20 Video Games That Were NOT What We Expected
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VOICE OVER: Kasey Thompson
From misleading marketing to unexpected gameplay shifts, these games took us by surprise! Join us as we explore video games that weren't what we expected them to be. Our list includes titles that shocked us with their genre-bending mechanics, surprising story twists, or features that differed dramatically from what was advertised. Which gaming surprise caught you off guard the most? We cover everything from Dead Island's emotional trailer that misrepresented its gameplay, to Final Fantasy VII Remake's bold narrative departures. We also examine how games like Doki Doki Literature Club deceived players with its cute facade, and how No Man's Sky eventually redeemed itself after a disappointing launch. Share your biggest disappointments or pleasant surprises in the comments!
20 Video Games That Weren’t What We Expected
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at video games that were completely different from what we expected them to be, for better or for worse. Whether it was due to marketing, pre-release coverage, or our own preconceived notions, we’ll be covering games that either played differently from our expectations or whose stories went in unexpected directions. That means, in the case of the latter, we’re issuing a spoiler warning.
Let’s start with one of the most infamous video game trailers of all time. When the original “Dead Island” was announced, it was accompanied by a somber, reflective trailer that chronicled a family being overrun by zombies. The reverse slow motion to show how this situation unfolded and the soft music underneath combined for a surprisingly moving trailer. Of course, the real game is nothing like this. It’s a much more lighthearted, action-centric romp that focuses on dismembering the undead. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with a game like that. But this trailer made everyone think they’d get a more emotional experience than what they got.
Movie tie-in games have long come with negative connotations. While we should all try to remain open-minded, “The Mummy Demastered” didn’t instill high hopes. This was mainly because it was delayed to a few months after the release of the 2017 movie, which proved to be a huge disappointment and a financial bomb. We weren’t expecting greatness, but that’s actually what we got. Happening at the same time as the movie, the Metroidvania’s action was far more thrilling than anything we saw on the big screen. And even though that genre is over-populated in the indie scene, it still managed to set itself apart from many others.
In 2000, as Nintendo was gearing up for the GameCube, it showed off a tech demo at the Space World exposition. It showed an adult Link fighting Ganondorf. And many, ourselves included, thought this was a taste of what the next “Zelda” would offer. When the GameCube entry was officially unveiled, everyone was shocked to see a much more whimsical, cartoon-inspired Link. A vocal part of the fanbase condemned this change, denouncing Nintendo for moving in a more kid-friendly direction. Even if you didn’t hate it, it was definitely unexpected. The game released to strong reviews but lower sales, showing that those fans weren’t willing to give it a chance.
Admittedly, it’s hard to know what to expect when it comes to Hideo Kojima. But considering the franchise the creator is best known for, “Metal Gear Solid,” we can say with confidence that most players weren’t expecting a walking simulator with “Death Stranding.” Of course, the game is a lot deeper than that, exploring the theme of human connection in a desolate world. And its mechanics can get surprisingly complex, more so than the often-mocked subgenre usually features. Still, most of the criticism surrounding the game at launch honed in on this aspect, so much so that it dominated conversations. But there’s more to it than that.
In the early 2000s, video game coverage wasn’t as widespread as it is today. So, when a new “Star Fox” game was announced, most players assumed it was going to be another shoot ‘em up, with Fox McCloud adventuring through space. That’s not what we got, though. “Adventures” mostly takes place on the singular Dinosaur Planet, and goes the action adventure route over its predecessors. Its announcement trailer even featured shots of Fox in his Arwing, making it seem like a blend of gameplay styles, but this is something that only occurs briefly. Today, we know this was initially envisioned by developer Rare as a different game, before Nintendo intervened and turned it into “Star Fox.” Back then, it was a big surprise.
