10 Video Games That Could Flop in 2024

Given some of the worst trends coming out of the gaming industry as of late, it’s not hard to imagine some companies routinely undermining their video games. This is also why it’s almost too easy for folks to predict the next slew of video game flops coming to the gaming market in 2024.

We already have the full list of video game releases for 2024 to sieve through. Though there are many promising titles to be had this year, others are almost guaranteed to disappoint an entire generation the moment they drop on shelves. Here’s a list of some examples.

Silent Hill 2 Remake

After an abrupt break from the AAA game market, Konami is seemingly returning in a big way with the announcement of a slew of new Silent Hill titles. Arguably, the most exciting one among them is the Silent Hill 2 Remake, developed by Blooper Team. Or at least it would have been if its official gameplay footage hadn’t left many disappointed by it.

Particularly, the combat seems pretty outdated, showing clunky close-quarter engagement strung all about it. For a remake, the old standards being maintained here seemed criminal on both companies’ parts. Though it’s still too soon to tell given it’s a work in progress, Konami’s current track record with its IPs, especially Silent Hill, only further validates the concern.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl

The S.T.A.L.K.E.R. franchise has been a recurring victim of delays for almost two decades. As such, the post-apocalyptic FPS juggernaut seemed like it would eventually become lost to the Zone. But when GSC announced S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl a few years ago, fans became electric only to sink back into boredom once again; de-energized by another delay.

Most of the delays were due to GSC undergoing financial troubles and seem to be a thing of the past. However, it seems the company and its projects are still facing an uphill battle with scheduling. So fans need to cross their fingers for this next installment to their beloved franchise because it could easily devolve into vaporware.

Call of Duty 2024

Love it or hate it, Activision’s Call of Duty franchise is the undisputed champ of war games. But that is largely due to Activision’s over-the-top capitalism. COD has become one of the most exhausting franchises thanks to an annual release schedule and cookie-cutter development cycle. This has led to some underwhelming entries and this year’s COD might be more of the same.

If anyone needs proof of diminishing returns with COD, they can look no further than last year’s release, the critically panned Modern Warfare 3 (2023). The title’s biggest offense was that it was an expansion to the previous one as opposed to a standalone release. COD has indeed run its course and its 2024 entry might not be able to turn things around.

Killer Klowns from Outer Space

To the surprise of many, Killer Klowns From Outer Space is set to receive its own video game. The cult classic 1988 horror comedy film is being transformed into an asymmetrical horror title whereas teams of humans versus teams of the carnivorous clown-like alien invaders. But as exciting as it seems, adapting this theatrical horror story presents its own set of challenges.

Most of the asymmetrical horror titles in today’s saturated gaming market aren’t sustainable. Previous attempts like Friday the 13th: The Game and Evil Dead: The Game have quickly faltered in some way. KKFOS is an even less recognizable license considering it only had one film and a mediocre one at that. Hence, this circus could come and go before anyone even notices it.

EA Sports College Football

After a hiatus that lasted more than a decade, EA is finally revisiting NCAA football with the rebranded entry EA Sports College Football this year. This attempt at revitalizing the classic college football gaming that glorified EA in its prime could do so again. But that’s speculative at best given what EA Sports has devolved into over the past few years.

It’s no secret that EA Sports has undoubtedly racked up more losses than wins in the virtual sports genre and it’s not just with football. Almost every sports game under the developer has come under fire for its low quality of functionality and capitalistic live servicing. EASCF could be much of the same which will undoubtedly drive NCAA football fans away again.

Avowed

Avowed is Obsidian’s next big RPG and is meant to break new ground for the developer. This new dark fantasy adventure could potentially kick off a new franchise exclusive to the Xbox brand. But it’s also going against the grain even by Obsidian’s standards, which brings us to its placement on this list.

Avowed features a classless main hero, is set in a more compacted open world, and is even going as far as to opt out of providing any romance with companions–that last one, especially, seems to have rubbed many Obsidian fans the wrong way. Though it’s nice that the dev is changing its formula for an ever-evolving genre, this aberration could also prove detrimental to the RPG’s development.

Lollipop Chainsaw: Repop

Over a decade ago, Legendary game designer Goichi Suda gave the world Lolipop Chainsaw, a groundbreaking hack n’ slash title. Though it seems forgettable these days, it has amassed a cult following since then. Now, Dragami Games is set to release its remaster Lolipop Chainsaw: Repop. However, that wasn’t always the plan.

When LCR was announced back in 2022, it was planned as a remake complete with enhanced mechanics. But the devs have instead settled on a remaster following fans’ requests, subsequently pushing its release to 2024. This abrupt change could be a make or break for the classic since its particular charm and mechanics might not go over well with today’s audience.

Contra: Operation Galuga

Contra has seen better days. Once a beloved side-scroller series that helped put Konami on the gaming map, this franchise steered off to mediocrity and hasn’t been respected for almost a decade. The decline in quality led to botched title after title over that period — the last known release being the critically and commercially panned Contra: Rogue Ops.

That’s why it feels like everything is riding on the upcoming Contra: Operation Galuga. This next entry is a reimagining of the original Contra, featuring modern graphics, new enemies, and improved gameplay–all the essentials for any remake of any title. But given the franchise’s bad luck, COG could end up experiencing a misfire like always.

Multiversus

Release schedules can change at a dime, pushing upcoming games into obscurity. Multiversus is a title that has suffered this fate, devolving into a love/hate relationship with its community. Announced back in late 2021, the title is a free-to-play crossover fighting game starring characters across the Warner Bros. property line–and it’s a whole lot of fun.

Unfortunately, this Smash Bros. clone has been very sporadic with its presence; popping up only in public betas, year after year, only to disappear shortly after. This year is meant to be the final release window for Multiversus but that is as reassuring as its previous windows have been.

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2, the long-awaited sequel from Paradox Interactive, is fighting an uphill battle in its development. Though its announcement came in 2019, actual work started in 2015. Paradox had acquired the rights from CCP Games back then, but the project experienced delays.

Things got worse in 2020 with the firing of lead writer Brian Mitsoda and the departure of narrative lead Cara Ellison. Soon after, the development team Hardsuit Labs was replaced by The Chinese Room. With nearly two decades since the original, and the involvement of multiple development teams amidst several delays, concerns over its quality are at an all-time high.