Summary
- Even top-rated games have minor faults, but the impact they make upon release is undeniable.
- Red Dead Redemption 2's realism can be annoying, but it's still a masterpiece deserving all praise.
- Baldur's Gate 3 may have performance issues in Act 3, but the experience before that is special.
Some games wow the masses and are near-perfect, attaining 10/10 scores from the majority of publications that rate these games. That being said, no game is without any faults, and even the most critically acclaimed titles stumble at times.
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That being said, these minor faults don't stop the best games from having a major impact when they are released. Even if people may notice these annoyances for themselves, that should not detract from the sheer impact these games have when they launch.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Incredible Graphics And Storytelling, Although The Game's Insistence On Realism Can Be A Bit Too Strong At Times
Red Dead Redemption 2
- Released
- October 26, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
Red Dead Redemption 2 is an incredible game, and fans can't get enough of it to this day. Boasting the best Rockstar narrative to date and an immersive sandbox that fans can get lost in, RDR2's charms have turned it into a legendary title that's in dire need of a next-gen patch.
Sure, the opening chapter in Colter is a bit of a slog, and the game's insistence on realism means that players must deal with some frustrations (like maintaining a proper diet for Arthur), but these are ultimately small problems in the grand scheme of things. At the end of the day, no one can deny that Red Dead Redemption 2 is a masterpiece that deserves all its plaudits, and then some.
God Of War
Atreus Getting Drunk On His Newfound Power Wasn't Handled All That Well
God of War
- Released
- April 20, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
God of War's reboot hit the ground running, letting players enjoy one of the greatest stories in a video game with a mature Kratos at the helm. Combat is crunchy, the dialogue is excellent, and the graphics are in a class of their own.
If there's one area where this game falters, it's when Atreus finds out he's a god and becomes arrogant. He is subsequently humbled by Kratos and goes back to his old self way too quickly, but this is perhaps the only part of the game that isn't all that well-paced.
Baldur's Gate 3
Act 1 & 2 Are Incredible, But Some Performance Issues Take Away From Act 3
Baldur's Gate 3
- Released
- August 3, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Baldur's Gate 3 is a labor of love that most fans adore. The sheer amount of effort put into this RPG can be seen in the incredible choices and consequences that ensure every single playthrough is a blast to power through.
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A player's enthusiasm for this game may wane somewhat in Act 3, what with the performance issues and the quest-related bugs that make progression frustrating. However, the hundred or so hours that players spend in this game before reaching Baldur's Gate are so special that players won't mind a minor misstep from Larian's ambitious game.
Elden Ring
As Incredible As This Game Is, The Balancing And Repeated Boss Fights Aren't The Greatest
Elden Ring
- Released
- February 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
Elden Ring is one of the greatest open-world video games of all time, which helped FromSoftware reach new levels of popularity. The improved combat and a sandbox that doesn't rely on map markers to make players explore ensure that this title will leave a lasting impression on players.
That being said, FromSoftware's first attempt at a proper open world means that the game is bound to face its fair share of balancing issues. However, that doesn't take away from Elden Ring's brilliance, with Shadow of the Erdtree introducing the infamous Scadutree Fragments to fix the balancing issues from the base game.
Grand Theft Auto 5
The Convenient Storytelling Can Be Hard To Digest, At Times
Grand Theft Auto 5
- Released
- September 17, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Mature Humor, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action
Grand Theft Auto 5 is a technical marvel with three lovable protagonists to control as players get to enjoy this franchise's patented urban (and rural) chaos. Partaking in the incredible heists and seeing just how reactive the open world is never gets old.
That being said, some players weren't a fan of GTA 5's convenient narrative that felt like an excuse just to set up the game's action-packed missions. The story may not be the game's strongest point, but the other gameplay pillars more than make up for this.
Dark Souls
As Brilliant As The Game Is, It Loses Some Of Its Steam After Players Acquire The Lordvessel
Dark Souls
- Released
- September 22, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Soulslike, Adventure
Dark Souls is one of the greatest video games ever made, which needs no introduction. The incredible exploration and calculating combat ensure that players salivating for a hardcore experience that doesn't treat them like children will have a riot with this game.
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Nevertheless, even the game's staunchest defenders will agree that the latter half of the game shows a clear dip in quality because of what many fans assume to be pressing deadlines and budgetary constraints. However, that doesn't take away from how monumental Dark Souls is, with this game's popularity ensuring that FromSoftware would become one of the biggest players in the industry.
Persona 5
The Game's Agonizingly Slow Beginning Is A Slog To Get Through
Persona 5
- Released
- September 15, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Drug Reference, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Social Simulation
Persona 5 is one of the greatest modern JRPGs of all time, there's no denying that. However, just like its predecessor, the game takes an agonizingly long time to set up the story and introduce the gameplay before the world truly opens up.
This slow beginning is Persona 5's biggest crime, even if the rest of the experience comfortably makes up for it. There's a reason why Persona 5 Royal took steps to alleviate the boredom of the opening few hours, ensuring that this version of the Phantom Thieves' adventures is the definitive version of the game that fans will love.
Fallout 3
A Successful Transition For The Franchise, Even If The Narrative Took A Hit
Fallout 3
- Released
- October 28, 2008
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Fallout 3 was a successful attempt by Bethesda to craft the first proper open-world game in the series. Combat may feel dated, but the exploration and memorable side stories more than make up for it.
Long-time Fallout fans lament the lack of writing quality as compared to previous games, featuring a divisive ending to the main quest that was later expanded upon, but that does nothing to overshadow the rest of this game's achievements. Fallout 3 is an incredible open-world RPG that deserves all its plaudits and then some.
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