Ten Games That Gamers Say Are the Absolute Worst in 2023

Introduction

When it comes to determining what makes a good game, there is often a disparity between gamers and critics. User scores and critics' scores can differ greatly, leading to questions about the validity of game reviews. For those who trust their peers over the professionals, here are the 10 games that Metacritic users have deemed the worst of the worst.

10. Curse of the Sea Rats

Despite lukewarm reviews from critics, Curse of the Sea Rats gained attention and funding through a successful Kickstarter campaign. However, backers were left disappointed when the game failed to live up to its promises. If it had been released as a small indie game, it may have gone unnoticed, but the high expectations set by the Kickstarter campaign left players angry.

9. NBA 2K24

Sports games often receive lower user scores compared to critics, and NBA 2K24 is no exception. Fans of the series play it religiously and notice every small change. When the game offered little in terms of upgrades, players felt cheated. Charging full price for minimal changes left gamers upset, especially when they believed the game had regressed both mechanically and technically.

8. Diablo 4

Diablo 4 received a significant gap in user scores and critics' scores, and the reason is clear. While both users and critics agree that the core of the game is good, user reviews plummeted due to Activision Blizzard's introduction of microtransactions. Asking players to pay extra for additional content on top of the already high price tag felt like a betrayal to fans.

7. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

Both players and reviewers united in their dislike for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. The single-player campaign was short and uninspiring, leaving players longing for more. Despite denials from Activision Blizzard, signs suggest that the game was originally planned to be longer. Even the multiplayer failed to impress, leaving players underwhelmed with their purchase.

6. Blood Bowl 3

Blood Bowl 3, a game with a passionate fanbase, fell short due to a number of bugs and performance issues. The game was released prematurely, leading to game-breaking bugs that frustrated players. While some issues have been addressed, many felt that the initial release was nothing more than a cash grab.

5. Overwatch 2

Overwatch 2, the sequel to the beloved original, received a backlash due to its introduction of microtransactions and the absence of promised content. The game's launch on Steam was met with disappointment, as fans felt the quality had dipped from the original game. Predatory monetization options further soured players' experiences.

4. Madden NFL 24

Madden NFL 24 faced criticism for its lack of content and the presence of bugs. Fans had been vocal about their desire for improvements in the Madden series, but the game failed to deliver. Many felt that it offered nothing new compared to previous installments and was plagued with technical issues upon release.

3. The Lord of the Rings: Gollum

The launch of The Lord of the Rings: Gollum was marred by bugs and performance problems, making the game virtually unplayable. Fans of the Lord of the Rings franchise had high expectations for this release, but it failed to live up to them. The game looked nothing like the trailers and left players bored and frustrated.

2. Greyhill Incident

Greyhill Incident failed to impress both gamers and critics. With negative reviews on Steam, the game's short length and numerous bugs were major drawbacks. While the graphics and atmosphere received some praise, players found the lack of gameplay and story development disappointing, especially considering the game's price.

1. Pinball FX

Microtransactions took center stage in the backlash against Pinball FX. While the free-to-play pinball simulator itself was decent, players were outraged by the high cost of additional tables. Variety is key in pinball, and asking players to pay for tables they already owned was seen as a step too far.

Conclusion

These 10 games, as rated by Metacritic users, serve as a reminder that user opinions can greatly differ from critics'. It is important for gamers to weigh both perspectives when making purchasing decisions. Ultimately, it is the players who decide which games are the worst of the worst.