All a game reviewer can do is reveal their honest feelings about a game and give it a rating at the end. As readers, we can politely agree or disagree with their takes, or tell them that they’re wrong and claim they’ve been paid to give a certain score.
Many pick the latter option. But even if you don’t go that far, it’s fair to say that everyone has games that they like a lot more than the critics do. For instance, here is a collection of games that didn’t get great reviews from critics but were actually good.
Gotham Knights
Since it’s a third-person Batman game, Gotham Knights was naturally compared to the Batman Arkham games upon release. This is partly why its review scores weren’t great. That said, it’s a fun, open-world game that puts a nice spin on the Batman universe. For starters, there is no Batman, as he is killed off at the start. This means Nightwing, Red Hood, Batgirl, and Robin need to become Gotham’s main protectors. In the process, you see them and other classic Batman characters wrestle with the loss of the main hero.
There are some well-written scenes featuring the Bat Family, along with an intriguing main plot centered on the mysterious Court of Owls. As for the gameplay, you can play as each of the main heroes. What’s great is that they all feel distinct and enjoyable to control. Missions can get a little repetitive, but it’s a solid game overall.
Sonic Frontiers
Sonic Frontiers is certainly not the worst-reviewed Sonic game ever, but its average critic rating on review sites isn’t great. This is despite it being a fun and unique take on the Sonic franchise. The main reason it’s unique is that it’s set in an open world where the blue hedgehog is free to run around.
At first, sprinting around this 3D open world feels a little odd if you’re used to classic Sonic, but Frontiers can grow on you. Once it does, it’s easy to get charmed by this new type of Sonic game. The core running is satisfying, and the soundtrack is a treat for the ears.
Assassin’s Creed Unity
The poor reviews for Assassin’s Creed Unity upon its release in 2014 are understandable. The game was a huge technical mess on launch. However, now a lot of these issues have been fixed, and the game deserves a second chance because it’s a charming Assassin’s Creed adventure.
The title is set in a beautiful recreation of Paris from the late 1700s. You roam around it as a young man named Arno, who shares an interesting relationship with his lifelong friend, Elise. The two are on different sides of the conflict between Assassins and Templars. This makes for a compelling tale. Equally good are the creative side quests and parkour gameplay.
Army Of Two: The 40th Day
There have been three Army of Two games, and none of them have truly wowed critics. The first two entries deserve a bit more respect, though. The second of them is The 40th Day, which sees a pair of private military soldiers named Salem and Rios attempt to stop a terrorist attack in Shanghai. You won’t be riveted by the story, but the co-op third-person gameplay is a lot of fun.
The shooting mechanics are satisfying, and there are a bunch of nice co-operative moves in the game. For example, one has you pretend to surrender, as your teammate sets up a sneak attack. Also, the weapon customization system is very deep and better than what you see in most other shooters.
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is an open-world RPG that retells the story of Dragon Ball Z. Critics praised its visuals and presentation, but their overall opinion on the game was underwhelming. This is despite it being a Dragon Ball game that truly captures the spirit of the source material.
Not only does it look like you’re playing the anime, but it also has the fast-paced and impactful fights you expect from DBZ. Plus, the open world includes all the classic areas and characters from the iconic series, making it great to explore for fans. It deserved better from reviewers.
Mad Max
Video games based on movie franchises don’t have the best track record. If you look at the critic reviews, you will think Mad Max falls into that same group of uninspired movie games. However, it is far better than that. It’s an action-adventure open-world game set in the Mad Max universe. So, there is a lot of desert and not many resources.
Thankfully, you don’t have to walk around the desert, as you have a prized car to help with transportation. It’s enjoyable to use, whether you’re just driving it or battling other vehicles. You don’t need four wheels to fight, though, as there is a great hand-to-hand combat system, too. Therefore, fighting is entertaining whether you’re in your car or on the ground, and the same goes for exploration.
Resonance Of Fate
Resonance of Fate is a one-of-a-kind RPG that only got average reviews. This is because the story and presentation aren’t perfect. What makes up for those things is the combat. The game offers a distinct turn-based combat system that is faster-paced than what you typically expect from turn-based action. Your characters run around, do stylish leaps into the air, and gun down their opposition. All of this is dictated by the actions you’ve chosen for them.
There is plenty of strategy, as your characters don’t technically get more powerful. Instead, your effectiveness depends on how you upgrade your weapons. Sometimes, you will be forced to use brains instead of brawn in a fight.
SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle For Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated
SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated has the review scores you expect for a game based on a Nickelodeon TV series. Yet, this game actually deserved better. After all, it’s a faithful remake of a solid 3D platformer set in the SpongeBob world. You play as the titular character, Patrick, and Sandy as you defeat robots, jump around, and collect things.
It isn’t the most sophisticated game you will ever play. That said, it nails the TV show’s writing and humor, making it feel very authentic. So, this is pretty much what a SpongeBob game should be.
Mafia: The Old Country
Hangar 13 tried to do something a little different with Mafia: The Old Country. Instead of being set in a city like the previous games, this title is set in and around a fictional small town within Sicily in the early 1900s. You play as a young man who escapes from the mines and quickly gets caught up in Mafia business.
The reviews of the game were middling, mainly because the core gunplay and driving mechanics aren’t particularly spectacular. However, they aren’t bad, and the game’s excellent storytelling and voice acting more than make up for them.
Deadpool
Prior to Ryan Reynolds’ iconic performances as Deadpool, Nolan North did an incredible job as the Merc with a Mouth in the 2013 Deadpool game. This title was not beloved by critics upon release. This was mainly because the game lacked varied and distinctive combat.
Despite its drawbacks, though, it still deserves a lot of love because the writing and humor are fantastic. The game nails Deadpool’s signature brand of comedy with frequent fourth-wall breaks and raunchy gags. Some of the action set-pieces are fun, too. If the game’s combat were a bit more satisfying, it could’ve been a big hit.
