10 Games Which Gained Popularity Much Later After Their Official Release

In an industry where both critics and consumers can be merciless toward games that do not release with the expected level of quality, it can be quite tricky for developers to get things right the first time. However, a few studios have managed to claw their way back into the good graces of players who may have been either unaware of the new title, or disgruntled by it owing to a variety of reasons.

We take a look at ten such games that were either panned or unnoticed when they were originally released but gained popularity as time went on.

1. Earthbound

While this 1994 RPG for the NES failed to draw any audiences in the United States upon its release, its phenomenal success in the Japanese market soon convinced many players to give it a go. Those who did were rewarded with a narrative that blended satirical and poignant moments in equal measure while giving each of its characters a moment to shine.

Earthbound soon catapulted to fame and was even touted as one of the greatest games of all time by many who would eventually swear by its unique gameplay and excellent story.

2. Spec Ops: The Line

Originally meant to be developed by Rockstar Games, Spec Ops: The Line was eventually developed by Yager Games and published by 2K. The title was plagued with the poor reputation of its predecessors, however, and failed to capture the audience it was meant for upon release.

However, as more people dived into its intense narrative that examined the physical and emotional toll of war on frontline soldiers, the game picked up pace and was soon famous for the manner in which its story and gameplay melded together into an examination of conflict that continues to draw attention even today.

3. Beyond Good & Evil

Ubisoft’s attempt at creating a title that blended the best of espionage and action may have fallen flat when it was released for the PS2 back in 2002. However, Beyond Good & Evil quickly catapulted to fame in the years after it was released, gaining what can only be referred to as a cult following that continues to clamor for a follow-up to its explosive narrative.

The fame it has achieved has been enough for Ubisoft to consider a sequel to the original game as it looks to reverse its failing fortunes today.

4. Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines

While this 2004 action RPG went largely unnoticed when it was released, Bloodlines has since managed to capture the hearts and minds of many players who have been drawn into its intriguing narrative and unique premise.

Its examination of the moral implications of being a vampire in a vastly populated take on the city of Los Angeles has proven to be gripping and engaging, placing Bloodlines in a unique position among other titles in the genre with an excellent gameplay loop being supported by intricate mechanics and choices in its narrative that stay with players long after they roll the credits on its story.

5. Psychonauts

Originally meant to be a release title for the first Xbox console, Psychonauts was eventually picked up by Majesco Entertainment as a multi-platform release that faded into obscurity owing to its developers facing financial problems and a lack of sufficient marketing for the title.

However, this 2005 action-platforming title won over the gaming world with an excellent story and exciting gameplay that has since catapulted it to fame and secured its place in gaming history.

6. Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn

Square Enix’s second attempt at an MMORPG in the Final Fantasy franchise failed miserably at the time of its release, forcing the studio to go back to the drawing board and release a complete overhaul of the title in 2013. The remake proved quite successful, however, and Realm Reborn became a massive success for the studio in a comeback story for the ages.

With remasters allowing the game to continue its dominance on subsequent generations of consoles, Realm Reborn is a worthy addition to this list although most players would prefer to forget about its unfortunate beginnings.

7. Among Us

While this indie title failed to capture the attention of the gaming world when it was released, it soon catapulted to popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing its players with an entertaining and engrossing gameplay loop that made living under lockdowns a fair bit easier to manage.

The title’s success has allowed other developers to leverage its unique premise and gameplay loop in creative ways, bringing it to other franchises and media in a format that seems like it is here to stay.

8. Okami

This hidden gem from Clover Studio and Capcom may not have had many takers around the time of its 2006 release but it has risen to global fame with its distinctive art style and heartfelt story that tackles several complex themes in Japanese mythology.

Several remasters of the original title have allowed Okami to enthrall multiple generations of gamers with an experience that they are not likely to forget as they move on to other titles.

9. Cyberpunk 2077

Although this sprawling adventure from CD Projekt Red was a highly anticipated title from the Polish studio, its disastrous launch saw the game fade into obscurity within a few months of its release. However, a series of updates and patches to the game afforded it a new lease of life, allowing players to delve into the experience that the studio intended for them to have.

With the release of Phantom Liberty, a DLC expansion to the base game, Cyberpunk 2077 is now among the most famous games of all time and a must-have for any RPG fan looking to sink a few hours into a world full of adventure and intrigue.

10. No Man’s Sky

This 2016 action-adventure survival title did not find too many takers at the time of its original release. However, its innovative, procedurally-generated world soon began to attract players in droves with an addictive gameplay loop and unique visuals that they would soon find too good to be true.

Its success has allowed No Man’s Sky to be a very successful current-gen offering and a game that truly reflects how Hello Games managed to turn things around for a title that it had a lot of faith in.

While this list is by no means exhaustive, each title on it is brilliant on its own, and a showcase of how even the best games may sometimes go unnoticed in an industry that has seen a constant influx of great games over the years.

We hope to see many more gems grace the screens of gamers in the coming years with current-gen hardware pushing the boundaries of what video games can achieve!