Players have recently been discussing those relatively mediocre games that are in fact “masterpieces,” at least in the eyes of their beholder. The matter has alreadysparked a lively debateon Resetera, players of all preferences chiming in with a few of their favorite games of this particular variety.
While some believe that true masterpieces should receive near universal acclaim and recognition, others clearly disagree with this idea, pointing out that poorly received games can still be fantastic experiences and have a lasting impact on the games industry. They argue that review scores don’t always coincide with a game’s quality or even its legacy.
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“While my tastes in games usually align somewhat closely with critical consensus, there have certainly been a few instances where they deviate substantially. Sometimes a game will receive a higher overall score than I personally think it deserves,” the original poster, ScOULaris, remarked about the matter, “but even in those cases, I still agree that they are great games. This thread is about a rarer occurrence when the critical reception of a game that I consider a masterpiece is middling to average.” ScOULaris went on to say that while some of these games are “admittedly flawed and janky,” they tend to “scratch a very specific itch for me,” noting how “there is only one that I consider to be a bonafide masterpiece: Hotline Miami 2.”
Some of the other games to have come into question arePrey,Mirror’s Edge, andWolfenstein: The New Order. “Amazing game with a ton of heart,” the user CHC exclaimed about Wolfenstein: The New Order. “Tale as old as time, when it comes to me, but I genuinely think thatSea of Thievesis a modern masterpiece,” GhostCrew added.
The question of what makes a game a masterpiece is naturally subjective and open to interpretation. While some players might consider a game to be a masterpiece based on its mechanics, others may for example value the aesthetics or story a lot more highly. The ongoing debate on Resetera highlights the importance of individual perspectives, especially when it comes to determining the impact of any particular game.
As the games industry continues to evolve and expand, it’s likely that we’ll see more games that challenge our definitions of what constitutes a masterpiece. Regardless of their reception, the true legacy of these games will be determined by the impact which they have on players and the industry as a whole. In the end, the question of whether poorly received games can be considered masterpieces remains a matter of opinion. What’s truly important, on the other hand, is that gamers continue to engage in thoughtful discussions about what makes a game great and why certain games have a lasting impact on their lives.
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