Leading up to the release of “Black Myth: Wukong,” many players believed it to be another Soulslike, the incredibly tough subgenre of action RPGs popularized by FromSoftware. We thought so too, but the game isn’t so simply placed. Sure, there are elements of those games, such as intense boss fights that require a thorough understanding of mechanics to master. But even the developers have come out to say that it isn’t a Soulslike. It has more focus on story and characterization, is far more cinematic, and is much more forgiving with its difficulty level. More accurately, it’s somewhere in between games in FromSoftware’s catalog and Sony’s “God of War” series.
There are still plenty of fans who feel burned by the misleading marketing campaign of “Halo 5.” Microsoft implied a traitorous turn from protagonist Master Chief, going against both the UNSC and humanity as a whole. This was seen in trailers as well as an extensive Audio Play called “Hunt the Truth.” Also implied and built up was a climactic clash between him and Spartan Locke, so there was a huge amount of hype generated. Unfortunately, when the game was released, we found that Master Chief’s turncoat ways were barely included in the campaign. And that the legendary fight between the two playable characters was simply a cutscene. Needless to say, fans were not happy.
For the most part, “Bugsnax” is exactly the silly type of game it presents itself as. There’s just something much darker than expected lurking underneath. The game follows you and your fellow Grumpuses investigating a mysterious island, on which you find the remains of an ancient civilization and the titular half-bug, half-snack creatures. While exploring, you’ll complete quests that involve catching and feeding Bugsnax to the other Grumpuses, which transform various body parts to represent what snack they ate. By the end, you learn the Bugsnax are actually parasites that eventually completely take over whatever eats them. So, all the little critters were likely once Grumpuses themselves, and everyone’s been indulging in a bit of cannibalism.
In terms of gameplay, we knew what we were getting with “Age of Calamity.” Just like the first game, it blended “Zelda” characters with ‘Dynasty Warriors” style. However, unlike the first, there were many fans who thought this one might be canonical since it was set within the history of “Breath of the Wild.” Moreover, many of us thought we’d actually see the destruction of Hyrule by Ganon’s forces, as well as the emotional deaths of the Champions. In hindsight, maybe it was silly to think Nintendo would put us through something so devastating, and place a spin-off within the “Zelda” timeline. Time travel ends up saving the day, with each Champion’s descendant coming back to help them, as well as the kingdom.
Upon learning that the only playable character in “Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy” would be Starlord, a feeling of disappointment took hold of many who were looking forward to it. That, and the release of the underwhelming “Avengers” game the previous year, made expectations pretty low. But if you’ve played this game, you know it’s pretty awesome. Not only is it completely unlike “Avengers,” but Starlord being the only playable character actually makes sense, and in no way hinders the experience. It ties in with both the story and gameplay, with Starlord’s struggle to be a worthy leader and command his teammates during combat. It definitely took most of us by surprise.
Even if you knew going into it that “NieR: Automata” would be a blend of genres like its predecessor, though to a more major extent, it’s still surprising at how well it all works. But what we really didn’t expect, as no one really could, was how well its story works. The game features multiple playthroughs and endings, each of which helps piece everything together. However, it also manages to juggle those with a thoughtful, introspective focus on free will. We were expecting another hack-and-slash masterpiece from PlatinumGames. What we got was so much more.
“We Happy Few” got a lot of comparisons to “BioShock” after it was revealed due to its visual style, unsettling tone, and dystopian themes. But when it was released, a lot of players were surprised it wasn’t a narrative-driven action game. Instead, it focused heavily on survival mechanics and procedural generation. Many voiced their dissatisfaction, thinking a more linear approach would have fit better with the game’s world and plot. Even the game’s director, Guillaume Provost, said later that if they had focused more on the story, they would have dropped the procedurally generated elements. C’est la vie.
A heavy-metal themed action-adventure game developed by Double Fine and starring Jack Black, “Brütal Legend” seemed like it had a lot going for it. Except, there was a huge aspect of the game completely hidden from players in pre-release trailers: real-time strategy. That’s not to say it’s bad, because it’s great. Still, hiding something so fundamental to the experience is naturally going to surprise a lot of players. No one was expecting it to suddenly include tactical mechanics. Some think hiding this genre blend was in an effort to generate more sales, since RTS games aren’t as popular as more standard action-adventures. But the game didn’t sell well anyway.
