10 Failed Xbox 360 Games That Became Cult Classics
3. Lost Odyssey
On paper Lost Odyssey sounded like a guaranteed hit. This turn-based IP was written by Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi and scored by visionary composer Nobuo Uematsu. Based on that information alone, how could any JRPG fan not throw their hard-earned money at it?
Apart from the loading times, nearly every aspect of Lost Odyssey was praised, especially the skill system, the combat, and the visual novel flashback sequences. Since Lost Odyssey was literally the biggest game on the Xbox 360, (it came on four discs), players were guaranteed to get their money's worth.
And yet, Lost Odyssey tanked spectacularly for one simple reason - brand recognition. It may have had Final Fantasy's creator at the helm, but it didn't have the name. When FFXIII launched two years later, it was ripped apart by critics. And yet, it sold 11 million copies, over 20 times what Lost Odyssey managed.
Lost Odyssey's failure is more frustrating in hindsight, since it's only gotten better with age. Unlike the recent Final Fantasy instalments, Lost Odyssey isn't bogged down by unnecessary twists, non-sensical plots, and convoluted mechanics. It never loses sight of the fundamental elements, allowing the player to enjoy the experience from beginning to end.