As any entertainment median develops, the amount of fresh ideas begins to deplete, as such, more and more sequels begin to pop up. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, sequels continue the greatness, provide added closure, create larger and more expansive universes, and are fundamentally good for business.
Sequels have become so common place in fact that gamers inherently expect virtually any major titles to be followed by at least a sequel, or two, or a trilogy. This is true in many cases, however it is not a rule set in stone. Here are 10 games that didn’t get a sequel. More specifically five that need one, and five we would rather stay solo.
10 Needs- Dragon’s Dogma
An absolute RPG gem, so classical, yet so unique. There really is nothing quite like Dragon’s Dogma. Any RPG fan that gives this game a play through will recognize it as one of their favorites.
Dragon’s Dogma did not receive this high amount of praise and popularity during it’s release, being overshadowed by franchises such as The Elder Scrolls, and The Witcher. Luckily the Netflix anime has given the series a surprise resurgence of popularity, creating hope for a potential sequel in the future.
9 Doesn’t- Sunset Overdrive
There has been much talk of a potential sequel for the surprise 2014 hit, Sunset Overdrive. Understandable, the game was about as unique as it gets, the plot was creative, the mechanics were a marvel, and the design was eye hopingly gorgeous. Not to mention that the developers intended for there to be a sequel.
That’s great and all, however Sunset Overdrive was simply too unique. This is meant in a good way, the game is a stand out gem. It should stay that way. The commercial success will be difficult to repeat without gimmicks, and the potential avenues for growth are limited.
8 Needs- The Forest
Chilling, absolutely chilling. The Forest is how a proper horror game should be done. Using an expansive yet helpless environment, slow build up, and grotesque creature design to bring the scares, this title exemplifies what modern gamers desire in their horror games.
Developed by an indie team, this game could have achieved much more with a larger amount of resources, which following this success, should be no problem to acquire.
7 Doesn’t- Alien: Isolation
A game that players either loved or hated. Alien: Isolation is a complicated title. Isolation undeniably provided fans with the opportunity to experience what being hunted by the legendary horror monster would be like, while containing some genuinely terrifying scares. At the same time the game was horribly paced and simply felt rushed to the finish.
A potential sequel by the same developer would be more likely to express the negative aspects of this title, than the positive ones. It’s best that this title cuts it’s losses and enjoys the cult following and impact that it maintains today.
6 Needs- Shadow Of The Colossus
Groundbreaking, simply groundbreaking. Despite the fact this game never launched a mega franchise it was one of the defining industry highlights of the 2000’s.
A sequel, as long as it would maintain the restricted yet deep world building, and immense boss battles, with the dark yet enticing environment would shake the gaming world as we know it.
5 Doesn’t- Mass Effect Andromeda
Looking at some reviews, it would be easy to come to the conclusion that this may be one of the most hated games in history. Truth be told, it was not well received. That being said, Mass Effect Andromeda was actually a pretty damn good game. Dare to say great game? The cinematics were wonderous, the characters had depth, and the world’s were fun to explore.
Yet the negative reception still exists. Many experts have posited the reason for this was the exceptionally high standards established by the original Mass Effect trilogy. However this lack of positivity could have simply been because the concept of Mass Effect is simply no longer relevant to gamers today, and space exploration games are a dime dozen. Whatever the reason, Andromeda, and no other Mass Effect game for that matter, need a sequel today.
4 Needs- Bully
It seems that everything Rockstar touches turns to gold. The gaming giant has developed and published some of the greatest and most well received games in the industry, at a consistent and almost spot on pace. Bully was one of these titles, the surprise hit from the 2000’s received a massive following.
Were the company to have followed through on this, Bully would most likely be a major franchise today. Some have theorized the reason why the company never did follow through was because of the controversy the game generated. Considering Rockstar is not one to shy from such trivial matters, the true reasoning is most likely a busy schedule developing other massively popular hits.
3 Doesn’t- LA Noire
Another Rockstar mega-hit. LA Noire took the publisher out of it’s usually criminal environments, and placed the player in the role of a detective. A young and ambitious detective, and one of gaming’s most complicated antiheros. This game has expressed the noir genre better than most movies.
For this very reason it should be left untouched. The game has completed it’s purpose as a work of art, beautifully, yet sadly, wrapping up the story of detective Cole.
2 Needs- Bloodborne
Souls-like games exploded in popularity this last decade. It seems gamers are sick of having their hand held, and demand a stimulating challenge. Bloodborne is one of the sub-genre leaders, with some daring to say it’s formula surpasses that of the original Dark/Demon’s Souls.
Of all the games on this list, this entry is the most likely one to see a sequel actually realized. Massively popular, a giant commercial success, and a huge and growing fan base demanding more. No company would turn down such an easy profit, especially Sony.
1 Doesn’t- Okami
Okami isn’t so much a videogame, as it is a work of art. This digital work truly transcends entertainment and peaks at an intellectual level. The designs and smooth movements were meant to be appreciated as they were played.
Just as Francisco Goya didn’t make a sequel to his black paintings, there shouldn’t be a sequel to Okami. A spiritual successor however, would be very welcome.
NEXT: Xbox Series X: 10 Big Sequels We Hope To See On The Next Gen Console