If you’ve played this game, you shouldn’t be surprised to find it here. “Doki Doki Literature Club!” presents itself as a cute, visual novel dating sim, with you controlling the newest member of an after school book club. For the first half, that’s exactly how it plays. But around the midway point, things take a distinct turn into psychological horror. It isn’t just that the story or characters get more disturbing, though they certainly do. It’s that the game begins interacting with you through some of the most unsettling fourth wall breaks in gaming. From the outside, anyone unfamiliar would take it at face value, but it’s far more creative.
The E3 2017 trailer for “Anthem” made it look promising. But sadly, it was all just for show. BioWare was going through immense turmoil during the game’s development due to a severe lack of leadership and pressure from publisher EA. Instead of being allowed the necessary time, the team was forced to hobble together a gameplay trailer, which ended up being mostly fake since “Anthem” was still in pre-production. They then tried to match the game to what was shown, but again didn’t have enough time to do so. And so, “Anthem” launched in a state significantly lacking what that trailer promised, much to the dissatisfaction of players.
A semi-reboot to a series that hadn’t received a new game in ten years, most weren’t expecting anything that deep with “Spec Ops: The Line.” That and the fact that it was yet another military shooter made us think we’d get something, at best, generic. Boy, were we wrong. Gameplay was solid with strong, thrilling set pieces. But what really set this game apart was its story, as it focused on the horrors of war and the impact it has on a soldier’s state of mind. There were several twists and turns that kept us glued to our controllers in suspense, craving answers and instilling a need to keep digging.
This one is pretty straightforward. We, along with everyone else, expected we were getting something different with “No Man’s Sky” because that’s what we were told. Leading up to its launch, developer Hello Games made some enticing promises about what the game was capable of and what features to expect. Then the game was released, and most were disappointed about how bare-bones it was. Many of those features, such as multiplayer, were missing, and with that disappointment came severe backlash. The studio learned its lesson, though, buckling down, staying out of the spotlight, and releasing multiple free updates throughout the years. “No Man’s Sky” has long since redeemed itself, but it undeniably had a rough start.
The first “Metal Gear Solid” was a huge stepping stone for video games, not just in terms of gameplay but in storytelling as well. Naturally, when its sequel was released, most players assumed they’d be taking on the role of Solid Snake once again. Not only because he was the main character in the first game, but because pre-release footage and the game’s demo alluded to it. However, after the opening, we found out we’d actually be playing as a new character, Raiden, for the majority of the game. At the time, some players were annoyed by the bait-and-switch, but “Sons of Liberty” would go on to become one of the most cherished entries in the franchise.
We expected the sequel to “The Last of Us” to have tense gameplay and vicious enemies just like the original. What most didn’t expect, unless they saw the unfortunate leaks beforehand, was the direction the story would go in. In its opening hours, the game kills off the protagonist of the first game, Joel, with Ellie then going on a quest for vengeance against those responsible. It isn’t just that it was unexpected, it’s that trailers directly misled players. One in particular made it seem like Ellie’s new flame, Dina, would be the victim, while Joel would accompany Ellie on her journey. It opened up a debate whether it was okay to lie in game trailers when trying to conceal important story details.
When a game is remade, you generally know what to expect. Enhanced visuals, mechanics, and controls, maybe some new voice acting or, in some rare cases, reworked story elements. However, even in those cases, the plot will still hit the same important beats as the original. The exception to this is “Final Fantasy VII Remake.” Announced in 2015, we were all under the impression that it would be a retelling with revamped gameplay and graphics. Not only were the aforementioned enhancements made, but entire sections and characters were vastly expanded on and given more depth. The story also went in different directions. And as plans for the trilogy unraveled with 2024’s follow-up “Rebirth,” that only became more true.
What’s a game that was different from what you expected it to be? Share your biggest disappointments, or most pleasant surprises, in the comments!
