Masterpiece that everyone hates

Games receiving hate online is nothing new, although it seems to have reached a fever pitch in recent years. There is a small but vocal segment of the gaming community that is rooting for games to fail long before they launch, for a variety of reasons largely unrelated to the games themselves. Highguard, for example, was largely panned because its announcement trailer was the final trailer for the 2025 Game Awards, not because of anything to do with the game itself. The fans just wanted to see something different in that place, and Highguard paid the price.

Unsurprisingly, when that hate takes off, it can really sink its claws in, and it becomes the focal point of an entire game's narrative. The sad thing is that this can often damage a game's reputation, even when the game itself is great. We'll give some more flowers game that everyone hates today, because these are all excellent games. While they were swept up in a tidal wave of online hate, they're well worth playing now that all the noise has died down.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard

Don't believe the hype

Let's be completely honest. There were people out there rooting for Dragon Age: The Veilguard to fail. There are valid criticisms of BioWare's latest release, but the rabid disdain from so much of the gaming community felt manufactured, not genuine. It became even more apparent when actually playing the game. Is there any stilted dialogue? Sure. Is this a deep, branching RPG like BioWare's classic? No. That doesn't mean it isn't an excellent game in its own right.

Let's start with the combat, which is arguably the best combat system in anything Dragon Age game. It takes skill to master but it's not overly punishing, there's a lot of variation between classes and weapon types to make your character feel distinct, and unlike many RPGs it actually gets more interesting the further you get into the game, with legendary weapons completely reworking the class mechanics, making them feel like truly game-changing finds. The story, while not meeting the standards of Origin, really isn't a write off either, and still has some great companions, arguably the best ending in the series, and a great villain in Solas. There's a reason we got a 10 in our review.

Star Wars Outlaws

Grounded, relatable and charming, with barely a Jedi in sight

A lot of people hated it Star Wars Outlaws the reception was simply due to it being a Ubisoft product. It wasn't entirely unwanted, as Ubisoft has burned a lot of goodwill over the last decade, but when the game itself is still an excellent experience, you have to draw a line somewhere. The other issue was that most people didn't know what they were getting into outlaws. It's not a shoot-first game and is much more focused on stealth and sabotage than the cinematic action people usually associate with Star Wars.

Taken on its own terms, Star Wars Outlaws is a wonderful time. It starts with a strong cast of characters, including ND-5, a droid and Clone Wars veteran who suffers from (believe it or not) PTSD. ND-5 is the focus of an incredible mid-game mission. Then there's Kay Vess and Nyx, who make a great lead duo with tons of heart. The game goes to some cool places narratively (including a very interesting display of the average Star Wars citizens know the power). It doesn't revolutionize stealth gaming, but it's still awesome, and there's nothing else Star Wars games out there that let you just take off on a speeder bike and explore Tatooine.

Star Wars Battlefront 2

A few updates later and we're back in business

Of all the games on this list, Star Wars Battlefront 2 earned more from the hate it received at launch than anyone else. EA absolutely loaded this game with predatory microtransactions, to a degree we haven't really seen since, largely due to the backlash that followed. We're talking loot boxes within loot boxes here; it was absurd. The game's reputation was damaged beyond repair due to its monetization, but the game itself was excellent.

The good news is that all of these microtransactions have since been removed. The only ones that remain are for purely cosmetic elements that do not contribute to the game. Everything else can be unlocked for free. Once you jump in with that in mind, Star Wars Battlefront 2 is almost unbelievably good. Many fans today would happily hold it up alongside the PS2-era series classic, and in many ways it betters them. With a community still impressively active for a 9-year-old game, there's still plenty to enjoy Star Wars Battlefront 2 today.

The Callisto Protocol

It's not Dead Space, it's something new

Much of the hype around The Callisto Protocol derived from its association with the original creator of Dead Space, who served as the game's director. When the game launched and wasn't so similar Dead Space, which seemed to kill it on the spot. Expectations can be a fickle thing. Sure, The Callisto Protocol is not much like Dead Space, but it's still sci-fi horror. It's just trying to do something new.

Because how often players clamor for something new among all the remakes and retreaded formulas, it's a shame that The Callisto Protocol didn't get much of a chance. Its combat definitely takes some getting used to, but once it clicks, it feels fantastic. On the horror side, it's excellent. Both the body horror and the slow, supernatural elements are well-executed and very creepy, all backed by a strong story and top-notch design. If you're looking for your next sci-fi horror fix, you can't go wrong here.

Mafia 3

Addresses every complaint about the mafia series

The The mafia Games are loved for their excellent storytelling, but despite being open-world games, they are often criticized for feeling very empty. Sure, you can explore the world at your leisure, steal a car and drive around listening to the radio, but when it comes to curated side content to complete, the series is often lacking. The only exception to that rule is the mafia's black sheep game, Mafia 3.

About your problem with previous (and subsequent) The mafia game was that there wasn't enough side content, Mafia 3 is pretty much built around side content. Playing as Lincoln Clay, a Vietnam vet, you must work with a variety of criminal organizations spread throughout New Bordeaux and take jobs for those who will gain their trust. There are enemy bases to clear out, illegal products to steal and tons of gangsters to kill. It's all backed up by solid gunplay, a great period soundtrack and some phenomenal voice acting. Mafia 3 may not feel like one The mafia game through and through, but that doesn't mean it isn't a great video game in its own right.

Gotham Knights

It's not Arkham, but it's awesome

Gotham Knights was in a tough spot from the moment it was announced. Acts as a continuation of Batman Arkham game, but not starring Batman, while many of the mechanics that made Rocksteady's trilogy a superhero classic had to alienate fans, and that's exactly what it did. It didn't really matter what was on offer Gotham Knights; it wasn't more Batman, so it wasn't what players wanted.

Look, Gotham Knights can't really hold another candle Arkham series, but neither can most open-world action games. But when taken on its own terms, Gotham Knights is lots of fun. The four playable heroes are all distinct in both their combat and traversal mechanics, adding plenty of variety to the game. You can also upgrade each hero's equipment, helping them become stronger. Narratively, it features some wildly underutilized Batman villains, including the Court of Owls and Clayface. Best of all, the entire game can be played in drop-in/drop-out co-op, and it's honestly the most fun when played with friends.

Watch Dogs Legion

Play as anyone, literally

The hate for Watch Dogs Legion is a bit puzzling. Sure, it's not as good as Watch Dogs 2, but that doesn't take away from the fact that it's an excellent game. It also tries to do things differently, and largely succeeds. First, it's set in London, so if you're tired of open-world games set in either New York or LA, then Legion have you covered. But that's really just the tip of the iceberg.

Watch Dogs Legion's calling card is its recruitment mechanic, which allows you to pull almost any NPC off the street and recruit them into DedSec, the group of hacker revolutionaries you lead, making them a playable character in the process. Not everyone is an ideal candidate, but even the charming granny at the tea shop can become a vigilante hacker if you want to. Or you can scour the population and find retired spies, football hooligans and street racers roaming London and build a team of talented criminals to get the job done. This is all connected to the series' patented hacking mechanic, which allows you to manipulate the environment to take out or distract enemies, throw off the police and so on. There is plenty of fun to be had Watch Dogs Legion, and despite what the haters say, it's absolutely worth your time.