These games are so bad, they ruined the reputation of an entire series

A Reddit thread titled "Which entry to a game series was so bad it spoiled the name of its whole legacy and faith in the developers?" is currently making waves, gathering over 900 comments in just twelve hours. When players enjoy a great game, they naturally build expectations for future titles. If those expectations are shattered, it can completely change how they view the entire series.

Thread creator u/Ltaustin117 cites Halo 5: Guardians and Borderlands 3 as personal disappointments. Both franchises are considered gaming icons, so expectations for their sequels were understandably high. While the gameplay isn’t entirely without merit, he notes that the weak storytelling alone was enough to shake his trust in the series.

Redditor u/GarlicThread mentioned Kerbal Space Program 2 and Payday 3, calling them major letdowns. Both titles are widely regarded as technical and content-wise regressions compared to their predecessors, and the community seems to agree. This comment has received the most upvotes so far. Other frequently cited disappointments include:

• SimCity (2013) - DRM disaster that ultimately ended the series.
• Mass Effect 3 and Andromeda - Disappointing ending, weak story, and seen as the beginning of BioWare’s decline.
• Overwatch 2 - Heavy monetization, cancelled PvE mode and a fractured community.
• Sonic 2006 - Released in an unplayable state, damaging the brand’s image.
• Saints Row (reboot) - A disastrous new take on the franchise.
• Cities: Skylines 2 - Technical issues combined with heavy criticism of monetization.
• Dead Space 3 - Shifted away from horror toward a generic shooter.
• Duke Nukem Forever - Years of development for a deeply disappointing result.

The ongoing Reddit discussion goes beyond isolated failures, highlighting what many see as deeper issues within the gaming industry, particularly live service models, aggressive monetization and a lack of creative direction. Gamers once had a strong sense of trust in legacy studios like EA, Blizzard and BioWare, but a single misstep in a beloved series can mark a personal turning point, drastically shifting expectations for future releases. What stands out is that even games that improved significantly after rocky launches, such as Cyberpunk 2077 or Star Wars: Battlefront II, are still regarded by many as cautionary tales. As one user put it: “The community doesn’t forget.”

If you have thoughts on the topic or want to share your own examples of disappointing sequels, feel free to join the conversation in the comments.