10 Games in 2010 that failed to live up to their potential

XMNR: "Maybe they were massively over hyped, maybe they failed to live up to the legacy of their developer or maybe they just weren’t all that great to begin with. Regardless, here are ten games from this past year that could have been awesome, but, for one reason or another, simply weren’t."

[tehk1w1]

MAG was fun, but I expected more. I'd love to see a sequel.

I never had high hopes for Metro 2033 and in retrospect it kind of sucks compared to Fallout: New Vegas.

[NYC_Gamer]

metro 2033 and fallout new vegas are two different type of games

[Best]

Gran Turismo 5 was said to be the biggest let down of the century by cnn reviews.

[seraphcaeli]

Completely different games - no wonder that guy has 11 disagrees lol

[visualb]

metro 2033 compared to Fallout New Vegas...wow =P

@ Best -

a) what does that have to do with nyc_gamer's reply?

b) cnn reviews, because they know their gaming ;)/s

c) biggest let down of the century is the fact that ******s like you actually waste their time to down play a game they never played and never will play to gain a little bit of ego and self appreciation by quoting a completely irrelevant source in a completely off topic manner

that to me is the biggest let down of this gen: you **** *** **** fanboys

game wise? I was above all let down by RDR Multiplayer, but thats because I had unrealistic expectations of what it was going to be like =(

[IronySucks]

A better comparison is Metro 2033 to STALKER.

Personally, I thought Metro 2033 sucked. Everyone was hyping it up like it was going to be the next big thing (especially Xbox fan boys) and look how well it did.

Horrible AI and the hit detection was pathetic.

I honestly think Metro 2033 was one of my biggest disapointments this year after FFXIV.

[BattleAxe]

You must have played it on the 360.

[mikepmcc]

Yeah, I played Metro on the PC, and it was pretty awesome.

[nnotdead]

i have heard that most of the 360 problems, like AI, aren't bad on the PC version. still need to play the game. wanted to pick it up on Steam for $10, but with the holidays i have very little extra cash. maybe next sale i won't have to be so tight with my wallet.

[hoops]

Play the PC version. The Xbox360 version sucked ass.

[Terror_B]

GT5 isnt only the biggest letdown this year, but probably in the history of gaming.

[Cogan1]

yeah 6 million sold in 2 weeks, what a let down!

[garrod]

Your retarded you dumb troll have you even played the game?

[DRIIV]

It's easy to say something is a letdown if you hold up to insane expectations, and do sever nitpicking of anything you think is wrong with it(even if it isn't true)

[DeFFeR]

@cogan1

I don't quote sales, but it's funny that when "xbox fanboys" quote Halo sales, "PS Fanboys" get all riled up...

Ohh the hipocracy is rampant.

[htownrocket87]

@terror_Bitch

men lie, woman lie numbers......don't. lol

[kwicksandz]

pretty sure the 6 mill figure was shipped not sold

[Silly gameAr]

I always find it funny when certain people bring up the shipped not sold argument.

It didn't matter a few years ago, now all of a sudden, you better be sure to mention that they're shipped numbers, or it won't count.

[ECM0NEY]

@Congan1

Dude sales does not have to do with quality... It sold bc of the name not bc of quality. Same reason why CODs sell these days.

[Panzerkanzler]

You must be retarded, sorry.

[Neckbear]

I actually enjoyed Metro 2033. I paid 10$ for it and hell, it was actually pretty awesome.

That may be just me, it seems.

[pixelsword]

someone disagreed because you didn't pirate I guess...

[CrzyFooL]

Metro 2033 is one of the best PC games released this year and is a staple for PC benchmarking.

[Bolts]

LOL! So did everyone buy Metro from the Steam holiday sale or what? Bought mine for $10 as well, figured I can't lose at that price and was blown away by the graphics. But the game spent too much capital on atmosphere and not enough on gun play mechanics. Overall Stalker CoP is a better game.

[otherZinc]

Kinect shouldn't be on this list!

GT5 should be the first game on this list!

[pixelsword]

Kinect isn't a game so yes, it shouldn't be on there, but GT5 is not a game that should be on there because it does what car lovers do, that is who the game is for.

[Viper7]

GT fans where hoping for more, but not many are that disapointed since its still a really good game.

Kinect however was praised to heavens and yes the tech department seems awesome, but the nature of the tech doesn't really seem like it could be used in games for anything other than high precision Eyetoy or getting 3D models from house objects to your game.

