In every walk of life there are guilty pleasures that we secretly love, but we dare not admit it to a single soul. Whether it’s our undying love for The Vengaboys, or the fact that we unironically watch the Twilight films back-to-back to kick off the autumnal season.
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The point is, just because something is cringe, unpopular, or just plain bad, it doesn’t mean we all don’t secretly love it anyway. Which is something that is true of many video games.
There are many video games out there that we perhaps wouldn’t profess our love for to relative strangers.
But you may bet your bottom dollar that our playtime tells a different story. So, in a bid to let you behind the curtain and reveal everyone’s secret obsessions, here are some guilty pleasure games that we love, even if we won’t admit it.
10Powerwash Simulator
Our Dirty Little Secret
PowerWash Simulator
If you’re anything like me, you have at least five chores that you should be doing right this moment. Yet, despite these constant open tabs in our minds, we always find the time to procrastinate, and gaming is an effective tool to do just that.
Sure, we could launch into an epic firefight in a warzone or go on a huge adventure leading our troubled protagonist to redemption. But many of us inexplicablyend up doing virtual chores instead.
A lot of games could have fit the bill here, likeHouse Flipper, Unpacking,or even the upcoming entry,The Sims. But the most inexplicably addictive game of all isPowerwash Simulator.
The best way I can describe it is like a giant dirty adult coloring book that you can engage with as you completely switch your brain off.
It’s meditative, soothing and deeply satisfying. But equally, from the outside looking in, it’s downright boring, and makes it tough to explain why you’ll happily spend two hours hosing a playpark clean rather than doing last night’s dishes. But, don’t worry, we understand you. These chores just feel nicer to do.
9Monster Prom
Do They Like You, OrLike-LikeYou?
Monster Prom
High School is a time when the potential for embarrassing moments is at an all-time high. Not only because you are a naive adolescent, but because kids are cruel.
However, there is a fictitious high school where you’re able to simulate all the highs and lows in a fun way, while also getting to experience teenage whirlwind romances.
Monster Promis effectively a dating simwhere through interacting with your classmates and having cringe-inducing exchanges aplenty, you just might snag yourself a date to the prom.
In truth, we could have thrown in other surreal dating Sims likeHatoful BoyfriendorMr Massagey, but we thinkMonster Promis the one that actually has enough substance to warrant the heat you might get for playing it.
It’s full of clever and witty dialogue, a wealth of genuinely deep and interesting characters, and accessible binary choices that make it a game just about anyone can play.
That being said, though, this game may look kid-friendly, but it can get pretty explicit, which perhaps explains why you might want to keep it on the down low.
8Genshin Impact
Where’s The Mute Paimon Button?
Genshin Impact
In truth, you could slot in a lot of Japanese games of this ilk here, but we feel that Hoyoverse’s biggest cash cow,Genshin Impact, is a perfect representative for all the video games that are thematically a stone’s throw away from those Visual Novel games.You know the ones.
At its core,Genshin Impactis a great game that plays a little likeBreath of the Wild, but with enough unique gameplay aspects and story beats to stand on its own two feet as its own entity rather thanjust someZeldaclone.
However, due to all the scantily dressed waifus, the child-like voice acting, and much more, this game can be a little hard to explain to someone who doesn’t quite understand its nuances and mechanical brilliance.
My own spouse called me a wrong’un for playing it, and you know what? I get it, but that Gacha system sunk its hooks in and wouldn’t let go.
7DmC: Devil May Cry
Baby Face Dante Isn’t For Everyone
DmC: Devil May Cry
It’s fair to say that theDevil May Cryseries has always been a little bit campy and over the top. But for the most part, the series has been able to couple this with gritty arcade action and demon-fuelled stories to keep things from becoming too kitschy.
However, for many fans, the soft reboot was a step over the line and seemed to anger those who grew up with an undeniably badass version of Dante.
This new-age interpretation of the character was a little Marvel movie-esque at times in the worst way possible, and the story overall leaves a lot to be desired.
However, it’s a game that many secretly have a lot of time for simply because it’s a much more accessible DMC game with a lower skill level needed to master.
Not to mention, the production value is still great, and the gameplay retains the arcade-style charm while pushing the series forward rather than living off past successes.
Is it a bit much at times? Absolutely. But it’s still a great DMC game and probably the best one to hop into if you’ve always been curious about the series.
Just avoid the hardcore DMC fans in the chat, or they might have some choice words for you.
Dance My Little Playthings
The Sims 4
Games are all about escapism. Being able to live a life so far removed from our own, if only for the briefest of moments before another inevitable adult responsibility gets in the way.
This is perhaps why it’s so strange thatThe Sims, a series where you simulate the lives of various humdrum humans, is so popular.
