10 Critically Acclaimed Video Games That Players Hated
Critics and players rarely see eye to eye, and these games prove it.
Critical reviews have always been at the centre of the video game world. Making or breaking a new release depending on the score it receives, the response surrounding a title always becomes an immediate talking point, with discussion getting heated when some publications don't line up with others.
Such consensus isn't just important to players, though, as developers often have clauses in their contracts that require them to hit a certain number on Metacritic in order to receive a bonus or to be considered a success.
With that said, as the years have worn on, it's become increasingly apparent that critics and players aren't on the same page.
Despite the stock people put into official reviews, critics and fans are often divided on the biggest releases, resulting in acclaimed video games that players actually hate, and big titles that were shat on by publications ending up being loved by fans.
The divide between the two camps is only getting bigger, but some major releases have reflected it more than others. The critics don't always get it right, and these games prove it.
10. Grand Theft Auto IV
Metacritic Score: 90
User Score: 6.6
When GTA IV released, it instantly went down as one of the most critically acclaimed games of all time. With the Xbox 360 version currently standing at an astronomically high 98 on Metacritic, the sequel is one of the best-reviewed games ever, establishing ludicrous fan expectations that in hindsight could probably have never been met.
However, the low score from players isn't entirely down to the open-world game not meeting their expectations, but also a result of how much the sequel diverted from the rest of the series. Shedding the care-free attitude of previous titles in favour of a more measured and mature approach, pretty much every feature and mechanic in the fourth game was in service of creating a sense of realism in the world of Liberty City.
Consequently, while it was one of the best open-world sims at the time, it wasn't exactly fun. The gunplay was loose, the driving was too restrictive and the narrative took itself way too seriously, resulting in a game that many could appreciate, but very few could actually love.