The epitome of this is Deadly Premonition.
It’s batshit insane, the characters are crazy, the plot is a mess and the gameplay is a joke with terrible driving, awful combat, dreadful QTE’s and an awful map.
But it’s also ridiculously charming, oozing with personality and heart. The cast may be crazy and absolutely insane but they’re also loveable and fun to interact with. It may be ugly but the world is oddly peaceful and tranquil and while the story may be a convoluted mess it also packs some pretty solid twists.
It’s Twin Peaks the game and it’s perfect, but it’s also really shit, but kind of great, I guess?
Life is Strange.
That game is deep and the way it builds the characters and their relationships is honestly fantastic.
I legitimately found myself caring for Max, Chloe and their friends. When Kate killed herself because of my choices and neglecting her I felt dreadful.
But nothing hit as hard as that final choice. Do you go back to the beginning and let Chloe die to save the town, but lose her? Or do you let the town get destroyed and potentially lose everyone else you care about, but keep Chloe alive?
I legitimately was astounded by how difficult a choice it was to make, it really had me considering all the possibilities, all the downsides and upsides.
In the end I went back and allowed Chloe to die and honestly the ending was heartbreaking. The funeral, everyone heartbroken, the soundtrack.
No game had hit me on an emotional level like that before. And no game ever has since