10 Worst Video Games Launches Of All Time (And If They Got Fixed)
2. Final Fantasy XIV
Disaster: The original release of Final Fantasy XIV in 2010 was a full-blown catastrophe. Square Enix launched the MMO in a barely playable state, with a clunky UI, broken economy, shallow gameplay systems, and bizarre design choices - including the infamous fatigue system that punished players for playing too long!
Critics and fans alike tore it apart, and subscriptions nosedived almost immediately. Even Square Enix admitted failure, with company leadership publicly apologizing for the game's condition. It was so bad that the game’s original director was removed, and support for the title was scaled back just months after launch.
Redemption: Instead of walking away, Square Enix made a bold move: they rebuilt the game from scratch. In 2013, Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn launched, and this time, they nailed it.
With a new engine, improved gameplay, better narrative, and a more accessible design, it quickly earned the respect of the MMO community. Over the years, expansions like Heavensward, Shadowbringers, and Endwalker turned it into one of the best MMOs of all time. Not only did FFXIV recover - it surpassed expectations, becoming a flagship title for Square Enix and the gold standard for redemption stories in gaming.