The advantage of video games is that a title can still be fixed even after its release, thanks to patches. These updates allow for the repair of bugs, but also for certain disastrous decisions made by developers. While some games could never be saved—and even bankrupted their studios—others managed to bounce back after a failed launch. Here are 7 games that, despite a disastrous start, were literally resurrected.
#1 Battlefield V (2018)
DICE has encountered numerous problems with its Battlefield license in recent years, and Battlefield V is the perfect example. The studio completely botched its launch: bugs galore, a severe lack of content, and very poorly chosen release timing. In 2018, the battle royale genre was exploding, and Battlefield V seemed to arrive at the wrong time. Everything was against it, and yet, the game made a resounding comeback. Today, it is considered one of the best installments in the franchise, and is still played by thousands of players. It must be said that the monumental flop of Battlefield 2042 did it a favor. Let's hope DICE learned its lesson for the sixth installment...
#2 Days Gone (2019)
The hardest thing for a game in a popular genre is to stand out. Days Gone arrived with its fair share of bugs and glitches, which seriously tarnished the gaming experience, especially considering the promises made. How can you have fun enjoying a horde of zombies if nothing works properly? Fortunately, Bend Studio has patched things up. The game is much more enjoyable today and has even gained popularity. Unfortunately, this chaotic launch has left its mark, as there will be no Days Gone 2. At least, not yet. To everyone's surprise, a remaster of the game was recently announced. If it sells well, Sony might consider giving the franchise another chance.
#3 Assassin's Creed Unity (2014)
Assassin's Creed Unity has become legendary, but not for the right reasons. At launch, the game was clearly unfinished and nearly unplayable. Ubisoft even sent apology emails to players while offering additional content. 11 years later, the once-broken game is definitely not the same. Unity is now playable—which was no easy feat—and is even highly regarded by the community. Even if it's not perfect yet, Ubisoft's rescue was miraculous.
#4 Diablo III (2012)
At the time, Diablo III was highly anticipated, but Blizzard clearly didn't realize it. During launch, the servers were literally in a slump due to the massive influx of players. However, what really marked this failed launch was the moment when players were finally able to play. Everything was different from Diablo II, this third installment having lost the franchise's identity. This drastic change could have been accepted if the new mechanics had been up to scratch, but that wasn't the case. The grind system is lagging behind, which is a shame for a game that relies primarily on it. Add to that the requirement to be constantly online, and you have one of the worst launches in video game history. Fortunately, the situation improved later on, although it's a shame that Diablo IV didn't learn from this failure by repeating the same mistakes. #5 Fallout: New Vegas (2010) Bugs, accusations of purchased ratings on Metacritic, Fallout 3's reputation as a mere standalone, etc. Fallout: New Vegas started with a serious handicap. Yet, behind all that, there was an excellent game, and you just had to scratch the surface a little to discover it. Over time, it has proven its worth, to the point where it is now considered one of the best games in the franchise.
#6 Cyberpunk 2077 (2020)
Do we really need to revisit the crazy story of Cyberpunk 2077? CD Projekt RED's game has become a textbook case of failed launches. However, it has managed to redeem itself by becoming one of the most popular games today, and not just in its medium. The animated series Edgerunners has largely contributed to restoring its image. Now, everyone is waiting for a sequel, and it's well deserved.
#7 Street Fighter V (2016)
Street Fighter IV was a huge success, especially its Ultra version. Following up on such an opus was no easy feat, and Street Fighter V proved it. Capcom completely missed the mark. The game was years behind schedule, particularly in terms of content, and suffered from gameplay issues that were fatal for a fighting game. Capcom, however, was able to right the ship, which allowed, among other things, to give birth to Street Fighter VI.
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