Sometimes, you see a game that seemingly checks the right boxes, and you rush to place your preorder. Then release day comes. You play the game for a few minutes or hours only to realize it's a disappointment.
Getting a refund for the game can be a nightmare. Most digital storefronts won't refund your money if you've downloaded or played the game for a few hours. And many major retailers won't refund the disk version unless it's physically damaged.
But you can save yourself the trouble by looking for these seven signs that a game will probably disappoint you.
1. "Gameplay" Trailer Without the Gameplay
Have you ever watched something the developer dubs a "Gameplay Trailer" and asked yourself at the end, "Where is the gameplay?" If the developer is trying to distract you with flashy cinematic tricks, or pre-rendered visuals that show no actual gameplay, then there is a good chance the game is not in a good state.
It boils down to false advertising to get you to preorder the game by playing with your expectations of what the final product could be. While the game might turn out to be good, if a cinematic teaser disguised as a gameplay trailer is all you have to go on for months on end, then that's a warning sign.
2. Pay-to-Win Mechanics
If a developer announces that they've included a form of microtransactions that will grant you some advantage in the game, even over other players, then that game is pay-to-win. They may even justify their existence by saying they're there to save players grinding time and that purchasing them is completely optional.
However, pay-to-win mechanics are a warning sign because, more often than not, developers will design their games around them to nickel-and-dime players.
For instance, if they want you to purchase better guns for real-world money, they can fill the game with bullet sponges. These enemies can take dozens of clips to put down with the guns you unlock through normal gameplay, forcing you to visit the in-game store a shell out some actual cash.
The same goes for multiplayer games, where players who can afford better weapons and armor can practically become invulnerable to you unless you buy similar gear to face them head-on. In this scenario, the pay-to-win mechanics can severely imbalance the game, leading to massive disappointment if you can't afford to put more money into it despite paying full price.
3. The Beta Is Too Buggy Close to Launch
When a game developer releases a Beta to the public, they want you to test it and point out any bugs or problems you may find. Betas tend to be buggy, and you cannot fault them for that because the expectation is that the developers will iron out any kinks before the final release.
If you played a bug-ridden Beta and there isn't enough time for the developers to fix most of them before next month's launch, then the game's current state is what you might get.
4. You're Still Seeing Scripted Gameplay Reveals Close to Release Day
It makes sense for game companies to curate their live demos to avoid mishaps during early development. At this point, players just want to see the fun bits without a glitch or crash spoiling the presentation. But as the game's release window draws closer, these scripted gameplay reveals can be a warning sign that the developer doesn't want you to see something.
You never know what these staged gameplay scenarios could be hiding. It could be game-breaking bugs, sluggish frame rates, illusion-breaking pop-in, characters randomly T-posing, downgraded graphics, weird facial animations and more. If the developers aren't confident enough to show you the unabridged gameplay, you shouldn't be confident in placing a preorder.
5. The Game Is Facing Multiple Delays
A delay isn't always a bad thing, as it can signal that the developers have noticed something is wrong and need more time to fix it. This was the case for games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Gran Turismo 5, and Halo Infinite. However, if the game keeps facing multiple delays, as was the case for Duke Nukem Forever, Anthem, and Cyberpunk 2077, then something more sinister could be afoot.
Along with the multiple delays, you should also look for signs of a troubled development cycle. These include last-minute developer changes, key members of the development team leaving, lack of a clear vision, and video game staff working overtime while being underpaid or unpaid (crunch).
6. Reviews Arrive at the Last Minute
Game reviews are typically released a few days before release, allowing players to decide whether to make an informed purchasing decision. For many major game releases, reviewers usually get a review copy weeks before launch, so they have enough time to play the game and publish said reviews. But when a video game publisher gives out the review copy at the last minute or doesn't provide one at all, something is wrong.
Publishers usually withhold the review copy or place a review embargo until the 11th hour because they know there's a flurry of negative or mediocre reviews coming. They want to get as many sales as possible before the critical consensus turns potential buyers off. If they're extremely lucky, you and many others might even play the game long enough for them to deny a refund request.
7. Too Much Emphasis on Graphics Over Gameplay
While the graphics versus gameplay debate will never end, most players would prefer a game that isn't a visual masterpiece but plays extremely well. Stunning graphics create an immersive video game experience, but they're arguably not the most important thing. And when developers focus too much on creating a beautiful game instead of enriching the interactive experience, they usually end up with an aesthetically pleasing title with forgettable gameplay.
If you prefer gameplay to graphics and notice that the developers are hyping up the latter too much and not much else, proceed with caution. A big warning sign is when they release an ad or trailer full of quotes from major publications saying things like "Looks incredible" or "The graphics are amazing." Yes, but how does it play?
Look Out for Signs That a Game Might Be Disappointing
Noticing one or two of these signs doesn't ultimately mean a game will disappoint you, as some games have proven to be the exception. But they should at least give you pause because each one increases the likelihood that the final release won't be fun. If you can, wait and see what professional critics and users say about the game before buying it.