5 Games to Avoid This Year

"Every year, games are released surrounded by a media blitz designed to get the game in your face and ready for consumption. These teaser trailers and preview events are created with the sole purpose of getting you to buy a specific game because you think it’s going to live up to that hype or its predecessors. Unfortunately, the reality of the situation is that some of these games aren’t worth the $60 you spend on them." - Stealthy Box

[BattleReach]

Can't agree with this article. Assassins Creed IV will be a fantastic game, and for mothers Wii Fit U will be a great game. And I pre-ordered Dead Island Riptide yet, the original was just fun to play with friends.

[DasTier]

Yep, even with all its issues, Dead Island is one of my favorite Zombie games ever.

[blitz0623]

I agree with this. I am avoiding all those games this year

[RonRico]

Yup, Dead Island was really fun in co-op with friends.

[MaxXAttaxX]

I agree with the list.
Sue me.

[Dark_Overlord]

I'll be avoiding DIR for a while, after the glitch fest that DI was (I brought it after all the patches) I'll wait for others to confirm the game works before buying it :)

[AliTheSnake1]

Asking Assassin's creed to stop is really stupid. AC3 had the biggest innovation. And AC4 looks like it's gonna be basically red dead redemption pirate themed and assassins. If it was called red dead pirates you would like it. Assassin's creed games should keep coming as long as they are decent games. btw money they get from AC is what makes games like WatchDogs . Skipping Dead island is also stupid, unless you have no friends to play with. The moment we finished dead island we wanted more.

[grailly]

of course we would like red dead pirates, because red dead redemption was actually a good game.

[HammadTheBeast]

Just cause AC3 was "innovative", why should AC4 get away with not being innovative? Basically they're cashing in on peoples' love for the ship sections, and it looks the same as AC3 along with a blend of Revelations.

[MaxXAttaxX]

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag sounds cool, but it's still Assassin's Creed.
http://n4g.com/news/1226329...

And if they started development on this game along side AC3, it means they haven't had the time to learn from their mistakes. Because seriously, AC3 was flawed.

[ShinMaster]

True^
Assassin's Creed games always sound cool. But that's about it.

[GuyBanks]

Assassin's Creed will soon be just as the beloved Call of Duty series... a yearly rehash - and to say it's any different is ignorant.

http://www.forbes.com/sites...

[AliTheSnake1]

You know if they took a year or two break. you still going to get the same game that was planned .
I just don't understand how AC 3 was "milking" Please someone explain, all I see is brainless "dislikes". Again I didn't play AC 3 on launch so I didn't get most of the bugs some of you got.AC3 was innovative big time for me. You know what's funny ? Half of you say AC3 sucked because the assassinations were not like the other AC games. The other half say It sucked because It is the same thing over and over as before.Double Standard

[violents]

Im playing AC3 right now and loving every.minute, cant wait for black flag either, ill admit there are a few drawbacks in AC3 bit overall a very good game.

[Donnieboi]

I will definitely be skipping AC 4. It needs a break.

[Conzul]

I'll be skipping anything that requires an always-on-internet-connexion. I don't care how AAA it is. Hope AC IV doesn't fall into that category.

[ThreshStar]

So, the two franchises that have horrible release builds, non-stop glitches, half-baked concepts and borderline lying with their advertising means one thing:

You believe broken, half-finished products are good. I cannot in good conscience ever take you seriously as a decent, moral gamer.

In the great words of Billy Madison: "May God have mercy on your soul".

Yuck. Gonna need a shower after your comment.

[CapsLocke]

AC will be the same game as every year, Uni is milking franchise bad.

[-Superman-]

Why Avoid or not avoid?
Liberalism - Freedom
People choice what they want to buy and play. Why just block players who are interested in Dead Island or Wii U fit?
People should have freedom to buy what ever they want.

[Zhipp]

Whateva! I'll buy what I want!

[Godmars290]

The issue with AC4 - the whole franchise as it currently stands - is that by aiming for one every year will be low quality of story, and little to any chance of making up for mistakes in a prior game. If there's a bad or ill conceived mechanic and its carried over, its going to continue being bad 2-3 more games.

[DasTier]

I wouldn't be surprised if Riptide and Black Flag are two of the best games this year.

It definitely won't be hard for them to surpass the level of the previous entries in their respective series.

[Conzul]

Ah....yes, it WILL be hard for them, because they are at best generation-gapping. If they were for 720 or PS4 only, THEN they'd easily surpass prior installments.

