Home Gaming What’s Been Your Biggest Gaming Disappointment?

What’s Been Your Biggest Gaming Disappointment?

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Disappointment

Life is full of disappointments – those times when things just don’t turn out as you expect. Sometimes it’s something big; a loved one letting you down, a business deal falling through, your offspring wants to pursue a career in performance art, your genitals haven’t gotten any bigger since you turned 7 (Just me?). More regular though are the more inconsequential disappointments; the pickles are missing from your drive-through cheeseburger, some idiot’s made the coffee too weak, the new album from your favourite band is a musical mess, Heroes Season 2.

It mostly comes down to expectations. Often one’s expectations for something are much greater than its final delivery. With some people being underwhelmed, even disappointed by the long in development, recently released Gran Turismo 5, I got thinking about my own gaming disappointments.

Gt4boring

In recent memory, my biggest gaming disappointment is probably Grand Theft Auto 4. I got caught up in all the pre-release hype, and while it was technically brilliant, it ended up being less than the sum of its individual parts. Repetitive, boring missions and a shift towards realism from its more cartoon violence roots  removed the irreverent, silly fun the series had become known for.

ACboring

I may be in the minority, but I found the first Assassin’s Creed terribly disappointing. After all the media attention and trailered videos (and images of Jade Raymond). I was expecting a free-flowing free-running game with heavy stealth elements where tactics and careful planning would be necessary to take out your targets. Instead we got a beautifully crafted world (and a lovely demonstration of what the engine was capable) – with the same 5 boring minigames and overly-simplistic combat and movement. thankfully the sequels have made up for the first game quite nicely.

Redsteel

Remember the first Red Steel? Before the Wii’s release it was hyped up to be a game giving you complete 1:1 sword control mixed with intense gunplay. Instead it was a buggy, glitch-infested, poorly designed wagglefest, bringing me to list the Wii itself as a huge disappointment. I’ll admit to having some of my finest gaming experiences this generation on Nintendo’s underpowered console; Super Mario Galaxy (and SMG 2), Twilight Princess, Mario Kart Wii and Super Smash Bros Brawl are all fantastic games. You may have noticed they’re all first party games. Instead of it being the “Revolution” we were promised, it’s mostly become the home of poorly executed 3rd party shovelware cash-ins.

UnFable

It would be impossible to list gaming disappointments without including Peter Molyneux’s Fable. Once known as Project Ego, it served only in knocking Molyneux’s down a few pegs. While I’d be lying if i said I didn’t enjoy the first Fable, instead of the revolutionary game that would allow you to  “plant an acorn and watch a tree grow,” we got a pretty mediocre fantasy RPG.

Now it’s your turn, dear readers. What games, hardware and peripherals have left you with the bitter taste of disappointment?

Last Updated: December 1, 2010

83 Comments

  1. Gavin Mannion

    December 1, 2010 at 13:46

    Easily my biggest disappointment would be Crackdown 2… I was so stupidly hyped for that game and then when I finally got my hands on the demo I virtually cried.

    The zombies, or whatever they wanted to be called, were a complete disaster and utterly ruined the game… :angry:

    Reply

  2. darthdad

    December 1, 2010 at 13:47

    Was very underwhelmed by ‘Assassins Creed’. I expected another epic ‘Thief’ type game, and got button mash free roam crap. Haven’t tried AC2 yet.

    Reply

  3. Grant Hinds

    December 1, 2010 at 13:48

    There’ve been so many for me. I won’t be able to list them here.

    Reply

  4. Fred

    December 1, 2010 at 13:53

    My ps3 costing R6000 that died after two years of service tops my list with ease after having a ps2 still going after 10 yrs.
    GTA 5 , recently released on what planet?

    Reply

  5. Bobby Kotick for Dummies

    December 1, 2010 at 14:00

    I absolutely loved Crackdown 1, and so when Crackdown 2 was announced, I nearly wet myself… How could it not be as awesome or even a vast improvement over the first..? :getlost:

    If there was ever a game that almost made me hate gaming, it has to be Crackdown 2. What an utter disappointment!

    (I didn’t consider Fable 3 a disappointment since, it was always obvious to me that the game would suck. Fable 1 and 2 have taught me well).