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at video games that were completely different from what we expected them to be, for better or for worse. Whether it was due to marketing, pre-release coverage, or our own preconceived notions, we’ll be covering games that either played differently from our expectations or whose stories went in unexpected directions. That means, in the case of the latter, we’re issuing a spoiler warning.
#20 “Dead Island” (2011)
Let’s start with one of the most infamous video game trailers of all time. When the original “Dead Island” was announced, it was accompanied by a somber, reflective trailer that chronicled a family being overrun by zombies. The reverse slow motion to show how this situation unfolded and the soft music underneath combined for a surprisingly moving trailer. Of course, the real game is nothing like this. It’s a much more lighthearted, action-centric romp that focuses on dismembering the undead. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with a game like that. But this trailer made everyone think they’d get a more emotional experience than what they got.
#19 “The Mummy Demastered” (2017)
Movie tie-in games have long come with negative connotations. While we should all try to remain open-minded, “The Mummy Demastered” didn’t instill high hopes. This was mainly because it was delayed to a few months after the release of the 2017 movie, which proved to be a huge disappointment and a financial bomb. We weren’t expecting greatness, but that’s actually what we got. Happening at the same time as the movie, the Metroidvania’s action was far more thrilling than anything we saw on the big screen. And even though that genre is over-populated in the indie scene, it still managed to set itself apart from many others.
#18 “The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker” (2003)
In 2000, as Nintendo was gearing up for the GameCube, it showed off a tech demo at the Space World exposition. It showed an adult Link fighting Ganondorf. And many, ourselves included, thought this was a taste of what the next “Zelda” would offer. When the GameCube entry was officially unveiled, everyone was shocked to see a much more whimsical, cartoon-inspired Link. A vocal part of the fanbase condemned this change, denouncing Nintendo for moving in a more kid-friendly direction. Even if you didn’t hate it, it was definitely unexpected. The game released to strong reviews but lower sales, showing that those fans weren’t willing to give it a chance.
#17 “Death Stranding” (2019)
Admittedly, it’s hard to know what to expect when it comes to Hideo Kojima. But considering the franchise the creator is best known for, “Metal Gear Solid,” we can say with confidence that most players weren’t expecting a walking simulator with “Death Stranding.” Of course, the game is a lot deeper than that, exploring the theme of human connection in a desolate world. And its mechanics can get surprisingly complex, more so than the often-mocked subgenre usually features. Still, most of the criticism surrounding the game at launch honed in on this aspect, so much so that it dominated conversations. But there’s more to it than that.
#16 “Star Fox Adventures” (2002)
In the early 2000s, video game coverage wasn’t as widespread as it is today. So, when a new “Star Fox” game was announced, most players assumed it was going to be another shoot ‘em up, with Fox McCloud adventuring through space. That’s not what we got, though. “Adventures” mostly takes place on the singular Dinosaur Planet, and goes the action adventure route over its predecessors. Its announcement trailer even featured shots of Fox in his Arwing, making it seem like a blend of gameplay styles, but this is something that only occurs briefly. Today, we know this was initially envisioned by developer Rare as a different game, before Nintendo intervened and turned it into “Star Fox.” Back then, it was a big surprise.
#15 “Black Myth: Wukong” (2024)
Leading up to the release of “Black Myth: Wukong,” many players believed it to be another Soulslike, the incredibly tough subgenre of action RPGs popularized by FromSoftware. We thought so too, but the game isn’t so simply placed. Sure, there are elements of those games, such as intense boss fights that require a thorough understanding of mechanics to master. But even the developers have come out to say that it isn’t a Soulslike. It has more focus on story and characterization, is far more cinematic, and is much more forgiving with its difficulty level. More accurately, it’s somewhere in between games in FromSoftware’s catalog and Sony’s “God of War” series.
