10 Video Games Everyone Wanted (But Nobody Played)

5. Prey (2017)

Deathloop PS5
Arkane Studios

There's perhaps no video game studio more unlucky than Arkane Studios, who have a history of producing quality, well-received games that don't find a way to connect with a wider player-base.

It first happened to Dishonored 2, and then it happened to 2017's reboot of Prey, which was anticipated as one of the boldest and most ambitious FPS of its era - in a period where the FPS genre was waning - and went on to score strong reviews from most outlets.

Despite this, Prey debuted at #2 in the UK charts behind the Nintendo Switch port of Mario Kart 8, and to make matters worse first-week sales were said to be 60% down from Dishonored 2, which again was itself a commercial disappointment.

Many journalists cited Bethesda's decision to withhold review code from critics until the game's release day as instrumental in it flopping, while others pointed to a low-key marketing campaign and also the decision to name it after a 2006 FPS that few had actually played.

Had Bethesda given out review copies pre-release, leveraged their marketing to focus on the game's unique gameplay and aesthetics, and given it a different, more compelling title, then it might've actually struck a chord with the mainstream.

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Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.