The PlayStation Plus catalog serves as a rich repository of games, offering subscribers a wide array of titles to explore each month. This expansive selection provides gamers the opportunity to try out new genres and experiences that they might not have otherwise considered.

However, this freedom to choose can lead to unintended time-wasting ventures. Gamers may find themselves entrenched in less-than-stellar games when they could be enjoying noteworthy titles. With so much competition for our precious leisure time, it’s crucial to prioritize entertainment that truly delivers.

This article aims to shed light on some games that, while initially appealing or seemingly innovative, ultimately fall short of expectation, allowing you to bypass them in favor of superior options available on the platform.

We are not criticizing games based solely on poor reviews; instead, we focus on those titles that display some intrigue but fail to provide lasting enjoyment. Here’s a rundown of our selections:

10 Crime Boss: Rockay City

Rockay Road Ahead

Amidst the rich offerings of titles like Payday, Crime Boss: Rockay City fails to carve out its niche. Even with a celebrity cast, this game resembles a haphazard imitation of existing heist-centric co-op shooters. Factors such as lackluster shooting mechanics, simplistic AI, disjointed mission structures, and an inconsistent roguelike system impede any potential enjoyment.

Though visually decent, the game’s B-movie aesthetic and Chuck Norris’s charm cannot redeem the overall experience. For those who value their gaming time, this title is best left on the shelf.

9 Tails Noir

Style Over Substance

Tails Noir captures attention with its captivating visuals and indie detective storyline but ultimately disappoints in gameplay. The game lacks engaging detective mechanics, failing to provide players with the detective work expected in such titles. While it attempts to tell an interesting narrative, the execution often leaves much to be desired, offering little real choice in dialogue that merely guides players to the same conclusion.

Although it includes intriguing themes, alternatives like Paradise Killer and Return of the Obra Dinn in the catalog deliver far superior experiences.

8 Salt & Sacrifice

Don’t Sacrifice Your Free Time

Fans of challenging titles may consider Salt and Sacrifice a tempting prospect, especially since it follows the highly-regarded Salt and Sanctuary. Unfortunately, this sequel drops the ball significantly. The game’s Mage Hunts turn boss battles into frustrating scavenger hunts, trading excitement for monotony.

The co-op experience lacks depth, crafting features feel underwhelming, and despite its atmospheric design, the storyline and lore are disappointingly shallow. Ultimately, it’s a lackluster sequel that could tarnish the legacy of its predecessor.

7 Empire of Sin

More X-Con Than XCOM

The concept of Empire of Sin excites those who enjoy Mafia themes layered with tactical gameplay reminiscent of XCOM. However, it falls short of delivering the refined experience associated with Paradox Interactive’s other titles. From unreliable AI to cumbersome mechanics, it feels more like a patronizing cash-in on gangster lore than a genuine tactical strategy experience.

Lamentably, it fails to grasp what made tactical gameplay engaging, illustrating a missed opportunity that leaves gamers wanting a deeper connection to historical narrative and strategy.

6 Lake

Far From Express Delivery

Even the most devoted fans of walking simulators may struggle to find enjoyment in Lake. The game establishes an intention to reflect the slow pace of life in a sleepy town, but it ends up being painfully tedious. Lengthy stretches of inactivity—combined with an underdeveloped narrative—diminish its charm.

If the world had been more vibrant or if the story delivered meaningful insights, perhaps the pacing could be forgiven. Instead, it proves to be more of a catnap than a thought-provoking experience.

5 Atlas Fallen: Reign of Sand

A Barren Desert

As unremarkable titles flood the market, Atlas Fallen certainly joins the ranks of games that look appealing but deliver little substance. It offers visually stunning graphics and an innovative sand-surfing mechanic, yet it feels like an off-brand attempt to replicate the success of Monster Hunter.

For those seeking genuine experiences akin to this franchise, true offerings reside within the PS Plus catalog, making this imitation unworthy of your attention.

4 South Park: The Fractured But Whole

Having set high expectations with the successful franchise installment The Stick of Truth, The Fractured But Whole fails to recapture the magic of its predecessor. Though it retains some comedic value and RPG elements, it feels simplistic and often redundant, emphasizing style over the depth that fans yearn for.

For those familiar with the original, it’s advisable to skip this sequel to preserve affection for the series, which this installment threatens to diminish.

3 Source of Madness

Lovecraft, Not Lovingly Crafted

While Lovecraftian themes can greatly enhance a gaming experience, Source of Madness is anything but cohesive. Marketed as a roguelike with procedurally generated elements, the inconsistent gameplay mechanics lead to disorganized encounters that disrupt immersion.

It fails to capitalize on its inspirations, emerging instead as a shadow of its contemporaries, resulting in a frustrating experience rather than the engaging exploration expected of such creative influences. Simply put, it’s a concept that deserves more careful execution.

2 Thief (2014)

Chair Time

Longtime fans of the classic series may feel a twinge of nostalgia for Thief (2014), but this modern iteration disappoints significantly. It disregards the core gameplay elements that made earlier titles beloved by players, presenting a constricted and linear experience devoid of the rich player agency that defined its predecessors.

In doing so, it strays far from the immersive sim label, rendering it unworthy of the franchise’s legacy. Avoid this game if you seek depth and true player engagement.

1 Back 4 Blood

A Shallow Knock-Off

Understanding the allure of Back 4 Blood is easy for fans hoping to recapture the essence of Left 4 Dead, but this aspiration falls flat. While the original franchise thrived on its intelligent Director AI that tailored each campaign dynamically, B4B suffers from inconsistent AI, leading to frustrating encounters that detract from the intended co-op experience.

With uninspired characters, a lack of engaging campaigns, and an unwieldy card system, Back 4 Blood does not live up to its legacy, offering a much shallower experience than its renowned predecessor.

Source & Images

Related Articles:

Top 10 Survival Games Featuring Soulslike Mechanics

14:03July 13, 2025

Top 10 Metroidvania Games to Convert You into a Fan

13:05July 13, 2025

Comprehensive Reggie Guide: Master the Art of Dating Everything

18:44July 12, 2025

Top 10 Iconic Boss Fights From the PS1 Era

15:03July 12, 2025

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Director’s Journey from Ubisoft Boredom to 2 Million Game Sales

Wall Street Enthusiastic About Palantir’s Impressive Performance, But Analyst Cautions “Valuation Must Matter,” While Another Predicts Stock Will Stay “Range-Bound”

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *