7 Most Overrated Games & Why They Don’t Live Up to the Hype
Gaming hype can often overshadow the reality of gameplay experiences. This article examines several popular titles that may not live up to their reputations. Drawing on insights from industry experts, we’ll explore why these games fall short of expectations.
- Last of Us Part II Sacrifices Player Agency
- Red Dead Redemption 2 Prioritizes Realism Over Fun
- Cyberpunk 2077 Falls Short of Ambitious Promises
- Fortnite Hype Overshadows Shallow Gameplay Loop
- Flappy Bird Lacks Depth Despite Viral Success
- Monopoly Drags On Without Engaging Strategy
- EA Sports Games Stagnate With Annual Releases
Last of Us Part II Sacrifices Player Agency
From a game developer’s perspective—where systems, balance, and user retention are always in focus—I’d say The Last of Us™ Part II is one of the most overrated titles in recent years. Not because it lacks technical polish or narrative ambition—it excels in those—but because it sacrifices player agency for shock value in ways that work against core design principles.
In the game world, emotional manipulation is a delicate craft. You want players to feel, but not to feel forced. Part II pushes players into emotionally punishing choices without offering meaningful interactivity around them. It tells a story at the player rather than with them. From a system design perspective, that’s a missed opportunity—especially in a medium built around agency.
For developers like me, it’s a masterclass in production, but also a cautionary tale: high fidelity, huge budget, and critical praise can’t override the feeling of disconnection players get when they’re not part of the emotional decision-making. It’s a reminder that no matter how cinematic games become, interactivity is still king.
Marin Cristian-Ovidiu
CEO, Online Games
Red Dead Redemption 2 Prioritizes Realism Over Fun
For me, it’s Red Dead Redemption 2. Technically brilliant, yes—but wildly overrated if you’re measuring by actual enjoyment per hour.
Here’s why: the game romanticizes realism to the point of punishment. You can’t just play—you have to tediously groom your horse, wait forever to loot drawers, and sit through endless slow animations that feel like you’re stuck in molasses. It’s as if Rockstar made a masterpiece and then dared you to have fun with it.
What it taught me: realism isn’t always good design. Games should respect your time, not just your admiration for detail. Sometimes, less cinematic, more joy.
Austin Benton
Marketing Consultant, Gotham Artists
Cyberpunk 2077 Falls Short of Ambitious Promises
One game I think is overrated is “Cyberpunk 2077″—at least at launch. It was one of the most hyped games in recent history with promises of open-world gameplay, deep storytelling, and player freedom. But when it finally came out, it was buggy, had performance issues (especially on older consoles), and was missing features that were heavily marketed.
For me, it didn’t live up to the hype because the experience felt disconnected from the vision that was sold. While the world and atmosphere were impressive, many of the RPG elements felt shallow, and the choices didn’t have the impact I expected. The AI and combat mechanics were also subpar for a game that was supposed to redefine the genre.
They have done a lot of work to improve it post-launch, and it’s in a much better state now. But as far as initial expectations vs. reality, Cyberpunk 2077 is a classic example of marketing overreach. It taught me that no matter how good the trailers are, real substance comes down to player experience—and at launch, this one just didn’t deliver.
Sovic Chakrabarti
Director, Icy Tales
Fortnite Hype Overshadows Shallow Gameplay Loop
In the realm of overrated games, Fortnite makes an excellent case. With opposing points regarding cultural impact and player base, the two sides cannot agree about how depth and innovation are lost in the hype-driven, shallow gameplay loop where you drop in, shoot, and dance.
The trend-following and flashy cosmetics, together with the popularity fueled by social media, helped sell the game excessively, with less emphasis placed on unique mechanics or engaging stories. There are offerings similar to many classic shooters and even Roblox-style games, but these do not aggressively charge you.
Conversations about Fortnite are everywhere, even in classrooms, rendering it irresistibly exhausting for those unable to catch on. At the very least, this game offers some quick bursts of fun. Still, owing to its repetitiveness and microtransactions, it fails to achieve the legendary status its fanbase and marketing machine clamored for.
Dhari Alabdulhadi
CTO and Founder, Ubuy Peru
Flappy Bird Lacks Depth Despite Viral Success
Honestly, I feel that Flappy Bird received more hype than it truly deserved. The buzz surrounding it was enormous, but the gameplay is extremely simple—just tapping to dodge pipes. It’s more frustrating than fun, and it lacks any real depth or creativity. I completely understand why it became so popular—it’s easy to pick up and addictive—but in my opinion, games should be about storytelling or meaningful challenges, something that truly engages you emotionally or mentally.
Flappy Bird seemed more like a fleeting trend than a game that leaves a lasting impression. As someone who appreciates stories and connection, I prefer games that offer more than just a test of your patience.
Kritika Kanodia
CEO, Estorytellers
Monopoly Drags On Without Engaging Strategy
I have to say, Monopoly often gets more hype than I think it deserves. It’s one of those games that everyone seems to have, but every time we play, it just drags on forever. People get super competitive, and it often ends with someone flipping the board because it takes too long to finish. While it can be fun in the right setting, it’s not as engaging as people make it out to be.
Furthermore, there isn’t much strategy involved beyond the initial property purchases. It’s mostly about luck, and sometimes that just isn’t as satisfying as games where you can really think through your moves. So yes, it might be classic, but it’s not always the crowd-pleaser it’s cracked up to be. If you’re looking for something to fill a game night, maybe grab something a bit more dynamic where everyone can stay engaged from start to finish.
Alex Cornici
Marketing & PR Coordinator, The Traveler
EA Sports Games Stagnate With Annual Releases
Sports games from EA—especially the annual releases—feel more like roster updates than new experiences. Once they secured exclusive licenses, the competition vanished, and so did the urgency to improve. The gameplay barely evolves from year to year, yet the price remains high. It’s difficult to respect a product that relies more on branding than innovation.
Bryan Philips
Head of Marketing, In Motion Marketing
