15 Open World Games That Didn’t Fully Utilized Their Potential

No Man’s Sky

Post-launch and after numerous free updates, No Man’s Sky found its footing by being a sci-fi exploration-focused title. You can build a mech, explore underwater and build a base, investigate the Atlas and the nature of the universe, venture into derelicts and fight horrifying creatures or become a space pirate. It’s a massive experience beloved by many.

At launch? Not so much. The prospect of a randomly generated universe with countless numbers of planets gave way to boring landscapes with glitchy creatures and excessive grinding. Graphically, it was underwhelming, especially compared to the initial footage, and the lack of promised features – like players being able to meet each other in the wild – didn’t help. While it eventually found redemption, No Man’s Sky was considered, at the time, to be one of the most disappointing games ever for the sheer wasted potential of its worlds.