I generally avoid asking for sequels. With so many games and movies trying to become huge franchises or part of shared universes, I really admire developers who are willing to try something new and original instead of sticking to what’s already proven.
I’ve noticed a lot of games aren’t just about the story anymore, like Darksiders or Assassin’s Creed. So when people ask for sequels, it feels pretty normal, right? It’s almost expected for those kinds of series to keep going.
Sometimes we wish stories had continuations, and other times we get more content than we actually wanted. It’s a common situation with sequels and expansions.
Sometimes the most surprising games turn out to be amazing. That’s why I’ve put together a list of ten game sequels that no one expected to be good, but actually were!
10. Dying Light: The Beast
I Missed You, Kyle
It seems strange to mention Dying Light: The Beast given that many players thought The Following’s ending left the story unfinished, but after a long time, most of us have accepted that we’ll never find out what happens to Kyle Crane.
Honestly, I was over the moon when Techland finally listened to us fans and made a sequel! There was a time when everyone thought it would never happen, but they pulled it off and gave us what I think is the greatest game in the whole series. It’s just incredible!
This game truly excels in every way. The atmosphere is incredible, the parkour feels fluid, the gunfights are well-balanced, and the nights are genuinely scary. It offers a deeply immersive survival experience, all backed by a fantastic soundtrack. It’s a clear improvement over previous games – you can tell the developers took everything they learned and created something special.
I’m putting this one last on my list, even though I remember people being curious about it way back when. Honestly, I’m just glad Kyle Crane finally got a chance at peace, and I’m happy we all get to be a part of seeing him through this final chapter.
9. Sludge Life 2
Humanly Unthinkable
Anyone who’s played Sludge Life knows it’s a wildly unpredictable game. And after experiencing it, most people would have been shocked to hear it was getting a sequel.
Sludge Life 2 is a surprisingly enjoyable sequel, even though it wasn’t really needed. The game’s world isn’t huge, but it’s important enough to still offer a meaningful experience.
Both pieces offer humorous takes on society, covering politics, economics, and culture, giving them a lot to discuss. Sludge Life 2 is especially engaging, making its strange world incredibly immersive and enjoyable.
Honestly, nobody really asked for Sludge Life 2, but it’s here, and we should just enjoy how funny and surprisingly good it is. We should be thankful the developers didn’t listen to the lack of enthusiasm!
8. The Evil Within 2
They Let Tango Gameworks Cook
Tango Gameworks has always been a consistently brilliant but overlooked studio, so it wasn’t shocking that their excellent game, The Evil Within, didn’t get much attention. However, I am surprised they decided to make a second one.
I was really surprised by how much better The Evil Within 2 was compared to the first game. It especially impressed me how it built upon the story and world, considering the first game ended on such an unclear note.
Looking at every aspect of the game – the story, exploration, how it’s directed, the cutscenes, puzzles, fighting, and everything else – I truly think The Evil Within 2 is a significant step up from the first game, and that’s high praise.
Even knowing how unfairly the game’s creators were treated by their previous company, I think a third Evil Within game would still be amazing. But right now, I’m completely hooked on Sebastian Castellanos’ adventure from 2017.
7. Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist
An Even More Melancholic Universe
I expected Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights to be a typical game to review, but it quickly became one of my favorite indie titles ever, largely due to its stunning visuals.
I didn’t think a sequel was ever likely, or even needed, given how perfectly Lily’s story was already complete. But Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist surprised me and proved me wrong – in a fantastic way!
This sequel doesn’t just deliver on everything fans loved about Ender Lilies; it also brilliantly expands the game’s world in surprising and creative ways.
Although it didn’t quite capture the magic of the first game, Ender Magnolia still really impressed me, especially knowing what to expect from the Binary Haze team. It’s just as visually stunning, but feels more polished overall. I’m now confident enough to say that Ender is a fantastic series and one of my favorites.
6. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance
A Triumphant Return
It’s tough to ask for another game after so long, especially when people have forgotten about you, but Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a really great surprise from 2025.
This game is a fantastic revival of the franchise, successfully bringing it back into the spotlight. Beyond that, it brilliantly blends the classic 2D gameplay with the exploration and progression of a Metroidvania, creating a truly well-suited experience.
Despite all of that, the game still stood out thanks to its incredibly beautiful art style. The animations, environments, and effects looked like vibrant watercolors painted on old scrolls, and every detail was truly impressive.
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a fantastic action game and a welcome return to form. These kinds of successful revivals are always a pleasant surprise, and it’s best to simply appreciate them – which is exactly what players should do with this title.
5. The Talos Principle 2
Thoughts Never Cease
We’re seeing more games that blend puzzles with philosophical ideas, but I first experienced this unique combination in The Talos Principle. It really stands out as one of the most original and memorable games of its kind.
I initially wasn’t sure a sequel was a good idea, and I don’t think anyone online expected it to be as good as it is. But The Talos Principle 2 is a huge improvement over the first game, and it’s easily one of the best sequels ever made.
