Game Franchises That Changed Genres And Got Way Better

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Occasionally, the initial sequel to a game can exhibit some peculiarities. For instance, take The Adventure of Link, the follow-up to The Legend of Zelda. It shared a top-down world map with its predecessor, but introduced 2D battles and dungeons, as well as allowing Link to level up. Despite being known as RPG-inspired games within the Zelda series, Link hasn’t experienced traditional leveling up in quite the same way since his adventure in The Adventure of Link.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve witnessed the evolution of some iconic franchises, but Nintendo’s course-correction with spinoffs like Hyrule Warriors on the NES was an exception that, while not always for the better, certainly stood out. However, other major franchises have consistently improved upon their foundations, making subtle tweaks here and there or even drastically changing direction – and I can’t wait to delve deeper into these transformative journeys!

5. Dragon Age: Origins

From Autobattles To Action Battles

The initial installment in the Dragon Age series, “Dragon Age: Origins,” was tailored primarily for veteran PC role-playing game enthusiasts, even though it initially debuted on consoles. In this game, players craft their character, deciding factors such as class, race, and starting location. Interaction with non-player characters (NPCs) allows the acquisition of quests, and the freedom to mold one’s world according to personal preferences. Reminiscent of MMOs, combat is automated, allowing characters to attack enemies on their own.

As a gaming enthusiast, I can say that in the first Dragon Age game, we used a menu system to command our party during battles, which added a strategic depth to the gameplay. Dragon Age: Origins was a great start, but when it came to Dragon Age 2, they switched to action combat – a change that made it more comfortable for console players while preserving features like character creation, class system, and dynamic choices. Now, with two sequels under its belt, the Dragon Age series continues to be an engaging action RPG.

4. Dynasty Warriors

The Fighting Game Transitioned Into Action RPG

As a die-hard fan, I’d love to share an interesting tidbit about the epic saga that is Dynasty Warriors. Contrary to what many might think, this action RPG didn’t initially set out on this path. In fact, its roots can be traced back to the PlayStation 1, where it was born as a fighting game rather than an RPG. Characters like Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, now synonymous with the series, made their first appearance in this fighting game format. It wasn’t until Dynasty Warriors 2 for the PS2 that the transformation occurred, and I believe it was a brilliant move to shift direction and create the dynamic, action-packed experience we all know and love today.

In the ’90s, there were already plenty of fighting games available, including the PS1, and adding another franchise to the mix seemed redundant given its unique setting. However, Omega Force had shown versatility by creating Musou games for various franchises such as Persona 5, The Legend of Zelda, and Fire Emblem, making their decision to diversify a shrewd move.

3. Jak And Daxter

Add Guns And Cars

The initial installment in the Jak and Daxter series, titled “Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy,” originally debuted as an exclusive for the PlayStation 2. Following their successful run with the “Crash Bandicoot” franchise, Naughty Dog decided to showcase their evolving platforming abilities through this game. Instead of traditional levels, players were given the freedom to explore various open-world regions divided into distinct zones. This early platformer proved to be a strong foundation for the series, and fans could not have anticipated the direction that its sequel would take.

In the sequel of Jak on PS2, the game transformed into a blend between Grand Theft Auto and Ratchet & Clank. Unlike before, Jak was no longer a mute character; instead, he adopted a grittier demeanor. He was able to arm himself with various weapons and steal hovercars in a futuristic metropolis. The sequels retained the gunplay and drivable vehicles, ranging from dune buggies to airplanes, but platforming elements were also maintained as part of the gameplay.

2. Ratchet & Clank

Leveling Up Into A Hybrid Of Two Genres

In the original Ratchet & Clank game for the PS2, Ratchet’s ability to fire an assortment of zany weapons such as the Morph-o-Ray, which transformed enemies into chickens, set it apart. However, its sequel on the PS2, Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando, raised the bar even further.

Beating adversaries would accumulate EXP for Ratchet, causing him to increase his health and improve his weapons over time. The addition of RPG aspects transformed the series into a memorable hybrid of role-playing and platform games. Since then, the series has mostly adhered to this format, with some exceptions being spinoffs. In 2016, even the Ratchet & Clank game was remade to align with the movie adaptation, retaining these RPG elements.

1. Yakuza

From Brawler To Turn-Based Beatdowns

The Yakuza series is intriguing due to its gradual evolution. Initially, it debuted as a PS2 game focusing on combat action starring Kazuma. For the first six primary installments and the prequel, Yakuza 0, the games remained brawlers, gradually incorporating RPG elements over time. After a decade of maintaining the same concept, including spin-offs, an unexpected shift occurred for the seventh mainline game titled Yakuza: Like a Dragon.

In the latest installment of Yakuza, Kazuma was swapped out for a new lead character named Ichiban. Instead of real-time combat, the gameplay shifted to turn-based battles. Remarkably, just like in classic Dragon Quest games, Ichiban and his teammates can switch classes. This is a feature that Ichiban himself has expressed admiration for within the game. Due to Yakuza: Like a Dragon’s popularity, Sega decided that future mainline Yakuza titles would solely focus on turn-based combat, while spinoffs would continue with action gameplay. So far, only one turn-based sequel, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, has been released, but it marks the beginning of something new and exciting.

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2025-07-27 19:11