The 10 Lowest-Rated Games of 2023: A Year of Disappointment

Metacritic's Annual Unveiling

Metacritic, a renowned aggregator of reviews for movies, TV shows, music albums, and video games, has once again made waves with its annual unveiling of the lowest-rated video games of 2023. This year's list has shed light on the underwhelming titles that failed to meet the expectations of both critics and players alike.

The Lord of the Rings Gollum

The list includes a lineup of games that received scathing reviews and disappointing scores, serving as a stark reminder of the challenges and setbacks faced by the gaming industry in 2023. Among the titles that have garnered attention for their poor performance is The Lord of the Rings: Gollum, which claimed the unenviable position of being the lowest-rated game of the year.

Despite the abundance of impressive new titles, remakes, and additions to established franchises, 2023 will be remembered for the considerable disappointment and failures that cast a shadow over the gaming landscape. Metacritic's metric for determining the lowest-rated games focuses on titles that received the lowest scores on their site throughout the year, offering a comprehensive overview of the year's gaming flops.

The Lord of the Rings: Gollum - A Profound Disappointment

The lowest-rated game on Metacritic's list, The Lord of the Rings: Gollum, has sparked widespread disappointment and criticism within the gaming community. The game, which allowed players to assume control of Smeagol (Gollum) on his journey across Middle-earth, failed to live up to the expectations set by both fans of the Tolkien universe and the gaming community at large.

With a dismal Metacritic score of 34 on the PS5, The Lord of the Rings: Gollum was described as a baffling experience, lacking inspiration and falling short of delivering an engaging gameplay experience. The use of the beloved LOTR IP only served to heighten the sense of letdown, as players and critics alike expressed their disappointment with the game's lackluster execution and dullness.

The failure of The Lord of the Rings: Gollum to resonate with players and critics alike stands as a cautionary tale, highlighting the pitfalls of adapting beloved intellectual properties into the gaming sphere. The game's underwhelming performance serves as a reminder of the challenges inherent in translating iconic literary works into immersive gaming experiences.

The Sequels and Standalone Titles that Disappointed

Joining The Lord of the Rings: Gollum on Metacritic's list of lowest-rated games are several sequels and standalone titles that failed to impress players and critics alike. Flashback 2, the sequel to the revolutionary Flashback, scored a disappointing 35 on the PC, failing to capture the essence of its predecessor and falling victim to critical backlash for its poor presentation and execution.

Following closely is Greyhill Incident, which claimed the third spot with a Metacritic score of 38 on the PC. The game faced criticism for its poorly executed story, lackluster stealth gameplay, and uninspiring environments, attributing to its lackluster performance and negative reception. Other titles such as Quantum Error, Testament: The Order of High Human, Crime Boss: Rockay City, Hellboy: Web of Wyrd, Gangs of Sherwood, Loop8: Summer Of Gods, and Gargoyles Remastered also found themselves on the ignominious list of lowest-rated games.

While not officially listed, titles such as The Walking Dead: Destinies and The Day Before faced substantial negative criticism across various platforms, further exemplifying the challenges faced by developers in creating engaging and well-received gaming experiences. It is important to note that Metacritic only categorizes games that have received at least seven professional reviews, ensuring that the listed titles are representative of the critical consensus within the gaming industry.