One notable example I can think of is enough HoMM3 fans to bankrupt 3DO by not buying HoMM4. I mean, doubt that the reason was that it was that terrible if taken on its own instead of the fact that it was marketed as part of the series but yet changed the gameplay in important ways.

HoMM IV was far from what drove 3DO into bankruptcy, it had little impact by then. The game itself reviewed fairly well and did OK, if not spectacular, in the sales.. At launch it reached #14 among PC games in the U.S. and climbed as high as #4 on the German charts, for example. It didn’t break any records or redefine the series, but it certainly wasn’t a flop either. 3DO’s collapse came from much broader issues, poor financial planning, overextension, and a tarnished reputation - not from HoMM IV underperforming.

No, they just have different expectations that come associated with the name and don't want to support a bastardized version of it, for example Fallout 4 is arguably a good game, but it's only Fallout in name only, everything from the classic postapocalyptic aesthetic to the roleplaying is gone, if you buy it you're esentially telling the IP owners "yes, this is how I want the series to go"

Of course your tolerance can vary, if Bloodlines 2 turns out to be an excellent Dishonored-like experience I'll probably buy it anyway (because the chances of getting a true Bloodlines 2 are pretty much zero)

F4 does a good job at making you sink hundreds of hours trough busywork, so that's not surprising (been there lol)

Some people prefer to spend more quality hours on their games tho

And that elitist answer just shows again I am doing the right thing. I said I liked the game - meaning I liked playing it. The time I spent with it was, for me, quality time well spent, I am glad I have played it. And who are you to tell me I’m doing my hobby wrong?