Best Games That Saved Their Developers

Summary

Final Fantasy saved Square from bankruptcy with its massive success in Japan, solidifying its place in the industry.
Dead or Alive innovated with 3D fighting, following a similar approach to Final Fantasy, and continued to be popular.
Sonic Frontiers restored faith in Sonic Team, offering a new, ambitious game with deep gameplay and a darker story.

It’s well-known that games which fail commercially and critically can lead to severe consequences for the developers who created them. Regrettably, the gaming industry has experienced numerous companies closing down entirely because a game didn’t meet its anticipated success. However, there have been instances where titles managed to keep their creators afloat. Given that many of these games represented the last chance for developers to leave an impact on the industry, they are often viewed as labor-of-love projects, striving to offer players an enjoyable gaming experience.

In reality, numerous games within these series are often considered top-notch, and are cherished by players for keeping these franchises alive post-release. Here are some notable examples of games that not only kept their developers from being forgotten but managed to do so due to their exceptional quality and entertainment value. These games are ranked according to overall quality and fun factor.

7. Final Fantasy

Square’s Final Desperate Attempt To Win Over An Audience

The title “Final Fantasy” is often associated with characters within the games who are striving to prevent the world from being destroyed, but it also reflects Square’s predicament during the late 80s. At that time, Square was close to bankruptcy, and Hironobu Sakaguchi, a renowned developer, was leading one final project. This “Final Fantasy” was Square’s last effort to captivate a substantial audience, and it’s no secret that the legendary RPG became an enormous success, particularly in Japan.

Back in the day, the massive success of Dragon Quest made room for Final Fantasy to shine as an engaging new choice. While its gameplay might appear rather simple compared to modern games, it’s still recognized as a pioneer, introducing many classic RPG features that are still used today. Fortunately for Square, Final Fantasy was successful enough to keep going, resulting in 16 main series installments and numerous spin-offs, offering fans plenty of enjoyable experiences.

6. Dead Or Alive

Toei Took A Risk And Created A Highly Innovative 3D Fighter

The initial development of “Dead or Alive” shares a remarkably similar tale with the original “Final Fantasy.” In the ’90s, Tecmo, now known as Koei Tecmo, was grappling with significant financial difficulties due to a series of niche arcade and dating simulator games that didn’t gain much traction. Desperate for a hit, they drew inspiration from Sega and embarked on the creation of their own 3D fighting game as a last resort.

It’s worth mentioning that Sega’s 3D “Virtual Fighter” was trailblazing in the fighting game category, since all games prior had been limited to a 2D side-scrolling layout. This move by Tecmo proved shrewd, as it positioned “Dead or Alive” as an innovator, leading to a highly respected and enduring legacy. The series continues to be popular up until now.

5. Sonic Frontiers

After Several Disappointing Entries, Sonic Team Came Back Swinging

Fans of Sonic are certainly familiar with the fact that the years between the mid-2000s and the 2010s were a tough time for the franchise. Games like Sonic Boom, Sonic Forces, and the widely criticized Sonic 06 didn’t sit well with many supporters. By the 2020s, it was evident that if Sonic Team didn’t deliver another big success, their days in the gaming industry could be limited. As news emerged about Frontiers being their final effort to rebuild fan trust, there was great anticipation among people to see what innovative ideas they would bring to this new game.

It’s great news that the new game, Sonic Frontiers, is not just a rehash of previous entries but offers something fresh while maintaining elements from the classics. The vast open spaces to traverse swiftly and the engaging Cyberspace Levels ensure there’s plenty to keep gamers hooked throughout their playthrough. The story seems to have taken a more ambitious and darker turn this time, which appears to have resonated with many fans. Just listen to the track ‘One Way Dream’ for a glimpse into the emotions of the developers working on what might have been their final Sonic game.

4. Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind

Morrowind Ensured Bethesda Wasn’t Out For The Count

In the past, it might seem unimaginable now, but Bethesda faced the possibility of permanent closure due to the mixed responses to their games, particularly Dagerfall. Although Dagerfall was not a poor game in itself, it had numerous technical problems and bugs at launch, which led many fans to doubt whether Bethesda deserved its title as a pioneer of the RPG genre. It seemed as though they were falling behind their competitors in terms of quality.