As a huge fan of the original, I can honestly say The Talos Principle 2 absolutely blew me away. It doesn’t just continue the story – it actually improves on everything I loved about the first game. It’s a masterpiece from start to finish, taking all the great ideas and refining them to a level I didn’t think possible. Seriously, it’s even better than the first game, and that’s saying something!
Almost everyone I know who’s played The Talos Principle has loved it, although I haven’t met a huge number of players. Thankfully, the game has gained the recognition it deserves over time, and I’m glad Croteam is still developing it.
4. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2
A Mind With Many Layers
Although Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice was successful and often called the first “AA” game, and despite receiving a lot of positive attention, I didn’t expect a sequel. Senua’s story felt complete, unique, and appealed to a specific audience, so a continuation didn’t seem likely.
Honestly, I’m glad I don’t work at Ninja Theory and don’t get to make decisions about their games. When I first heard about Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2, I just couldn’t picture it working. The idea of going back inside Senua’s head felt…off to me, and I wasn’t sure it was a good direction to take the story.
Even so, the game delivered an incredible audio and visual experience that still impresses me, despite being technically constrained by the hardware it was built for.
Hellblade 2 is a stunning achievement in storytelling, visuals, and sound design – even when the gameplay involves simple fights or puzzles. While it occasionally stumbles with familiar issues, it also recaptures what made the first game great. It’s a bold adventure, especially considering its relatively short length compared to most modern games.
While it might not be as surprising as the first Hellblade game—the initial shock is gone—this sequel compensates with incredible visual and sound design, potentially offering the most stunning audiovisual experience of the last ten years.
3. Dark Souls 2
An Unpredictable Sequel
You might not recall, but Dark Souls wasn’t immediately praised when it first came out. While it’s now considered a classic, it took several years for people to recognize its quality. The initial reception was much poorer than the pre-release buzz suggested.
It became clear during development that Hidetaka Miyazaki originally envisioned this as a standalone game, a vision shared by many players at the time who simply enjoyed it as is. However, FromSoftware chose to create a sequel, Dark Souls 2, even after Miyazaki stepped away from leading the project.
No matter what anyone else thinks, it was a truly joyful experience for me as a kid, both because it came as a complete surprise and because of how amazing it turned out to be. The game was a sequel that felt very different – while it shared a basic structure with the original, it focused on bosses, levels, gameplay mechanics, and overall design that were clearly unique.
It was already surprising to get a sequel to the game, but even more unexpected that it would feel so distinct, even while still being recognizable. I consider Dark Souls 2 a brilliant game and a crucial step in the developer’s journey – especially when you consider that Elden Ring, as we know it today, wouldn’t have been possible without it.
2. NieR: Automata
10,000 Years Later, Literally
When the original Nier came out, it didn’t receive much attention from critics or players, so it’s surprising anyone ever asked Yoko Taro to create another game in that world. That’s why NieR: Automata is so remarkable – it’s amazing it even exists!
Eventually, people recognized Cavia’s game as something special, leading to a re-release. However, it was the release of 2B and 9S’s story that really made it shine. Their deep story and incredible world blended seamlessly with PlatinumGames’ talent for exciting action gameplay.
The outcome is truly exceptional: one of the greatest action games ever made. It delivers incredibly exciting combat, a captivating story, and a phenomenal soundtrack – a combination that’s hard to beat. Remarkably, this beloved game came from very humble beginnings and has captivated millions of players.
While NieR: Automata builds on the foundation of the original NieR, it truly stands on its own as a completely reimagined experience. The connection between the two games might not even be obvious to some players. It’s a game born from the unique vision of its creators, not from what audiences were asking for – a truly original phenomenon.
1. God of War
A Generational Change
When developers try to revamp established game series, Santa Monica Studio with God of War took a particularly bold step. They moved away from the well-loved Greek mythology and fast-paced combat of the original games, successfully transitioning into the Norse setting with an action-adventure RPG format.
It might seem unfair to include this game, especially since God of War: Ascension didn’t perform well and God of War 3 ended the original saga. However, while many fans still wanted to play as Kratos, the new God of War feels less like a continuation and more like a fresh start, giving the iconic Spartan a chance to begin a new journey.
No one requested changes to the game’s established story or gameplay, especially not a total overhaul. But the developer boldly took a chance and delivered a sequel that exceeded all expectations.
Look, I wasn’t the biggest God of War guy going in, honestly I was hoping for something a little more like the old games. But even I have to admit, the developers totally went their own way, and I really respect that. They didn’t really listen to what most of us wanted, and instead just did what they thought was best for the series, and it totally paid off. It’s awesome to see a studio take a risk like that.
Now, it’s simpler to challenge them with something like exploring Egyptian myths or creating a classic 2D platformer, since they’ve already proven they can handle major shifts in direction. The truly remarkable thing was achieving this reinvention when no one asked for it or even anticipated it, and that’s what really sets God of War apart.
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2025-11-11 02:12