10 Games That Shouldn't Have FAILED

TL;DR

A list of ten video games that underperformed despite their potential and quality.

Transcript

(electronic chiming) - [Host] Today, we're going to talk about 10 games that shouldn't have failed. For various reasons, be it sales, the company or organization behind the game, the game's intent and the actual outcome, just games that shouldn't have failed for various reasons across the board. We've talked many times on this channel about games t... Read More

Key Insights

• 👾 Organizational and financial issues often hinder game development, as seen with 38 Studios and "Kingdoms of Amalur."
• 😘 Unique gameplay mechanics can garner cult followings, even if initial sales are low, such as with "God Hand."
• ❓ Reputation among critics doesn't guarantee commercial success, illustrated by "Beyond Good and Evil."
• 🥺 The significance of marketing strategies is highlighted, where missteps can lead to misunderstandings of a game’s identity, as shown in "Brutal Legend."
• 👾 Fan communities can sustain interest in games like "Paragon," despite their discontinuation.
• 💪 Legacy franchises like "Twisted Metal" risk fading from memory if not revived, despite having strong nostalgic appeal.
• 🦾 Innovative mechanics and storytelling, as present in "Titanfall 2," show potential for sequels that may never come because of initial underperformance.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why did "Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning" fail despite its positive reception?

"Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning" had a robust RPG experience, impressive world-building, and engaging gameplay. However, its development studio, 38 Studios, faced significant internal issues, including financial troubles and organizational failures. Despite the game's overall reception being positive and a sequel in the works, these issues ultimately led to its downfall, preventing the franchise from thriving.

Q: What made "God Hand" unique and deserving of more success?

"God Hand" was a distinctive 3D beat 'em up that offered a unique perspective and gameplay style that stood apart from contemporary titles. Directed by Shinji Mikami, it utilized tank controls and a quirky combat system, making it both challenging and charming. Despite its lackluster sales initially, it garnered a cult following due to its charm, humor, and innovative gameplay.

Q: How did "Beyond Good and Evil" fall short of expectations?

Despite receiving high praise from critics and developing a passionate fan base, "Beyond Good and Evil" failed commercially upon its release. Ubisoft expected it to perform significantly better, which led to disappointment and slowed down the game's sequel prospects. Over the years, it has since gained recognition, yet its initial lack of sales overshadowed its true potential.

Q: What led to the demise of "Mercenaries 2"?

"Mercenaries 2: World in Flames" offered a unique twist on the open-world genre and enjoyed a fun, engaging gameplay loop. However, despite decent sales, it received mixed reviews. The closure of developer Pandemic Studios shortly after its release and the failure to innovate or build on the franchise's success led to its sad end.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The video discusses ten video games that had the potential for success but ultimately failed to gain traction, either commercially or critically, due to various reasons.

• Each game mentioned has a unique story, with notable examples like "Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning" and "Titanfall 2," which despite positive reviews and fan support, did not achieve lasting success.

• The host emphasizes the disappointment over the fate of these games, suggesting a lack of marketing, number of sequels, or organizational issues as factors in their underperformance.