Video games have becomemore expensive and time-consuming to makethan ever before. This makes it important for AAA publishers to nail an IP, keeping players interested in more games that expand on this franchise and help players experience more adventures in a world they’re invested in. However, while most video game sequels feature direct continuations to a story established in previous titles, that isn’t the case with all of them.
Some video game sequels understand that a direct continuation may not be what fans are looking for. Instead, they decide to carry over certain aspects of previous games, while trying to recontextualize the events that have come to pass. This can be a risky proposition, but developers who know what they’re doing can make an amazing sequel that is arguably better than the titles that started it all.
The originalGod of Wartrilogy was a cathartic series, allowing players to lose themselves in the violence as they helped Kratos get his revenge on the gods that had wronged him. However, Kratos himself was pretty one-dimensional and known mostly for his anger. A modern take on this character would need to understand that the bloodthirst that drove him in the past may not be the best way to tackle every situation.
TheGod of Warrebootshows Kratos reconciling with his violent past by removing almost every human enemy and replacing them with monsters and vicious animals. Throughout the game, he tries to be a gentle father to Atreus, even though his very nature maks him vicious, hard, and unforgiving of his son’s mistakes. It takes a long time for him to finally connect with his child and realize that he doesn’t need the past to dictate his actions any longer.
Thehalls of Rapture were a blast to explore, but lightning rarely strikes twice. After Jack’s enthralling adventures,BioShock 2’s gameplay improvements and heightened enemy variety couldn’t make up for the lack of wonder that players endured when exploring the claustrophobic halls of Rapture for a second time. It was clear to Ken Levine and everyone else at Irrational Games that something needed to change for the third installment.
By using the concept of parallel dimensions,BioShock Infinitecompletely changes the context of Jack’s adventures in Rapture. The game declares that the events took place in a different dimension, as opposed to the one where Booker and Elizabeth embark on a grand adventure. It can be a tough pill to swallow, but helps the ending ofInfinitestand out as one of the most epic conclusions to a video game.
Mass Effect 2makes it clear that the threat of the Reapers is as clear as day, and the universe must band together to get rid of this galactic threat. However, some fans found it odd that the sentient races of the galaxy didn’t try to find refuge in some other galaxy. These players will love the premise ofMass Effect: Andromeda, even ifthe game lacks a lot of the magicthat made the originalMass Effecttrilogy such a blast.
The threat of the Reapers is what leads to the Andromeda project becoming a reality, as players try to find a new home in this unfamiliar location. Of course, this information is kept from the settlers, to prevent fear from taking hold. Ryder must piece together everything their father knew to understand the full scope of theAndromedaproject and why it’s so important.
Despite being a sequel,Red Dead Redemption 2serves as a precursor to the events of the first game and lets playersstep into the shoes of a brand-new character. Witnessing Dutch’s gang back when it wasn’t dysfunctional makes for a great time. Players get to know the members of the band, witnessing both familiar faces and new ones. Arthur’s personal tale plays a major role in the events ofRed Dead Redemption 2, with John functioning as more of a side character.
Watching Dutch slowly become more unhinged as the people closest to him die is hard to watch. Micah’s poisonous presence eventually pushes him over the edge. Arthur’s tuberculosis cuts his life short and John takes over the reins as the protagonist, hunting down and killing Micah along with Sadie Adler. Unfortunately, this murder is the reason why the Pinkertons manage to blackmail John into doing their dirty work in the first game, further contextualizing the events ofRed Dead Redemption.
Half-Lifewas a groundbreaking FPS that helped Valve reach new heights in the gaming industry. Given the studio’s penchant for reaching new heights with their games, it’s easy to see why the sequel took things in a bigger and bolder direction. The failed experiments of Black Mesa attract the attention of the Combine, a technologically advanced species that takes over Earth.
The scope of the sequel is enhanced considerably, and the Combine is revealed as the reason why the aliens from the first game were forced to colonize Xen and turn it into their home world. It’s a bold direction for a sequel to take and serves as one of the many reasons whyHalf-Life 2is consideredone of the best first-person shooters ever made.
