The Best Sequels To Mediocre Video Games

Summary

Conker’s Bad Fur Day redeemed itself from a generic, family-friendly platformer and became a cult classic that parodied 3D platformers.
Red Steel 2 improved on its glitchy, boring predecessor by enhancing the gameplay and retooling its aesthetics, making it feel like a whole new IP.
Dragon Age: Inquisition turned around the disappointment of Dragon Age 2 with lovable companions and engaging combat, and it even won Game of the Year in 2014.

Sequels for outstanding video games offer creators a chance to build upon their initial success by either extending its strengths or refining its minor weaknesses. On the other hand, when a fairly ordinary game receives a follow-up, it presents developers with a rare chance to correct past mistakes and craft something original, engaging, and enjoyable – making it worthwhile for players to invest both time and money.

It’s not fair to conclude that a studio should exit the industry or an intellectual property (IP) should be abandoned based solely on one game receiving negative feedback. History has shown us numerous instances of outstanding video games that were successful follow-ups to less impressive predecessors. These eight games are prime examples of exceptional sequels to average originals, and it’s indisputable that gaming history would have been poorer without them.

8. Conker’s Bad Fur Day

Sequel To: Conker’s Pocket Tales

Many gamers often recall “Conker’s Bad Fur Day” as an edgy and mature 3D treasure-hunting game that spoofed popular 3D platformers from the late ’90s and early 2000s, which were primarily developed by Rare. Although “Conker’s Bad Fur Day” is now a cherished cult favorite, not everyone realizes it is a follow-up to an earlier game called “Conker’s Pocket Tales.

As a devoted fan, I’d like to share some thoughts about “Conker’s Pocket Tales,” a 2D platformer that graced the Game Boy in 1999, a good two years before the iconic “Bad Fur Day.” While it’s not a game you’d label as terrible, it does feel quite straightforward and unremarkable compared to its successor. One notable distinction between them is their tone.

“Pocket Tales,” with its family-friendly approach, is a far cry from the mature humor we came to love in “Bad Fur Day.” Originally, Rare intended for Conker’s N64 adventure to be titled “Twelve Tales: Conker 64,” but thankfully, things evolved, and the franchise gained a unique edge. The shift towards the adult-oriented “Bad Fur Day” definitely made Conker stand out more in the gaming world.

7. Red Steel 2

Sequel To: Red Steel

The game titled Red Steel, initially launched for Nintendo’s Wii console, is now largely unremembered. In this game, players could experience the unique sensation of wielding a katana and firing a gun, thanks to the revolutionary motion controls that the Wii introduced at the time. Regrettably, the game received substantial criticism for its monotonous combat, inconsistent control issues, and ordinary presentation.

However, surprisingly, Ubisoft went on to create a sequel to Red Steel four years later, making it compatible with the recently launched WiiMotion Plus accessory.

The game called Red Steel 2 made excellent use of an accessory, resulting in both its swordplay and gunplay feeling extremely intuitive, greatly enhancing the overall enjoyment compared to the original version. Instead of sticking with the mafia theme and realistic graphics of the first game, Ubisoft opted for anime-inspired visuals blending Japanese samurai films and American westerns. This new style gives Red Steel 2 a fresh feel compared to its underwhelming predecessor, and it would be great if Ubisoft considered re-releasing an updated version or a sequel on Nintendo Switch and potential future models like Switch 2 in the near future.

6. Saints Row 2

Sequel To: Saints Row

In the early 2000s, I found myself utterly captivated by Rockstar’s groundbreaking open-world sandbox series, Grand Theft Auto. It wasn’t long before other developers jumped on the bandwagon, aiming to replicate its success. One such game that emerged was Saints Row, a tough-talking, gangster-themed sandbox title with a few fresh concepts.

Unfortunately, the gameplay mechanics were cumbersome and it received criticism for feeling overly reminiscent of Grand Theft Auto. But as a fan, I still appreciate its efforts to carve out its own niche in the crowded open-world genre.

In their effort to make the Saints Row IP distinctive, Developer Volition decided to make significant changes for the sequel, titled Saints Row 2. Just like many other open-world sandbox games, it offered a unique twist by incorporating an exuberant sense of humor, extravagant action sequences, extensive customization options, and various entertaining side quests and mini-games spread across the map. Saints Row 2 transformed the franchise, and if Volition hadn’t taken this new direction, the series might be considered just another generic Grand Theft Auto copy today.