[bobdog626]

If kinect is on this list where is MOVE .It should B at number 1 at the top of the List =FAIL

[Dave1351]

move should definitely be on the list. i wasted 150 bucks on it and haven't touched it in weeks. theres no games

[HolyOrangeCows]

Crackdown 2 and Splinter Cell: Conviction.

[CraftyGaz]

I still play mag its pretty good but the main problem for me was the lack of comms between players which makes playing a game heavily based on team work a bit of a struggle.

[Urmomlol]

I agree with some of these --disagree with a couple.

Metro 2033 didn't have that much hype. No one really expected it to be that great (even though it was a very, very weak Xbox exclusive) and the fact that it wasn't that great wasn't a huge surprise.

FFXIV was a huge bomb.

MAG was underrated --it's better than people give it credit for.

I think anyone with a half working brain could've told you APB was going to suck.

[mrv321]

People called Metro 2033 the Uncharted 2 of the 360... graphics wise.

Where are those people now?

[Arup02]

Have you tried to play metro 2033 in a PC, everything on Max,DirectX 11? It's very beautiful, but i don't know if is better or worse than UC2, cuz i never played it.
http://www.pcgameshardware....
http://www.pcgameshardware....
http://www.pcgameshardware....

As for the 360 version, it's meh.

[Takoulya]

@Arup

Well, that goes without saying. Maxed out PC games usually have much better graphics than their console counter parts. That's why I want to build my own gaming PC. Also for the RTS's.

[Bolts]

Obviously those people were looking at the PC screenshots.

[Oldsnake007]

lol MAg sucked, deal with it.

[ExPresident]

Hardly.

[ThanatosDMC]

MAG sucks for noobs.

[JonnyBigBoss]

Not in the slightest. MAG offered a DIFFERENT experience, and one that was deeply satisfying.

[kwicksandz]

mag is up there with turning point: fall of liberty as one of the ugliest games this gen.

amazed that got through QA

[Caffo01]

go to play COD noob...

[ECM0NEY]

MAG is awesome! I still play it a couple times a week.

PSN: Toweleeeie420

Sver

[pixelsword]

If MAG sucked, it's because you sucked; deal with that.

I can see where it can be better in some spots, and an update can quick-fix that, but it does not suck.

[Bolts]

MAG doesn't sucks, it's flawed. Dividing the community into three factions to fight a completely pointless and unbalanced shadow war was a huge mistake. This really hurt the game major selling point, the 128 players domination maps when the population started dropping.

[CrzyFooL]

Metro 2033 was not made for consoles - anyone who played it on a console got a severely dumbed down version of the game.

[Matthew94]

I thought Metro 2033 lived up to its potential, great graphics, atmosphere, story and gunplay.

Everything was great except for a bit of dodgy AI.

It really showed off the power of the PC.

@tehk1w1

in retrospect it kind of sucks compared to Fallout: New Vegas

One is a shooter the other a 1st person RPG, dont compare the 2

[InTheKnow]

First a quick look at this game...

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

The game was a complete surprise for me in a great way. I admit that I rented it as I rent all games that don't have multi-player ( buy later at a discount ) and are of unknown quality...this game delivers.

The whole hit detection issue makes me laugh when it's actually part of the gameplay. The bullets that you use is part of the economy of the game...better made bullets from before the " event " are of a higher quality and perform better. There's also a plethora of weapons and upgrades that all have an effect on the gameplay. At different points in the game you make your way briefly on the outside of the tunnels and there is an effect of the trajectory of the bullets because of the environment. One memorable and frustrating part, you piggy back someone that causes the controls to go all wobbly to create the effect...genius if you ask me.

The levels and gameplay were really well done with great gameplay elements such as stealth missions, defend situations and the ever present running out of air gas masks sequences that will get the heart pumping. Great graphics and atmosphere really make this title stand out.

If you haven't played this game, give it a shot. Stick with it to the end and I'm sure you will be more impressed than disappointed. I played it on 360 and it looked amazing....I here it's one of the best looking titles on PC...no surprise.

Here's a few more vids...this game deserves them...

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

On PC 1080p...

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[bananlol]

The power of what pc?

[Biggest]

I remember reading that one of Metro 2033's biggest problems was the shooting mechanics (gunplay). I know that PC would increase the graphics by a mile. I wasn't aware that the entire game was different on the PC.

[theonlylolking]

All games cant live up to their potential if you get so hyped about it. IF you can just keep your cool then many games wotn seem overhyped or living up to their potential.

