While the release of the Crysis sequels did not go unnoticed a decade ago, the circumstances around their development and release ensured that they never really had a chance to reach a wider audience.
It is also possible for some games to fall through the cracks for a variety of reasons. On the flip side, we sometimes see games that launch too soon and are crippled with bugs.
With the right game at the right time, no amount of success is unreachable.