"and yet, new potential customers do imply some increases in sales. I fail to see why this formula somehow does not apply to a great game like NMH2."
"imply" does not mean "will", especially when the marketing for the sequel is as small as the first game.
A flashy-first game is awesome when it comes out. A great-first game is awesome forever.
Plus, just for the hell of it: Kelly Brook at the 2008 BAFTAs