In this article, I will take a look at some of the best games that were cancelled. Why did they suffer such a tragic fate? Also, is there any chance of us ever getting to play these games?
These games died too soon!
As soon as the doctor approaches me, I can tell that it isn’t going to be good news. He sighs and places his right-hand comfortably on my shoulder. “I’m so sorry. There was nothing that we could do,” he says to me. I strain to hold back the tears but it’s useless, they come anyway. “But…why? It seemed to be so healthy…the trailer was beautiful and there were no signs of illness in the concept art.” He sadly shakes his head. “Sometimes, cancellations are just like that. It comes for us all eventually. Is there somebody that you could talk to…like a clan member or your couch co-op game partner perhaps? If not, I can give you the details of an online forum which may be able to offer some comfort in your hour of need.”
I’m still in a state of shock. “But…I never even got to do a fetch quest or visit the inn!” I protest. “There, there…I know it’s difficult. It’s never easy. Perhaps you can play Skyrim again? I hear they’ve just released a VR version…” “Nooooo!”
Here’s a look at some of the best and biggest RPG games that were cancelled, starting withFable Legends.
1) Fable Legends
Fableis a beloved RPG game franchise loved by many.Fable Legendswas a big-budget ARPG spin-off that was to be an interesting multiplayer take on the series. One player would control the villains, with the others acting as the heroes. It had a lot ofFable’ssignature charm, right down to fart emotes being included for the heroes. Instead, after countless delays, it was cancelled in March 2016. Part of the problem was a number ofLionhead’skey staff leaving in 2012 - including Peter Molyneux, who had grown bored of the Fable franchise. It then went way over budget - a $75 million ARPG that just wasn’t working out. To make the cancellation even more tragic, it signalled the closure ofLionhead Studios.
Is there any hope?
ForFable Legends, no. ForFableas a whole, yes.Playground Gamesare strongly rumoured to be developingFable 4for Microsoft.Phil Spencer of Microsoft has commented that the series isn’t dead.
2) Silent Hills/P.T
A game directed by both Hideo Kojima and Guillermo del Toro? Yes please! TheP.Tdemo was amazing - one of the most inventive and frightening horror experiences I’ve played. YetSilent Hillswas cancelled. Konami announcedSilent Hills' cancellation during the same storm surrounding Kojima’s work onMetal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. And del Toro revealed “it was not a gentle and ambiguous cancellation,” as Konami wiped it out with “a sort of scorched earth approach.”
On the bright side, del Toro said months later that he and Kojima plan to work on a project together — but it won’t beSilent Hills. Konami seems to be focusing on mobile gaming, so it may be a while until you can return to Silent Hill.
3) Star Wars 1313
Star Wars 1313was going to be an action game focusing on the exploits of Boba Fett. So I suppose it would have been a bit like Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, only good. The concept art that was shown of it looked great. Yet Lucasfilm cancelled it, saying they wanted to minimize “the company’s risk while achieving a broader portfolio of quality Star Wars games.”
It’s unlikely that we’ll ever get to playStar Wars 1313but there’s sure to be many more Star Wars games. Perhaps someday you’ll even get the epic Jar Jar Binks RPG that you’ve always dreamed of.
4) Scalebound
Scaleboundsounded very promising.PlatinumGamesare an amazing developer who have given usBayonettaandNieR Automata. Plus, it had dragons that you could ride and fight alongside! Everybody loves dragons, right? So what went wrong? We’ll never know for sure. It was scheduled for release in 2016 but fell behind schedule. Microsoft commented: “After careful deliberation, Microsoft Studios has come to the decision to end production forScalebound.”
Nope. But if you haven’t already done so, you should go and play NieR Automata. What are you waiting for? Why are you still reading this? Go, go, go!
5) World of Darkness
World of Darkness was going to be a vampire-themed MMO by the EVE Online developer, CCP Games. Based in the supernatural world of the tabletop RPG World of Darkness series, the game was going to make a lot of use of player politics and social interaction in its gameplay. It could have been amazing but after eight years in development, it was cancelled.
Unfortunately, no. Fortunately, Dotnod are making a vampire RPG calledVampyrwhich will be released in June. You could also play Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines on Steam. It’s in the World of Darkness universe and it is bloody good.
Which cancelled games were you most looking forward to playing? Please comment below and let us know!
So, did you like this article? If so, you could read theFable 4 in the worksarticle next. Alternatively, you could read theStar Wars Jedi Knight II Reviewarticle.
