6 Popular Games We Wish We Loved (But Just Couldn’t Get Into)

Every gamer has that game—the one everyone raves about, the one critics give perfect scores, the one your friends insist will “click” if you just give it more time. But no matter how many second chances you give it, you just…don’t love it. Today, we’re talking games we desperately wish we loved, but couldn’t.

1. Death Stranding – A Walking Simulator Too Far

Let’s start with the divisive masterpiece from Kojima himself: Death Stranding. On paper, this should have been a game for the ages, breathtaking visuals, deep storytelling, and that signature Kojima weirdness. In reality? For one of us, it was less meditative journey and more endurance test.

The early game is infamous for its slow pace. While fans argue that pushing through the first 4–5 hours unlocks something magical, not everyone has the patience to reach that promised land. One of us described it as “physically painful” to play, struggling through endless deliveries with little payoff.

2. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain – A Deserted Experience

Sticking with Kojima, Metal Gear Solid V feels like the ultimate betrayal. As a follow-up to the beloved MGS4, it should have been the next big step. Instead, its open-world design, desert landscapes, and ‘80s aesthetic just didn’t resonate with some.

Despite trying to get into it five times, one of us officially gave up. While many fans hail it as the series' peak, for some players, the emotional connection just wasn’t there.

3. Final Fantasy VII Remake – Nostalgia Missed the Mark

This one’s guaranteed to ruffle feathers: Final Fantasy VII Remake. For those of us who grew up loving the original, this was supposed to be a triumphant return to Midgar. Instead, it felt like a grind.

From the combat mechanics to the reimagined characters, nothing clicked. Even after multiple attempts and deep dives for one of us, it felt like slogging through a game that just didn’t honor the nostalgia we carried.

That said, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is still in the backlog, offering a glimmer of hope for redemption.

4. Kingdom Come: Deliverance II – Realism Overload

On the surface, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is a medieval dream: lush graphics, sprawling landscapes, and a grounded, realistic world. But the keyword there? “Realistic.” For some of us, that realism crosses the line into pure tedium.

Complex crafting, finicky combat, and glacial pacing turned what looked like an epic adventure into a frustrating slog. Instead of feeling immersed in medieval life, it felt like we were stuck in a simulation that forgot to be fun.

5. Marvel Rivals – A Hero Shooter That Falls Flat

Marvel Rivals started strong. Those first five hours? Absolute joy. But then, like a twist in a comic book storyline, cracks appeared. Unbalanced heroes, lackluster updates, and general design decisions left one of us longing for Overwatch, which suddenly felt like the gold standard again.

While hero shooters live and die by their balancing updates, it seems Marvel Rivals doesn’t even want to chase that perfection. Without serious rebalancing, it’s tough to imagine coming back.

6. Friday the 13th – Horror Nostalgia Meets Technical Nightmares

Sometimes, even love from a friend can’t salvage a game. Friday the 13th looked like chaotic fun, especially with its proximity chat system (a feature every multiplayer game should copy). But the good ends there.

With janky graphics, clunky gameplay, and a frustrating community experience, the game just couldn’t deliver the thrills it promised. It’s a cult classic for sure, but not everyone’s invited to that cult.

What’s Your “I Wish I Loved It” Game?

Alright, now it's your turn. Have we dissed your favorite game? Or do you have a game that everyone seems to adore but left you cold?

Drop your thoughts in the comments! Let’s get the discussion going, and feel free to flame us (gently) if we’ve crossed any lines with our picks.