Video game review scores and financial success are two very different metrics that very rarely match up. In it FPS genre, with so much competition and the expectations that are set past contributions, it can be borderline impossible to make both an incredible game and a win.
And, unfortunate as it may be, some of the best games in the genre sadly missed the money and flopped at launch, despite having near-perfect scores across the board. These games are proof of how much of a discrepancy there can be between sales figures and the actual players who love and appreciate them.
Change
Complexity can be polarizing
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Change remains one of Arkane Studios' best achievements, combining immersive sim mechanics with psychological horror aboard the sprawling space station Talos I. You're encouraged to experiment with both alien abilities and the world around you, as there are almost always multiple approaches to each encounter, creating an experience that rewards creativity from start to finish.
Despite its exceptional reviews, the game struggled to meet commercial expectations, with much of the attention focused on the decision to reuse the original title, as well as relatively modest marketing and the niche appeal of immersive sims. Over time, however, it has become widely regarded as one of the best first-person games of its generation, and one I'd highly recommend checking out today.
Titanfall 2
Great sequel, terrible timing
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Titanfall 2 refined nearly every aspect of its predecessor, introducing a phenomenal single-player campaign alongside some of the smoothest movement mechanics ever seen in a multiplayer shooter. It's hard to find anything negative to point out, as everything from the level design to the gunplay and innovative ideas to the insane single player campaign, which I consider to be the game's greatest achievement.
Commercially, however, the game struggled. EA is launched Titanfall 2 between Battlefield 1 and Call of Duty: Infinite Warfareforcing it to compete head-to-head with two of the year's biggest shooters, and with so much brand power to contend with, it was all but doomed to failure, no matter how great the experience was.
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
Not quite the landing that was needed
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Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus delivered another excellent campaign filled with about as much action as you could possibly want, and fighting the Nazi regime has never felt so good. Nailing both the story and gameplay, there's never a dull moment, and you're constantly invested in the individual characters and the broader narrative that ties them all together.
Unfortunately, that acclaim did not translate into any major commercial success. The game launched during an extremely competitive holiday season alongside several blockbuster releases, while its single-player focus meant other multiplayer games continued to dominate the market, but with the genre in a completely different place now, I see no reason to go back in time for some explosive and relentless fun.
Bulletstorm
Original even before its time
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Not all FPS games choose to push mechanical limits, though Bulletstorm managed to excel by rewarding you for eliminating enemies as creatively as possible. Instead of just aiming for headshots, its Skillshot system encouraged environmental assassinations, elaborate weapon combinations and increasingly spectacular executions, keeping combat feeling fresh throughout the campaign.
The unique identity was good for review points, but on the monetary side of things, the market had very little room for a brand new IP, which I feel is pretty unfair given how cool the game is. Established franchises pushed it aside, and the cult following that exists today is all that remains of an otherwise great FPS game.
Dishonored 2
Arkane shows off his stuff
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Dishonored 2 refined virtually every aspect of Arkane's original masterpiece, adding tons of new abilities and refining the levels to deliver the most polished version of the franchise. The sheer number of paths and tools you have to create them is astounding, and I always found myself replaying levels countless times, just to see things from a different perspective.
Commercially, however, the sequel struggled to replicate the original's momentum, partly due to technical issues on PC, but also as a result of the high development cost for a still relatively niche genre. Today I would argue that aside BioShockthere is no immersive sim that sees as much praise as Dishonored 2and only time will tell if the fabled third game finally sees the light of day.
The Darkness II
Horror and shooting combined
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The Darkness II stood out from other shooters with its absurd yet gritty visuals and gameplay that put you in control of a demon-infused killer with more than a few weapons up his sleeves. From tearing enemies limb from limb to blasting enemies with pistols at close range, the combat always feels good, and the visuals do a lot of heavy lifting to make the action look significantly more punchy.
Stylistic choices became the biggest topic of debate, as the distinctive aesthetic was beyond polarizing, especially in a period saturated with military shooters. That said, if you're looking for an inventive and unique experience, I don't think you'll find a much better FPS game than The Darkness II.
Peculiarity
Sci-Fi has always been crowded
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Peculiarity combined a variety of mechanics and abilities into a single playthrough, allowing you to manipulate time to recover items and engage with the environment in increasingly inventive ways. Coupled with a cold war sci-fi setting, you get a surprisingly gripping game that will hold your attention in terms of gameplay and story.
As it turns out, like many other new IPs, the biggest hurdle to cross is beating the existing products, and in the case of Peculiaritythese abilities and the storytelling never really found a widespread consumer base. I didn't play it at launch, but I can now see what all the buzz was about from those who did, and while the damage may have been done, it doesn't hurt to add a few extra sales all these years later.
System shock 2
Way ahead of the curve
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Immersive sims have always been placed in a strange place in the world of FPS, and although it is considered one of the most influential, System shock 2 is no different. Inspire everything from BioShock to Deus Exthe mix of RPG progression, survival horror, and complex mechanics created a blueprint that countless developers would later build upon for decades to come.
This legacy was not reflected in its initial sales, as it was a commercial disappointment despite outstanding reviews that were quick to point out the game's forward thinking. I can see the complexity being a pain point for many, but it's hard to deny how much of an achievement it is in game design, and proof that critical acclaim and long-term influence don't always translate to instant commercial success.
