10 Underrated Action-Adventure Games that were Badly Reviewed

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I respect the careful consideration my colleagues worldwide give to video game reviews, but I also recognize that personal opinion always plays a role, and there isn’t one single, definitive right answer.

Because of this, I always make up my own mind about a movie or show before deciding if I like it or not, even if it has very high or very low ratings. I’ve been surprised too many times by going in with a preconceived notion, so I prefer to form my own opinion first.

It’s natural for people to disagree about video games – some praise titles others dismiss, and even flawed games can be fun. This variety of opinions is something we should embrace.

I often find my opinions on games differ from what most people think, so I’d like to share an article highlighting ten action-adventure games that received poor reviews but are actually quite enjoyable.

10. Ryse: Son of Rome

A Captivating Technical Demo

The Xbox One wasn’t a particularly memorable console, but that low bar actually made playing Ryse: Son of Rome surprisingly enjoyable when it first came out.

I often get drawn into action games that are more about looking cool than playing well, and honestly, this game does a remarkably good job of balancing those two things.

It felt a bit like an early technology showcase that was sold as a complete product. While I think the criticism it received was fair, I could also see its strengths – and they weren’t minor.

I actually think people are too harsh when they criticize Ryse: Son of Rome. I’ve played some genuinely terrible games while searching the internet, and Ryse is much more enjoyable and visually impressive – it’s a beautiful, action-packed experience, even if it’s fairly linear.

9. The Order: 1886

Vindicated by Time

You know, it’s funny how games can change over time. It’s pretty common for a game to get a rough reception at first, but then people start to really love it later on. The Order: 1886 is a perfect example of that – it definitely fits that pattern!

Okay, it’s not perfect, and I wouldn’t call it a masterpiece, but you can’t say it doesn’t feel like it came from its era. It really nails what a lot of games from that time were trying to do, and Ready at Dawn actually pulled it off really well, which is impressive.

The movie looked amazing, with stunning visuals and top-notch graphics. While the gameplay wasn’t as showy, it was actually much more fun and rewarding than most people realized back then.

While The Order: 1886 wasn’t built to launch a series of games – and not every game needs to – it arrived at just the right time for me. Years later, it stood out as something truly unique, unlike anything I’d played in the previous ten years, and that makes it a game I still appreciate.

8. ReCore

The Power of Good Ideas

ReCore is a prime example of a game with interesting concepts that ultimately failed due to technical problems at launch. It really didn’t get the attention it deserved.

Over time, the game got better and better, becoming a surprisingly fun adventure. It has a special, unique quality and a really interesting world to explore.

The game is fun and moves well, and it’s gotten better over time with faster loading and more things to do. However, most people have already made up their minds about how good – or not – it is.

Ultimately, this game comes from the creative mind of Keiji Inafune, known for his excellent work, so it’s likely to be impressive. Because of that, ReCore is a game worth revisiting, even if it had issues at launch.

7. Immortals of Aveum

A Magic Shooter That’s a Blast

I’m a big fan of magic-based games, so I think Immortals of Aveum is a really unique experience – it’s the closest thing we’ll get to a fast-paced, action-packed shooter like Call of Duty, but with magic instead of guns, and I don’t think people are giving it enough credit.

Over time, I’ve become more selective about which games I really invest myself in. This one isn’t one of them, so I was able to simply enjoy how satisfying the shooting felt and how that good feeling extended beyond just the battles themselves.

There aren’t many games where you play as a mage and directly cast spells, but if you’ve liked games like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Lichdom: Battlemage, or GhostWire: Tokyo, you’ll immediately understand what this game offers – and it does it exceptionally well.

The story, characters, and overall narrative aren’t very good, but despite that, I really hope Immortals of Aveum gets a sequel – I think it’s genuinely a fun and engaging game.

6. Evil West

Superficial and Engaging Entertainment

Whether you’ll love or hate Evil West is a really divisive issue – it’s one of those games that tends to strongly polarize players, though I personally lean towards enjoying it.

Okay, so it’s not perfect – sometimes it gets a little frustrating and feels like you’re doing the same things over and over. The story doesn’t really add much either. But honestly? I’m totally hooked! The way they built this whole world around vampires and cowboys, and then actually made the gameplay fit that weird, cool theme? When it clicks, it’s just… amazing. It really draws you in if you give it a chance.

Flying Wild Hog understands what makes action games fun, and they consistently deliver satisfying combat. They don’t rely on drawn-out stories or unnecessarily large levels – they just focus on making every fight feel great.

