Title: Overwatch 2 and NBA 2K24 Declared Worst Games of the Year by Steam Users
Subtitle: Unhappy Steam reviews condemn microtransactions and lack of innovation in these popular titles
Date: September 13, 2023
Steam, the popular online gaming platform, recently announced that Blizzard’s Overwatch 2 and 2K Sports’ NBA 2K24 have been ranked as the worst games of the year by user reviews. The negative feedback for both games has been overwhelming, with a significant portion of players expressing their disappointment.
As of September 12, out of a total of 183,780 Steam reviews for Overwatch, a staggering 165,573 were negative. Similarly, NBA 2K24, which was released on September 8, received 3,135 negative reviews out of 3,523 total reviews. This rapid decline in ratings within such a short time frame is a notable downfall for NBA 2K24.
The combined negative reviews for Overwatch and NBA 2K24 amount to 168,708 unhappy buyers on Steam. To put this into perspective, this number is roughly equivalent to the population of Kansas City, Kansas, highlighting the substantial impact these games have had on players.
Overwatch 2’s position as one of the worst games on Steam is attributed to complex reasons. For years, the first-person shooter was exclusively available on Blizzard’s online store, Battle.net, which did not permit users to leave feedback. When Overwatch finally made its way to Steam in August, players seized the opportunity to express their frustration towards the game’s microtransactions and Blizzard as a whole.
Despite the negative reviews, Overwatch 2 has managed to retain a spot on Steam’s top 50 most-played games list, with nearly 30,000 concurrent users. It seems that while some fans dislike the direction the game has taken, they still find enjoyment in playing it.
NBA 2K24’s downward spiral, on the other hand, is more straightforward. Apart from featuring microtransactions, players have criticized the game for its unattractive visuals and lack of appeal. Disappointment with previous installments in the NBA 2K series has significantly contributed to the negative reception of NBA 2K24 since its recent release.
The negativity surrounding NBA 2K24 is consistent with past titles. The 2020 release, NBA 2K21, was dubbed “a full-priced game with the beating heart of a mobile free-to-play scam” by critic Luke Plunkett. Plunkett further criticized the 2021 release, NBA 2K22, as “one enormous shakedown.” The pattern continued with NBA 2K23 in 2022, which was labeled “a hustle.”
Steam reviews for NBA 2K24 confirm the trend, with players expressing their dissatisfaction. Many reviewers highlighted that the gameplay and animations remain largely unchanged and criticized the lack of new features or any evident improvement. The decision to charge the full price for a game that offers little innovation has led to widespread discontent among players.
Looking ahead, players hope that NBA 2K25 will address these issues and revitalize the franchise. However, only time will tell if the developers can redeem themselves and win back the trust of dissatisfied fans.
In conclusion, Overwatch 2 and NBA 2K24 have garnered the unwanted title of the worst games of the year, according to Steam reviews. The prevalence of microtransactions, lack of innovation, and overall disappointment expressed by players have contributed to their poor reception. Both Blizzard and 2K Sports face the challenge of regaining the trust and satisfaction of their respective fan bases.