10 Games That Made Fans Cry – Missed Expectations and Franchise Letdowns
10 Games That Made Fans Cry – Missed Expectations and Franchise Letdowns
Introduction
When a beloved franchise releases a new title, expectations run high. Occasionally, a game arrives that not only fails to meet those expectations but also feels like a betrayal to the community that has supported it for years. From cash‑grab spin‑offs to unfinished sequels, the following ten releases sparked widespread disappointment and, in many cases, left entire fanbases in tears.
10. Metal Gear Survive
Metal Gear Survive arrived as a surprise extension of Metal Gear Solid V after the highly publicized split between Hideo Kojima and Konami. While the game used the same engine and retained a baseline level of quality, it felt like a low‑cost cash‑in rather than a true continuation of the series.
- Built on the MGS V framework, but stripped of the series’ signature storytelling and innovation.
- Introduced micro‑transactions such as paying for additional save slots, which many fans saw as a blatant money‑grabbing tactic.
- Received overwhelmingly negative reviews at launch, though a small niche of players later defended its standalone merits.
The anger stemmed not merely from the game’s quality but from what it represented: a beloved IP being diluted without the original creator’s vision.
9. Kerbal Space Program 2
The original Kerbal Space Program blended realistic physics with an accessible, educational experience, earning a cult following. Its sequel, however, suffered from a troubled development cycle.
- Handed to a new studio, Intercept Games, which chose to rebuild from scratch instead of expanding the original codebase.
- Launched in early access at a steep $50 price, promising features such as interstellar travel, colonies, and multiplayer.
- Updates were minimal, and by mid‑2024 the studio behind the project appeared to have been dissolved, leaving the game unfinished.
Fans felt the sequel squandered the potential of the franchise, turning a promising project into a stagnant, unfulfilled promise.
8. Payday 3
Payday 2 set a high bar for cooperative heist shooters, but its successor struggled to capture the same excitement.
- Launched with numerous bugs, server instability, and aggressive monetization that felt like a downgrade.
- Gameplay felt more like an extension of Payday 2 rather than a true evolution, leading many players to abandon the title.
- The series’ reputation suffered, with low‑budget imitators gaining more attention than the official release.
Without a decisive post‑launch overhaul, Payday 3 risks becoming a footnote rather than a revitalization of the franchise.
7. Shenmue 3
Shenmue is often credited as a pioneer of open‑world storytelling. After a two‑decade hiatus, fans finally received a third installment.
- Funded through crowdfunding, the game finally launched in 2019, reigniting hope for a long‑awaited conclusion.
- Instead of progressing the narrative, the title largely rehashed earlier story beats and offered little new content.
- Many felt the game existed solely to gauge interest for a potential Shenmue 4, leaving loyal fans with an unsatisfying experience.
The disappointment lay in the missed opportunity to deliver narrative closure after years of anticipation.
6. Paper Mario: Sticker Star
For Nintendo enthusiasts, the Paper Mario series represented whimsical storytelling and inventive mechanics. Sticker Star broke that tradition.
- Developed under strict brand guidelines that prohibited new character designs and limited creative freedom.
- Introduced a controversial sticker‑based combat system that removed experience points, making battles feel purposeless.
- Compared to the beloved Paper Mario: The Thousand‑Year Door, this entry felt generic and safe.
The title became a symbol of Nintendo’s overly cautious approach during that era, disappointing fans who expected the series’ signature charm.
5. Civilization VII
Each new entry in the Civilization franchise typically undergoes a period of adjustment before finding its footing. Civ VII broke that pattern.
- Introduced an “Ages” system that split a traditional game into three distinct phases, each with different maps and mechanics.
- The implementation was confusing, with unclear progression and a fragmented experience that alienated long‑time fans.
- Despite post‑launch patches, core issues remain, and the game has struggled to achieve the critical acclaim of its predecessors.
The ambitious redesign has yet to prove itself, leaving the series at a crossroads.
4. Star Wars Battlefront Classic Collection
Remastering classic titles can rejuvenate a franchise, but the Battlefront Classic Collection missed the mark.
- Offered a 70 GB package riddled with performance problems and minimal improvements over the original games.
- Allegations of using community mods without credit further soured reception.
- The original Battlefront I and II still run well on modern PCs, making the poorly executed remaster feel unnecessary.
Fans expected a respectful upgrade; instead, they received a subpar, half‑baked effort.
3. Cities Skylines 2
The original Cities Skylines revitalized the city‑building genre, raising expectations for its sequel.
- Launched with numerous bugs, performance issues, and missing features that were present in the first game’s expansions.
- Even two years after release, updates remain incremental, and the title still feels like a beta rather than a polished, full‑price product.
- While the developers continue to support the game, the initial launch damage has left many fans disillusioned.
The sequel’s inability to capture the magic of its predecessor turned what could have been a genre‑defining title into a disappointment.
2. Dead Rising 4
Dead Rising built its identity around timed missions and over‑the‑top “psychos” boss fights. Dead Rising 4 abandoned these core elements.
- Removed the iconic time‑limit, turning the experience into a generic open‑world zombie game.
- Replaced creative boss encounters with standard military enemies, stripping away the series’ signature humor and spectacle.
- Development constraints forced a rushed launch, leaving the game feeling unfinished and lacking the charm of earlier entries.
Fans who hoped for a fresh yet faithful evolution were left with a bland, forgettable title.
1. Metroid: Other M
Perhaps the most polarizing entry in the list, Metroid: Other M shattered expectations for a beloved franchise.
- Developed by Team Ninja with input from series creator Yoshio Sakamoto, the game adopted a Metal Gear‑inspired control scheme that felt alien to Metroid veterans.
- Excessive narration, clunky Wii Remote aiming, and a story widely criticized as nonsensical detracted from the core exploration gameplay.
- Many fans feared the title signaled the death of the series, a sentiment that proved unfounded as later releases like Metroid Dread restored confidence.
Despite its flaws, Other M remains a cautionary example of how drastic design changes can alienate a dedicated fanbase.
Conclusion
From cash‑grab spin‑offs to unfinished sequels, the ten games highlighted above demonstrate how high expectations can quickly turn into collective disappointment. While some titles have managed to recover or find redemption over time, others serve as stark reminders that respecting a franchise’s legacy—and its community—is essential for long‑term success. Developers and publishers alike would do well to listen closely to the fans who have helped build these worlds, ensuring that future releases honor the spirit that made the originals beloved in the first place.