Everyone loves a good sequel, right? If you already enjoy a video game, getting a continuation of that story is usually a win. While not every sequel is great, they often end up surpassing the original – which is why developers often see them as a safe bet.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
Your Order
Results
— —
Not every game needs a sequel. Some are so good on their own that a follow-up would actually diminish what made the original special – either by stretching the idea too thin or changing it so much it loses what made it unique. The games below are perfect examples. They’re fantastic, self-contained experiences that show not everything needs to become a long-running series. Sometimes, a single, complete game is the best approach.
Inside
A Brilliant Physics Platformer
Over the past 16 years, Danish studio Playdead has created just two games, and both have become instant classics. Their first game, Limbo, brought them initial recognition, and their second, Inside, cemented their reputation as one of the most innovative indie game developers around.
Though it doesn’t have any spoken words, the game Inside tells a captivating story. You play as a boy in a red shirt who infiltrates a heavily guarded facility, venturing further and further into increasingly strange and frightening territory. Released almost ten years ago, Inside remains one of the most highly regarded independent games ever made, and it’s maintained that status even without a follow-up.
Shadow Of The Colossus
Team Ico’s Masterpiece
While some fans believe Shadow of the Colossus continues the story or feels like a follow-up to Team Ico’s earlier game, Ico, it’s officially considered a separate, self-contained title. It’s also frequently ranked among the greatest video games ever made.
The game offers a lonely and stark experience, featuring very few characters to interact with and no side missions. It focuses entirely on finding and defeating sixteen massive bosses in memorable battles. The story is complete and self-contained, and many players believe a hidden seventeenth boss exists. However, a direct sequel would likely diminish what makes this game so special.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
FromSoftware Nails It In One Take
While inspired by the Tenchu series, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice isn’t a sequel. It marked a big change for FromSoftware, the creators of popular dark fantasy action games. Instead of the usual combat style, Sekiro emphasizes stealth and skillful parrying, rather than simply blocking or dodging, all set within a world inspired by Japanese mythology.
While a sequel to Sekiro is possible, the game already feels complete. Wolf’s journey reaches a perfect conclusion with a truly epic and challenging final boss battle. Sekiro achieved a lot – it won Game of the Year in 2019 and even sparked a new wave of action games focused on skillful parrying, like Nine Sols. It’s accomplished more than many game series that have multiple installments.
The Ascent
Glorious Isometric Sci-Fi Shooting
Few people expected much from The Ascent at first. While its cyberpunk world looked interesting, top-down shooters aren’t currently a mainstream genre. However, once players started playing, it quickly became clear that the game was something special.
As a fan, I have to say The Ascent‘s gunplay and the world they created are seriously top-notch – honestly, it’s as good as anything from bigger, more well-known studios. I was really hoping for more content to explore in that world, but it sounds like the developers, Neon Giant, are shifting gears to a new open-world cyberpunk RPG called No Law. That means The Ascent stays as this amazing, self-contained shooter, and thankfully it’s already got a ton going for it, especially if you like playing with friends in co-op!
Journey
One Of The All-Time Indie Greats
Journey is a widely celebrated game that quickly became a classic, and its popularity hasn’t faded. It’s often used as a benchmark for similar games, and titles like Sword of the Sea share many of its strengths.
I finally played Journey and wow, it’s short enough to finish in a weekend, which is great! It’s a really simple platformer, but surprisingly rewarding. The graphics are beautiful, the music is incredible, and the way it handles multiplayer is just… special. You connect with another player, share these really emotional moments, but you can’t even talk to them, and you’ll probably never play with them again. It’s a perfect experience as is, honestly. No sequel needed.
Sleeping Dogs
It Doesn’t Need A Sequel, But Fans Would Still Love One
Fans have repeatedly hoped for a sequel to Sleeping Dogs, most recently with Simu Liu trying to make it happen, but currently, there are no plans for one. Luckily, the original game stands perfectly well on its own. It’s a great, complete experience, and while a sequel would be welcome, it’s not necessary.
