The gaming landscape is often unpredictable, and even the most anticipated titles on Steam can fall short of expectations. Despite the electricity generated by a game’s marketing campaign—including trailers and social media buzz, which aim to elevate excitement—there’s no guarantee of success. Similarly, some games might pick up hype organically, going viral for reasons beyond the developers’ control. Yet, the potential for wishlist popularity does not assure a game’s triumph. With this understanding, we’ve compiled a list of ten highly wishlisted Steam games that we believe may struggle to deliver on their lofty promises.
It’s important to clarify that our intention is not to wish these games ill; rather, we advocate for a more tempered outlook before getting swept up in the excitement.
All titles mentioned here are within the top 50 on the wishlist chart, as cataloged by SteamDB.
10 Deadlock
You Got Overwatch In My Dota 2!
As a title emerging from Valve, expectations are high for Deadlock, a hero shooter and MOBA blend. Valve has a proven track record with titles like Dota 2 and Team Fortress 2, prompting many to anticipate a significant success.
However, the last major Valve project that showcased such promise while still in beta – Artifact – fell flat and was never fully realized. Therefore, Valve’s cautious approach with Deadlock is understandable; they are focusing on quality and ensuring readiness before launch.
9 Light No Fire
Come On Baby Light My Fire
I genuinely hope Light No Fire achieves success, especially after Hello Games’ redemption arc following the initial failures of No Man’s Sky.
However, I’m approaching the hype surrounding this title with skepticism, given the past disappointment. While Hello Games has maintained a lower profile for this release compared to their earlier game, the striking graphics and thrilling trailers that promise dragons and adventure are still compelling. That excitement can be tempting; however, I aim to stay cautiously optimistic.
8 Ark 2
Chaos Theory
Unveiled during the 2020 Game Awards, Ark 2—and its cinematic trailer featuring Vin Diesel—first sparked enthusiasm among fans.
However, communication surrounding its development has been sparse, with Studio Wildcard noting that the sequel has faced multiple delays and was even put on hold. While a survival game featuring dinosaurs seems like a potential hit, historical development challenges raise doubts about Ark 2’s prospects.
7 Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2
Bloodthirsty
The anticipation surrounding Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 has always baffled me.
This sequel to a 2004 cult classic role-playing game has been delayed and has changed development teams several times, with The Chinese Room—the studio known for acclaimed titles like Amnesia—now at the helm.
Early reviews have been critical, and with dissatisfaction among fans already present, the path forward looks rocky.
6 State of Decay 3
M. I.A.
Given the ongoing layoffs and project cancellations within Microsoft and Xbox, the radio silence regarding State of Decay 3 is concerning.
Introduced in 2020, after Microsoft acquired Undead Labs, the lack of updates—whether progress reports, cancellation notices, or studio news—has left fans in limbo.
Although the State of Decay series has developed a loyal fan base, expectations surrounding this latest installment might lead to inflated hopes that could result in disappointment.
5 Mouse: P. I.For Hire
Old-Timey Fun
The entrance of Winnie-the-Pooh into the public domain led to unexpected outcomes—one being the horror film Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey, which was widely criticized.
This casts a cloud of doubt over Mouse: P. I.For Hire. While it captures the nostalgic visual style of classic animations similar to Cuphead, the gameplay must deliver to be successful. The presence of acclaimed voice actor Troy Baker can’t compensate for potential gameplay shortcomings.
4 Kingmakers
A Very Cool Concept
Kingmakers appears to tick all the boxes for fantasy enthusiasts, featuring an action-adventure strategy set in 1400 AD Great Britain. It sounds engaging, especially with a player character tasked with altering the course of history to prevent an apocalypse.
Nonetheless, the Early Access label can often mean an incomplete experience prone to bugs and balance issues. While the trailers may present a polished view, they might not reflect the initial reality of gameplay.
3 Unrecord
Hopefully As Good As It Looks
Unrecord promises an innovative concept with its bodycam perspective, elevating its narrative-driven gameplay above typical first-person shooters.
Although it has garnered acclaim for its impressive graphics and unique storytelling approach, historical precedent shows that games with similar premises often fail to deliver. While it is among the top wishlisted titles, skepticism remains. Additionally, Bodycam recently launched an Early Access period with stylistic similarities, intensifying competition.
2 Witchbrook
Cozy Vibes
Witchbrook is a delightful life simulation game that combines an attractive art style with the expertise of Chucklefish, known for their work on Starbound.
Featuring cooperative gameplay for up to four players and a cozy atmosphere, it seems like a recipe for success. Yet, this title has been in development since 2016, far preceding other similar projects such as Silksong, resulting in mounting expectations that might far exceed reality.
1 Half Sword
A Knight’s Tale
Half Sword presents itself as a physics-based medieval combat simulator where players can relive the glory and absurdity of being a knight in the 15th century.
The game offers comedic moments through its whimsical approach to combat, which may entertain for a brief period. However, the underlying concern remains: can this gimmick sustain long-term interest? Without deeper gameplay mechanics, it risks becoming just a fleeting amusement.
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