10 Games Everyone Pretends to Love (But Secretly Didn’t Play)

As a big video game fan, I often find myself having opinions about games before I’ve even had a chance to play them.

It’s now possible to become incredibly knowledgeable about a game just by reading about it online, without ever actually playing it. This is happening more and more often these days.

It’s surprising how often people discuss video games – especially rare or popular ones within specific communities – based on what they’ve heard from others, rather than having played them themselves.

You’d assume this only happens with old or unpopular games, but I’ve noticed it surprisingly often with well-known titles – in fact, these are the ten games people say they love, but haven’t actually played.

10. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

Awarded by All, Explained by Nobody

I avoided the Uncharted games for a long time because they didn’t really appeal to me. However, I always noticed that most people considered Uncharted 2: Among Thieves to be the strongest entry in the series.

The reasons given for why this game was so good mostly focused on how visually impressive it was, but I was even more struck by how well-developed the story, gameplay, and overall feeling of the game were. After experiencing it myself, it all made sense.

This game doesn’t really stand out in any particular way, though some of its cutscenes are momentarily engaging. If people are primarily praising its visuals, it’s likely because they haven’t found much else to enjoy, or they simply haven’t played enough to discover other aspects.

That’s a pretty harsh take, even though I enjoy Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. I suspect people either don’t remember it well or simply haven’t played it, which might explain all the praise it gets.

9. Stray

An Episode of Mass Hysteria

I’m a huge fan of Stray, and I know I’ll get to rave about it on a ‘best of’ list someday. But honestly, this isn’t the right time for that – this particular list just doesn’t let me showcase what makes it so special.

The positive reception to this game is puzzling to me. It seems people haven’t actually played it. It’s essentially a walking simulator, and its best feature is that you play as a cat.

It’s kinda frustrating, honestly. Everyone seems fixated on the fact you play as a cat in this game, but nobody ever talks about the really cool stuff – like how beautiful the environments are, or the interesting ideas the game has about what life could be like after humanity. Those are the things that really grabbed me, but it feels like they get overlooked.

I can see why people feel that way, as Stray isn’t particularly complex either. But it’s a shame people got so focused on the hype around the game being about a cat that they didn’t actually take the time to experience and enjoy it for what it is.

8. Half-Life

Respected by the Name

Although Half-Life was a groundbreaking game for its time, its lasting impact on the industry is more important than the game as it originally was.

It’s a truly excellent game, and its importance is undeniable. People still discuss it today, over twenty years later, even though a proper, updated version hasn’t been released, which is remarkable considering its lasting impact.

Most players probably experienced the game through its multiplayer, which was popular in internet cafes in the early 2000s. Today, however, people are much more likely to play Black Mesa, an unofficial remake that features updated graphics, technology, and overall improvements.

It’s a great game, absolutely, but the widespread preference for it over the original Half-Life isn’t accidental. Sadly, Gordon Freeman’s initial adventure feels more like a historical artifact than something players actually want to play, and that’s disappointing.

7. Journey

A Precursor Too Imposing

Journey is a stunning video game and widely considered one of the greatest indie games ever made. If you haven’t played it yet, consider this a reminder to experience it for yourself.

The game is widely praised, but a lot of that praise actually comes from people experiencing it indirectly – through the music or by watching passionate players share their thoughts and feelings in videos.

Because of how things stand, a lot of people tend to go along with the popular opinion even if they haven’t personally experienced it that way. I’ve observed this repeatedly, particularly with new or unusual projects where the core ideas aren’t immediately clear.

I’m glad people are respecting the general positive feeling about Journey and adding to the good comments. However, I’d really love it if people formed their own opinions instead of just going along with what others say, and experienced the game genuinely for themselves.

6. Cry of Fear

The Power of the Internet

Like the game Journey, Cry of Fear is widely considered a truly exceptional experience. However, while Journey lives up to the hype, Cry of Fear doesn’t quite measure up to the praise it receives.

Okay, so this game didn’t exactly explode onto the scene like some other games from that time. But honestly, it built up this incredible following through people just talking about it. It became a real hidden gem – everyone on the forums was obsessed, and it spread like crazy through memes and fan theories. It was a masterpiece, but a quiet one, you know?

I avoided this content for a while, but eventually checked it out, and that’s when I realized a lot of fans connect with the feeling of Cry of Fear, rather than the game itself. They’re drawn to what it symbolizes, not necessarily the actual experience of playing it.

Overall, this horror game has some interesting concepts but doesn’t quite deliver on them perfectly. What really keeps players engaged, especially younger audiences who love it, is the story and its attempt at being provocative. I’ve seen this before with the game Rule of Rose – it’s easy to spot when a game relies on shock value over substance.

5. Ori and the Blind Forest

The Beauty of the Superficial

While Ori and the Blind Forest is undeniably gorgeous, I think it prioritizes style over meaningful gameplay. It’s a visually stunning game, but ultimately feels a bit shallow.

Honestly, I really love this game’s story – it’s genuinely touching, and it looks amazing. But the gameplay just feels so clunky and old-fashioned compared to other games like it, both the ones that came before and the ones that followed. It’s a bit of a mystery to me why people don’t talk about it more, because it has a lot going for it despite that!