[BanBrother]

Haven't played AC3 yet, played all the others. Revelations was a disgrace. Fun game, but the story was so obviously rushed to get it out the door. I didn't even know thengame had ended until I got the trophy.

Ubisoft will release AC4 broken or not. I do not trust them after Revelations. Disappointing to say the least.

[matrixman92]

i will be buying riptide and AC4

[IcyEyes]

Wii fit U will help a lot to boost the sale.

[ziratul]

He who wrote this is complete idiot.

AC IV: Black Flag is my most anticipated title this year. I will buy PS3 version.

I don't want to compare ACIV with ACII they will be two completely different games. Why so much hate for AC IV???

[Wingsfan24]

Because it's "cool" to hate on everything that's popular and sells well. It's so annoying, considering half the people here who complain and bitch will end up buying the game anyways.

[DavePSU]

I skipped AC3 entirely. I'll be skipping ACIV as well. Has nothing to do with a game being popular or not. I'm also a huge AC and AC2 fan as well.

[RememberThe357]

I've played all the AC games on console and I'll be playing AC4 as well. I didn't really like AC3 and I didn't like Conner so I'm glad he's gone, but AC4 looks dope.

Apparently it's become cool to hate on AC, but everything I've seen from AC4 makes me want to play it.

I have to agree with rpd below, he stated my thoughts exactly. This series has kept my attention over the years so it's doing something right that someone else hasn't done better.

[ziratul]

ACIII was different. I got bored with Italian Ezio... ACIII environments, quests were really something different and new. I agree game has problems... oh well... every game has problems.

[rpd123]

I don't know. Regardless of yearly release, Assassin's Creed is always enjoyable. Once it stops being fun, then I'll have a problem with it. I have to believe some people just hate it because it's popular to hate it. Black Flag is one of my most anticipated, just as AC games always are for me. If a franchise can bring me back for more every year, then they're doing something right.

[Jek_Porkins]

I loved Dead Island, and it was absolutely a blast to play with friends, so I'm getting Riptide for sure. Assassins Creed gets a lot of hate now, but the games are always fun and never broken beyond fixing, so for $60 you cant really go wrong with those games if your a fan. The rest I probably wont get, but if your a gamer, you buy games.

[fsfsxii]

AC4
BF4
COD 10 or 16 whatever i lost count
Yeah, thats my list, i'll be putting all my focus on JRPGs this year starting with Hyperdimension

[RAYMEISTER]

All of em...till they drop in price :)

[dasbeer88]

I won't be buying games that will require DRM.

[Red_Devilz]

Amen to that!

[WeAreLegion]

Terrible article. Terrible choices.

I'm WTFing and NOing this site. -_-

[MeatAbstract]

I dunno about Assassins Creed IV. I wasn't at all impressed by III and it looks like they basically took the ship mechanics from the third game and build a game around it.

I haven't even completed AC3 because I was so bored of it.

[GABRIEL1030]

I take note of these overexploited and bored sequels thanks¡

[DEATHxTHExKIDx]

ill be getting Lightning Returns

[Run_bare]

Same here

[rammstein91]

except lost planet 3 the list makes sense,since ubi change ac into annual repetitive game i'm alienated from the series..and i dont even condescend to comment on l4d knockoff dead island

[No_Pantaloons]

I'm blown away by some of you, that article was spot on!

AC:BF is yet another rushed half-assed sequel, with new gimmicky additions and more ship combat. I've beat them all and its been downhill since brotherhood, not to mention how they're going to even tie it in after that ending (AC3), but their not milking it.... sure.

I actually liked dead island, but it gets boring after a while. No replay value and a weak story. This one will be better, but not spectacular by any means.

Another sorta FF13 game no one asked for! Yup that's hitting the bargain bin after a few weeks.

Wii Fit U I doubt simply because those casuals still don't even know what the wiiU is. To sell that you've got to sell the system and its tablet. It's not intuitive like the wii where they see it and understand.

[rpd123]

I was under the impression AC4 Black Flag won't be released until November. When did you get a chance to play it? Oh, that's right, you didn't.

Milking implies that the quality of the product is bad. Compared to previous installments, AC3 had a badly paced story. But to say it was a bad game is ridiculous. The revamped combat system, new weapons,being able to climb trees,tons of side quests, and the sheer size of the world to explore all made it a great game. The story could have been handled better, but it was still enjoyable. It may not live up to the reputation of AC2 (none of them do in my opinion, in terms of story anyway)but it sure as hell made as many changes as AC2 did that made it feel fresh compared to Brotherhood and Revelations.

