For a potential video game franchise to hit the ground running, the first game needs to be an absolute hit that enraptures players with amazing world-building. It’s only then that ademand for a second game will reach a fever pitch. However, developers aren’t in the clear here either. After all, the sequel must show the potential for the series to turn out game after game that will wow the masses. Any subsequent entry must continue to make the most of the gameplay systems, lore, worldbuilding, characters, storylines, and any other elements that help contribute to the long-term appeal of a franchise.
Most people would assume that successful video game franchises unleash hit after hit in the early days, before either continuing this success or faltering before eventually regaining their mojo. However, there are many successful franchises with second games that have ranged from mediocre to downright abysmal. Still, those series managed to bounce back.
Ken Levine’s work onSystem Shock 2allowed him to craft the claustrophobic halls and horrifying aesthetic of Rapture in the firstBioShockgame. This led to the creation of an action-packed third-person shooter with a mind-bending plot twist that has helped this game remain a certified classic. However, fans sensed a problem with the sequel when Levine did not come back to directBioShock 2.
Rapture was as captivating as always, butthe “been there, done that feeling” was extremely strong in this title. The improved gameplay mechanics and tougher enemies were welcome, but it was hard to justifyBioShock 2as a worthy sequel. Thankfully, Levine came back for the third game in the series and chose to change the setting entirely. This played a huge part in making the final game of theBioShocktrilogy one of the best in the eyes of fans.
Devil May Crywas one of the best hack-and-slash games players could get their hands on. The game was unapologetic about its difficulty, forcing players to master combos and avoid unnecessary damage if they wished to get through the toughest stages. Dante’s charisma was a huge positive as well, so fans were hyped for the sequel to knock their socks off.
Instead,Devil May Cry 2’s attempts to appeal to the masses ended up turning its combat into a joke. Simple attacks were more than enough to take out enemies that looked imposing but were anything but. To make things worse, Dante’s character was dulled considerably and lost a lot of that cocky edge that made fans fall in love with this character in the first place. Fans loudly voiced their displeasure, causing Capcom to bring back the gameplay and protagonist everyone lovedwhenDevil May Cry 3came out.
The world ofDragon Age: Originswas one of the biggest reasons why players fell in love with this dark fantasy RPG. The varying origin stories and deep roleplaying opportunities were a blast to experience. Unfortunately,fans eagerly awaiting an amazing sequelwould be disappointed to see the dumbed-down mechanics ofDragon Age 2.These were meant to make the game more appealing to a mainstream audience, but just ended up alienating fans.
The lack of varying origins and a story that was smaller in scope meant thatDragon Age 2was hailed as one of the worst video game sequels ever made. The development problems surroundingInquisitionmade fans wonder if theDragon Ageseries was going to fade away. But thankfully, the third mainline game in the series did a great job of bringing back the epic feel of past games. Players enjoyed a deep and rewarding role-playing experience, and the act of governing the titular Inquisition was a blast in every way.
Final Fantasyis one of the most beloved and popular JRPG franchises of all time, with sixteen mainline entries anda whole host of spin-offsmaking it clear that the series isn’t going away anytime soon. The history of this series is rich and full of amazing games, but there’s one black sheep that fans find painful. Despite the story-heavy focus of the second game being a welcome change,Final Fantasy 2’s confusing gameplay systems made for a slog that players found hard to get through.
It was easy to get stuck if players didn’t know what they were doing, with the game forcing players to hit their party members to gain HP and wasting MP with characters they wanted to turn into mages. Thankfully, Square Enix never brought back this complicated leveling system. They improved the gameplay in the next entry before bringing back the story-heavy approach withFinal Fantasy 4. The rest, as they say, is history.
Dark Soulstook the gaming world by storm. The hardcore combat was tough yet fair, while the interconnected level design blew everyone’s minds back when this game came out. FromSoftware and Namco Bandai were sitting on a gold mine and decided to greenlight a sequel, even though series creator Hidetaki Miyazaki was busy working onArtorias of the AbyssandBloodborneat the time.
The lack of Miyazaki’s involvement meant thatDark Souls 2lacked a lot of the interesting world design and tight combat encounters that made the first game such a riot. Instead,Dark Souls 2flooded the experience with uninteresting boss fights, cheap multi-enemy encounters, and a puzzling level design that made no sense. As underwhelming as this game was, all it took was Miyazaki’s presence to bring the third game back to the levels of quality most players wanted, and helped theDark Soulstrilogy end on a strong note.
