The game industry experienced an absolutely massive 2023, as highly anticipated titles likeBaldur’s Gate 3,Street Fighter 6,Star Wars Jedi: Survivor,and much more were all finally released. In fact, Nintendo had one of its biggest years in recent memory thanks to huge first-party games likeSuper Mario Bros. Wonderand thehighly anticipatedThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Naturally, this year also featured a few low points for game releases with disappointing titles that just didn’t live up to the anticipation or simply fell short of fan expectations.
Disappointing games aren’t always just bad from a technical or performance perspective, as many could be considered fun or solid overall. The reason these games are here is due to the fact that there’s some element to them that missed the mark due to a terrible launch, releasing without expected features, or just not being what fans were hoping for.In no particular order, here are the 12 most disappointing games of 2023.
RELATED:Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Continues a Disappointing Trend For a Fan-Favorite Mode
Atomic Heart
Initially looking like a spiritual successor to Irrational Games’BioShockseries,Atomic Heartultimately never quite reached those lofty heights. Set in an alternate reality Soviet Union in the 1950s, players face off against robotic and biomechanical experiments that have turned rogue at a location known as Facility 3826. While the premise may be interesting, most players and critics agreed that it didn’t reach the heights ofBioShock, as combat and progression systems ultimately felt underwhelming when compared to other games in the genre. Worse yet, theXbox version ofAtomic Heartsuffered from technical and performance issuesrelated to its framerate as well as a variety of general gameplay bugs.
In addition, theprotagonist Major Sergey “P-3” Nechayev wasn’t received particularly well, commonly leaning on curse words or clichéd dialogue that is typically delivered at odd or out-of-place times during the story. Many players also grew tired of the open-world segments set between the more focused dungeon-style levels. The open world came off more as filler to pad the game’s overall runtime thanks to constantly respawning enemies, uninspired boss fights, and collectibles that didn’t always feel like they were worth the effort needed to find them.
WHERE TO PLAY
Atomic Heart is an upcoming, highly anticipated first-person shooter from developer Mundfish. The game, which released in 2023, incorporates FPS action, RPG elements, a harrowing story, and light survival mechanics.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
Even though theCall of Dutyfranchise continues to be a cash cow for Activision,Modern Warfare 3really stumbled more than usual at launch. Things didn’t start off well after fans gotearly access to theModern Warfare 3campaign, which had plenty of excitement leading up to its launch promising a showdown between Task Force 141 and the return of iconicModern Warfarevillain Vladimir Makarov. Unfortunately, the campaign left fans largely disappointed due to a good chunk of it feeling like filler relying heavily on content taken fromWarzoneand is ultimately a very short, four-hour campaign. The idea of Open Combat missions also didn’t sit well with many, which removed a lot of the tense, action-heavy set pieces that theCall of Dutycampaigns have been known for.
While things have fared better for fans of the series multiplayer, there have been pain points for the community at launch with wonky spawn points inside game modes like Hardpoint and missing popular game modes like Gun Game as well as Gun Fight. While the game features 16 maps, they’re not original as they’re taken from 2011’sModern Warfare 2, even though they have been given a visual upgrade and some tweaks. Still, for a game with a premium price tag, some have found the price point a tough pill to swallow, especially as the launch version ofModern Warfare 3felt more like an expansion than a full-fledged game.
Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2023)
The war has changed. Call of Duty returns with an all-new campaign, modernized versions of classic Multiplayer maps and an open-world PvE Zombies experience. The campaign, a direct sequel to the record-breaking Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, sees Captain Price and Task Force 141 face off against ultranationalist war criminal Vladimir Makarov as he extends his grasp across the world. In Multiplayer, the 16 maps that launched with Modern Warfare 2 in 2009 return with upgraded graphics, new modes and innovative gameplay features. In Modern Warfare Zombies, team up with other squads for the first time ever as you work together to survive in the largest Zombies map yet
Cities: Skylines 2
As a follow-up to a fan-favorite city builder that had years of post-launch content and community modding support, players likely assumed thatCities: Skylines 2would be feature-rich on Day 1, continuing to build off what its predecessor had started. Unfortunately, things quickly fell off of the rails as players discovered the game was missing content that the original game eventually received post-launch, like airports. Worse yet, whileCities: Skylines 2does support user mods, they were shifted to the Paradox Mods library instead of Steam Workshop, which was a big piece of the previous game and left many players disappointed.