    Reply

  6. lans

    December 1, 2010 at 14:02

    My Top 10 Game Reviewer disappointments of all time

    1. Grant Hinds (i am disappoint)
    2. IGN
    3. IGN
    4. IGN
    5. IGN
    6. IGN
    7.IGN
    8.IGN
    9.IGN
    10. IGN

    Reply

  7. FiveStarRich

    December 1, 2010 at 14:04

    WRC 2010. How on earth was a game like that even released?! Graphics and presentation were unforgivable!

    Reply

  8. Nick de Bruyne

    December 1, 2010 at 14:06

    AC2 is EVERYTHING that AC should have been, and more.

    Reply

  9. Jonni

    December 1, 2010 at 14:07

    “…disappointed by the long in development, recently released Grand Theft Auto 5…” ??? 😆

    Reply

  10. Nick de Bruyne

    December 1, 2010 at 14:07

    Yeah but the gameplay really wasnt bad at all

    Reply

  11. Geoffrey Tim

    December 1, 2010 at 14:09

    Hahaha..sorry. Brain and fingers not in sync. fixed.

    Reply

  12. Geoffrey Tim

    December 1, 2010 at 14:10

    Planet Geoffrey. fixed! 😛

    Reply

  13. GooseZA

    December 1, 2010 at 14:13

    Too Human, Assassin’s Creed, GTA IV.

    Reply

  14. spl0it

    December 1, 2010 at 14:13

    The Wii, the PSP, the N64(Barring 1080,Goldeneye,Super Mario) All the Tekkens after 3

    Reply

  15. pantsula

    December 1, 2010 at 14:20

    Comic Jumper. After the brilliance of Splosion man it was a big letdown. Haven’t even played through half of it.

    Reply

  16. Milni

    December 1, 2010 at 14:22

    Being a huge Supes fan, the Superman Returns game was hugely disappointing. Scribblenauts had so much potential, but I didn’t enjoy it.

    I have made the mistake of buying the PSP for a second time, and after a month of enjoying it, it is now collecting dust.

    god of war 1. Yes, I know it is epic and everyone loves it, but I just don’t get it, clearly.

    The list goes on, but those all spring to mind

    Reply

  17. Fred

    December 1, 2010 at 14:25

    I concur , AC2 I rate up there with Uncharted 2.

    Reply

  18. Bobby Kotick for Dummies

    December 1, 2010 at 14:29

    I wouldn’t go as far as to rate AC2 as high as Uncharted 2, but it was an ok game, definitely an improvement over the first one. :getlost:

    The latest Prince of Persia is another disappointed, although more a case of a wasted opportunity.

    Reply

  19. Bobby Kotick for Dummies

    December 1, 2010 at 14:32

    Oh my word, how could I have forgotten Superman Returns? Do you remember the first few vids that were released for that game? I was so hyped up for that game, and then … they served up a pile of steaming crap.

    Bah! No wonder I’m such a cynical git these days. 😆

    Reply

  20. piV787

    December 1, 2010 at 14:35

    Call of Duty Black Ops for Ps3!!!!

    Graphics!!!
    Matchmaking!!!!

    Reply

  21. Geoffrey Tim

    December 1, 2010 at 14:36

    One day we’ll get a good superman game. Maybe.

    Reply

  22. Jonni

    December 1, 2010 at 14:39

    Haha, I also get confused between the two sometimes.

    Reply

  23. codemonkey

    December 1, 2010 at 14:55

    I second that.

    Reply

  24. Bobby Kotick for Dummies

    December 1, 2010 at 14:58

    lol multiplayer on PS3 is a sad affair. Most of your time is spent in the lobby connecting and disconnecting from hosts, and when you finally get into a game, it’s host migration, host connection lost… and back to the lobby screen.

