Summary
TheRPGgenre has a wide range of success stories spanning many decades and settings, from indie developers making their first step into the space,to seasoned veteransreleasing smash hit after smash hit and setting the standard for what a good RPG should be. But there are times when a great game just didn’t get the respect or acclaim it deserved. These titles were a success in terms of execution, but performed rather poorly in terms of sales.
When it comes to RPG titles, it is difficult to break into the genre with a successful game. It is so competitive and the expectations are so high that any old game cannot become a number one bestseller overnight without the gameplay to back it up. That being said, a good game doesn’t guarantee sales, and sometimes the quality of the game can’t translate to real-world financial success.
Valkyria Chroniclesdelivered a standout tactical RPG experience with its innovative BLiTZ system, which combined turn-based planning with real-time combat, all in a distinct watercolor art style. The game is set in a fictional version of World War II Europe, following the story of Squad 7’s emotional fight against invasion, blending heartfelt storytelling with deep strategic gameplay. The gameplay andunique look are what garnered most of the praise, and it still holds up in both regards.
However, the game struggled to sell well at launch. Releasing exclusively for the PlayStation 3, it arrived when the console had a limited player base, especially in Japan. It sold just 33,000 units in its first week there, and around 77,000 in its first month in North America. Weak marketing and its genre’s niche appeal contributed to the low sales. The years since have seen a remaster and a more widespread consumer base, but that initial release failed to make much of a splash.
An ambitious open-world RPG set in one of the most beloved universes of all time,Star Wars Outlawsputs players in the role of Kay Vess, a scoundrel navigating the galaxy’s criminal underworld. With space and ground exploration and dynamic mission scenarios, the game aims to deliver a seamlessStar Warsexperience in a detailed, explorable galaxy that leans on the idea of freedom.
But in spite of the praise, its massive scope and high production cost placed enormous pressure on its commercial success. Developed by Ubisoft’s Massive Entertainment, it represented a major investment that brought with it some high expectations that were going to be near impossible to reach. Part of the struggle came from some poor press, and the overall reception was a mixed bag related to the company and some of the themes in the game. It still stands as a pretty great sci-fi RPG, even if Ubisoft struggled to recoup its costs.
Lost Odysseyis a turn-based JRPG developed by Mistwalker and helmed byFinal Fantasycreator Hironobu Sakaguchi. Quality was a near guarantee, but as always, commercial success doesn’t always follow suit. The plot follows Kaim, an immortal warrior grappling with centuries of memories, in a rich narrative supported by traditional combat mechanics and emotional short stories. The game was praised for delivering a deep, character-driven experience during a time when the genre was rapidly evolving in all kinds of new directions.
Despite strong critical reception, the game struggled commercially, especially outside of Japan. Released exclusively on the Xbox 360, a platform with limited traction in Japan, the initial sales were nothing to write home about. The numbers were underwhelming given its budget and pedigree. Its platform choice andold-school mechanicsmade it a harder sell in a market shifting toward faster, flashier action RPGs.
A stylish ARPG that serves as the long-awaited sequel to a cult hit,Neo: The World Ends With Youfollows Rindo and his friends as they are forced to compete in the dead Reapers' Game. Fast-paced combat and a vibrant setting allow the game to capture modern youth culture perfectly, while maintaining the DNA of the original. Dedicated fans adored the game and praised all aspects from the story to the music, but the rest of the world seemed to turn a blind eye to it.
The sales were not the best. Square Enix admitted that it underperformed from a commercial perspective and struggled to make back the production costs in a meaningful way. The niche appeal, long wait time between titles, and some poor marketing contributed to the weak sales and left the franchise with an uncertain future despite the praise.
Vagrant Storyis a unique action RPG that was released for the original PlayStation and is considered one of the best games of the period. Set in the ruined city of Leá Monde, it follows Ashley Riot, a Riskbreaker caught in a complex tale of political intrigue and supernatural forces. The game stood out for itsdark, mature narrativethat is intricately woven into the real-time combat to deliver both a responsive and rewarding experience from start to finish.
Despite the praise and respect it earned, Vagrant Story struggled commercially. While it sold modestly in Japan, its Western performance was underwhelming. Its complexity, lack of traditional RPG elements like towns or party members, and niche appeal made it a tough sell for mainstream audiences. Though beloved by RPG enthusiasts today, it failed to find wide success at launch, and its sales never justified a sequel despite a legacy and following that still exists today.
An early title with a lot to offer,Planescapeis a narrative-rich RPG set within the world ofDungeons and Dragons,and has players searching for the truth behind immortality and life itself. It goes in deep with the philosophical debate and conversations regarding some heavier themes, helped by the excellent writing and character complexity that makes the world come alive. But narrative over action wasn’t the best selling point at the time, and the game suffered in terms of sales as a result.
A release that was well below expectations, plus the focus on text conversations in a rather unconventional setting, made the game hard to market and it only appealed to a niche audience. The popularity has grown over the years, and the appreciation of the narrative has become more mainstream, but the initial sales were disappointing enough to leave it as a one-and-done.
Alpha Protocolaimed to blend spy/thriller storytelling with complex RPG mechanics to bring the genre to a modern-day setting. Playing as a secret agent, gamers navigate global conspiracies through a branching narrative,choices matter a lot. Everything from relationships to dialogue feels very real and was pretty ahead of the curve. It had a lot of ambition in the way the story moved, offering a dynamic playthrough that gave plenty of replay value and opportunities for self-expression.
Even so, the game was hampered by dated graphics and a clunky combat system that felt sluggish and, at times, simply boring to play with. Technical issues were also a big factor. Despite selling a decent amount unit-wise, in terms of recouping costs compared to the large development budget, it was considered a failure and did not meet the expectations of the publisher at all. It might have a favorable perspective now, but it is a bit too little, too late.