Upon release,Cities: Skylines 2suffered from notable technical issues, including confirmation from developer Colossal Order that the game wouldn’t be hitting its ideal performance benchmark at launch. Many fans felt thatCities: Skylines 2also aimed for more realism, but it came at the cost of the game’s overall presentation and charm. Colors didn’t pop as much as they did in the previous game, and certain buildings or structures just didn’t look quite right if the terrain they were built on wasn’t completely flat. Players looking forward to the console release were also informed that the PlayStation and Xbox versions were suddenly delayed, with a new launch window of Spring 2024.
If you can dream it, you can build it. Raise a city from the ground up and transform it into the thriving metropolis only you can imagine. You’ve never experienced building on this scale. With deep simulation and a living economy, Cities: Skylines II delivers world-building without limits.Lay the foundations for your city to begin. Create the roads, infrastructure, and systems that make life possible day to day. It’s up to you – all of it.How your city grows is your call too, but plan strategically. Every decision has an impact. Can you energize local industries while also using trade to boost the economy? What will make residential districts flourish without killing the buzz downtown? How will you meet the needs and desires of citizens while balancing the city’s budget?Your city never rests. Like any living, breathing world, it changes over time. Some changes will be slow and gradual, while others will be sudden and unexpected. So while seasons turn and night follows day, be ready to act when life doesn’t go to plan.The most realistic and detailed city builder ever, Cities: Skylines II pushes your creativity and problem-solving to another level. With beautifully rendered high-resolution graphics, it also inspires you to build the city of your dreams.
Forspoken
When it was first announced,Forspokenhad plenty going for it at Luminous Productions thanks to the pedigree of individuals working on it, which included thelikes of Amy Hennig, Todd Stashwick, and Gary Whittahandling the writing, with Bear McCreary and Garry Schyman on the soundtrack. Unfortunately, the game’s development would eventually experience numerous rough patches, including various game delays and other problems prior to launch. Whitta even mentioned thatForspoken’s story underwent heavy edits and revisions throughout development, ultimately looking nothing like the original pitch.
The writing was on the wall with its pre-release demo, which left many players underwhelmed due to a lifeless and uninspired open world to explore, and others criticizedForspoken’s dialogue, which many felt was overly “cringey” at best. Critical reviews were mixed, with many praising the combat and traversal abilities, but major technical and performance issues negatively impacted the overall experience. A few months after release, Square Enix announced that the game had failed to hit sales expectations and that Luminous Productions would be absorbed back into the company to essentially become a support studio to “further bolster the competitive prowess of the Group’s development studios.”
Mysteriously transported from New York City, Frey Holland finds herself trapped in the breathtaking land of Athia. A magical, sentient bracelet is inexplicably wrapped around her arm, and Frey discovers the ability to cast powerful spells and use magic to traverse the sprawling landscapes of Athia. Frey nicknames her new golden companion “Cuff” and sets off to find a way home.Frey soon learns this beautiful land once flourished under the reign of benevolent matriarchs, called Tantas, until a devastating blight relentlessly corrupted everything it touched. The Break transformed animals into beasts, men into monsters, and rich landscapes into four dangerous realms. At the center of their shattered domains, the Tantas now rule as maddened and evil sorceresses.Unaffected by the Break and desperate for answers, Frey reluctantly agrees to help the last remaining citizens of Athia who see her as their only hope. Frey’s journey through this strange and treacherous land will take her deep into the heart of corruption where she must battle monstrous creatures, confront the powerful Tantas, and uncover secrets that awaken something much more from within.
The Last of Us Part 1 (PC)
WhileThe Last of Usremains a hugely popular and lucrative Sony property that had another big year thanks to the TV series, things weren’t perfect for the franchise in 2023. Fans were happy to see a PC port finally arrive for the first game, as the remake bundled the DLC expansion as well as unique enhancements and improved performance into a single package. However, the PC release also came with a few unexpected issues as well.
At launch, PC players noted that technical issues, not present in the original or remastered versions, hindered the experience, especially when played at High or Ultra graphical settings. The poorly optimized PC version suffered from visual oddities, an inconsistent frame rate, and flickering textures, with the game outright crashing at times on High settings. Worse yet, the game struggled to run on Steam Deck, with the bulk of the issue surrounding the lengthy load times needed to compile the shaders. The problems resulted inThe Last of Usgetting negative reviews on places like Steam, providing players a way to voice their displeasure and ultimately getting the attention of Naughty Dog.
The Last of Us Part I
Experience the emotional storytelling and unforgettable characters in The Last of Us, winner of over 200 Game of the Year awards, now rebuilt from the ground up for the PlayStation 5 console.In a ravaged civilization, where infected and hardened survivors run rampant, Joel, a weary protagonist, is hired to smuggle 14-year-old Ellie out of a military quarantine zone. However, what starts as a small job soon transforms into a brutal cross-country journey.- Completely rebuilt using Naughty Dog’s latest PS5 engine technology with advanced visual fidelity, fully integrated DualSense™ wireless controller features, and more.- A total overhaul of the original experience, faithfully reproduced but incorporating modernized gameplay mechanics, improved controls, and expanded accessibility options.- Feel immersed in improved environmental storytelling, effects, facial animations, and enhanced exploration and combat.