It’s widely acknowledged that Morrowind’s success was crucial for The Elder Scrolls series and its creators to continue thriving. The game offered an engaging open world, a rewarding skill progression system, and a rich cast of intriguing non-player characters, resulting in an immersive and enjoyable gaming experience. It’s challenging to imagine a scenario where games like Oblivion and Skyrim never materialized if Morrowind hadn’t struck a chord with gamers as deeply as it did.

3. Fire Emblem Awakening

Intelligent Systems Made Awakening More Accessible To Bring In More Players

As a dedicated fan, I’ve always admired how Fire Emblem stands out among Nintendo’s first-party franchises, even though it doesn’t quite match the popularity of icons like Mario and Zelda. Yet, its devoted fanbase never fails to make a splash whenever a fresh installment hits the shelves. Back in the early 2000s, Fire Emblem’s enigmatic presence turned out to be more of a double-edged sword: the steep learning curve and challenging gameplay left many newcomers struggling to grasp the series.

The main point here applies to the permanent death system, where any units eliminated in battle were irreversibly removed from the game. Given that these games were already challenging, even a small error could lead to the character’s elimination. Nintendo warned their Intelligence Systems that if Awakening didn’t perform well sales-wise, they might lose the right to produce games under the Nintendo brand. To prevent this, they put extra effort into developing this game. With the option to toggle permadeath on or off, and an innovative partner system allowing units to collaborate during battles for mutual support, they managed to maintain the game’s difficulty while making it more approachable for a broader audience. This approach helped Fire Emblem gain mainstream popularity and secure its continued success.

2. Persona 3

Persona 3 Brought The Unique RPG Franchise To Mainstream Attention

The extraordinary creativity of Atlus as game developers has frequently been a key factor in the enduring appeal of their contemporary RPGs to fans, but this wasn’t always beneficial for them. Prior to the widespread recognition of the Persona series, Atlus was publishing dark, intense, and difficult dungeon crawlers like the Digital Devil Saga duology, which struggled to attract new followers. With the initial two Persona games garnering only modest popularity in Japan, director Katsura Hashino has acknowledged that Atlus might have ceased to exist if Persona 3 did not perform satisfactorily.

Indeed, while some might argue that Persona 4 propelled this series into prominence, the truth is that Persona 3 paved the way for its popularity. The blend of a typical high school life during the day and dungeon-crawling with companions at night in Persona 3 introduced an unprecedented dynamic. Furthermore, its striking visuals and deeply emotional narrative struck a chord with countless players. Given that it was remade in 2024, it’s evident that Atlus harbors deep respect for this classic JRPG, as it essentially secured their continued presence in the gaming industry.

1. Nier Automata

Yoko Taro And His Weird And Wonderful Game Put Platinum Games Back In The Spotlight

Initially, it wasn’t clear when Nier Automata was initially launched, but later on, Hideaki Kamiya, the main developer at Platinum Games, disclosed that the team was facing some challenges during that particular timeframe. With Scalebound being canceled in 2017 and a decline in the popularity of the character action genre, Nier Automata appeared just when it was needed to revitalize Platinum Games by offering what many consider one of the greatest action games ever produced.

As a devoted fan, I must say that diving into the hack-and-slash world of Nier: Automata has been an absolute joyride! The diverse array of skills and abilities that 2B can master during gameplay only adds to the fun. However, it’s the captivating storyline that truly sets this game apart. It masterfully weaves complex philosophical ideas and concepts into its narrative, which when combined with Yoko Taro’s signature eccentricity, makes Nier: Automata a standout in the gaming world. It’s no surprise that this game has struck a chord with fans worldwide, as it not only sold like a hot commodity but also garnered critical acclaim. This success has enabled Platinum to continue crafting groundbreaking action games, keeping us enthusiasts on our toes!

2025-07-22 07:35