#14 “Halo 5: Guardians” (2015)
There are still plenty of fans who feel burned by the misleading marketing campaign of “Halo 5.” Microsoft implied a traitorous turn from protagonist Master Chief, going against both the UNSC and humanity as a whole. This was seen in trailers as well as an extensive Audio Play called “Hunt the Truth.” Also implied and built up was a climactic clash between him and Spartan Locke, so there was a huge amount of hype generated. Unfortunately, when the game was released, we found that Master Chief’s turncoat ways were barely included in the campaign. And that the legendary fight between the two playable characters was simply a cutscene. Needless to say, fans were not happy.
#13 “Bugsnax” (2020)
For the most part, “Bugsnax” is exactly the silly type of game it presents itself as. There’s just something much darker than expected lurking underneath. The game follows you and your fellow Grumpuses investigating a mysterious island, on which you find the remains of an ancient civilization and the titular half-bug, half-snack creatures. While exploring, you’ll complete quests that involve catching and feeding Bugsnax to the other Grumpuses, which transform various body parts to represent what snack they ate. By the end, you learn the Bugsnax are actually parasites that eventually completely take over whatever eats them. So, all the little critters were likely once Grumpuses themselves, and everyone’s been indulging in a bit of cannibalism.
#12 “Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity” (2020)
In terms of gameplay, we knew what we were getting with “Age of Calamity.” Just like the first game, it blended “Zelda” characters with ‘Dynasty Warriors” style. However, unlike the first, there were many fans who thought this one might be canonical since it was set within the history of “Breath of the Wild.” Moreover, many of us thought we’d actually see the destruction of Hyrule by Ganon’s forces, as well as the emotional deaths of the Champions. In hindsight, maybe it was silly to think Nintendo would put us through something so devastating, and place a spin-off within the “Zelda” timeline. Time travel ends up saving the day, with each Champion’s descendant coming back to help them, as well as the kingdom.
#11 “Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy” (2021)
Upon learning that the only playable character in “Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy” would be Starlord, a feeling of disappointment took hold of many who were looking forward to it. That, and the release of the underwhelming “Avengers” game the previous year, made expectations pretty low. But if you’ve played this game, you know it’s pretty awesome. Not only is it completely unlike “Avengers,” but Starlord being the only playable character actually makes sense, and in no way hinders the experience. It ties in with both the story and gameplay, with Starlord’s struggle to be a worthy leader and command his teammates during combat. It definitely took most of us by surprise.
#10 “NieR: Automata” (2017)
Even if you knew going into it that “NieR: Automata” would be a blend of genres like its predecessor, though to a more major extent, it’s still surprising at how well it all works. But what we really didn’t expect, as no one really could, was how well its story works. The game features multiple playthroughs and endings, each of which helps piece everything together. However, it also manages to juggle those with a thoughtful, introspective focus on free will. We were expecting another hack-and-slash masterpiece from PlatinumGames. What we got was so much more.
#9 “We Happy Few” (2018)
“We Happy Few” got a lot of comparisons to “BioShock” after it was revealed due to its visual style, unsettling tone, and dystopian themes. But when it was released, a lot of players were surprised it wasn’t a narrative-driven action game. Instead, it focused heavily on survival mechanics and procedural generation. Many voiced their dissatisfaction, thinking a more linear approach would have fit better with the game’s world and plot. Even the game’s director, Guillaume Provost, said later that if they had focused more on the story, they would have dropped the procedurally generated elements. C’est la vie.
#8 “Brütal Legend” (2009)
A heavy-metal themed action-adventure game developed by Double Fine and starring Jack Black, “Brütal Legend” seemed like it had a lot going for it. Except, there was a huge aspect of the game completely hidden from players in pre-release trailers: real-time strategy. That’s not to say it’s bad, because it’s great. Still, hiding something so fundamental to the experience is naturally going to surprise a lot of players. No one was expecting it to suddenly include tactical mechanics. Some think hiding this genre blend was in an effort to generate more sales, since RTS games aren’t as popular as more standard action-adventures. But the game didn’t sell well anyway.