5. Dragon Age: Inquisition

Sequel To: Dragon Age 2

In the year 2009, Electronic Arts (EA) and BioWare introduced the highly acclaimed western RPG, “Dragon Age: Origins.” This game played a significant role in boosting the popularity of the genre towards the end of the decade, even before “The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim” was released. Regrettably, due to EA’s pressure on BioWare to expedite the development process, the sequel, titled “Dragon Age 2“, fell short of expectations among fans, who were displeased with its repetitive gameplay and limited scope.

Inquisition a few years later. After devoting considerable effort into its creation and incorporating innovative concepts for a sequel to Origins that the team had been planning for several years (before EA hurried the development of Dragon Age 2), these developers crafted an exceptional RPG that was widely acclaimed for its charming companions, immersive world-building, captivating combat, and stunning visual direction. Inquisition was so superior to its precursor that it even won Game of the Year at the 2014 Game Awards.

4. Assassin’s Creed 2

Sequel To: Assassin’s Creed

As a devoted gaming enthusiast, I can’t help but notice that while Assassin’s Creed has undeniably grown into one of the industry’s most iconic franchises today, it’s surprising how often its inception is overlooked. The original Assassin’s Creed was a strong game with an intriguing backdrop, but it seems to pale in comparison to the numerous sequels that followed.

It’s almost as if I’m looking at a replica of Prince of Persia, minus all the elements that truly set the original series apart. Given that Assassin’s Creed initially started as a spin-off from Prince of Persia, this observation seems fitting.

Despite initial criticisms, Ubisoft recognized the captivating potential of Assassin’s Creed and produced a sequel that significantly improved upon its predecessor in nearly every aspect. The game, known as Assassin’s Creed 2, was widely lauded for its enchanting Italian backdrop, endearing protagonist Ezio Auditore da Firenze, gripping narrative, and polished gameplay. It’s fair to say that the iconic Assassin’s Creed series wouldn’t have reached its current status without the outstanding success of Assassin’s Creed 2.

3. Pokemon Gold And Silver

Sequel To: Pokemon Red, Blue, And Yellow

Many players hold fond nostalgia for the original titles, Pokemon Red and Blue, due to their groundbreaking turn-based RPG format and innovative monster-catching system, which significantly impacted the gaming industry and beyond. However, during its early stages, the Pokemon franchise’s reputation was primarily bolstered by the sheer brilliance of its core idea. Regrettably, the first two games have not aged well, as they are plagued with poor visuals (in the form of sprites), game-breaking bugs and glitches, and a severe lack of balance in gameplay.

The original games, Pokemon Red and Blue, are significant but can feel rather aggravating to play nowadays. However, Game Freak made considerable improvements in the sequels, specifically Pokemon Gold and Silver. In the second generation, Pokemon sprites became more detailed and colorful, enhancing their appearance. The combat system’s balance was improved by adjusting moves and types, and new features like a day-night cycle and Pokemon breeding were added, greatly improving gameplay. While Pokemon was already popular from the start, it’s safe to say that the main series would not have continued to thrive without the success of Gold and Silver.

2. Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening

Sequel To: Devil May Cry 2

Following the immense influence and pioneering role that Devil May Cry played in shaping the hack-and-slash genre, Capcom unfortunately chose to hasten the creation of a follow-up without incorporating the original team, including its director Hideki Kamiya. This decision led to the production of Devil May Cry 2, often regarded as one of the most poorly received video game sequels in history.

The sequel to DMC2, named Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening, was a significant improvement over its predecessor. Where the combat, level design, challenge, and character of DMC2 fell short, this game excelled. Its fast-paced battle system, rich mechanics, demanding boss fights, engaging plot, and captivating cast of characters, including a more appealing and iconic younger Dante, made it a hack-and-slash masterpiece that not only revived the franchise but also earned it enduring popularity. The game’s last-minute director, Hideaki Itsuno, aimed to redeem himself by creating this superior sequel.

1. Street Fighter 2

Sequel To: Street Fighter

It’s hard to argue against the impact Street Fighter 2 had on the fighting game genre, but many fans seem oblivious to the fact that it’s actually the second installment in the series. This could be due to the fact that the original Street Fighter, often seen as an average video game, doesn’t quite live up to its sequel’s legendary status.

This game struggled to shine amidst others in its era. The fighting was cumbersome, the controls were inconvenient, the activities were monotonous, and the playable figures were ordinary and uninspiring. Nevertheless, Street Fighter remains a significant milestone in gaming history (despite its numerous flaws). However, it’s hard to imagine the fighting game genre or this franchise as we know it today without Street Fighter 2, which redefined the landscape forever with its groundbreaking combo system, swift battles, rich assortment of vivid characters, and outstanding soundtrack.

2025-09-09 07:36