Brilliant Modern RPGs That Will Probably Never Receive Sequels

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If Square had stuck to their original plan and only released one installment of Final Fantasy, how would the Role Playing Game (RPG) genre look today? On a similar note, if Dungeons & Dragons hadn’t gained popularity as a board game, what significant impact might that have had on video game RPGs, given the influence of its mechanics in pen-and-paper role-playing games?

It can be challenging to foresee which video games will turn into franchises and which ones will remain standalone titles. This could be due to deliberate or accidental decisions, but it’s impossible to tell if these predictions will come true. For instance, it took twelve years for a sequel to EarthBound to be released. Regardless of their accuracy, these predictions are merely speculations and we hope they don’t materialize for the sake of all the fans who are hoping otherwise.

8. Indivisible

A Studio Closing Leads To An Invisible Future

As an avid fan, I’d say that “Indivisible” was my kind of turn-based RPG, evoking the spirit of Valkyrie Profile. It allowed players to amass a diverse roster of characters and assign them to the four face buttons during combat. Developed by Lab Zero Games and launched in 2019, it received generally favorable reviews from critics. However, the dream for DLC expansion was dashed when the publisher, 505 Games, decided against it, and tragically, Lab Zero Games closed its doors in 2020. With no studio to carry on the torch, it seems that “Indivisible” will find itself among the many standalone RPGs that have graced our screens over the years.

7. Marvel’s Avengers

These Heroes Won’t Reassemble

It appears that Marvel’s Avengers did not meet Square Enix’s expectations as intended, following the trend of “games as a service” pioneered by Destiny in the 2010s. The goal for Marvel’s Avengers was to establish a platform where developer Crystal Dynamics could introduce new characters and storylines over time. Initially, the roster looked promising, but players felt that the content was not released frequently enough to keep them engaged. Despite Crystal Dynamics’ efforts, they ceased updates in March 2023, suggesting that this action RPG experiment may no longer be receiving support from Square Enix financially or otherwise.

6. Maneater

If Jaws Became Sentient

In a more casual and readable manner, one could say: “Maneater” was one of the craziest Role-Playing Games (RPGs) to debut in 2020. This game was published by Tripwire Interactive, who are famous for their Killing Floor shooter series. Just like those games, Maneater lives up to its reputation for being gory, as it features a lot of blood and violence.

Initially, players assume the role of a small shark, tasked with growing stronger by consuming other fish and engaging in combat. At some point, they can venture onto land to cause havoc among humans. The game was an exhilarating journey that unfortunately failed to draw in many players, leaving this shark struggling to survive.

5. Neo: The World Ends With You

Rindo, It Might End At You

In 2021, the game titled “Neo: The World Ends With You” was released, despite Neo being in the title, the protagonist’s name is actually Rindo. This sequel came as a surprise because the original game, also called “The World Ends With You“, was quite a hidden gem on the DS in 2008 in North America. After some mobile adaptations, it eventually found its way to the Switch, and three years later, this unexpected sequel was born. It didn’t exactly match fans’ expectations of the original, but it still offered a fresh take on another exciting action RPG set in Japan. The question remains, can success repeat itself to produce a third sequel when “Neo: The World Ends With You” wasn’t as successful as its predecessor? It’s hard to tell for certain.

4. Scarlet Nexus

A Side Project And Maybe Nothing More

2021 proved to be a significant year for Bandai Namco’s role-playing games, particularly from the Tales of series. During the summer, some members of the team spun off to focus on the new Scarlet Nexus project, followed closely by the release of Tales of Arise a few months later. With the passage of time, it’s expected that another Tales of game will emerge soon, given that it’s been several years since the last one and there are also remasters to consider. Scarlet Nexus, however, may not continue due to its generally positive conclusion, albeit with some lingering questions. In contrast, Tales of Arise was more warmly received despite being the more daring RPG between the two.

3. Sea Of Stars

What’s Next For Sabotage Studio?

2023 saw the launch of “Sea of Stars,” marking it as Sabotage Studio’s second significant game release. In line with their pattern with “The Messenger,” a substantial DLC expansion for “Sea of Stars” is planned for 2025.

As a gamer, it feels like Sabotage Studio is all about crafting immersive game worlds and pushing the boundaries of retro gaming beyond mere nostalgia. Instead of churning out direct sequels, they seem to be exploring new territories. While I can’t reveal too much about Sea of Stars without spoiling it, I’d put my money on them diving into a fresh genre next. It’s an exciting prospect!

2. Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE

This Idol Never Hit It Big

Initially released on the Wii U in 2016 and later on the Nintendo Switch in 2020 with an upgrade, Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE combines elements from the Fire Emblem and Persona series. In this turn-based RPG, a group of high school students are forced into the pop idol world as a means to combat an invasion threatening to merge reality with Japan. They defend themselves by summoning historical warrior spirits from Fire Emblem. Unfortunately, despite receiving generally positive reviews, the game didn’t gain much traction on other Atlus platforms due to its unique blend of idol music and RPG combat.

1. Unicorn Overlord

Vanillaware Is Anything But Vanilla

In essence, Vanillaware is a more established version of Sabotage Studio, having been in the gaming industry for many years. Interestingly, they’ve never produced a follow-up to any of their games. The closest they’ve come are remastered versions, such as those for “Muramasa: The Demon Blade” and “Odin Sphere”, which have been exceptionally well-received. Therefore, despite the positive response to their latest release in 2024, “Unicorn Overlord”, it’s not expected that this game will mark a change in Vanillaware’s pattern. When the day arrives for them to launch a sequel, it will undoubtedly be a significant event. However, fans of Vanillaware will continue to anticipate and speculate about which game might eventually become the chosen sequel.

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2025-01-15 16:35