As the Holiday season slowly approaches the end of 2021, many gamers busily wade through a sea of hot video game releases and try to avoid the worst games among them.
Naturally, there were some games released this year that were highly anticipated, but ultimately failed to capture the hearts of gamers around the world. In fact, some of them have already made it on the list for Most Disappointing Video Games in 2021. So it shouldn’t be surprising that they also made the worst games list this year.
‘Popeye’ (Switch)
This list starts with what is by far the strangest title to be allowed on a marketplace: "Popeye." Starring the titular sailor from classic Saturday morning cartoons, this lazily put-together 3D remake to a classic arcade game lacked almost no soul when it was released. Subpar graphics, boringly designed levels, and highly repetitive music make this game feel even less than the cheap cash-in it was meant to be. Poor Popeye!
‘eFootball 2022’ (PS4/5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, iOS)
Following its controversial rollback on AAA gaming, Konami and its IPs had seen better days. Specifically, ‘Pro Evolution Soccer,’ now rebranded as ‘eFootball,’ is off to a rough start. The latest entry ‘eFootball 2022’ featured the worst in-game rendering to date with inconsistent animation, clipping models, and hilariously wonky ball physiques. The game is also split into two versions: a free-to-play model and a premium one that locks the game’s most sought-after content behind a paywall.
‘Werewolf: The Apocalypse - Earthblood’ (PS4/5, Xbox Series X/S, PC)
Fans of anything and everything werewolf-related probably thought they would get their money’s worth when they played "Werewolf: The Apocalypse: Earthblood." Unfortunately, this action/stealth RPG failed to wow gamers in general with its terrible narrative and repetitive mission structure. Sadly, this game might have ended the sub-genre for the foreseeable future.
‘Balan Wonderworld’ (PS4/5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC)
There isn’t a whole lot to be said about a terrible game unless it hails from a revered game developer. Such is the case with "Balan Wonderworld," an abysmal platformer directed by Yuji Naka, the creator of the popular "Sonic the Hedgehog" and "Nights into Dreams." Unlike its predecessors, the game lacked any competent gameplay mechanics for its time, making it feel like a slap in the face for all Naka admirers.
‘Battlefield 2042’ (PS4/5, Xbox Series X/S, PC)
Since its reveal, "Battlefield 2042" was expected to be the perfect send-off for 2021 by many. Unfortunately, EA DICE once again failed to impress the fanbase. But unlike "Battlefield V," which got a lot wrong with its WWII era, "BF2042" simply did little with its futuristic era. As such, the shooter lacked a ton of features, including a single-player campaign, server browser, scoreboard, and real-world destructibility. It didn’t help that the game got delayed before its release. What a waste!
