10 Best Indie Game Sequels Of All Time

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades under my belt, I must say that this list is a veritable cornucopia of gaming delights! From the intricate narratives of visual novels like Coffee Talk Episode 2 to the unrelenting action of River City Girls 2, there’s something here for every taste.

Indie games often don’t get sequels because of the unique way they are made.

Successful and cherished independent games don’t always lead to sequels, either because there isn’t enough financing or simply because there are no more compelling stories left to share.

Occasionally, an independent developer might gain sufficient popularity and resources to produce a sequel for one of their games.

Many of the sequels here aren’t great like their original counterparts, yet some have surpassed expectations and turned out to be equally or even more impressive.

10 Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number

More Spins On Mass Murder

10 Best Indie Game Sequels Of All Time

It appears challenging to conceive a sequel for Hotline Miami due to its inherent simplicity.

How can you iterate further on “go to a place, put on a mask, and kill everyone?”

Indeed, I found myself utterly captivated by Hotline Miami 2’s approach, as it seamlessly incorporated various playable characters throughout the narrative. This creative choice not only kept the gameplay fresh and engaging but also added layers to the storytelling, making each character’s journey compelling in its own right.

In some cases, certain characters possess special skills, whereas others may come with restrictions, requiring you to adapt your game strategy swiftly as needed.

The narrative remains somewhat puzzling, particularly with its changing viewpoints, yet it’s typical of Hotline Miami not to be entirely clear-cut.

9 SteamWorld Dig 2

A More Mapped-Out Mine

SteamWorld Dig offered a lot of entertainment, blending platform gaming with unique, multi-dimensional mining mechanics.

Despite some design issues, SteamWorld Dig 2 made significant strides in addressing these concerns.

In the initial game, things were relatively simple; however, SteamWorld Dig 2 offers a thrilling metroidvania-style journey instead.

The mining mechanics mesh perfectly with exploration gameplay, allowing you to dig your way into all kinds of hidden nooks and crannies while upgrading your skills and tools.

8 Ori And The Will Of The Wisps

Grander In Scope

An effective sequel should enhance the positive aspects and eliminate the negative ones. Although Ori and the Blind Forest received high praise as a game, there’s always room for improvement in any title.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but express my delight in how Ori and the Will of the Wisps has built upon the visual splendor and captivating narrative of its predecessor. It’s not just about refining the combat and platforming mechanics, but also expanding the horizons of the world to explore, making each moment a thrilling adventure.

It’s the same kind of game as Blind Forest, but it generally feels easier to play and enjoy.

In contrast to the initial game’s peculiar save system, Will of the Wisps opted for conventional auto-save mechanisms, addressing a concern shared by several gamers.

7 Shantae And The Pirate’s Curse

Less Magic, More Gadget

As a devoted fan, I’ve always been captivated by the unique powers of the charismatic Shantae, the half-genie, in her first two adventures. Her main talent lies in her magical dance abilities, which allow her to transform into a variety of adorable critters!

In the third installment, The Pirate’s Curse, I found myself wielding a diverse set of pirate-themed, high-tech abilities in lieu of my usual skillset.

Regardless of any changes, this game remains highly acclaimed within the series due to its improved level structure and cleverly designed puzzles.

Though later games have held their own, it’s clear that Pirate’s Curse’s gameplay remains a fan favorite, despite the return of those captivating transformation dances.

6 The Binding Of Isaac: Rebirth

The Ultimate Realization Of The Classic Roguelike

Initially hinted at on Newgrounds in 2011, the initial version of The Binding of Isaac was originally a Flash game. Later in the same year, it was fully released on Steam.

In the early 2010s, the initial version of this game stood out as exceptional and played a significant role in increasing the popularity of the roguelike genre.

In truth, the sequel and remake, The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth, truly ignited the game in a way that captured my full attention.

The game underwent a total overhaul, starting anew with a vast array of fresh content that surpassed its initial Flash version in both depth and quality, making it truly cosmic in scale.

5 Freedom Planet 2

Same Speed, More Characters

Freedom Planet was an impressive send-up to the sidescrolling Sonic the Hedgehog games, boasting a similar level of speed and level design.

Despite some flaws, such as a less compelling narrative and underutilized character skills, the game still held merit.

In Freedom Planet 2, not only were all these issues addressed, but it also maintained its fast-paced gameplay and inventive level designs, all while enhancing other aspects.

In the updated version, there are additional playable characters and improvements made to those returning, enhancing their abilities for swift navigation and intense battles.

The story was also fleshed out and featured more bombastic setpieces and boss fights.

4 Blasphemous 2

Still Hard, But With Deeper Mechanics

As a devoted admirer, I’ve always been intrigued by the idea of blending the captivating elements from the Metroidvania and Soulslike genres, and the initial release of Blasphemous truly embodied that fusion beautifully.

The tight gameplay along with its haunting visuals immediately earned it classic status, but there were certain areas requiring refinement to smooth out some rough edges.

In the sequel to Blasphemous, you’ll find that the game retains its signature challenge level while providing players with a greater sense of control and freedom during gameplay.

This is created by offering various weapons that cater to diverse playing styles, along with minor adjustments such as spikes no longer causing instant death.

3 Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly

A Fascinating Visual Novel

Creating a follow-up for a visual novel could prove challenging, as it’s important to avoid repeating the same familiar pattern that might make the work appear overly predictable or generic.

Fortunately, Coffee Talk’s blend of traditional folklore characters within a contemporary backdrop offers abundant material for compelling narratives and a comforting ambiance.

In simpler terms, the second episode of Coffee Talk offers a unique storyline that both longtime followers and fresh viewers can appreciate.

Additionally, it introduces subtle but significant gameplay modifications, such as including a misplaced items box. This feature offers more chances to subtly impact the narrative’s progression.

2 River City Girls 2

Four-Player Beat ‘Em Up Mayhem

Initially, playing River City Girls felt like a nostalgic trip down memory lane, cleverly emulating the iconic Kunio-kun series, yet it managed to establish itself as a top-notch cooperative beat ’em up game independently.

In simple terms, River City Girls 2 builds directly upon its original version, preserving the overall battle system structure while introducing several fresh elements.

One way to rephrase that statement is: Notable enhancements include the inclusion of a complete four-player cooperative mode and numerous new playable characters.

Adding super-strong Marian, who can be both a boss and a playable character, deserves heaps of applause all by itself. And that’s not even mentioning the rest of the fantastic characters!

1 Hades 2

On The Same Trajectory As Its Predecessor

When the original Hades came out, it was an absolute bolt of lightning.

At that point, roguelike games were already popular. Yet, none combined the roguelike idea with detailed character progression quite as smoothly as this one did.

At the moment I’m writing this, Hades 2 might still be in its early development phase, yet just as its predecessor, it has already gained much affection, even in its incomplete form.

The innovative magic techniques of Melinoe’s enchantments, along with a host of fresh and familiar characters, set the stage for another grand, epic tale in the realm of roguelike narratives.

2024-12-02 14:39