OXCGN:
"Game sequels should always be better than their predecessors. It’s a rule and usually a certainty.
Films must rely on narrative and characterisation for success; two elements that can often be subjective in their effectiveness. If a film has already spent the time introducing the characters and filling in their backstories, a successful sequel can be a daunting task to provide the same intrigue and compelling plotlines.
Games have it a bit easier. Gameplay and usability are the major drawcards, and can be improved much more readily by seeking feedback from the prior game and simply taking out the bad and adding more of the good with some new features sprinkled on top. With each successive title we expect, nay demand, a better experience.
But does this really happen in execution? It’s time to find out as we look at some of the notable games and sequels that have both existed in this generation, and choose our pick of which did it best."
RPGs are often huge, sprawling endeavours. With limited playtime, we have to choose wisely, so here's the best western RPGs available today.
"I started playing games yesterday" the List... Meh!
How about a few RPGs that deserve some love instead?
1 - Alpha Protocol - Now on GOG
2 - else Heart.Break()
3 - Shadowrun Trilogy
4 - Wasteland 2
5 - UnderRail
6 - Tyranny
7 - Torment: Tides of Numenera
And for a bonus game that flew under the radar:
8 - Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden
Not only glorious jank, but the idea that the story can completely change depending on what you do, or say, or side with, makes it one of the most forward thinking games ever. The amount of story permutation is the equivalent of a Hitman level but in Story Form. And it wasn't just that the story changed, no, it was that you met completely new characters, or missed them, depending on your choices. Made Mass Effect feel static in comparison.
Alpha Protocol was absolutely glorious, indeed. And it was, and still is, more Next Gen than most anything out there these days. In this regard at least.
Pity.
Wealth of Geeks explores some of the best gaming romances that have stolen our hearts over the years.
Alvios Games discusses the titles that inspired Vellum, including Halo 3: ODST, Mass Effect 3, Hades, and Slay the Spire.
The comparisons are good and I completely agree with them. It shows that not all sequels aren't always better than their originals.
Some game developers should have thought of a new way to change the game in their sequel and not just make another one to try and make more money.
Why not just make it a different series?
Case in point: the Need for Speed series. The street racing ones are all well and good, but then Shift is something entirely different as is World and the upcoming Hot Pursuit.
The only thing they have in common is cars and 'NFS', probably just to get sales from the name. Especially Hot Pursuit which looks more like Burnout and is by Criterion anyway.
FarCry is another series where the games only share the title and pretty environments.
There are times when it is necessary due to plot changes that have been evolving over time. Such as Splinter Cell.
While many gamers simply wanted another Chaos Theory, that game was really the end of the Sneak/peek/pop style of Sam Fisher.
Things changed in the game world, so the actual game style needed to change as well.
But many gamers can't see that, and simply want repetition, which does not advance any game.
I'll disagree with you on Far Cry REALgamer - the sequel was a completely different beast to the original. There were some really innovative and unique elements added to FC2
Pretty good list, although I think Mass Effect was waaaay better than ME2. But looks like thats just me.