Open-World Games That Deserve A Sequel

Key Takeaways

Not every open-world game becomes iconic; some successful titles fade into obscurity due to overshadowing or lower sales.
Grim Dawn,
a
Diablo
clone with open-ended gameplay, and
LEGO City Undercover,
a unique
LEGO
experience, are examples.
Games like
Vampyr, Sleeping Dogs,
and
Days Gone
had potential for sequels to expand on their unique elements and reach a wider audience.

As a seasoned gamer and tech enthusiast with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I’ve seen my fair share of games that didn’t quite hit their mark upon release but still had the potential to shine if given another chance. These titles, each unique in their own right, offer captivating gameplay experiences that deserve a second look.

Open-world games have grown increasingly prevalent as technology evolves, exemplified by titles such as “Red Dead Redemption 2” and “Batman: Arkham Knight” gaining iconic status. Yet, not every open-world game captivates audiences universally; some fail to maintain their luster and can slip into obscurity.

In various genres, from role-playing games to action-adventure titles, developers have crafted immersive and enjoyable open worlds for gamers. However, these games might have been even more successful with a follow-up. Unfortunately, they didn’t sell as well as anticipated or failed to maintain the limelight as long as other popular games did.

8 Grim Dawn

A Diablo Clone That Hit All The Right Notes

Incorporating elements of Gothic and Lovecraftian terror, Grim Dawn was designed as a spiritual sequel to the Diablo series following the initial letdown of Diablo 3. Crate Entertainment provided a comparable isometric hack-and-slash RPG experience. However, unlike the Diablo games, Grim Dawn offers a more open-ended adventure with numerous side quests available and expansive landscapes to discover, in addition to its main storyline which follows a linear progression.

In essence, Grim Dawn, an indie game, thrived despite numerous DLC expansions, yet it didn’t fully outshine Blizzard’s Diablo franchise. It appears that Diablo 4, with its open-ended interpretation of Sanctuary, will draw inspiration from this style. Given the massive success of Diablo 4, Crate Entertainment may well experience another triumph as Blizzard demonstrated that the genre remains robust and vibrant.

7 LEGO City Undercover

Proof That LEGO Games Don’t Need A Famous IP To Be Good

Instead of Batman or Star Wars, LEGO City Undercover offered players the chance to explore a city named after it, complete with an original narrative and cast. Unlike relying on well-known characters, it managed to provide a fun LEGO adventure with distinctive gameplay elements when controlling the main character, Chase McCain.

Although generally receiving positive feedback for its humor and gameplay, LEGO City Undercover didn’t achieve the same level of sales success as other licensed LEGO games, largely due to being a Wii U exclusive at launch. A sequel could provide the Traveller’s Tales team with an opportunity to develop a larger open-world setting within LEGO City, which might resemble a LEGO version of Grand Theft Auto, offering more players the chance to delve into this expansive world.

6 Vampyr

Often Considered The Mass Effect Of Vampire Games

In the game titled “Vampyr,” set in London during the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918, Dr. Jonathan Reid finds himself both aiding citizens and dealing with his own vampire nature. As the title hints, Jonathan is not just a physician; he’s also a bloodsucker. The player has the liberty to choose whether to assist people or feed on them. Sustenance from NPCs (Non-Player Characters) empowers Jonathan significantly, but doing so results in that character being permanently written out of the storyline.

As a fan of gaming, I’ve been pondering about the potential for more in the world of Vampyr. Whether it’s a follow-up or a fresh tale set within the same universe, there’s so much untapped potential! I’d love to see more powers as a bloodsucker, perhaps new locations or even different time periods to explore. And let’s not forget about the impact of player decisions – imagine the diverse consequences they could bring! Dontnod Entertainment has shown they can build on their success with Life is Strange, so I’m excited to see them expand the Vampyr universe!

5 Sleeping Dogs

Gamers Were Too Quick To Call It Unoriginal

Sleeping Dogs was initially dismissed as an imitator of Grand Theft Auto, set in Hong Kong. However, it actually paved the way for the open-world crime drama genre before Grand Theft Auto 5 was released. It offers a wider range of gameplay elements, such as accumulating experience points, obtaining upgrades, and even engaging in melee martial arts combat.

Since its initial release, the open-world action-adventure game “Sleeping Dogs” has gained a devoted following, who continue to express hope for a sequel. Initially, there were plans for a follow-up featuring a new main character and an unexplored area of China, but Square Enix ultimately scrapped the project due to the underwhelming sales performance of the original game.

4 The Saboteur

A Hidden Gem Among The Many World War 2 Games

Instead of rushing headlong like many World War 2 video games, The Saboteur places the player in the role of a car mechanic turned resistance fighter navigating Nazi-occupied Paris and its countryside. This game allows for exploration via driving, free-running, and fighting set in the 1940s, making it distinct from most open-world games during its time and still unique today.

Regrettably, the game slipped through the cracks, resulting in poor sales due to insufficient attention. Had The Saboteur gained more traction, potential sequels set in various World War 2 conflict zones like North Africa, Italy, Russia, Poland, Greece, or Australia could have been explored. However, this didn’t happen during its initial release.

3 Maneater

Makes The Player Feel Like An Apex Predator

The concept of playing as a shark isn’t fresh, but Maneater elevates it by creating an RPG where players can freely explore the ocean, preying on humans and other marine predators to grow into a superpowered sea creature. Its success led to a DLC expansion and a devoted fanbase that admired its exaggerated gameplay style.

In the game “Maneater,” the map is jam-packed with jokes, additional missions, and hidden references that demonstrate the dedication of its creators. If given a larger budget, a sequel could expand upon these elements by introducing new species of sharks, allowing players to control other predators, and offering even more expansive oceanic landscapes to traverse.

2 Days Gone

Deacon’s Zombie Survival Story Was Ripe For A Sequel

As a gamer, I’ve got to confess that my excitement for Days Gone was dampened by its lengthy development process and underwhelming sales performance. In an era saturated with post-apocalyptic zombie games like The Last Of Us, State Of Decay, and many others, Days Gone seemed to fade into obscurity rather quickly. Yet, despite this, it offered a distinct gaming experience, boasting motorcycle mechanics, weapons that could break just like in Breath of the Wild, and immersive RPG elements, which made it stand out from the crowd.

The first Days Gone game offered an impressive open-world zombie experience for Sony, and a sequel had the chance to launch a fresh franchise. It could have expanded Deacon St. John’s personalization options, transported the narrative to a new expansive setting, and intensified the terror of the undead even further.

1 Mad Max

If Batman And Borderlands Were Fused Together

Avalanche Studios wisely decided to pay homage to the entire Mad Max film series by crafting the game. It blended fighting similar to the Batman: Arkham games with a strong focus on playing around in vehicles to explore a vast, punk-styled post-apocalyptic landscape. Additionally, aspects from Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry were incorporated, giving it a familiar feel without detracting from its being enjoyable and hard to put down.

At Avalanche Games, the team responsible for previous projects has moved on to greater achievements, yet a follow-up to the “Mad Max” series might replicate the success that Rocksteady Studios experienced after “Batman: Arkham Asylum,” with their release of “Batman: Arkham City.” In this potential sequel, Max’s car could be equipped with additional upgrades and enhanced abilities, allowing him to traverse even more expanses of the Wasteland. With new locations in the universe being introduced through “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,” there is ample room for further exploration within this post-apocalyptic world.

2024-11-09 18:34