Bad Video Games with Great Graphics
While visuals are of secondary importance for a gamer who focuses on the plot and the gameplay, there are some bad games that have outstanding visuals. In this article, we’ll count down some bad video games with great graphics.
Before we proceed, let me explain why many of these games are considered bad. Because of their lackluster stories and/or bland gameplay, many players and critics alike consider these to be bad. They may still be worth playing because of their visuals if you’re a player who prefers graphics to gameplay.
The Order: 1886
One of my friends once told me that developer Ready at Dawn made a movie instead of a game, and that’s not far from the truth. Its story is the main focus of the game and it’s very cinematic.
In all honesty, this game is of its own unique breed and it’s actually good in some aspects. However, if you’re hoping to dive into a long game with great gameplay elements, you’ll be in for disappointment. You can finish this very short game in like 5 hours.
Its visuals are breathtaking and outright cinematic. In fact, this might be one of the most cinematic games of all time. It’s clear that the developer’s intention was just that: a short, gorgeous, and cinematic experience.
The Callisto Protocol
The Callisto Protocol was widely inspired by the revolutionary sci-fi horror classic Dead Space. It had a lot of potential. Ultimately, this atmospheric and mind-blowingly beautiful game flopped because of its bad performance and ridiculous bugs and glitches. It had a short story that was quite unremarkable in many gamers’ eyes. Its combat is also rather disappointing too.
RAGE 2
RAGE 2 was a game that I really looked forward to. The first game that was released back in 2011 was hardly a great game but its gunplay and the overall atmosphere were quite enjoyable, at least for me. Its story was less-than-decent but it wasn’t downright horrible, unlike its sequel.
RAGE 2 had insanely good combat and a decent weapon selection. The association of id Software in development resulted in this addictive combat system that resembled that of DOOM. But RAGE 2 was one of the most disappointing games I’ve ever played.
Its story is absolutely appalling and it’s dreadfully repetitive. RAGE 2 was an instance of a game screwing up miserably because they tried to go open-world. That brings us to the bland open world that was a chore to explore. It had a few enemy outposts around and the rest of the world was unnaturally empty, even for a post-apocalyptic game.
At least it looks good.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
Another instance of a ridiculously repetitive game set in a huge but ultimately unappealing open world, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla was nothing but another failed attempt at making a good RPG. In the industry, there aren’t many Viking games and many players were interested in seeing what Ubisoft would do with this latest release. They messed it up.
Valhalla was riddled with bugs and glitches that are present in the game even today. The game made you indulge in the same activities in its repetitive and monotonous gameplay loop. Ubisoft should clearly take a different approach with the AC franchise because this formula simply is not cutting it.
Far Cry 2
Other than Far Cry 3 and Far Cry 4, I still believe that Far Cry 2 is one of the better games in the franchise. That solely has to do with its visuals, immersion, and gunplay. Its story was bland and the gameplay was horribly repetitive.
There were side missions that felt like chores, and the game would’ve been somewhat better if it didn’t have them. You had to traverse the atmospheric and rather well-made jungles of Africa over and over again.
The lighting of the game was rather muddy, but it suited the game’s dark and lonely atmosphere. With foliage that was mind-blowing for the time, the jungles of Africa were really well-made.
Despite the game looking good, this repetitive traveling made appreciating the game world difficult. Plus, you had to shoot your way through tens of outposts on your travels, and they’d always respawn. I like to consider that Far Cry 2 was a tech demo and a benchmark rather than a full-blown and fun video game.
