10 Flawed Video Games That Are Actually Masterpieces

by Robert Zak

1. Alpha Protocol

Alpha Protocol
Obsidian

An RPG made by the great Obsidian (Fallout: New Vegas, Baldur's Gate II) set in the world of high-tech gadgetry? Sign us all up, right? Hmmm, not so fast...

Even in an era when it's seemingly acceptable to release games in buggy states then patch them up later, Alpha Protocol was a technical disaster - marred by glitches, impotent AI, and shoddy stealth gameplay. In fact, as a third-person stealth shooter, it barely works at all.

But, this being Obsidian, there are plenty of redeeming qualities in the story and RPG side of the game, which is filled with eccentric characters and a fantastic narrative choice system which makes you feel the weight of your decisions more than just about any other RPG out there. As (probably psychopathic) field agent Michael Thorton, you have almost complete control over who lives and dies in the game, and the impact this has on the story is brilliantly convincing.

You almost wish you could just skim through the gameplay and play around with the RPG mechanics,which give this tarnished gem a fiendish level of replayability.

Which games have you played that manage to shine despite their abundant flaws? Let us know in the comments!

Contributor
Contributor

Gamer, Researcher of strange things. I'm a writer-editor hybrid whose writings on video games, technology and movies can be found across the internet. I've even ventured into the realm of current affairs on occasion but, unable to face reality, have retreated into expatiating on things on screens instead.