An open world game that should have failed but didn't

Video games have become more ambitious over time as developers try new things and technology brings new ideas to life. But sometimes that ambition can be a game's downfall, whether due to a broader scope than the developer can create, a mismatch with what the players want, or a massive technical investment that requires far more resources than expected.

However, some games defy expectations and overcome difficulties to deliver an exceptional experience even if you assume failure. This game shows that with enough drive and enough ideas, anything can be brought back from the brink of death.

no man's sky

Ambitious beyond belief

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• We promised an open universe that could not be compared to anything else.

• It survived the cumbersome launch process and is now a widely loved exploration game.

no man's sky It was barely announced before people started to doubt it. The promise of a nearly infinite open universe seemed far-fetched, and the initial release lived up to those expectations of failure, as the game was riddled with bugs and missed many of the goals the developers had aimed for.

But over time, as more content was added and many of the rough edges were smoothed out, the DNA of the original vision began to fall into place. Now the game has established itself as one of the most impressive open world games ever made and a truly unparalleled space exploration experience.

death stranding

More than a walking simulator

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• A strange new IP with a completely different gameplay style.

• Known for its unique aesthetic and breathtaking storytelling

death stranding It was a bold step from a seasoned developer into a completely different world. Kojima was already known for pushing boundaries, but the pitch of a large-scale open-world game where players can travel through multiple locations on foot and character models rendered with life-like realism seemed a bit unattainable.

The final product actually surpassed even the most optimistic skeptics in almost every way possible. The gameplay loop was enjoyable and satisfying, the graphics were much better than the trailers showed, and the narrative felt more like a big-budget filmmaking than a video game, solidifying it as a groundbreaking achievement in the industry.

cyberpunk 2077

Almost hit a snag before it runs

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• The teaser showed visuals so absurd that many people could not imagine.

• Thanks to the long wait times, the game has been released and polished into an excellent experience.

cyberpunk 2077 It's an interesting game that received a lot of attention when it was first announced. The first reveal trailer showed off a level of fidelity that many would consider a marketing campaign not reflective of the actual game, and despite its expertise in open-world spaces, CD Projekt RED had a lot of ground to cover.

After a long wait, the game was released and was immediately written off as an unfinished mess, forcing many players to move on before they could even get into the story. But now, after countless patches, the game has reclaimed its name and risen to the top of its genre, proving that time can heal all wounds.

Kingdom Come: Salvation

Does realism really sell?

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• It focuses on authenticity where many thought it would fail.

• A true medieval simulator in almost every way possible

KC:D It was announced as an ambitious open-world medieval simulation experience that would allow players to traverse the land and interact with the world in any way they choose. It sounded good on paper, but many people thought that even if it was successful, the actual results would be quite boring.

In fact, the gameplay and story transcended previous conceptions of the game and established it as a classic that will be remembered for years. All of this success allowed the game to receive a sequel to much praise, only this time people believed the developers would realize their vision.

horizon zero dawn

A different direction than expected

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• kill zone Developers taking bold new steps

• Successfully launched a new IP into the mainstream market.

horizon zero dawn The developers at Guerrilla Games have shown their faces for the first time since announcing they were moving away from the game. kill zone And with a new IP. Early images and trailers showed off a large world filled with mechanical animals, which was certainly a compelling idea, but many felt that the game wouldn't feel as fun as other popular games in this category.

Unfortunately, doubters had to eat their words because not only was the world full of activities and places to see, but the gameplay loop was just as fun as the trailer showed. This isn't just another marketing mistake, it's an example of a game where the trailer actually matches the end result.

The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker

Almost killed by art

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• Art direction completely different from what was expected.

• Now a fan favorite in the franchise.

wind waker released at the time zelda It had already become a household name, and many players were looking forward to a more realistic world to explore within the universe. When the cartoonish aesthetic first appeared, many fans hated it and expected the game to fail the moment it was released.

But the game immediately captured the hearts of many, quickly becoming a fan favorite in a franchise filled with many iconic titles. The change in art direction was a bold move, but it's now celebrated for changing the way a single IP is presented in different lights.

Assassin's Creed Origins

Definition of Franchise Fatigue

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• Open world RPG not desirable for long-term fans

• It instantly became popular among fans.

Assassin's Creed Origins It emerged as an open world experience when many players were tired of constant releases within the same series. The franchise had already released so many similar games that the idea of ​​another game with a larger world had little appeal to fans.

Now the game is actually remembered for ushering in a new golden age for the franchise, showing a higher level of quality and immersion, making it one of the best games in the series. Although players initially showed little interest, the game succeeded in drawing people in with its compelling story and satisfying exploration. Assassin's Creed I got out of the slump.

dying light

Last effort towards the zombie apocalypse

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• Approximate development afterward dead island

• A new franchise was born for a struggling developer.

dying light It's shaping up to be another open world zombie apocalypse that tries to take things in a whole new direction. later dead islandThe developers wanted to create something new, but many players had doubts about the game's success and whether it would ever see the light of day after delays and internal changes.

When it was finally released, the game got off to a shaky start with bugs and performance issues that led many people to assume their theory was correct. It took a while to work out the issues, but eventually the game reached a pretty solid state that earned it the praise the developers had been waiting for for years.

sleeping dog

What started out as true crime grew into an undercover adventure.

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sleeping dog The development cycle was so demanding that many people, both internally and externally, thought the game would never be released. At one point, the game was canceled mid-development. true crime Games in Hong Kong aren't lined up the way developers want them to be.

Over time, the game evolved into more of an action-adventure experience, and when it finally got into the hands of players, they were quick to praise it. The narrative showed different aspects of the same reality, exploration felt meaningful, and the action went beyond the movies, giving players a different kind of modern open world that was very different from the first pitch.

Yakuza 0

Unexpected Success in the West

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• The series has had trouble finding a mainstream Western audience in the past.

• It has succeeded in bringing the franchise to a global audience.

Yakuza 0 It was created as the next title in a long series, most of which failed to make it to the West. Many people didn't understand the humor or gameplay and simply saw it as another game that wasn't for them.

In fact, this game not only popularized the series worldwide, but also established itself as one of the best games in the entire franchise. The sheer amount of content allowed people to become fully immersed in the world and story, whether following the main path or participating in silly mini-games, and after years of difficulty, yakuza It has finally become global.