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Some video games simply fail to deliver on the fan expectations at launch, or perhaps were rushed. Others didn’t pay heed to their fanbase's reactions and continued to push frustrating updates.
However, some of these games deserve a second chance. Whether they were launched at bad times, or the developers failed to hear the player's opinions, the games on this list should be given another try. Not all titles stay bad forever, and many receive updates, changes, or patches that improve the overall quality of life compared to the launch state. As we kick off 2023, it’s a good time to look back on some games that were a little on the weak side and deserve a second chance.
5 games with a weak start that deserve a second chance in 2023
5) Watch Dogs: Legion
Considering Watch Dogs: Legion is coming to Steam this year, there’s never been a better time to reconsider this open-world title. While the lack of a defined protagonist hurt the game overall, the concept was excellent, and it was a story that many people could identify with in modern times.
The Aiden Pearce DLC was outstanding as well, and- led some to hope Jack Pearce will be the next game's protagonist. There’s always a chance that the Steam release could also come with bug fixes or other changes that make the game worth playing again.
As one of the games to be reconsidered in 2023, Watch Dogs: Legion was an absolutely gorgeous version of post-Brexit London. While some people don’t like that you can play as any NPC you come across in Watch Dog: Legion, it’s also a fascinating concept and test of games without a primary protagonist. It’s certainly a territory worth exploring.
4) The Callisto Protocol
When The Callisto Protocol came out, it was lampooned by many outlets for poor performance. Visually, the game is beautiful, and the concept is fantastic. However, the animation and overall dynamics of the game felt sluggish. Thankfully, it has since been patched, with a focus on playability.
Our review came out later than normal, with the reviewer stating that there were still performance issues, but that the visuals, sounds, and story were top-notch. There is still a chance that the last of the problems plaguing this game will be corrected soon.
If that should happen, it should be one of the games you consider coming back to. If you’re after a new survival horror game, this game will be right up your alley.
3) Immortals Fenyx Rising
Truthfully, I don’t think Immortals Fenyx Rising was all that bad of a game. The accents were top-notch, and the presentation really made it feel like a genuine Greek mythological experience. However, what hurt this game wasn’t the gameplay - it launched about a week after Assassin's Creed Valhalla. It also launched before Cyberpunk 2077. The problem was with the game’s initial failure, which likely didn’t impact things much.
The game wasn't marketed very well, either. Most people only know that it exists, thanks to it being a Twitch drop.
Zeus, in particular, really kept me coming back to experience more of Immortals Fenyx Rising. This game is genuinely enjoyable, with bright visuals and clever writing, and its only crime was being sandwiched between two other major releases.
2) Gotham Knights
Several journalists have pasquinaded Gotham Knights, and even our own review was not exceptionally kind to it. With that said, there are positives to Gotham Knights. For starters, it has been updated with new features, including online co-op.
Then there’s the fact that the game is visually stunning, featuring an excellent rendition of Gotham City- It's pretty satisfying just to cruise around and knock out groups of punks while trying to get better equipment. It’s the kind of action game I could see myself and a friend or two sinking a few hours into here or there, just wandering the streetsand, fighting crime. While it’s not a perfect game, it is fun.
1) World of Warcraft: Shadowlands/Dragonflight
I’ve talked about MMOs for a very large portion of my career, and Shadowlands might have been one of the most frustrating experiences during this entire time. The push to complete dailies was abhorrent, and the e-underworld was generally slow and frustrating.
I wasn’t particularly fond of how the story ended, and ultimately, felt like very little of it mattered. Now, it could eventually find itself tied to the Dragonflight story, but only time will tell.
However, World of Warcraft: Dragonflight was one of the best games of 2022. It’s easily the best expansion experience I’ve had in WoW, for as long as I can remember. The absence of huge delays or crashes, and smooth leveling at a decent pace facilitated this. The world is beautiful, and the dungeons are challenging enough. I’m hooked all over again like I was back in Vanilla.
If you’re going to give a game another chance, these are a few of many. It felt unfair to suggest Cyberpunk 2077 because it clearly changed course during 2022. It’s been openly discussed that this was a breath of fresh air for the futuristic open-world experience, whereas the games on this list, haven’t been talked about as much, bu they definitely deserve more love.
