20 Games Nobody Thought Could Live Up To The Hype
These games didn't just match unrealistic expectations but surpassed them.
Hype is a very dangerous thing when it comes to the gaming industry. Even though Skull and Bones, Daikatana, and Fallout 76 were built up like crazy, each of them were met with catastrophic disappointment.
Hype is looked at more cautiously nowadays since modern AAA titles take forever to come out. After spending up to a decade in development, prospects for a game can be unrealistically high, especially if the developers and studio repeatedly emphasise that the product will be a game-changer. If the promotions aren't great, it strengthens the argument the RPG, sandbox title, or platformer in question is being oversold. Even if the project is solid, it can be met with cynicism after being pumped up for so long.
That's why it's satisfying when a bigged-up game doesn't just deliver, but exceeds the wildest expectations. Whether it's the spellbinding narrative, gorgeous graphics, unique mechanics (or a combination of all three), some games pull players in straightaway, to the point where it's hard to believe there was ever any doubt surrounding them.
Though gaming hype is a genuine problem, these 20 entries gave us the experience we were hoping for, but didn't actually expect to receive.
20. Street Fighter 6
Even compared to modern fighting titles, Street Fighter II stands shoulder to shoulder amongst the best of the best.
As such, it was heartbreaking to see Street Fighter V fail to maintain the standard. Although Capcom tried fixing the game with major updates, it felt like the damage was done and Street Fighter's best days were behind it. Despite the fact Capcom vowed Street Fighter 6 would be a return to form, many were deservingly dubious.
But almost immediately after SF6's launch, any negativity towards the fireball-blasting extravaganza dried up. SF6 presented a well-balanced roster, an open-world single-player, bonus modes to spare, and a smorgasbord of constantly updated content. Thanks to the thoroughly structured online Battle Hub, SF6 also fostered a rich community.
But the most praise goes to the combat, more specifically the Drive System. This mechanic takes a different approach with combos, counters, and parrying, completely reinventing combat. Though new systems can be overwhelming, the intuitive combat and simplified controls should come natural to anyone.
Even though some people assumed Street Fighter 6 would be another disaster - or worried they'd let themselves dream too much about a proper return to form - it ended up being the best instalment since Street Fighter II.