Games like Shadow Warrior, Trek to Yomi, and Evil West all aim for a cinematic feel, and often struggle to find the sweet spot between repetitive gameplay and satisfying mastery. This game manages that balance well, resulting in a genuinely enjoyable experience.

5. Remember Me

Dontnod’s First Banger

Honestly, I still can’t believe Remember Me wasn’t a huge success! It’s the game that first made me a fan of Dontnod Entertainment, and it completely blew me away. It’s where my love for their storytelling began.

The game featured inventive and satisfying close-quarters combat, clever puzzles built into the world around you, a compelling story with a broad scope, and reliable controls – everything you’d want in a fantastic action-adventure title.

Maybe it came out when there were already too many similar games, or people might have thought it didn’t look polished enough. But I still remember how strongly I felt about it back in 2013, and that’s something a truly bad game wouldn’t be able to do.

Naturally, everyone has a right to their own opinion, but I really appreciate that Remember Me was made, and that Dontnod Entertainment has kept creating similar games and trying out new genres. It’s great they didn’t let the harsh criticism of their first game discourage them.

4. Mad Max

Straightforward Adrenaline

I often tell myself I’m done with open-world games, but then one always comes along that reignites my love for them. In 2015, that game was Mad Max.

Unfortunately, critics didn’t share the positive response from players and gave the game poor reviews, despite the widespread support from the user community.

The game features vast, empty environments, constant threats, and a great mix of gunplay and driving. It’s packed with action, offers tons of customization options, and boasts impressive world design. Honestly, I’m baffled as to why it hasn’t received universal acclaim.

Mad Max is a game that almost anyone who enjoys post-apocalyptic settings will love, no matter what kind of games they usually play. It’s simply well-made and engaging, making it hard not to get caught up in everything it offers.

3. Days Gone

A Surprising Undervaluation

Given that Days Gone was a PlayStation exclusive for a long time, I was surprised it wasn’t more popular. It seems to have been underestimated, which is unusual for a big-budget game.

Games like it often receive high praise, but Bend Studio’s game didn’t get the recognition it deserved, even though it was one of the best post-apocalyptic games released in recent years.

The game boasts incredible visuals and strong technology, but it’s the freedom to explore and the constant, challenging gameplay that truly make it a complete and engaging experience, even if it doesn’t reinvent the genre.

The biggest weakness of Days Gone is that it doesn’t really try anything new, but it still does a fantastic job of delivering everything players love about open-world zombie games.

Over time, people have truly come to value this work and many wish a follow-up had been made, despite the fact that it initially received a lukewarm reception.

2. Darksiders 3

Expectations More Than Met

I know Darksiders 3 plays quite differently from the first two games, but I don’t believe that difference is a good enough reason for all the negativity it’s received over time.

Unlike previous games in the series – which were similar to Zelda classics or open-world action games – Fury’s adventure plays more like the challenging titles from FromSoftware, but still offers a high-quality experience fitting for the franchise, just in a different style.

The gameplay is still excellent, the main character and storyline are engaging and well-developed, the boss battles are as exciting as always, and discovering new areas and advancing through the game remain central to the experience. It’s hard to pinpoint any real weaknesses.

While the whip might not seem as immediately impressive as weapons like scythes or greatswords, Gunfire Games cleverly integrated it into the game’s enemies, combat, movement, and puzzles. This thoughtful design choice proves their commitment to innovation over simply repeating what players expect.

Darksiders 3 is a fantastic sequel thanks to its varied environments, the way it constantly adds new skills, and how it’s always improving its story and gameplay. I believe it deserves to be recognized as a great game, just like other titles have been over time.

1. Nier

A Misunderstood Masterpiece

Despite being a truly exceptional game, Nier didn’t receive much attention when it first came out. The only explanation I can think of is that it was simply too innovative for its time.

I don’t understand why such a stunning visual and audio experience – even with its somewhat predictable and outdated technology – has received so much conflicting criticism.

Despite some repetitive combat and movement after about 20 hours of play, I believe the game’s compelling story, memorable characters, distinct style, and incredible soundtrack more than make up for it—by that point, you’ll likely be completely lost in the experience.

Thanks to the success of NieR: Automata and the recent re-release of NieR Replicant, the game has finally gained the recognition it deserves as a beloved classic, which is really satisfying for those of us who enjoyed it years ago.

Despite its strengths, the game only received a score of 67 on Metacritic, which is surprisingly low considering it launched one of Square Enix’s most beloved franchises. This low score likely prevents many players from discovering a truly excellent game.

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2026-05-09 20:42