10 Hated Video Games That Got REALLY Good
5. Halo 5: Guardians (2015)
The first title in the series to be released for the Xbox One, Halo 5 was immediately put on the ropes thanks to 343's decision to remove split-screen multiplayer, a feature that had been in the series since the 2001 original.
Couple this with the mess that was the 24-player Warzone mode and the game's threadbare single-player campaign, and Halo 5's player count dwindled far quicker than most would have expected.
However, credit to 343, the developers almost immediately set to work correcting some of their wrongs from the game's release. Josh Holmes, head of 343, announced that, in order to support a more healthy multiplayer ecosystem, all future maps added to the game would be free for all players - a smart move, given the backlash the game had on launch.
As well as the free maps, the game still receives regular updates as of 2022, and there have been a number of patches that have given players new game modes, features, and weaponry.
The Cartographer's Gift and Memories of Reach patches were both particular high points in Halo 5's redemption, introducing the Forge and Infection game modes, as well as a slew of matchmaking customisation options.