    Arguably, my most disappointing purchase of this month (Fuck you again Activision). Regardless of its faults Medal of Honor’s MP has been stellar, which is surprising. :blink:

    Reply

  25. chainedfly2002

    December 1, 2010 at 15:07

    Were do we begin…
    Bulletwitch: I remember when I saw the reviews and thought, this can’t be right! and they were right…

    Alone in the dark: see comment above…

    Mafia 2: overhyped linear openworld game,and I suspect they cut content and sold it as DLC (would not surprise me)

    Reply

  26. FreeStanler

    December 1, 2010 at 15:16

    Playing Police Quest on PC yonks ago, and not having access to the much hyped sequels. Many-a-time went into a computer store flipping through dusty floppy discs in a poorly arranged game box, to no avail 🙁 but then getting hero’s quest, and being stuck, not knowing how to flippin cast spells and mix potions and the damn time running out before the wizard comes for you, because the food is ‘up’. But this is what got me into gaming!

    Getting a new computer (yay!) just to find out it lasts me about 3 months in proper gaming specs (aw).

    Since then only pretty much buying the big titles, such as MW2 and BLOPS on Xbox.

    Oh, and I’m not that old – 25.

    Reply

  27. bmalcombb

    December 1, 2010 at 15:16

    black ops multiplayer for me
    buggy laggy stuttery

    those three words haunt me

    Reply

  28. Bobby Kotick for Dummies

    December 1, 2010 at 15:34

    I skipped Mafia 2, don’t think I’ve missed anything. Pity though, I love the post-war mid 1940s setting.

    Reply

  29. Aequitas

    December 1, 2010 at 15:35

    Castlevania HD, the downloadable one on xbox. 5 or 6 levels, that you can play coop, but they are entirely unconnected, no story, no metroidvania parts to it *at all*

    Castlevania: Lords of Shadow is awesome tho.

    Reply

  30. Ndibu

    December 1, 2010 at 15:41

    I fully expected that when PS3 finally released it would be a massively untouchable device capable of rendering in game graphics that look like pixar movies. I kid you not, when I bought my xbox 360 I told myself I’d upgrade as soon as I could afford to because in my head it was the poor man’s PS3.
    Then I saw the actual games and well…meh
    I don’t think you understand just how many times better I thought PS3 would be te X360. As it stands, a MAJOR majority of games LOOK and PLAY better on 360 and a handful of PS3 exclusives have showed any semblance of the console’s graphical prowess, Uncharted series, God Of War 3 and um…
    Disappoint. B3yond.
    This Is Lying.
    It Only Does Broken Promises

    Reply

  31. Aussious

    December 1, 2010 at 16:00

    LOL that actually reminds me of the PS brands old payoff line: “The Third Place.” I bet never thought it would come true.

    Reply

  32. Syth

    December 1, 2010 at 16:05

    My biggest dissapointment: That Ndibu actually tries to turn this thread into another console war. Seriously, I hope you get a life for Christmas :w00t:

    Reply

  33. Ndibu

    December 1, 2010 at 16:09

    Don’t you put that evil on me! Don’t you put that evil on me Ricky Bobby! I want a shiny red bicycle for xmas. Lives are so overrated if having one means I’m going to cry about every negative ps3 post I encounter, no thanx

    Reply

  34. Syth

    December 1, 2010 at 16:14

    Whish granted!:devil: (Not the bicycle, you not having a life)

    Reply

  35. Bobby Kotick for Dummies

    December 1, 2010 at 16:14

    @Ndibu Seriously dude, you really try too hard. We get it. You like xbox 360. You hate PS3. You also like to troll, now have a cookie.

    (PS: I’m not going to bother replying to your posts any more, until you learn to be more like Aussious, at least he can post something intellectually stimulating every once in a while. :getlost:

    Reply

  36. Syth

    December 1, 2010 at 16:15

    Dammit, Ndibu, I’ll get you a red bicycle if you will buy me a dictionary! My spelling is awful…

    Reply

  37. Ndibu

    December 1, 2010 at 16:20

    Aaaah! No! No more Bobby replies? What am I going to do now? Might as well pack it in and call it a day. *sad face*
    Lol big effen whoop lol.
    Syth, you get me that bike and we have a deal sir

    Reply

  38. Ndibu

    December 1, 2010 at 16:37

    One last thing bobby, I do not hate ps3 at all. I like getting under ps3 fanboy’s skin. My favourite game this gen is ps3 exclusive. I just love how you people take everything so seriously and I like exploiting that for my own amusement.
    Yes I am a troll, I do not consider it an insult when you call me one, it makes me laugh actually.
    Now, about that cookie. . .chocolate chip?