[scar20]

BLACK OPS nuff said.

[Arup02]

My biggest disappointment was FFXIII. It was a expensive game, but in the end it was a bad game.

[dejex22]

I enjoyed playing Mafia 2

[hamburger123]

biggest letdown was mafia 2

[Jacobite]

I thought Mafia 2(PC)was great fun, lived up to what I expected roll on Mafia 3.

[ECM0NEY]

You expected the most linear sand box game of all time?

[Troll_Police]

I would add Alan Wake, Spliter Cell: Conviction, Crackdown 2, and Fable 3 to that list.

[sleepy3]

Throw on MOH, GT5 and NBA Elite (even though it was cancelled)

[TheDivine]

LOL from the helghast? Alan Wake is near game of this generation troll. Conviction rocked in my eyes although i miss the slower stealth. Fable 3 while dissapointing, is still the best fable and it was leaps and bounds above 2 in gameplay and graphics. Aurora was so epic. I miss the puzzles and temples but its story was so great and acually really fun. Crackdown was meh, fun for co-op thats it. Hating on alan wake is like a 360 troll hating uncharted 2, your just making yourself look dumb. Fable 3 is great for fans, my fav wrpg series along with mass effect.

[Biggest]

There is no way that you can compare Alan Wake to Uncharted. Alan Wake doesn't even have a confirmed sequel. I don't agree that it should be on any failure list, but it isn't even close to Uncharted. Crackdown 2 should most definitely be on that list. Crackdown 2 and Black Ops are the only games this year that found a way to look worse while adding a bunch of nothing to the gameplay.

. . . Game of the Generation? Hyperbole on the highest level.

[theunleashed64]

really? lol! not even close i'll give it to you it's a good game but come on be realistic here. crackdown 2 should be on this list given when the 360 fanboys were saying it will be better than infamous yet it failed to live up to the hype.

[Bass_fisherman]

Black Ops is my obvious choice, i prefer MW2 than BO

And MW2 is awful :/

[HK6]

MAG was and still is one of the best games of 2010. It was extremely innovative and had tremendous developer support. Zipper Interactive did a fantastic job with it. Hope they make a sequel.

[rugis]

I agree, and honestly don't see why MAG is on this list. I didn't think it to be a disappointment in any way, shape, or form.

[ECM0NEY]

graphics but i still love that game.

[rugis]

I mean, yeah the graphics aren't amazing, but they aren't all that bad.

[agc6572]

Haven't played a single game on that list so i cant say much.

[simplymigs]

Agree if you're on N4G

[EazyC]

And Crackdown 2 isn't on this list why? 0_o

I'm glad MoH isn't on the list.... The amount of unnecessary hate it gets is unbelievable!

[XabiTheHumble]

M.A.G and the Fight Lights out I agree with, good games that could have been great.I am expecting a squeal from both titles.

[Soldierone]

I agree stongly with some of the list, then others its like why?

MAG- sold millions of copies and is still living strong. Its either a love it or hate it game, this writer obviously hated it and decided to throw it on this list.

Star Wars- Did just fine, the game was brilliant and lived up to the first one. It got overshadowed by other Fall games and thats it.

The Fight - I would agree on it being on the list for having lackluster features for a game, but what he complained about is dead wrong. it tracks the controllers just fine, the only issue it has is the head tracking hardly ever works.

[ECM0NEY]

I have 2 complaints on FU2

1. Enemy diversity
2. Light Saber colors attached to abilities. (Very poor design choice)

[21stCenturySage]

CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS IS A DAMN ABORTION.

- Sage

[Trroy]

MAG... lol. That game completely lives up to its promise, and then some, IMO.

The only people "disappointed" by it were the CoD newbs expecting killstreaks in the hundreds, because "there's more guys to shoot".

[tudors]

After all that it turned out just to be a Kinect bashing article.

[Insane087]

The man's obviously never played mag otherwise he'd know there are 3 factions...
Still playing it to this day its an anti camp fps you don't move you don't win its that simple! People didn't like it as it not a super noobish pick up and play game you have to work at it!

[Urmomlol]

lol wut

There are three factions in the game, but in battle, it's always 1 versus the other. You never get to do a 1v1v1 scenario, which, in retrospect, would've been awesome.

"The size and scale of an epic battle BETWEEN TWO warring factions was never fully realized due to the battlefields ...."

[Caffo01]

1v1v1 scenario has been added with a patch in november...don't talk about something you don't know...