Lord of the Rings: Gollum
While there was plenty of excitement for a game centered around theLord of the Ringscharacter Gollum, no one could have expected just how bad of a game it would become. Part of the disappointment is the fact that it misuses one of the best-known IPs inThe Lord of the Rings, a series created by J.R.R. Tolkien that has experienced plenty of success through movie adaptations, video games, and more. Beyond that, another big problem is thatLord of the Rings: Gollumsuffered from a large amount of technical and gameplay-related issuesas well, with its graphics being worse than many classic, older games.
Technical problems ranging from frame rate drops and character animations breaking randomly compound the already poor visual graphics, a camera that seems to work against players, and clunky animations. The gameplay is fairly basic, with Gollum performing basic tasks on top of poorly implemented stealth and platforming mechanics. In addition to the poorly received game, upsetting details eventually surfaced regarding the toxic work environment, unpaid overtime for its employees, and mismanagement by leadership, eventually leading to the studio shutting down entirely. Naturally,Lord of the Rings: Gollumquickly went on to become one of the worst games of 2023.
The Lord Of The Rings: Gollum
The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is an action-adventure game developed and published by Daedalic Entertainment and co-published with Nacon. The game, set in the fictional world of Middle-earth created by J. R. R. Tolkien, takes place in between the events of The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring.He’s got nothing more to lose… How far will he go to retrieve his Precious?Taking place in parallel to the events described in The Fellowship of the Ring ™, The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is an action-adventure game and an epic interactive experience. You play as the enigmatic Gollum on his perilous journey and find out how he outwitted the most powerful characters in Middle-earth.Gollum is one of the most fascinating characters in The Lord of the Rings universe. In 500 years he has experienced events that would destroy the toughest of beings. But Gollum doesn’t break; he bends, he adapts…Tortured by his split personality, he can be vicious and wicked as Gollum, yet friendly and cautious as Smeagol. It’s up to you to decide which of his personalities will triumph in the difficult moral choices that will dictate the future of your precarious alliances.The Lord of the Rings: Gollum™ is an official adaptation based on the literary works of J.R.R. Tolkien.
Mortal Kombat 1 (Switch)
By all accounts,Mortal Kombat 1has been a big success story for NetherRealm Studios, resetting the franchise timeline in all sorts of interesting and unique ways. However, Switch owners saw a completely different game compared to the PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S versions.
As players discovered, the Switch version ofMortal Kombat 1suffered from severe visual and technical issues. Glaring issues included a major lack of detail with character models as well as the stages themselves, removing all the lifelike animations and beautiful visual details present on the other platforms. Screenshots captured by players showcased characters with bulging eyes, textureless models, odd visual issues like floating heads, glitches that caused broken animations, and load screens that were shockingly long. The experience was a far cry from the previous game in the series,Mortal Kombat 11, which not only ran well on the Switch, but looked much better and was well received by critics and players alike.
Mortal Kombat 1
Welcome to a new era of Kombat. NetherRealm Studios ushers in a new era of the iconic fighting franchise with a total reset that changes the entire world as we know it. Following the thrilling climax of Mortal Kombat 11, the all-powerful Fire God Liu Kang has created a New Era in the hope of bringing peace to Earthrealm and beyond. Through the series' most cinematic story mode yet, you’ll be reintroduced to a cast of legendary warriors as you’ve never seen them before. Expect twists on classic friendships and rivalries, as well as new backstories that will change everything you think you know about your favorite Kombatants. Discover a host of new offline and online game modes as you master a revitalized fighting system that boasts bone-crunching Fatal Blows, defensive Breakers and the most creatively vicious Fatalities yet.
Overwatch 2
After nearly a full year,Overwatch 2dropped its Early Access label alongside Season 6 on August 02, 2025. However, even with the game considered to be the full release, it continued to lack a number of major quality-of-life features, saw plenty of concerns over the competitive side of the game, suffered from frustrating bugs, and continued to support aggressive microtransaction practices includingmajor controversy with the recent release ofDiablo 4-inspired skins during Season 7.
Season 6 also brought with it the highly anticipated PvE missions, though the feature itself wasn’t what Blizzard originally promised, downscaling and outright removing aspects of the mode that left fans feeling frustrated. The biggest criticism revolved around taking these PvE missions and putting them behind a paywall, forcingOverwatch 2players to purchase the first three missions for $15. Moreover, fans were also disappointed by the fact that Hero Mode was scrapped alongside the promise of character talent trees and highly replayable missions.
