Metacritic, a well-known review aggregator for movies, shows, and video games, has shared its worst list of video games for 2020. There are some console owners who’d probably add a recently released blockbuster to the list, but Metacritic’s choices can be found below. Let’s take a look at the games that you probably don’t want friends or family to play.
Metacritic’s Worst Games of 2020
- Tiny Racer: This $10 game for the Nintendo Switch was panned by critics as a truly torturous experience. One compared it to the worst road trip they ever had and stated that they’d rather endure that trip again than play this title one more time.
- XIII Remake: Ubisoft released this for Xbox One and did a number of things guaranteed to anger fans. From changing the gameplay and design to being buggy, it even warranted an apology from the game’s developers.
- Dawn of Fear: A PS4 title that attempted to emulate the feel of the original Resident Evil games, this survival horror game never found its own niche nor overcame various technical challenges. Game Rant could not even complete its playthrough for its review due to many bugs.
- Fast & Furious Crossroads: Here we have our first PC title on the list. Surprisingly, Codemasters’ Slightly Mad Studios couldn’t pull off a nice adaptation. One might think that combining a hugely popular car-based movie franchise with a veteran racing software company would be a sure win, but there was no such luck. Apparently, most of the budget went to the voice actors.
- Arc of Alchemist: Working with the limited hardware specs of the Nintendo Switch means that developers have to be at the top of their game when it comes to design, visuals, and functionality. According to We Got This Covered, Idea Factory failed on all fronts with this one. Nintendo Life said it was not worth anyone’s time.
- Remothered: Broken Porcelain: Another game overcome by bugs. No, not the kind intended to creep you out, but the kind that stops players in their tracks from doing anything. It didn’t help that this PC game also had what many considered to be a confusing story. PC Invasion said to run and hide from this sequel.
- Tamarin: A PS4 platformer, this game seems to be a friendly child’s game at first, but redundant militarized destruction soon displaces any such ideas. It is a bit of a throwback to those fun but violent cartoon-styled games of the 1990s but without fun and thought-out aspects. Gaming Age gave it a zero and stated that it couldn’t remember experiencing something that was such a disaster on every level. Some critics were a little more forgiving, but most pointed out similar issues.
- Street Power Soccer: Another PS4 title here, but the main issue seems to be the price. Looking to ride the wave of FIFA, the game’s publishers felt it was worthy of the same premium price tag. Its lack of polish and many other shortcomings proved the cost far outweighed any enjoyment. DarkStation said that it lacked street cred and offered very little incentive to keep playing.
- Gleamlight: A side-scrolling adventure for the Switch, this one did manage to get some praise for its visuals. Unfortunately, reviews from critics pointed out a lack fun gameplay and poor music. Switch Player said that it was one you’d want to end as quickly as possible, but don’t worry, because it only lasts about an hour anyway. Nintendo Life even lamented the weight of having to play and review such a game.
- The Elder Scrolls: Blades: Yet another Nintendo Switch game. It really seems like publishers should pay more attention to how they approach this unique console. This time around, Bethesda tried to bring its popular franchise to the handheld system, but the game came across as tedious and boring. NintendoWorldReport said that its repetitiveness, ugly visuals, microtransaction reminders, and boring combat made it an ugly mess of a game with nothing to justify its existence.
Got your own to throw into this and/or disagree with the critics? Let us know in the comments. You might help some poor souls from wasting money and time.