2024 may not have been a blockbuster year for gaming, but it certainly delivered some memorable titles. Unfortunately, it also gave us a handful of games that were less than stellar. While reviews are inherently subjective—allowing for personal tastes and guilty pleasures—there are certain titles from this year that simply fell flat. Here’s a rundown of the games that received the worst reviews and are best avoided.
Mediocre Releases: The 5s
When it comes to game reviews, a score of 5 signifies mediocrity—games that are easily forgettable and often leave players unsatisfied. This year, several titles landed in this category, indicating a lack of innovation or excitement.
One of the most talked-about games was *Slitterhead*, an action-horror title from a team of ex-Silent Hill developers. While the premise of battling parasitic monsters sounds thrilling, the execution left players feeling bored rather than exhilarated. Another title, *Terminator: Dark Fate – Defiance*, attempted to immerse players in the war against Skynet but instead delivered a lackluster real-time strategy experience.
In the realm of strategy games, *Millennia* and *Sins of a Solar Empire 2* were also deemed underwhelming. *Millennia* was likened to a bland version of *Civilization*, while *Sins of a Solar Empire 2* failed to capture the magic of its predecessor. Moreover, *Homeworld: Vast Reaches*, a VR strategy game, felt more like a tech demo than a fully fleshed-out experience.
Fans were also disappointed by *The First Descendant*, which promised exciting gameplay but ultimately fell short. The remake of *Until Dawn* failed to justify its existence, leaving players yearning for the original’s charm. Even the much-anticipated *Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League* disappointed with its shift to a live-service model, sacrificing the beloved combat mechanics of the Arkham series for repetitive shooting gameplay.
Other notable mentions in this category include *Mario & Luigi: Brothership*, which struggled to capture the essence of its predecessors, and *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants Unleashed*, which did not live up to the high bar set by earlier TMNT games.
Bad Games: The 4s
Stepping down the scale, we enter the realm of “bad” games, with only three titles receiving a score of 4 this year.
*Broken Roads*, a turn-based RPG set in post-apocalyptic Australia, aimed to introduce a complex morality system but ultimately failed to deliver meaningful choices. The game quickly devolved into a series of fetch quests filled with monotonous dialogue, leaving players frustrated.
Another game to receive a 4 was *Endless Ocean Luminous*, a remake of the original scuba diving adventure. While it promised exploration of procedurally generated ocean maps, the repetitive nature of the missions quickly dulled the experience.
Lastly, *Funko Fusion* disappointed as an adventure game based on pop culture. Although it attempted to mimic the appeal of LEGO games, it fell short due to lackluster mission design and numerous bugs that hindered gameplay.
Awful Experiences: The 3s
In a year without any 1s or 2s—something that hasn’t happened since 2009—three games were deemed “awful,” receiving a score of 3.
The first of these was *Atomic Heart’s Trapped in Limbo DLC*, which suffered from frustrating gameplay mechanics that detracted from the overall experience. Players faced long sliding segments and poorly designed platforming sections that made for a painful journey.
Next up was *South Park: Snow Day*, which departed from the series’ successful RPG roots in favor of a clumsy hack-and-slash format. Critics noted the lack of humor—a significant draw of the animated series—resulting in a disappointing and forgettable game.
Finally, *Empire of the Ants* was criticized for its unbalanced difficulty and lack of engaging gameplay. Players found themselves bored during easy segments, only to be overwhelmed by sudden spikes in challenge without any mid-mission save options.
In summary, 2024 had its share of highs and lows in the gaming world. While some titles managed to shine, these disappointing releases serve as a reminder of the importance of quality in game development. If you’re looking for something worthwhile, consider checking out our list of the best-reviewed games. Have you played any of the titles mentioned? We’d love to hear your thoughts.
Matt Kim is IGN’s Senior Features Editor. You can reach him on social media.