This game draws inspiration from titles like GTA and Batman: Arkham, but carves out its own identity by taking place in Hong Kong and focusing on martial arts combat. The story follows an undercover cop who goes deep into a Chinese Triad, forcing him to choose between following the law and committing crimes to earn the gang’s trust.
L.A. Noire
Weird Face Tech Aside, It’s One Of The Best Period Piece Games Of All Time
L.A. Noire was a groundbreaking game for its time, attempting a unique approach to realism with its facial animation – letting players ‘read’ characters like a detective. While the technology looks a bit dated now, it doesn’t detract from the game’s strengths. It remains one of the best games set in Hollywood, and it brilliantly captures the atmosphere of the period.
Set in 1950s Los Angeles, L.A. Noire lets you play as Detective Cole Phelps as he climbs the ladder within the LAPD, starting as a patrol officer and eventually becoming an arson investigator. It’s an open-world game with interesting ways to solve cases, although the world isn’t as expansive to explore as in games like GTA. While a sequel could be good with updated facial animation and a more detailed investigation system, the original game is already excellent, so a sequel isn’t really necessary.
Enslaved: Odyssey To The West
Journey To The West, Uncharted Style
While not a direct retelling, Enslaved: Odyssey to the West draws a lot of inspiration from the classic Chinese story Journey to the West – the same source material behind popular works like Black Myth: Wukong and Dragon Ball, among many others. The combat isn’t as strong as in Black Myth, but the game’s story is much more compelling.
Created by Ninja Theory and penned by Alex Garland (the director of the upcoming Elden Ring film), Enslaved tells the story of Monkey, who must guide Trip through a dangerous, post-apocalyptic world filled with killer robots. The game features exciting combat, platforming that feels similar to Uncharted, and a perfectly paced story that doesn’t drag on – it’s a complete and satisfying experience.
Sunset Overdrive
The Proof Of Concept For Spider-Man
Despite being overlooked by many, Sunset Overdrive remains a really enjoyable game. Though it was only available on Xbox One, it served as an early stepping stone for Insomniac Games, helping them develop what would later become Marvel’s Spider-Man. It’s a bit silly, but it’s packed with fun gameplay.
Okay, so Sunset Overdrive is seriously built around keeping you moving. Walking around on foot feels super slow, but the game practically forces you to use the environment to zip around – and it’s awesome! You’re bouncing off cars, wall-running everywhere, and grinding on powerlines… it’s just a really fun way to get around the open world. And that speed carries over into the combat, which is packed with crazy, over-the-top weapons – which makes sense, considering the developers also made Ratchet & Clank! Sadly, it didn’t sell super well, so a sequel probably won’t happen, but honestly, Sunset Overdrive is a fantastic game as it is.
The Simpsons: Hit & Run
The Peak Of Simpsons Video Games
Most video games based on The Simpsons don’t quite capture the wild, unpredictable energy of the show. However, The Simpsons: Hit & Run is a notable exception. Created by Radical Entertainment – known for their chaotic open-world games – this title remains a fan favorite that hasn’t received enough recognition.
A sequel isn’t really needed – the game already has everything it needs to be great. What Hit & Run really deserves is a remake that updates the controls and improves the graphics to match the fun, chaotic gameplay.
Read More
- Robinhood’s $75M OpenAI Bet: Retail Access or Legal Minefield?
- Lonely Player Anomaly Commission Guide In NTE (Wandering Puppet Locations)
- All Skyblazer Armor Locations in Crimson Desert
- All Nameless Hospital Endings Full Guide In NTE
- All Hauntingham’s Letters & Hidden Page in New Super Lucky’s Tale
- How to Complete Funny Blocks Game in Infinity Nikki
- Change Your Perspective Anomaly Commission Guide In NTE (Neverness to Everness)
- Riven Tides Classified Records Keycard Door Location in ARC Raiders
- Black Sun Shield Location In Crimson Desert (Buried Treasure Quest)
- How to Catch All Itzaland Bugs in Infinity Nikki
2026-05-02 18:07