Game Series That Got Better With Nearly Every Sequel

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Game Series That Got Better With Nearly Every Sequel

Key Takeaways

  • Sequels should improve upon originals, but not all do despite developer experience and feedback.
  • God of War series evolved with new gameplay and story elements in each entry, culminating in Ragnarok.
  • Witcher series showed significant improvement with every installment, reaching pinnacle with Wild Hunt.

As a seasoned gamer with decades of gaming experience under my belt, I must say that these series you’ve mentioned are nothing short of phenomenal. The Uncharted series, with its grandeur and action-packed adventures, has always been a favorite among many gamers, including myself. And the Elder Scrolls series, oh boy, where do I even start? The immersive worlds, deep lore, and endless gameplay hours have made it a staple in the RPG genre.

It’s logical to expect that each installment of a game series progresses in quality as the developers build upon their initial success. With each new release, they have the opportunity to refine and enhance the gameplay experience based on feedback from previous versions, making the sequel potentially even better.

Usually, sequels tend to disappoint as they end up producing games that are objectively inferior, but thankfully, there are developers who live up to expectations and work tirelessly to produce even more impressive follow-ups.

1 The God Of War Series

From Killing His Father To Becoming A Father

  • Major games with their ratings: God of War (94), God of War 2 (93), God of War 3 (92), God of War Ascension (80), God of War (94), God of War Ragnarok (94)

Since 2005, the renowned Santa Monica studios introduced the initial installment of the groundbreaking God of War series, exclusively on the PS2, which eventually earned its place among the greatest video game franchises ever created.

Over six primary installments, these games introduce players to Kratos, a semi-divine character who ultimately ascends to the role of the God of War from Ares. His tale unfolds as he battles both Greek and Norse deities, encounters creatures far larger than himself, and learns to care for a son he previously knew little about.

In each fresh installment, Santa Monica Studio introduced innovative gameplay elements, strengthened the narrative by making it more consistent and emotionally resonant, and didn’t shy away from experimentation. The series reached its zenith with the recently released God of War Ragnarok, earning widespread praise and numerous perfect scores.

2 The Persona Series

Anime Tropes & Turn-Based Battles

  • Major games with their ratings: Revelations: Persona (78), Persona 2: Innocent Sin (75), Persona 3 (86), Persona 4 (90), Persona 5 (93)

The original “Persona” game, known as “Revelations: Persona,” was initially launched in 1996 for PlayStation, PlayStation Portable, and PC platforms. At the time, this Japanese Role-Playing Game (JRPG) wasn’t widely recognized, and due to its outdated mechanics, it can be challenging to engage with it now. However, despite these difficulties, it marked the beginning of one of the greatest JRPG series ever made, and each subsequent game has only improved upon its quality and gained more fans.

The popularity of the “Persona 3” game increased due to improved mechanics that made it more accessible for new players, and a remake was recently released. This was followed by “Persona 4,” and then the highly praised “Persona 5,” which marked the series’ zenith in terms of critical acclaim.

3 The Batman Arkham Series

Mark Hamill As The Joker, Enough Said

  • Major games with their ratings: Batman Arkham Asylum (92), Batman Arkham City (94), Batman Arkham Knight (87)

Back in 2009, I stumbled upon a game that redefined the Batman gaming experience – “Batman: Arkham Asylum”. Rocksteady Studios took the impossible and made it possible, crafting a game that seamlessly blended Batman’s gadgets, skills, characters, and lore into an immersive gameplay. The sequel, “Batman: Arkham City”, upped the ante even more by offering an expansive open-world city-turned-prison for me to explore.

As a gamer, I have to admit that not everyone was overjoyed about Batman Arkham Knight, but for me, it took the series to new heights by enhancing every aspect of its predecessor and bringing the Batmobile into the fray. The roster of villains was top-notch, and their individual quests were what truly made this game shine.