#7 “Doki Doki Literature Club!” (2017)
If you’ve played this game, you shouldn’t be surprised to find it here. “Doki Doki Literature Club!” presents itself as a cute, visual novel dating sim, with you controlling the newest member of an after school book club. For the first half, that’s exactly how it plays. But around the midway point, things take a distinct turn into psychological horror. It isn’t just that the story or characters get more disturbing, though they certainly do. It’s that the game begins interacting with you through some of the most unsettling fourth wall breaks in gaming. From the outside, anyone unfamiliar would take it at face value, but it’s far more creative.
#6 “Anthem” (2019)
The E3 2017 trailer for “Anthem” made it look promising. But sadly, it was all just for show. BioWare was going through immense turmoil during the game’s development due to a severe lack of leadership and pressure from publisher EA. Instead of being allowed the necessary time, the team was forced to hobble together a gameplay trailer, which ended up being mostly fake since “Anthem” was still in pre-production. They then tried to match the game to what was shown, but again didn’t have enough time to do so. And so, “Anthem” launched in a state significantly lacking what that trailer promised, much to the dissatisfaction of players.
#5 “Spec Ops: The Line” (2012)
A semi-reboot to a series that hadn’t received a new game in ten years, most weren’t expecting anything that deep with “Spec Ops: The Line.” That and the fact that it was yet another military shooter made us think we’d get something, at best, generic. Boy, were we wrong. Gameplay was solid with strong, thrilling set pieces. But what really set this game apart was its story, as it focused on the horrors of war and the impact it has on a soldier’s state of mind. There were several twists and turns that kept us glued to our controllers in suspense, craving answers and instilling a need to keep digging.
#4 “No Man’s Sky” (2016)
This one is pretty straightforward. We, along with everyone else, expected we were getting something different with “No Man’s Sky” because that’s what we were told. Leading up to its launch, developer Hello Games made some enticing promises about what the game was capable of and what features to expect. Then the game was released, and most were disappointed about how bare-bones it was. Many of those features, such as multiplayer, were missing, and with that disappointment came severe backlash. The studio learned its lesson, though, buckling down, staying out of the spotlight, and releasing multiple free updates throughout the years. “No Man’s Sky” has long since redeemed itself, but it undeniably had a rough start.
#3 “Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty” (2001)
The first “Metal Gear Solid” was a huge stepping stone for video games, not just in terms of gameplay but in storytelling as well. Naturally, when its sequel was released, most players assumed they’d be taking on the role of Solid Snake once again. Not only because he was the main character in the first game, but because pre-release footage and the game’s demo alluded to it. However, after the opening, we found out we’d actually be playing as a new character, Raiden, for the majority of the game. At the time, some players were annoyed by the bait-and-switch, but “Sons of Liberty” would go on to become one of the most cherished entries in the franchise.
#2 “The Last of Us Part II” (2020)
We expected the sequel to “The Last of Us” to have tense gameplay and vicious enemies just like the original. What most didn’t expect, unless they saw the unfortunate leaks beforehand, was the direction the story would go in. In its opening hours, the game kills off the protagonist of the first game, Joel, with Ellie then going on a quest for vengeance against those responsible. It isn’t just that it was unexpected, it’s that trailers directly misled players. One in particular made it seem like Ellie’s new flame, Dina, would be the victim, while Joel would accompany Ellie on her journey. It opened up a debate whether it was okay to lie in game trailers when trying to conceal important story details.
#1 “Final Fantasy VII Remake” (2020)
When a game is remade, you generally know what to expect. Enhanced visuals, mechanics, and controls, maybe some new voice acting or, in some rare cases, reworked story elements. However, even in those cases, the plot will still hit the same important beats as the original. The exception to this is “Final Fantasy VII Remake.” Announced in 2015, we were all under the impression that it would be a retelling with revamped gameplay and graphics. Not only were the aforementioned enhancements made, but entire sections and characters were vastly expanded on and given more depth. The story also went in different directions. And as plans for the trilogy unraveled with 2024’s follow-up “Rebirth,” that only became more true.
What’s a game that was different from what you expected it to be? Share your biggest disappointments, or most pleasant surprises, in the comments!