    Reply

  39. lans

    December 1, 2010 at 16:42

    @Ndibu

    I fully expected that when Xbox 360 finally released it would be a massively untouchable device capable of rendering in game graphics that look like pixar movies and better than the ps3! Gears OMS!
    Then I saw the actual games and well…meh
    I don’t think you understand just how many times better I thought Xbox 360 would be. As it stands, a MAJOR majority of PS3 exclusives LOOK and PLAY better than the 360 and a handful of Xbox 360 exclusives have showed any semblance of the console’s graphical prowess, Halo,Gears of War and um… Kinect??
    Disappoint. Jump in? i think not!

    Reply

  40. Ndibu

    December 1, 2010 at 16:47

    Well that is your opinion and I respect it. :biggrin:

    Reply

  41. bokka1

    December 1, 2010 at 16:57

    My PS3 was the biggest disappointment. I bought it and trie a few games on it and was left empty. I can’t place my finger on what it is but I suspect it must be the controller.

    And Crackdown 2.

    Reply

  42. Aussious

    December 1, 2010 at 17:06

    Well I have quite a list,
    1. Foremost the RROD and other Xbox related failures it was the first time since the good old TV game days that a console gave out on me.
    2. MGS4 staying exclusive to PS3 for whole year rumours were flying around about Kojima’s flawed masterpiece coming to the 360 it was torture.
    3. Fable is always a given when it comes to most disappointing the game in question here Fable 2. The game could have been a lot better
    4. I was really disappointed in Crackdown 2, I loved the first game I don’t understand how they could have screwed it up so badly…
    5. Halo 3, I was really disappointed in the Xbox brands lauded “holy grail”. I really just didn’t get the big deal. The story was hollow, the graphics mediocre and the game play felt very unnatural (open world single player FPS?) IMO Gears remain the 360’s killer app in my opinion.
    6. The PlayStation 3. The transition between gens was a rather painful one for me when I found out that the PS3 would be arriving a year later at a ridiculous price with no force feedback! Then I saw the Mad world trailer for Gears I was sold.went over to 360 never looked back.
    7. Def Jam Icon is perhaps the biggest disappointment for me this gen. In my opinion Def Jam Vendetta was a good game, Fight for NY was exceptional and just fell short of all time greatness. So you can imagine how felt when first screens of Icon came out, only to be disappointed when the game was finally released with perhaps the worst fighting game engine ever conceived. Every night I still pray that the gaming gods bring back this game, but I highly doubt it so we stuck with UFC, WWE and all your Tekken style rinse and repeat fighting games.

    Reply

  43. lans

    December 1, 2010 at 17:09

    @ Grant gimme some of the weed you smoking!
    how can you give Assasin’s creed brotherhood a 7.5 out of 10 for being an expansion pack when the game clearly states that its an expansion?
    Dude i hope your skills improve because at the rate your going….

    Reply

  44. Alki

    December 1, 2010 at 17:10

    This year….BC2 by far…

    Reply

  45. Ndibu

    December 1, 2010 at 17:13

    E74!! Worse than RROD but nowhere as awful as that blerrie open tray error! Microsoft really disappointed me with the built of the 360. I won’t even start talking about their massive greed…hard drives, memory cards, wifi and xbox live! I must say however they’ve made great strides with the 360S so well done

    Reply

  46. Gavin Mannion

    December 1, 2010 at 19:26

    I’m upset we didn’t crack a nod on your top 10 😉

    Reply

  47. WoofBoy

    December 1, 2010 at 19:52

    This year?

    Final Fantasy XIV

    Was looking forward to it so much…and it was so shit. Its the only Final Fantasy game I hate! :cwy:

    I hope they don’t screw up the PS3 version too :shocked:

    Reply

  48. NiteFenix

    December 1, 2010 at 20:43

    Awww man! Can I come visit Planet Geoffrey?

    Reply

  49. NiteFenix

    December 1, 2010 at 20:46

    *puts on his spandex* Yeah, I’m also waiting. Starting to think they are never going to make a decent superhero game (Mind you Spiderman SD looks pretty awesome, havent played it yet though).