4 The Grand Theft Auto Series

Live A Life Of Crime

  • Major games with their ratings: GTA, GTA 2 (70), GTA 3 (97), GTA Vice City (95), GTA San Andreas (95), GTA 4 (98), GTA 5 (97)

From its debut in 1997 with the original Grand Theft Auto, this game series has consistently adhered to a central idea shared by later GTA editions: carjacking vehicles, engaging in gunfire, and completing missions.

Initially, the first two installments in this series received positive feedback from both fans and critics. However, it wasn’t until the launch of GTA 3 that the series gained mainstream recognition, often considered as one of the pioneering open-world sandbox games in 3D. The subsequent titles, specifically GTA Vice City and San Andreas, were exceptional and progressively improved aspects such as character development, world design, graphics, storyline, and gameplay mechanics.

Using GTA 4, Rockstar earned numerous Game of the Year accolades despite having a few rough edges. Fast forward a few years, and Rockstar essentially secured its place in gaming history with the release of GTA 5, one of the most refined and graphically impressive games that continues to shine today. It received countless perfect scores in reviews, and it was so exceptional that only time will reveal if Rockstar can ever produce something as grand and awe-inspiring again.

5 The Uncharted Series

Sic Parvis Magna

  • Major games with their ratings: Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune (88), Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (96), Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception (92), Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End (93)

Drawing inspiration from the adventures of Lara Croft, the creative team at Naughty Dog developed the _Uncharted_ series, which was specifically designed for the PlayStation. The story revolves around the character Nathan Drake, who is on a quest to satisfy his curiosity about exploration and treasure hunting.

As I dive deeper into each installment of this thrilling series, the games grow grander, more awe-inspiring, and the risks escalate while the prizes glimmer brighter. My debut adventure found me trekking through the dense Amazon rainforest and an undiscovered island off South America’s coast. In Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, I journeyed across the snow-capped vistas of China’s Tibetan Plateau. The third installment sends me to the vast Rub’ al Khali desert.

In the last installment, Nathan Drake’s thrilling journey concludes as he finds himself starting a new chapter in life – one filled with domestic bliss and raising a daughter who shares his passion for treasure hunting. This game is widely considered the finest in the series, setting an exemplary standard of what an action-adventure game with a compelling narrative should achieve.

6 The Elder Scrolls Series

Dragons & Draugrs

  • Major games with their ratings: Elder Scrolls: Arena, Elder Scrolls 2: Daggerfall, Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind (87), Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion (94), Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim (96)

Today, Bethesda’s prestige might not hold the same weight as it did a few decades past, but its Elder Scrolls series still stands out. Pioneering the action-RPG genre and offering some of the largest, most diverse game worlds, intricate lore, and delightful gameplay, the Elder Scrolls series has left an indelible mark since its debut on TV screens in 1994.

Bethesda consistently invested immense effort and affection into each game installment of the series, reaching a peak with Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind. However, the franchise surpassed its own excellence in every possible manner in both Oblivion and Skyrim, with the latter still holding the reputation as one of the greatest RPGs ever produced. Players have dedicated countless hours to exploring its world, often logging times that far exceed simple thousands.

7 The Witcher Series

“Medallion’s Humming. Place Of Power, It’s Gotta Be”

  • Major games with their ratings: The Witcher (81), The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings (88), The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (92)

Among all other game series, none seems more fitting to this list than the Witcher series. Initially, the first Witcher was exclusively available on PC and Mac platforms, and it had its fair share of rough edges due to CD Projekt Red being a relatively new studio at that time. However, they managed to produce an impressive debut for a new intellectual property. The sequel, Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings, saw the studio placing greater emphasis on improving the game’s overall quality, particularly its storyline, characters, and immersive world.

In “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt,” CD Projekt Red struck gold by producing one of the finest role-playing games. The game was particularly acclaimed for its side missions, but also earned praise for its captivating world, memorable characters, and exceptional writing. Despite the relatively ordinary combat mechanics, it garnered Game Of The Year Awards, amassing a devoted fanbase that continues to regard “The Witcher 3” as the zenith of RPG narrative.

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2024-08-24 08:05