[MMFGaming]

I actually did not know that. I played it for our review, but when the community started shrinking, I stopped. That was a while ago. I should've done a little more research --my apologies.

[Insane087]

you obviously havent played escalation then lol

[rawrockkillz]

I played Metro 2033 on PC and it is one of the best games i've played this year.

[SpinalRemains138]

Kinectimals

[MysticStrummer]

MAG has held my interest longer than Modern Warfare, World at War, Killzone 2, or either Resistance game did. It just needs more people.

[bjh089]

medal of honor anyone

[Ratchet510]

i disagree with MAG because it did kinda good thats why they are making a sequal.

[Whackedorange]

With the expectations i had for GT 5 it must be a big letdown

- just 1/5 of the carpark is prenium
- it call itself a sim but no damage from the beginning which a sim would have
- Graphic from good to awesome for cars, tracks and enviroments

I still thinks its a good game thought but i was expecting so much more

[Booyah]

hahah yeah, I kinda expected alot more from GT5 because of its name and franchises, but I tell ya, even though it doesn't live to my expectations, I've piled up 80 hours in it. Haven't played this much since.... Crono Trigger o.o

[SeraphimBlade]

KIIIND of agree with Metro 2033, and the writer does acknowledge it isn't terrible. The biggest problem is that they tried to make stealth a viable option, but made it so that every enemy instantly knows your location with pinpoint accuracy, and will follow you whether you stick to the shadows or not, after you've been spotted once. The rest is pretty good, I think. Tough enemies aren't such a big deal, since the tougher enemies are pretty well in-line with the horror genre's norms. It's a great experience, maybe not a great purchase. Highly recommend it as a rental.

[KEEPNITREAL]

My biggest dissapointments are Crackdown 2 ( should be alot better by now ) and Grand Turismo 5 ( was suppose to be the best racing game ever and turned out to be SHIT compared to forza 3 and Need for Speed hot pursuit !!! I was just dissapointed like hell with these 2 games thats all !!!! both should be rentals no doubt . ( just my opinion stupid xbox and ps3 fanboys , before you guys start getting all butt hurt and shit . )

[Welshy]

Ur name suggests you "keep it real" yet you comment with a comparison of GT5 (a racing sim) to NFSHP (a keep the foot down and take it sideways arcade racer)

You my friend, are retarded

[ChronoJoe]

I don't play MAG often but, it's the best FPS I feel I own, and I've got all the CODs, BFs, Killzone... and such... just like MAG the most.

I find on allot of the other games you don't really find yourself forced to work as a team, or centralised... but on MAG you're kinda forced to all stay pretty close and work together to fight off your little part of the battlefield.

Also. I don't much like the type of FPS where the person who sees the other person first gets the kill. On MAG you have enough HP to turn and respond to gunfire... that makes a big dif to how the game plays, because frankly with all the games I have I much prefer to run around and have fun, not having to worry too much about who's hiding in a corner waiting for me, or conversely be forced to hide and wait in a corner myself because it's tactically beneficial and most viable (BC2 defense).

[04soldier]

It lived up to the hype. It one was of the games that I played continuously for months and months after its release.

Talk about replay value...

Shame not many people are on the servers anymore, otherwise I wouldn't be selling my copy...

But with that said, MAG has tried somethings that could be improved upon tremendously. So if ever there's a MAG 2 I'll be all over it day 1!!!!

ZIPPER FTW!!

[kingslayer1000]

halo reach

[Azianphil88]

I dont believe MAG is consider a failed especially that its capable to play 256 players at the same time without a lag thats impressive. If they are doing a sequel i think it would be better because all ps3 exclusive games that makes a sequel will improve

[BadKarmaSutra96]

I enjoyed Metro 2033 so much that I played it through 6-7 times. The optional secret ending was a nice touch.

[MMFGaming]

Don't get me wrong --I didn't DISLIKE Metro 2033 and MAG. I just expected more from them and didn't feel as though they fully delivered on the hype. Hype is a double edged sword that way --it generates interest, but it also raises expectations.

Thanks for reading!

[04soldier]

Yes I agree about the hype thing. But I put no games on that high of a pedestal so they can never let me down. Not even my beloved SOCOM franchise.

Bubs up for coming on here and responding to us N4g commonfolk.

[RevXM]

Lelouch VI Britannia Commands you to agree with MMF Gaming's
Comment.

[x800]

no black ops on the list?
that game was hyped like hell.
the game is sh*t.