The Game I Thought I’d Love—But Ended Up Hating

Sometimes the hype just doesn’t match the experience.

We’ve all been there—counting down the days, watching trailers on repeat, reading every early review. That one game that seemed like a perfect fit. Maybe it was the genre, the graphics, the studio behind it, or just the sheer buzz surrounding its release. I had one of those moments. And unfortunately… it turned into one of my biggest gaming disappointments.

The Hype Was Real

The game in question? [Insert Game Title] (Yes, I know—some people swear by it, but hear me out). Everything leading up to its release had me hooked. The visuals looked stunning, the world seemed rich with lore, and the gameplay promised something both innovative and nostalgic. It was supposed to be my kind of game.

The First Few Hours Were… Fine

When I finally got my hands on it, I was excited. The opening scenes pulled me in, and I kept waiting for that wow moment. But after a few hours, I found myself checking the clock more often than I was checking the map. The pacing felt off, the mechanics started to drag, and worse—none of the characters felt memorable.

What Went Wrong?

• Repetitive gameplay: What looked exciting in trailers ended up being shallow and tedious in practice.

• Overpromised features: Several mechanics that were hyped just didn’t deliver or were barely noticeable.

• Bland writing: The story had potential, but it was let down by forgettable dialogue and predictable twists.

• Too much hand-holding—or not enough: Depending on where I was in the game, I was either being spoon-fed or totally lost.

I kept pushing forward, hoping it would click. But eventually, I had to be honest with myself: I wasn’t enjoying it.

The Takeaway

This experience reminded me that hype isn’t everything. Sometimes a game that checks all the boxes on paper just doesn’t land for you personally—and that’s okay. Gaming is subjective. What feels immersive and brilliant to one person might feel dull or frustrating to another.

I don’t regret trying the game—if anything, it taught me to manage expectations better and not rely solely on pre-release buzz. And while I may have hated it, I’m glad it exists for the people who do love it.

So now I turn the question to you:
What’s a game you thought you’d love but ended up hating? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to know I’m not alone!