Ever had that moment where you’ve been eagerly awaiting a game, only to start playing and think, “Why did I even bother?” You try to push through, convincing yourself it’ll get better, but deep down you know—this is just not worth your time.
The game fails to live up to its promises, and you’re left wondering if you’re really playing a video game or just suffering through an extended bad dream.
There are plenty of titles that have managed to squash my gaming hopes into oblivion, but today, let’s focus on a few that really made me question my life choices.
So, without further ado, let’s dive into the most disappointing games of 2024—because sometimes, the greatest horror isn’t in the game, but in the realization that you’ve wasted hours of your life on it.
What Makes a Game Disappointing, IMO?
Ah, the age-old question: what truly makes a game disappointing? Is it a crime against humanity like pineapple on pizza, or is it something subtler, like finding out your “all-you-can-eat” buffet has a time limit?
Disappointing doesn’t mean the game is an unplayable dumpster fire.
Sometimes it’s just about dashed dreams. Maybe the hype train went so fast it derailed, leaving you with bugs, bland gameplay, or a plot twist so predictable even your cat saw it coming.
Or perhaps it’s a case of marketing smoke and mirrors—promising an open world of endless possibilities, only to deliver a glorified hallway simulator.
And let’s not forget the classics: technical issues that turn every battle into a slideshow, or monetization schemes that make you question if the game is secretly a wallet simulator.
A disappointing game isn’t always bad—it’s just the one that whispered sweet nothings in your ear and then left you on read.
The Most Disappointing Game Experiences of the Year 2024
Jujutsu Kaisen – Cursed Clash
Ah, Jujutsu Kaisen: Cursed Clash, the game that somehow managed to pull off a greater curse than anything in the anime itself. With a Metascore of 44, this title isn’t just disappointing—it’s a masterclass in unmet expectations. How does a game based on one of the most beloved anime series stumble so badly? Well, let me count the ways.
First off, the gameplay. Imagine taking all the excitement, dynamic battles, and character development from the anime, and then… not doing any of that. Instead, you’re treated to clunky mechanics that feel like they were coded by someone who has only ever watched fight scenes through a potato. Combat, supposedly the main draw, lacks the fluidity and depth needed to carry even the simplest of encounters.
And let’s talk visuals. In an era where anime games often shine with stunning art styles and detailed character designs, this game decided to go for a look that screams “PS3 era nostalgia”
Perhaps the cruelest twist of fate is the story—or lack thereof. Rather than immersing players in the gripping world of curses and sorcerers, the narrative feels like a generic afterthought.
Jujutsu Kaisen: Cursed Clash isn’t just a game; it’s a cautionary tale about what happens when you try to cash in on a franchise without delivering the soul fans deserve. It may have been marketed as a cursed clash, but for players, it was nothing more than a cursed crash.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade – Wrath of the Mutants!
Cowabunga? More like cow-a-blunder. Wrath of the Mutants promised to deliver a nostalgic beat-’em-up adventure that would bring fans of the iconic turtle squad back to the days of greasy arcade joysticks and button-mashing euphoria. Instead, what we got was a shell of a game that feels like it crawled out of the sewer without a second glance at quality control.
The gameplay is a sluggish chore, where every punch and kick lacks impact, as if the turtles are battling their inner doubts rather than actual enemies. Combat is repetitive and uninspired, making you wonder if the developers thought, “Why reinvent the wheel when you can just square it?” And don’t even get me started on the AI—it’s like your foes are channeling April O’Neil’s fight skills instead of Shredder’s menacing presence.
Visually, it’s as if someone microwaved a slice of pizza too long, leaving us with a gooey, pixelated mess that’s hard to digest. And the story? Oh, right, there was supposed to be one.
If you were expecting an engaging narrative filled with wisecracks and pizza-fueled camaraderie, prepare to be left as empty as a pizza box after a turtle feast. The plot, if you can call it that, is barely there, like the developers assumed “nostalgia” alone could fill the gaps in their storytelling. Ultimately, Wrath of the Mutants doesn’t just disappoint—it actively erodes the goodwill fans have for the franchise.