While some people readily compliment the game’s music or visuals, others stay quiet – either because they don’t want to go against the crowd, or because they haven’t experienced it firsthand and can’t fairly evaluate its flaws in areas like level design, how it plays, jumping and movement, or how the game advances.

I enjoy Ori and the Blind Forest, but a lot of the praise it receives actually applies more to its sequel, Ori and the Will of the Wisps. The game’s stunning graphics were a major draw, attracting players who don’t usually play this type of game.

4. Dante’s Inferno

Agent of Selective Memory

Okay, so Dante’s Inferno is one of those games that really surprised me. It totally flew under the radar when it first came out, but it ended up being way better than anyone expected. Everyone calls it underrated, and honestly, I agree – it’s a shame more people didn’t get to play it.

This game initially appears to have everything: fast-paced combat inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy, stunning visuals combining CGI and anime, and plenty of action with blood and mature content. The levels are disturbingly creative, and the enemies are incredibly satisfying to defeat. It’s essentially a great alternative to God of War for players who don’t have a PlayStation or are looking for a similar experience.

Unfortunately, the game loses its momentum halfway through. Progress slows to a crawl, enemies become repetitive, boss fights drag on, there are no more puzzles, and it stops feeling like the enjoyable game it once was.

I still think Dante’s Inferno didn’t get the recognition it deserved. It perfectly hits all the notes that video game fans love to discuss at length, to the point where I automatically assume anyone talking about it hasn’t actually played it or doesn’t remember it well.

3. Demon’s Souls

Almost No One Started Here, But…

As a long-time fan, I’ve always thought the Soulsborne games got better so quickly because the first one, while amazing and totally unique, was built on older tech. It was almost like it had a ton of potential just waiting to be unlocked, which meant each sequel could really push things forward. It was a great starting point, even with its limitations.

Despite being the least played game from FromSoftware in the last two decades, Demon’s Souls is a truly special experience. While it might feel a bit rough around the edges compared to later games – which had to refine many of its features – it has a unique atmosphere and charm that makes it a classic and shouldn’t be overlooked.

It’s significantly different from even the next game in the series, so it’s understandable why many players skip it. This is especially true considering it was once exclusive to a specific platform and has recently become popular again with the release of Demon’s Souls Remake. I’m a big fan of the original, but most people either won’t admit they haven’t tried it or have no interest in playing it.

It’s strange, but criticizing the game feels wrong, like disrespecting a grandfather who used to make mistakes but has since become a good person and built a wonderful life. Time has allowed him to move past his flaws, and the game deserves the same consideration.

I’m happy that Demon’s Souls is primarily remembered for what it did well, rather than its flaws. It’s also amusing how quickly you can spot someone who’s actually played the game when they discuss it.

2. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

The Oracle They Flee From

As a huge fan, I truly believe Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty is a game for the ages – and honestly, I think it’s Hideo Kojima’s finest work. It wasn’t always loved by everyone when it first came out, but it’s aged incredibly well.

Players initially had doubts about the game, but they eventually learned to enjoy it for what it was, rather than what they expected. More recently, the game has become even more popular because it surprisingly predicted many things about the internet, how we handle information, and artificial intelligence, solidifying its importance in the gaming community.

Even so, this game still feels very dated. It has awkward controls, gameplay that doesn’t flow well, and graphics that look like they’re from the early 2000s. The story is confusing and hard to understand, so there aren’t many compelling reasons to play it.

It’s simpler to just look up information online about why people enjoy it and then play the game, rather than experiencing the older, though impressive, method of playing through Big Shell, learning about Raiden, meeting Iroquois Pliskin, and facing challenges like fighting Vamp.

Everyone acknowledges that Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty is a great game, but its difficulty to get into, complicated story, and lack of appeal to modern gamers make it feel like a highly respected professor that students tolerate only because of their reputation, not because they genuinely connect with the material.

1. BioShock Infinite

Many Lighthouses, Many Lies

I have a complicated relationship with BioShock Infinite. When I first played it, it felt revolutionary and completely changed how I thought about video games. However, over time, my opinion of it has diminished.

I’ve noticed others have also talked about this online, wondering why its popularity has gone down. Despite that, many still consider it one of the best games from its era, and they usually say the same things when explaining why.

Everyone focuses on Columbia and the surprising story of BioShock Infinite, but rarely discusses other important parts of the game. Things like plot holes, the overreliance on simple shooting mechanics similar to Call of Duty, and the disappointing storylines of groups like the Vox Populi are often ignored. It’s strange that these negative elements, which actually keep the game from being truly great, aren’t part of the conversation about its overall quality.

I think part of why this keeps happening is because we all have our own tastes, and what we love tends to color how we see things. But it feels like more than that here. People mostly just talk about how great this work is, and not really about the work itself. It’s like the feeling it gave us back then is so strong, it overshadows any real discussion or different opinions about what it actually is.

I think BioShock sparked way more interesting debates because, honestly, everyone actually played the game. With BioShock Infinite, though, it feels like all the praise is just…echoing. It doesn’t feel like a genuine agreement, but more like people are talking about it from a distance, relying on what they remember or what critics said. It’s a shame, because I still think Infinite is an amazing game, and it deserves to be discussed based on actual experiences, not just secondhand opinions.

2025-11-18 00:42