As you play this game, you’ll build a home, find a stable job, raise a family, and do all the chores you’re likely avoiding in your own home. Yet, you can’t deny that there’s something that’s rather appealing about living a second life and playing God.
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Whether it’s the classic ‘take the ladder out of the swimming pool’ scenario. Or perhaps just making a good, honest living, there’s plenty to do in this sandbox simulator.
But if you attempt to explain it to anyone, they might find it a little bit sad. And when you think about it, I suppose they would be mad not to.
5Deadly Premonition
B-Movie Brilliance
Deadly Premonition
Some games can be a guilty pleasure because they are so bad that they’re good. Some meet the criteria because they are cheesy beyond belief, and some achieve this status through something from the Uncanny Valley.
Well, I would argue that the Twin Peaks-esque detective gameDeadly Premonitionticks all of these boxes.
The game expertly walks the tightrope between a competent detective game with horror elements and a surreal life simulator in which you need to manage your hygiene and have regular conversations with your cup of coffee.
If you’re familiar with the silliness ofSilent Hill’sdog ending,Deadly Premonitionfeels like an entire game with this sort of vibe. Making it a nailed-on guilty pleasure for most who have had the pleasure of visiting Greenvale.
4Saints Row
3rd Street Saints Represent
Saints Row 3
In truth, you could argue thatSaint’s Row’sinspirationGrand Theft Autocould also occupy this space. But in the end, due to the worldwide popularity, the on-the-money satire, and the moments of grittiness, GTA perhaps just avoids this fate.
However, ever since Saints Row abandoned the gritty gangster themes of the earlier outings and leaned fully into the surreal and silly, the franchise has been known for cringe-worthy wackiness.
Saints Rowis effectively like that show you loved that unfortunately jumped the shark with some outlandish plot point. But instead of being ashamed of it, this franchise owns and leans into it. Leading to ridiculous, farcical action scenes, ridiculous narratives, phallic weaponry, and so much more.
It’s like an eighties action film, a Japanese game show, a classic cartoon, and a crime drama all rolled into one. And while it’s not exactly the most highbrow game, it does make for one hell of a cocktail filled with fun moments and bombastic action.
It Doesn’t Matter What They Think!
When it comes to wrestling, whether it be virtual or in the real world, there is plenty to potentially be embarrassed by.
There’s the pageantry of it all, with men in tights and heavy-duty makeup. There’s the ham-fisted storylines that play out like a soap opera, and, of course, there’s the whole song and dance that happens in the ring. Yet, much like soap operas, it’s very easy to get caught up in the madness of it all.
This much is true of wrestling games that allow you to be part of the action, perform the signature moves, talk on the mic, and generally live the life of a WWE superstar. Which, while completely ludicrous to just about any non-wresting fan, is a blast for anyone willing to suspend disbelief.
Admittedly, wrestling games under the 2K model have been a little hit-and-miss, to say the least. But, as proved bythe franchise’s most recent outing, when they hit, they really hit. They are corny as they come, but you can’t deny that it’s quality entertainment.
And that’s the bottom line, because Stone Cold said so!
Where We Dropping?
It may be a pretty bold statement to put one of the most successful, profitable, and engaging video games of this era on this list. But let’s face it: when you strip back the impressive visuals, the variety of interesting game modes, and the genuinely fun gameplay.
You have to admit, unless you’re a kid telling their fellow classmates about your latest ‘Victory Royale,’ there’s a bit of shame that comes with saying ‘I playFortnite.’
It could be because a lot of the game’s content is marketed to kids, or it could be because of the variety of Fortnite dances that would inexplicably appear on your TikTok feed.
But one thing remains true: While Fortnite is undisputedly a fun, polished, and consistently evolving game, it’s not a love you’ll want to profess by shouting from the rooftops.
1Kingdom Hearts
I Guess You Could Say it’s A LittleGoofy
Kingdom Hearts
There is a time and a place for cheesiness in media. It works brilliantly in Rom-Coms and can make reality TV dating shows infinitely watchable. But it’s not something you would expect to be pumped into an action-packed and dynamic video game.
But, that being said, JRPGs tend to be the exception, as you often find yourself using the power of friendship to fight against darkness or some cliché in that ballpark.
Well, if you take that corny approach to storytelling and pepper in some Disney characters for good measure, you’ll end up with something like the long-running and insanely successful JRPG,Kingdom Hearts.
It’s staggering just how popular this franchise is with all demographics despite being fueled by what are effectively children’s films. Not to mention the story which talks non-stop about the light within us all, and the power of our hearts.
It’s one of my all-time favorite franchises, but when people give me a perplexed look as I talk about Sora, Donald, and Goofy’s escapades, I’m never surprised.
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