Silent Hill – The Short Message
Oh, Silent Hill: The Short Message, a game that somehow makes foggy streets and existential dread feel less like a horror experience and more like a boring Tuesday. If Konami set out to redefine the survival horror genre, they certainly succeeded—by redefining it as a survival chore.
First, let’s talk atmosphere. Silent Hill is supposed to ooze unease and dread, right?
Well, The Short Message must’ve missed the memo. Instead of eerie environments that get under your skin, you’re treated to bland textures and lighting that feels more “haunted screensaver” than “psychological torment.” The fog is still there, sure, but it looks less like a spooky element and more like the game trying to obscure its half-finished assets.
The story? Calling it “short” is an understatement—this plot is so threadbare it might as well be a ghost itself. The characters are flatter than a monster’s face post-pipe-wielding, and the scares are about as effective as a bad jump scare compilation on YouTube.
And oh, the gameplay. You’d think a modern entry in the Silent Hill franchise would deliver refined mechanics to complement the terror. Nope! Instead, you’re battling clunky controls that feel like they were coded during a power outage. Fighting off monsters is less about skill and more about whether you can outlast your patience with the unresponsive combat system.
Suicide Squad – Kill the Justice League
Ah, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League—a title that promised mayhem, chaos, and a chance to take down the superhero elite. Instead, it delivered an experience so painfully generic that even Harley Quinn would’ve dropped her mallet in disappointment. If the goal was to kill our excitement, mission accomplished.
Let’s start with the game design. Remember when games were fun because they had variety and originality? Kill the Justice League said, “Nah, let’s give everyone guns and call it a day.” That’s right—Harley, Deadshot, King Shark, Captain Boomerang—each unique character with distinct personalities and abilities were distilled into glorified bullet dispensers. You wanted creative gameplay? Here’s your creativity: aim, shoot, repeat.
And let’s not forget the story.
The Justice League, brainwashed by Brainiac, could’ve been an intriguing concept. But instead of exploring deep moral dilemmas or nuanced character arcs, the plot was as hollow as an Arkham prison cell after a breakout. Dialogue feels like it was written by someone who thinks throwing in a “quirky” joke every five seconds counts as character development. Spoiler alert – it doesn’t.
In the end, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League doesn’t kill much—except maybe your enthusiasm for DC-based games. If disappointment were a superpower, this game would be unstoppable.
Alone in the Dark 2024
Oh, Alone in the Dark, the “reimagined” survival horror that left us all praying to be alone—and far away from this game. What was supposed to be a gripping return to the roots of the genre turned out to be a masterclass in how to let down fans on every conceivable level.
First, let’s discuss the horror. Or, more accurately, the lack of it. The scares here are about as intense as an episode of Scooby-Doo. The game’s atmosphere, a critical pillar of the original series, feels like it was constructed by someone who thought “dull” and “dreary” were synonyms for “terrifying.” Any sense of dread quickly dissolves when you realize the biggest threat is the boredom creeping in.
And the gameplay? Yikes. Imagine trudging through clunky controls, uninspired puzzles, and combat that makes you feel like the true enemy is the game itself.
Even the much-hyped performances by David Harbour and Jodie Comer couldn’t save this sinking ship. The characters feel lifeless, weighed down by a script that’s as predictable as a flashlight battery running out in a horror game.
The environments lack detail, and the lighting effects—presumably meant to be spooky—just end up being annoying. It’s like they were going for Gothic horror but accidentally landed on “unintentionally hilarious PowerPoint presentation.”
Alone in the Dark doesn’t just fail to live up to the legacy of its name—it actively tarnishes it.
Concluding Thoughts
And there you have it—a collection of games that somehow managed to trip over their own hype and faceplant into our disappointment.
From uninspired gameplay to hollow storytelling, these titles are proof that bigger promises don’t always mean better experiences. But hey, at least they gave us something to rant about, right?
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to replay Tetris—a game that never disappoints.
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