10 Most Overrated Video Games Of The Decade (So Far)

Although they’ve been creating games for roughly 30 years, it was 2021’s roguelike third-person shooter Returnal that put developer Housemarque on the map. At the same time, it became one of PlayStation’s biggest new IPs.

Framed around an astronaut who gets stuck in a time cycle while investigating a peculiar signal, Returnal’s horror/sci-fi vibe and gameplay loop makes it as addictive as it is scary. Of course, its immersive audio/visuals and unique weapons/perks are the cherries on top of that inherently appealing sundae.

Nonetheless, Returnal isn’t quite the masterpiece its reputation indicates.

While it presents a variety of tools with which to rescue yourself and fight foes, they could be more diverse and substantial (not to mention less randomly generated). On the surface, the plot is interesting, but it runs out of steam long before Returnal reaches its climax, too.

Adding insult to injury, and recognizing that roguelikes are usually unforgivingly difficult, the game’s strict Suspend Cycle and checkpoint rules mean that players potentially waste hours on productive runs that never get saved. Unsurprisingly, only about 20% of players roll credits because of its toughness and/or tedium.

It’s fair to say that Returnal isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.