    Reply

  50. NiteFenix

    December 1, 2010 at 20:47

    Definately a vast improvement on the first one. Just dissapointed in the ending…

    Reply

  51. Geoffrey Tim

    December 1, 2010 at 20:56

    @NiteFenix Have you not played Arkham Asylum? It’s a fucking FANTASTIC Super hero game. I found Spiderman SD to be a little boring…very samey.

    Reply

  52. millerman

    December 1, 2010 at 20:57

    my BIGGEST DISSAPOINTMENT WAS 360 HARDWARE !!!!! and paid reviews or biased fanboy reviews the industry is falling apart!!! weres the real gamers just a bunch of nitpickers and acheivment whores :alien:

    Reply

  53. NiteFenix

    December 1, 2010 at 21:00

    Aye MIlord. But the dissapointment was self inflicted, not by the game. I got to the Mansion and my pc crashed. So I formatted and lost my savegame. Nice eh?

    Reply

  54. Brandon

    December 1, 2010 at 21:14

    People will think I’m crazy, but heavy rain for me. I was really hyped on that game, And I just didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would.

    Reply

  55. Potty391

    December 1, 2010 at 21:31

    Hmmmm… Greatest disappointment, probably has to be the fact that nobody plays Monday Night Combat anymore, that game was awesome. The only XBL Arcade game I ever got 200GS on 🙂

    Reply

  56. ISPEAKTHETRUTH

    December 1, 2010 at 21:32

    Well This One Is Easy……………Gears of War 2

    Reply

  57. Ndibu

    December 1, 2010 at 22:23

    I agree with the 360 hardware, it’s pretty shoddy. I don’t know about the tin foil hat conspiracies though. Paid reviews and such. I can only assume this is stemming from the recent ps3 release?

    Reply

  58. XBRO CHAMPION

    December 1, 2010 at 22:46

    GT5 was not a disappointment. You lazygamers are just a bunch of Xbox turds.

    Go jump into a pit of fire and DIE.

    Reply

  59. Geoffrey Tim

    December 1, 2010 at 23:25

    Selective reading doesn’t do you any favours. I didn’t say it was a personal disappointment, just that that it was a disappointment to *some*. A quick Google search reveals that, regardless of your feelings towards the game, to be true. http://tinyurl.com/37l4rsp

    Reply

  60. Hippie

    December 2, 2010 at 00:50

    Any Square Enix.

    Reply

  61. Dude1818

    December 2, 2010 at 01:11

    This was more of a disappointment in myself, but that time I 1-hit-KO’d MissingNo in Pokémon Sapphire was horrible.

    Reply

  62. KinectFTW

    December 2, 2010 at 01:37

    There you have it folks, Geoffrey Tim clearly says the 360 is the BEST.

    Time to JUMP IN Nintendo Drones and Sony Slaves. CIRCLEJERK COMMENCING. :pirate:

    Reply

  63. Nathan Six

    December 2, 2010 at 02:21

    The biggest dissapointment of the universe is quite easily the Xbox 360. No exclusive games, last – last – last – gen graphics. Terrible and overpriced online, stupid, wonky controller and no technology whatsoever. 360 has been the biggest dissapointment in the history of the planet…..oh, did I mention the 110% failure rate? Cause that was quite bad as well.

    Reply

  64. Aussious

    December 2, 2010 at 06:17

    and ppl hate on me and ndibu 4 pointing out anything negative bout PS3 but ass fucks like nathan sux can say jst bout anything negative bout da 360 and get a free pass! Bobby u and Pee asS3 turds can all go jump,Bloody agents xbox is a revolutionary console you no nothing about da revolution BASTARDS!

    Reply

  65. darthdad

    December 2, 2010 at 07:07

    Oh yes, one other thing about this generation. The rabid fanboys from all sides. What happened to the time when your friends would have Nintendo, Sega, Atari, Intellivision. And the only thing we would argue about was who’s turn it was next. 🙂

    Reply

  66. Aussious

    December 2, 2010 at 07:42

    That was a loooong time ago, in a gaming galaxy far far away…

    Reply

  67. Syth

    December 2, 2010 at 07:51

    Good times. If I had more time and money, I would most definetely love to have all the platforms. Why not!

