO.
When its story and lore work in such opposition to the MMO structure.
"I've heard good things about you. Let's see if they're true."
"Smells like blood."
"Alright. Stay sharp."
There has been an abundance of complaints with Resident Evil lately.
Due to its lack of horror and increase in testosterone.
Thus, we all turned to our survivor-horror saviour, Shinji Mikami.
The man behind the Resident Evils that everyone loves, a.k.a Everything before #5.
While this title is far from being the mess of the recent Resident Evil games...
...it just misses the mark with its distrointed plot and generic mish-mash of ideas.
Also, what's with the letterboxing? (Oh, the irony.)
"Shit! Let's hurry up!"
One of the most beloved PC game franchises gets another lackluster reboot?
Say it ain't so.
"Someone's a bird-lover."
We were completely flabbergasted to see this game getting such flack when it came out.
Not because it doesn't deserve it.
Trust us, it really does.
But because of how amazing the franchise used to be.
"But when didn't having a lock hold me back?"
After having to wait 10 years since the last Thief game, this should've been Garret's return to glory.
Instead, what we got was a cumbersome game with odd design choices and really bland characters.
Best stick with Dishonored.
"Price on that jeweled mask. Enough to feed a hundred squawking mouths for years."
For all the criticism Madden and Call of Duty get for coming out every year...
...Assassin's Creed also needs to be put on trial for committing the same crime.
"You're not an apprentice anymore, boy. So study your surroundings."
However, it seems Ubisoft bit off a bit more than they could chew by trying to release two Assassin's Creeds games this year.
With their premier title suffering from a... Hey, who the hell are you guys?
"I want them assigned to some out of the way garrison. The man redefines the term 'friends in high places.' He's..."
And that's just the tip off the iceberg with how many glitches this game has.
Not to mention the frame rate issues that's certainly do not make the game look cinematic.
Despite what any PR spin might tell you.
"Practice your speech-making."
"Yeah. I'm sorry Nik. Really."
Remember at E3 2012 when this game was first revealed?
Oh, how we were all mislead when the game finally came out.
This game's hype-train was so out of control that a bomb defusal squad had to be called in when a PR stunt led to a bomb scare in Australia.
And we haven't even gone to the actual problems with the game.
Which sort of feels like the development team cut corners thanks to weird physics and invincible walls.
"I'm sure as hell not gonna let her do that to you."
Then there is the whole issue with the PC version not looking quite up to snuff with what was originally advertised.
Things really went downhill for Ubisoft as a whole for this year.
With this game, Unity and The Crew all over promising and under delivering.
Far Cry 4 was okay though so.. They got 1 outta 4.
Before we get to our #1, let's crank up the disappointment with these dishonorable mentions.
"Saviour's got a job."
"What is a man..."
"...but a miserable pile of secrets!"
"You're interesting... Not entirely interesting, but you have promise."
The hype for this game was like a slow dance.
Whispers of something in Halo: ODST.
A few league sketches here and there.
The occasional teaser trailer then the big announcement.
How could something that looked so epic be so Meh..stiny.
You have Activision, who published Call of Duty.
Bungie, who developed Halo.
A theme song from former Beatles member, Paul McCartney.
And voice work from Emmy Award-winning Game of Thrones' actor, Peter Dinklage.
"The Hive haven't been on Earth in centuries. That Wizard came from the Moon."
All of those things together, spell "Money Printer".
Yet, the actual game was kind of amateur compared to the star power behind it.
Repetitive missions, a dull story filled with cliché dialogue...
"I don't even have time to explain why I don't have time to explain."
...And the game seemed more focused on trying to sell you a season pass, rather than provide you with a complete experience.
"Yes.. It's good. That's good."
Instead of changing the online scene for the next generation...
...Destiny just introduced a whole lot of shooter fans to something the MMO crowd have been sick of for years...
...The Grind.
Do you agree with our list?
"Was I talking to you?!"
Which games dropped the ball for you in 2014?
"Why is the right place always so terrifying?"
For more Top 10 list that won't disappoint, that are published everyday...
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