10 WORST Things About Popular Video Game Genres

10. Realism Over Fun - First-Person Shooters

Perhaps above all else, games are supposed to be fun. That's not to say they can't be hard-hitting or educational, though, as much of our world's history comes from warfare. As such, realism is placed on a pedestal, bringing players as close to the fight as possible.

Heavy storylines, malfunctioning guns and realistic bullet flight are all in line with real combat, but this philosophy when implemented in games often comes at the cost of fun. For as great as games like Metro Exodus, S.T.A.L.K.E.R and Far Cry 2 can be, the addition of such realistic elements only hinders the overall enjoyment.

Fairness and competition (be it online or in PvE) are surely far more important to a first person shooter's core design, which is often ousted in favour of a 'realistic' experience.

Plonking a AAA release in the trenches of World War I or the intricate warzones of modern conflicts can offer significant emotional weight that's grounded in reality. The issue is when the gameplay tries to mimic the real-world scenario, and in turn it becomes a chore to play.

Gameplay is the vessel for which most enjoyment from a game can be extracted, so it's crucial to design the fundamentals of the game in a way that retains a sense of realism while never losing its fun.