After well-received announcements at BlizzCon 2023, it’s possible that Blizzard could turn things around thanks to upcoming content and additional changes in the future. Specifically, there’s a lot of optimism around the competitive changes coming in season 9. The addition of Emerald Guns, changes to the Ranked system including a new tier, new seasonal award pages, and more all have fans' hopes up. It remains to be seen if it can stick the landing with season 9 in 2024, but 2023 certainly was not its year.
Overwatch 2 is an always-on and ever-evolving free-to-play, team-based action game set in an optimistic future, where every match is the ultimate 5v5 battlefield brawl. Power up your railgun and disrupt the battlefield as Sojourn, or yield your axe and command attention as Junker Queen. Battle to take control of a robot and move it toward the enemy base in the new Push Mode. Bring the fight to new destinations across the globe in iconic locations like New York, Rome, Monte Carlo and Rio. Daily challenges and frequent updates mean there is always something new to play.
Payday 3
The latest entry in the popular bank heist franchise,Payday 3continued the story of the crew at the conclusion of the second game. Moving into a more modern area to take advantage of advanced surveillance and the topic of cryptocurrency, the hype behind the co-op shooter quickly faded away due to an extremely messy and poor launch forPayday 3. With an always-online requirement even when playing solo, the servers couldn’t handle the rush of new players, causing countless errors, performance, and technical issues. Things got so bad thatStarbreeze came out and apologized for how rough things had gotten, ultimately resolving the majority of server issues a week and a half after launch.
While the online issues received most of the headlines,Payday 3suffered from gameplay-related problems including an overall lack of content, a tedious progression system, lackluster AI, and a barebones story. A month after launch,Payday 3saw its player base largely disappear, with platforms like Steam showing thatPayday 2’s concurrent player population was 10 times greater. Compounding things was the fact that Embracer Group came out in November to confirm thatPayday 3sales failed to meet expectations, putting the future of the series in doubt.
Step out of retirement back into the life of crime in the shoes of the Payday Gang, the envy of their peers and the nightmare of law-enforcement wherever they go. Several years after the crew’s reign of terror over Washington DC has ended, they assemble once again to deal with the threat that roused them out of early retirement.The legendary Payday Crew, dreaded by the law and underworld alike, is back. Ripped from their peaceful retirement to rejoin the criminal world by a new threat, one born from the chaos the Crew left in their wake. In order to identify and crush this new threat, the Crew is leaving their Washington DC roots behind them and moving to New York City. A new location will bring with it new challenges, but also new opportunities for a heister with a plan.A professional heister knows it takes planning, hard work and a good amount of luck in order to execute a successful heist. In PAYDAY 3 the choice is put in the hands of the players, deciding how to tackle the heist, whether you sneak or go in guns blazing, whether you let your hostages go or keep them around as pawns, whether you go at it alone or bring friends. The choices are endless and in your hands, they will vastly change how the game plays.
Redfall
Coming from a developer with a good track record, especially with the last few game releases includingDeathloop,Redfallwas likely seen by many as another easy win for the studio, but it ultimately dropped the ball. After experiencing multiple delays,Redfalllaunched to extremely poor reviews from both critics and fans alike. In fact, the launch was so bad evenPhil Spencer opened up aboutRedfall’s poor receptionand how disappointing things were in general.
With plenty of bugs bogging down the overall experience, players were also met with inconsistent AI behavior, shallow gameplay mechanics, and a limited pool of weapons to pick from. Along with a lack of 60FPS at launch, players also took issue with the looter-shooter elements, character abilities, and RPG mechanics not being very engaging or rewarding to use. Even as the player count has dwindled over the months since launch,Arkane has continued to release updates to improveRedfall, even though the population remains extremely low.
Uncover the truth, take back Redfall: The island town of Redfall, Massachusetts, is under siege by a legion of vampires who have blocked out the sun and cut the citizens off from the outside world. Ally with a handful of survivors against the creatures threatening to bleed the town dry.Slay alone or squad up: Venture into the darkness alone or to squad-up for up to four player co-op. Teammates can try different loadouts and combine their strengths to find creative solutions to the vampire apocalypse that suit their playstyle.Unconventional heroes versus the night: Choose from a team of diverse heroes – each with their own character-specific abilities – to overcome the vampire legion and their brood of maniacal followers.The open world of Redfall: Redfall is a true Arkane experience in a rich world that blends the familiar with the extraordinary. Fight through cultist outposts and supernatural psychic spaces as you piece together Redfall’s many mysteries.