[Evil_Ryu]

I agree 100 percent with this article i will be keeping away from all those titles

[Roccetarius]

I'll be staying at a good distance from these games as well. This is spot on.

[KaBaW]

I'll be picking up both Assassins Creed: Black Flag and Dead Island: Riptide.
Not sure when I'll pick up the both of em, but I'll have both eventually.

[Eyeco]

I agree 80% with this article

Dead Island Riptide Hated the 1st thought it was broken buggy, glitchy, combat was unrewarding and clunky just a chore to play, the new one looks exactly the same.

Lost Planet 3- I actually like these games for personal reasons

Assassins Creed Black Flag- I won't be buying this for the same reason I won't be buying COD MW4, Fifa 14, Madden ect

Lightning Returns - Square Enix is dead to me nuff said

Wii Fit U- Lol

[Greyslash]

I agree with Dead Island and Asscreed, Dead Island 1 was one of the worst games I've played this gen, and Asscreed was always a mediocre game. Lost Planet may be a sleeper, and who knows, maybe Lightning Returns will do something right.

[BlueEye]

I look forward to Riptide and Lightning Return and some dude on the internet is not gonna change my mind. Not much of a fan of AC but I bet it will be fine.

[Neko_Mega]

Assassins Creed: Black Flag I will get the PS4 one and I'll even order the L.E. one too.

The other games I don't care for, when it comes to AC. The first one was good and then they started going downhill an then AC3 came out. And it finally made me want to play it again, as for the online..... Don't care for it, the only games I will really play online is games like COD and Battlefield.

[Twinzclipz]

we must avoid Call of Duty and Battlefield

[Baka-akaB]

whatever you guys say , i'm buying AC4 , I still enjoyed ACIII and look forward to the pirate angle . Some people are full f it and have short term memory , the first ac game was bashed like crazy at release , but now they backflip and declare their love for it ?

Somewhat good but incredibly repetitive and dull was the consensus among many mags and sites back then .

[Jyndal]

Funny thing is that AC3 had the game return to many elements of AC1. The eavesdropping, the broken up levels you had to travel in between. Anyone who enjoyed the first AC should have been thrilled with AC3.

[Baka-akaB]

So far i've enjoyed them all , except brotherhood wich , i guess for good reasons i didnt purchase . People can act all jaded and tired if they want , not even a clone has stepped up to the plate and is proposing a somewhat history focused sandbox game (except , and from way way afar stuff like Ryu ga Kotoga Kenzan)

[spektical]

eh i love some assassins creed. love the historical elements. I will get it.

[BladerunnerZX]

Looking forward to Lost Planet 3.

Im burned out on Call of Duty. MW3 was the last COD that I even remotely enjoyed. After the lackluster Black Ops 2 I have no interest in COD.

[Jyndal]

This article is pointless.

[ThreshStar]

How about this:

How about we as gamers, NOT buy these games that will be broken, glitch-ridden, and ultimately underwhelming so-called "AAA" titles at full price.

Instead, by them no more than $30.00. That way, game developers will think twice in assuming that unfinished games = full value.

[Novistador]

enjoy spending 60$ on 10hrs of gameplay.

[MidnytRain]

I thought that was a pretty decent deal for a good game...

[ifritAlkhemyst]

Where does Lost Planet 3 fit into this? We've seen almost nothing on it. The rest I agree with. After AC3 I'm done with that series for sure.

[Yodagamer]

I think it's got more to do with the dev behind it. Spark unlimited's best game was finest hour and even that was considered average, but the author forgot to mention that as i assume that is why he feels everyone is going to be disappointed with it

[BALLARD32]

Don't understand the Assassin's Creed hate. I guess it's because it's an annual title and people automatically write them off. Your loss, people. It innovates more than your other annual games i.e. Madden, CoD, etc.. I'll be getting Black Flag for sure.

[DarthJay]

Not only will I be buying Assassin's Creed IV, but I will be buying the absolute most expensive version complete with statue. Oh, and I can't wait to do it.

[Ser]

Not buying any of these...

