6 Video Games That Would Have Been Great But Were Never Finished
Video games can capture our imaginations with bold ideas and exciting promises, but not every project makes it to release. Some games, brimming with potential, get stuck in development limbo, leaving me dreaming about what might have been. From groundbreaking mechanics to rich worlds, these titles had the makings of something special. Yet, studio troubles, budget cuts, or bad timing stopped them short.
I’ve dug into six games that could have been amazing but were never finished. Each had unique features that set it apart, and I’ll explore what made them exciting and why they were abandoned, piecing together their stories from what’s known.
Mega Man Legends 3
‘Mega Man Legends 3’ was set to revive the beloved 3D action-adventure series for the Nintendo 3DS. Capcom planned a vibrant open world with Mega Man Volnutt exploring ruins, fighting robotic enemies, and uncovering a new story, with fans even invited to help design characters.
Development started strong, but Capcom halted the project in 2011, citing insufficient fan support despite a planned prototype. The cancellation stung, as early demos showed a charming mix of exploration and combat that could have rekindled the series’ spark.
The Order: 1891
‘The Order: 1891’ was meant to be the second chapter of a planned trilogy following the PS4 exclusive ‘The Order: 1886’ (2015). Ready at Dawn envisioned a steampunk world with deeper gunplay and a darker story, building on the first game’s alternate-history London.
The studio faced financial struggles, and after mixed reviews of the original, Sony shifted focus to other projects, canceling the sequel around 2016. Leaked concept art hinted at a gripping narrative, making its loss a missed chance for a richer franchise.
Scalebound
‘Scalebound’ promised an epic action RPG for the Xbox One, led by PlatinumGames and director Hideki Kamiya. Players would control Drew, bonded with a dragon named Thuban, in a lush open world filled with massive battles and cooperative multiplayer.
Microsoft canceled it in 2017 after years of troubled development, including engine issues and creative clashes. Gameplay trailers showed thrilling dragon-riding combat, leaving me wishing this ambitious title had soared to release.
True Fantasy Live Online
‘True Fantasy Live Online’ aimed to bring a massive MMORPG to the original Xbox, crafted by Level-5. It featured a colorful fantasy world where thousands could adventure together, with customizable characters and real-time voice chat.
Technical challenges, especially with online stability, stalled progress. Microsoft axed it in 2004, worried about competing in the crowded MMO space. Its vibrant art and cooperative focus could have made it a gem for Xbox fans.
Propeller Arena
‘Propeller Arena’ was a finished Dreamcast game blending arcade dogfights with a retro 1920s vibe. Developed by Sega AM2, it offered fast multiplayer battles, unique planes, and a catchy soundtrack, ready for release in 2001.
Sega scrapped it at the last minute due to sensitivities around its aerial combat theme after real-world events. Leaked builds revealed a polished, fun game that could have been a Dreamcast classic.
Star Wars Battlefront III
‘Star Wars Battlefront III’ was poised to elevate the franchise with seamless ground-to-space battles. Free Radical Design, nearly done by 2008, crafted epic Star Wars conflicts with heroes like Obi-Wan and larger-scale maps, as Michael Barclay later shared.
LucasArts canceled it amid financial woes and internal shifts, despite being almost complete. Leaked footage and a Wii build found by Free Radical Archives show a game that could have been a fan favorite.
What unfinished game do you wish had made it to release, or did I miss a hidden gem? Drop your thoughts in the comments!