These 10 Games Might Look Bad, But They're Absolutely Worth Playing

10 Games That Are WAY Better Than They Look

We all do it—judge a game by its cover. Maybe the graphics look outdated, the art style isn’t immediately appealing, or the UI screams low budget. So, you scroll past, convinced it’s not worth your time. But sometimes, the best games are the ones you least expect.

Ever picked up a game you thought would be meh and ended up completely hooked? That’s the magic of gameplay. Graphics might grab your attention, but combat, story, mechanics, and immersion are what truly matter. Some of gaming’s greatest experiences hide behind mediocre visuals, quirky aesthetics, or downright ugly first impressions—and if you dismiss them too soon, you’re missing out.

From deep RPGs to fast-paced shooters and mind-blowing horror, these are the games that prove it’s what’s inside that counts. They may not look like masterpieces, but trust us—once you start playing, you won’t care.

Let’s dive into 10 games that are FAR better than they look.

10. Rise of the Ronin

Looks Like: A budget open-world samurai game
Actually Is: A deep and rewarding action RPG with killer combat

Despite being from Team Ninja, the devs behind Nioh and Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, Rise of the Ronin flew under the radar when it dropped in 2024. The open world isn’t the prettiest—some areas look downright rough—but the combat system is what makes this game shine.

It combines fast, skill-based swordplay with a branching narrative, stealth mechanics, and tons of customization. If you loved Nioh but wished it had an open world, this is for you.

9. Abiotic Factor

Looks Like: A janky Half-Life mod
Actually Is: A unique survival horror game packed with mystery

If you took Half-Life, SCP Foundation, and a hardcore survival game, you’d get Abiotic Factor. It drops you into a massive, labyrinthine research facility, where bizarre anomalies and mutated horrors are constantly hunting you.

Unlike many survival games, this one has a structured world instead of random generation. It’s full of secrets, alternate dimensions, and creepy sci-fi threats. Plus, it’s playable solo or with friends, making for a super fun (and terrifying) co-op experience.

8. Echo Point Nova

Looks Like: A low-budget indie shooter
Actually Is: One of the most creative FPS experiences in years

At first glance, Echo Point Nova looks like a throwback to early 2000s shooters with basic graphics. But once you start playing, you realize this game is INSANE.

It’s an open-world FPS where you free-run, hoverboard, and grapple-hook your way across floating islands while shooting enemies at high speed. Think Titanfall 2, but with even more movement freedom.

There’s co-op, tons of hidden challenges, and a completely open-ended approach to combat. If you love movement shooters, do not sleep on this one.

7. Lisa: The Painful

Looks Like: A weird Earthbound ripoff
Actually Is: One of the darkest, most brutal RPGs ever made

The hand-drawn, low-fi aesthetic of Lisa makes it look quirky and lighthearted. But don’t be fooled—this game is crushingly dark.

Set in a post-apocalyptic world with no women, you play as Brad, a broken man searching for the last girl on Earth. The gameplay is classic turn-based RPG, but the choices you make are devastating.

• Your party members can die permanently.
• You can lose limbs, weakening your stats forever.
• Every choice is painful, but necessary.

If you want a soul-crushing but unforgettable experience, Lisa is a must-play.

6. Outward: Definitive Edition

Looks Like: A cheap Skyrim knockoff
Actually Is: One of the most immersive RPGs ever made

Outward doesn’t have the flashiest graphics, but its gameplay depth is insane. It’s an RPG where survival actually matters—you have to eat, stay warm, and avoid sickness while traveling.

You don’t play as some god-tier hero—you’re just a regular person trying to survive in a brutal world. The game never holds your hand, making every victory feel earned.

And the best part? Co-op mode, so you can suffer through it with a friend.

5. ULTRAKILL

Looks Like: A Doom ripoff from the 90s
Actually Is: The most fast-paced, insane FPS ever made

If DOOM Eternal and Devil May Cry had a baby, it would be ULTRAKILL.

This ultra-violent, high-speed FPS uses an old-school pixelated style, but the gameplay is next level:

• Blood is your health—kill enemies up close to heal.
• Parry bullets—yes, even your own bullets.
• Insane movement mechanics—wall jumps, dashes, and mid-air combos.

It’s DOOM on steroids, and it never stops being fun.

4. Lethal Company

Looks Like: An unfinished indie horror game
Actually Is: The most terrifying multiplayer horror game ever

At first glance, Lethal Company looks rough—blocky models, simple animations, and basic environments. But once you play it?

Pure horror magic.

You and your friends are scavengers looting abandoned space facilities. The catch? Each facility is crawling with different monsters that:

• Change every time you play
• React to sound, movement, and mistakes
• Force you into terrifying situations

Screaming at your friends while running for your life has never been this fun.

3. Tokyo Extreme Racer

Looks Like: A PS2-era racing game
Actually Is: A love letter to old-school racing sims

No microtransactions. No always-online nonsense. Just pure, skill-based racing.

Tokyo Extreme Racer brings back the gritty, no-nonsense vibe of classic arcade racers, where you:

• Earn cars by racing (not by paying real money).
• Customize your ride for performance.
• Take on rival street racers in intense head-to-head duels.

It’s exactly what racing games should be—no fluff, just pure adrenaline.

2. 7 Days to Die

Looks Like: A janky zombie survival game
Actually Is: One of the deepest survival experiences out there

Yes, 7 Days to Die looks ancient. But beneath the rough visuals is one of the most complex, replayable survival games ever made.

Every building can be destroyed, rebuilt, or reinforced, and the zombie AI is smart—they adapt, climb, and break through weak spots. You can play it as an open-world explorer or hunker down and build an impenetrable fortress.

The game has been around for over a decade, but it just keeps getting better.

1. Witchfire

Looks Like: A Destiny knockoff
Actually Is: A brutally difficult extraction shooter with insane gunplay

Witchfire is what happens when you take Doom’s combat, Destiny’s aesthetics, and Escape from Tarkov’s difficulty, then mash them into one game.

It’s an extraction shooter, meaning:

• You drop into a massive open-world map.
• You collect loot, fight terrifying enemies, and survive as long as you can.
• If you die, you lose everything.

It’s tense, rewarding, and brutally tough—a game for hardcore FPS fans who want a serious challenge.

It's What's Inside That Counts

In a world where graphics often steal the spotlight, it’s easy to overlook a game just because it doesn’t have cutting-edge visuals or hyper-realistic textures. But as these hidden gems prove, gameplay is king. A great combat system, an immersive world, or a gripping story can outshine even the most stunning graphics any day.

Think of it like this: Would you rather eat an Instagram-worthy burger that tastes like cardboard or a messy, homemade one that’s bursting with flavor? Games work the same way. Sometimes, the rough edges hide a masterpiece waiting to be discovered.

So, next time you catch yourself scrolling past a game because it looks outdated, take a second to dig deeper. You might just stumble upon your next favorite adventure—one that sticks with you long after the credits roll.

At the end of the day, it’s not about how a game looks—it’s about how it feels to play. And these games? They feel incredible.

Stay tuned for more gaming deep dives at Woke Waves Magazine!

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