So...done, I guess. *I'm so done with Assassin's Creed*

[Knightofelemia]

Dead Island Riptide I might get when it drops in price. Assassin Creed 4 Im not sure about it yet I need a break from the franchise. I might get it when it drops in price as well. I was never a fan of Lost Planet so I won't be getting that game. And Lightening Returns I will defeinetly get when it drops in price. I can pick up FF13-2 for $20. Right now its be picky on the games. And use the cash for PS4 and Xbox 720.

[Shotcalm-]

Assassins creed iv could be great...the rest i agree with

[Kamikaze135]

Sorry, but this is a stupid article. Seems more like a forum post than an actual article.

[Chapter11]

Call of Duty 2013, Battlefield 2013, Assassins Creed 2013. These are all the games you need to pass. You're killing the industry and your own brain cells with this garbage.

[Spenok]

Funny, the only game on this list I will be "Avoiding," and by avoiding I just mean not buying. Is Wii Fit U.

There's really no reason to avoid these games, seeing as how they are not released, and we don't know how good they are going to end up being.

Sure, if they suck then avoid them.

[HonestDragon]

I agree with mainly one game from that list: Final Fantasy XIII The Return of Lightning. I said it once, I'll say it again, "I regret buying Final Fantasy XIII." It is THE game that I regret purchasing from this generation. The sequel may have been slightly better, but its scenario was incredibly forced.

It was just a way for Square Enix to "fix the problems" that fans had with the first game. And now there's going to be a third installment that no one even asked or hinted for. Square Enix, you're better than this. Stop pushing the Final Fantasy XIII saga and get back to making better games.

[Valenka]

Whenever I see articles like this, I know they're just dying for hits to their website. Dead Island Riptide and Wii Fit U are the only games on that list that are justifiably right in my eyes. Assassin's Creed games are always hits, Lost Planet 3 has caught my eye and ACTUALLY, I wanted Lightning to return, so that website can go jump off a cliff.

[Geovanny]

I agree on all the games especially Wii fit U.

[tweet75]

like every year ill be buying games 6 months late and getting some great gaming for a whole lot less money.

[Bobby Kotex]

One site to avoid this year: stealthybox.com

[sharkraiden0]

I have to agree with this article AC4 will be pretty bad Like some AC3 dlc.
I skip AC4 i wait for the REAL NEXT GEN AC=AC5 created by Jade Raymond

[talisker]

There are so many blog sites listing things that I tend to avoid them.

Top 100 blogs to avoid, anyone?

[Excalibur]

So I'm supposed to avoid Dead island because it has zombies in it? Well I happened to really enjoy the first so until I read massive reviews trashing it it's still on my to-do list.

[EffectO]

More like Stupidbox.Naval missions are the best thing in AC3.

[TemplarDante]

Article hit the nail on the head!

[Sideras]

Well apparently he though AC1 to be fun. AC2 was great up to revelations that felt really unecessary except for exploring Constantinople that was nice. AC3 is still better than AC1. But it looks like AC4 will take some significant steps.

Difference between Activision/EA and Ubisoft, is that atleast Ubisoft is trying.

[Alos88]

Looks like a list of things to rent rather than outright avoid, if it was a list of things to avoid crap like Colonial Marines and Survival Instinct would definitely be on there.

[NightStalker33]

Definitely skipping Riptide. The original game had style, but it felt like a failed RPG version of L4D. Once the whole "Free Roam Zombies on an Island" gimmick died down, so did the game.

Lost Planet 2 was just disappointing. I was hoping for more epic battles in massive suits against larger-sized creatures, Monster Hunter style, not copy/pasted enemies with weak A.I. Lost Planet 3 looks like a even more dumbed down shooter.

I'm getting Assassin’s Creed IV. It may be getting "repetitive" as a series, but the game looks interesting, and took the best part of AC3 and built on it.The only AC game that I considered to be milking the series was revelations.

Never played Final Fantasy, don't plan on starting. Not since people say that the best one is 7, and that the rest are mediocre.

Again, Gimmick that I won't start. I'll save my money on something better for Wii U. Most likely Bayonneta.

[Alos88]

People say the rest of them are mediocre? That's definitely not true.

[Deku-Johnny]

All of those actually look like decent games.

[jameson12345]

It's kinda short sighted and pessimistic to say avoid any games. If you don't want it don't buy it. Don't try to get others to stop wanting a game just because of your negative outlook on the gaming industry. Also,unless they follow games like Aliens Colonial Marines, which was both a false advertisement and overall "WTF Happened?!" moment, I doubt these games will be bad enough for you to feel the need to tell others to avoid them.