Video game review scores and financial success are two very different metrics that very rarely align. In the FPS genre, with so much competition and the expectations set by previous entries, it can be borderline impossible to make both an incredible game and a profit.
And, as unfortunate as it may be, some of the best games in the genre sadly missed the money mark and flopped at release, despite having near-perfect scores across the board. These games are a testament to just how much discrepancy there can be between sales numbers and the actual players who love and appreciate them.
Prey
Complexity Can Be Polarizing
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Prey remains one of Arkane Studios’ finest achievements, combining immersive sim mechanics with psychological horror aboard the sprawling Talos I space station. You are encouraged to experiment with both alien abilities and the world around you, as there are almost always multiple approaches to every encounter, creating an experience that rewards creativity from beginning to end.
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 on 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 would highly recommend revisiting today.
Titanfall 2
Amazing Sequel, Horrible 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 is hard to find a negative to point out, as everything from the level design to the gunplay, and innovative ideas to the insane singleplayer campaign, which I consider to be the game’s greatest achievement.
Commercially, however, the game struggled. EA launched Titanfall 2 between Battlefield 1 and Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, forcing it to compete directly with two of the biggest shooters of the year, and with that much brand power to fight against, it was almost doomed to fail, regardless of how amazing the experience was.
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
Not Quite The Landing It 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 against the Nazi regime has never felt quite this good. Nailing both the story and the gameplay, there is never a dull moment, and you are constantly invested in the individual characters and the wider narrative that ties them all together.
Unfortunately, that acclaim didn’t translate into major commercial success. The game launched during an extremely competitive holiday period alongside several blockbuster releases, while its single-player focus meant that other multiplayer shooters continued dominating the market, but with the genre in a very different place now, I see no reason to go back in time for some explosive and unrelenting fun.
Bulletstorm
Original Yet Before Its Time
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Not all FPS games choose to push mechanical boundaries, but Bulletstorm managed to distinguish itself by rewarding you for eliminating enemies as creatively as possible. Rather than simply aiming for headshots, its Skillshot system encouraged environmental kills, elaborate weapon combinations, and increasingly spectacular executions, making the combat feel fresh throughout the campaign.
That unique identity was great for review scores, yet on the monetary side of things, the market had very little room for a brand-new IP, something I consider to be pretty unfair given how cool the game is. Established franchises pushed it aside, and the cult following that exists today is all that remains from an otherwise stellar FPS game.
Dishonored 2
Arkane Showing Their Stuff
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Dishonored 2 refined virtually every aspect of Arkane’s original masterpiece, adding in plenty of new abilities and refining the levels to deliver the most polished version of the franchise. The sheer number of avenues and tools you have to create them is mind-blowing, and I always found myself replaying levels countless times, just to see things from another 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 from BioShock, there is no immersive sim that sees quite as much praise as Dishonored 2, and 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 apart from other shooters through its absurd yet gritty visual and gameplay style that placed you in control of a demon-infused hitman with more than a few guns up his sleeves. From tearing enemies limb from limb to blasting enemies with pistols up close, the combat always feels great, and the visuals do a lot of heavy lifting to make the action look significantly more punchy overall.
Stylistic choices became the biggest topic of debate, as the distinctive aesthetic was beyond polarizing, especially during a period saturated with military shooters. With that said, if you are looking for an inventive and unique experience, I don’t think you will find a much better FPS game than The Darkness II.
Singularity
Sci-Fi Has Always Been Crowded
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Singularity combined a whole host of different mechanics and abilities into a single playthrough, letting you manipulate time to restore objects and engage with the environment in increasingly inventive ways. Coupled with a Cold War science-fiction setting, and you end up with a surprisingly gripping game that will hold your attention in terms of gameplay and narrative.
As it turned out, like many other new IPs, the biggest hurdle to cross is to beat the existing products, and in the case of Singularity, those 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, there’s no harm in adding 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 positioned in a strange spot in the FPS world, and although it is regarded as one of the most influential, System Shock 2 is no different. Inspiring everything from BioShock to Deus Ex, the blend of RPG progression, survival horror, and complex mechanics created a blueprint that countless developers would later build upon for decades to come.
That legacy wasn’t reflected in its original sales, being a commercial disappointment despite outstanding reviews that were quick to point out the forward-thinking nature of the game. I can see the complexity being a pain point for many, yet it is 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 into immediate commercial success.