    Reply

  68. Generic ZA

    December 2, 2010 at 10:44

    Deja Vu

    I am disappoint that Sims 3 was released as a console game, WTF were they thinking ? :blink:

    Reply

  69. FreeStanler

    December 2, 2010 at 11:51

    So it doesn’t work very well on console?

    Reply

  70. Bobby Kotick for Dummies

    December 2, 2010 at 12:21

    Square Enix has gone from that beloved quirky Japanese RPG maker into the creators of some of the greatest turds of the last two years.

    I want Squaresoft back 🙁

    Reply

  71. Bobby Kotick for Dummies

    December 2, 2010 at 12:25

    I blame all those worthless kids with ADHD. They are killing gaming! :O

    Reply

  72. Fred

    December 2, 2010 at 12:27

    All in all we had some disappointments on all sides , but I still feel that we never had it this good as gamers before. HD graphics , seemless online interaction , 3D , motion controls , digital downloads, Gb’s of storage . I do not have time for all the good games out there.

    Reply

  73. Bobby Kotick for Dummies

    December 2, 2010 at 12:28

    Sims belong on the PC, and the freedom oodles of memory provides to that beloved little game. Speaking of which, I need to go get my neighbour’s wife pregnant.

    Good times!

    Reply

  74. Parker

    December 2, 2010 at 12:52

    Pretty much the only thing I was disappointed in was Far Cry 2. The game promised so much more, but turned into a real borefest with no proper motivation to keep playing. The last time I succumbed to hype of any form.

    I still have to play Alan Wake though, so let’s see how that turns out…

    Reply

  75. Hadlee

    December 2, 2010 at 14:43

    One of the biggest ones for me? The trend towards short campaigns and story modes.

    Then there was the fact that there’s been no remake of WWF No Mercy or sequel to the Day of Reckoning series. 🙁

    Reply

  76. Bobby Kotick for Dummies

    December 2, 2010 at 14:50

    🙁 I know what you mean man. I know some on this site seems to enjoy the shortening of games, but I absolutely detest it.

    PS: Day of Reckoning and No Mercy were the bomb! The former being one of my favourites on the Cube.

    Reply

  77. Hadlee

    December 2, 2010 at 15:10

    Yeah, exactly. Sure, there’s the old adage of “rather too little than too much” but it’s still a let-down when you pony up R600 for a title.

    Ha! The Day of Reckoning series is still a top choice for multiplayer gaming at my buddy’s house. Interrupting moves ftw!

    Reply

  78. NME Dust

    December 2, 2010 at 17:31

    Splinter Cell Conviction was insanely disappointing. Six months or so prior to the release they talked about the new lighting they’d be using, changing the stealth from hiding in the shadows to hiding in plain site, and the idea that you could pick up anything in the game and use it. Fast forward to release; all they did was give some convoluted storyline along with worthless watered down easy gameplay. I wanted to play a game that felt like a mix of the three B’s (Bond, Bourne, Bauer), but instead got one boring mess.

    Reply

  79. Nathan Six

    December 3, 2010 at 02:51

    How is a 110% failure rate, bad graphics and no exclusive games revolutionary? LOL….go die in a fire you inbred swine.

    Reply

  80. Nick de Bruyne

    December 3, 2010 at 03:20

    What have we told you guys about feeding the trolls.

    Reply

  81. BHW

    December 3, 2010 at 07:37

    Biggest let down for me this gen is the death of the SP campaign in FPS. I grew up loving games like Quake, Half life and Duke Nukem. The ill conceived pile of shite they slap onto multiplayer maps these days is what made me transition to WRPG’s this gen for my gaming thrills

    Reply

  82. Syth

    December 3, 2010 at 08:02

    Hear hear!

    Reply

  83. Veen

    December 8, 2010 at 05:02

    Some of the biggest disappointments for me were brought about by most of the Mortal Kombat games post arcade era. I’m a massive MK fan but from MK4 up the games seemed to move further and further from what I loved about them in the first place…still (as always) hoping the new MK is going to recapture what has been lost over the years.

    Reply

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